Chasing Shadows: An Alice In Borderlands Fanfic (Completed)

Chapter 10: The Camera

I had only met with the Hatter briefly my first night at the Beach. Chishiya brought me before him and the council, but he had been on his way out at the time. I had been informed of what the Beach stood for by two smart women and a sharp-looking man instead.

I met Hatter in his lounge, where he sat unabashedly groping and kissing two beautiful girls. He tapped their butts and had them leave us.

"Where's your psychotic friend?" he asked in greeting.

I scoffed. "More like needy bastard, but, anyway, I left him behind."

Hatter took a swig of some alcoholic beverage from a glass. "I'm surprised he listened."

I laughed. "He never listens, but sometimes he does obey."

The other man nearly spit out his drink. "I like you. No wonder Aguni recommended you for this."

"And what is this?" Curious, I took a seat across from him.

"We'll get to that in a minute. First, tell me a little about yourself, Daikichi Jen."

I wasn't in the mood to talk about myself. "You go first," I said.

Hatter chuckled. "Well, I've been here a while. Such a destitute place. I was a gigolo back in my Tokyo. Loved the women, the riches it brought. The fun." He got a wistful look in his eye. "I wanted to replicate some of that here, hence the Beach was born. You're aware of the three rules, neh?"

"Of course. Everyone must wear swimsuits...except the militant sect, of course. All cards belong to the Beach...that one irks me, I'll admit. The card you took...the two of hearts meant something to me."

"Oh? And what was that?"

"I lost my husband to win that stupid card. It's all I have left of him." My voice cracked despite my best efforts.

He might still be alive somewhere.

I shook off Chishiya's words. But somehow, they reminded me of the camera back in Niragi's room. We hadn't looked at it yet. I should do that after this.

"Ah, I heard something about you losing your husband. I'm very sorry."

"Thank you."

"I tell you what. Come with me tomorrow night to play a game and keep me safe, and I'll give you back your card."

I blanched. I...this was something I could not do, but I couldn't let him know that. "Thank you. Yes. I appreciate that. I'd love to go with you tomorrow night." I was supposed to agree to this. It was part of Aguni's plan. But the keeping him safe part...the card? Dammit, Aguni!

"Is something wrong?" Hatter asked.

"Oh...no. No, I'm fine. Just...just thinking of my husband." I hung my head.

"Ah, you never told me rule number three."

I couldn’t look at him, lest he find out. "Death to traitors," I whispered.

***

Niragi met me not far from Hatter's lounge.

"So?" he asked, slinging the ever-present rifle over his shoulder.

"I'm going to play a game with him tomorrow night. To keep him safe." Just saying the words made me sick to my stomach.

"Ah, is that all? That's a normal request for him. He likes to be surrounded by pawns."

"I'm no pawn."