Chasing Shadows: An Alice In Borderlands Fanfic (Completed)

Chapter 8: The Zoo

The next night, Niragi insisted we go play a game together, despite the fact that I still had another day before my visa expired. He had stayed with me the night before instead of playing like he'd planned. And, as it turned out, several of the militants, including the leader, Aguni, had to play this night, and Niragi was eager to play with his boss. He even gave me one of his rifles so I could show him how I handled a weapon. "Maybe Aguni will have you join the militants...if you're good."

"Oh, I'm good," I said with a wink.

Niragi was loud and obnoxious during the trip there and even more so when we started the game, which took place at a zoo/amusement park combo. It was a six of spades event. Spades were physical strength games, and when I first saw it was a six, I felt the excitement Niragi did. I was ready for a challenge.

Spade games were Niragi's favorite. Given the choice, he'd choose those over any others. And being armed definitely held an advantage in these types of games.

In this game, we were zebras being hunted by predators. It was kill or be killed. To win, we had to kill all the predators. If we all died, it was Game Over.

Twelve people participated, including four militants and me. With five of us armed, Niragi was confident we'd win. Circling the other seven players, he taunted, "We'll use you as bait to draw them out, then BLAM! They're dead...and maybe you, too, if we don't shoot in time." He laughed as they cringed at his words.

Having had enough of his shit, I dragged him away by the collar. "With your black and white shirt," I quipped, "you resemble a zebra. Maybe I should be protecting your ass."

He scowled at me, jerking himself free from my grasp.

The other militants laughed. "I like her," their leader Aguni said.

Before Niragi could retort, the game began.

Niragi made a beeline for a pirate ship ride. "My favorite!" He looked like a little kid, gleefully hopping on the ride as it swung back and forth. All the rides were activated and moving slow enough anyone could enjoy them. "Woohoo!"

I joined him, as did another, unarmed participant. Niragi saw a metal crow sign and shot it.  "Easy!" Then he pulled me toward him. "This game looks too easy for a level six."

"Only if you're armed, like us."

He squished me against him, kissing me til I pulled away. "We don't have time for this." I slid back to the edge, ready to jump off.

"Where are you going?"

"Hunting." And I jumped off the ride, landing gracefully on the ground.

If he followed me, I didn't pay any attention. I hurried down the throughway until I came across a wild boar harassing an unarmed player. They were hunkered down inside a Tiltawhirl ride as it battered the fence surrounding the ride.

I leveled my rifle at the beast. "Hey!" I called to catch its attention, even as I captured it in my sight. I just had to hope this gun's aim was true. It was a bolt-action and held six rounds.

The boar turned my way, snorting. My first shot caught it in the shoulder. It charged.

I ejected the shell and fired again. The boar didn't go down. It ran closer. The third shot hit it right between the eyes. Its face buried in the dirt as it slid to a stop just inches from my feet.

"Woohoo! You got it, kitten!" I turned Niragi's way, my gun still trained on the boar.

"Duck," I said.

"Huh?" Niragi looked at me, confusion on his face.

"Get down!" I swung the rifle around, training the muzzle on a wolf sneaking up on us.