The Bondsman (a King Dice x Reader story)

Chapter Seventeen: Betrayal Begins With Trust

Song: Casino Calavera by Peter McConnell

     You rubbed your arms as a chill swept through the air, coat whipping around your ankles as the kids huddled against each other. Contrary to popular belief, the closer you got to the Devil's Casino, the colder it became; The temperature would drop significantly as you approached the door. Inside was a whole different story, however. Hot, sweltering, broiling. The mere thought made you break into a sweat.

     That train had nearly forced you to give in and scram completely had it not been for the boys. You'd needed them to keep the damn thing busy so you could focus on firing off steel, the whole debacle taking nearly two hours not including Werner's tantrum of a brawl . The rat had been easier than that train...the Phantom Express having been the coup de gras to your night's endeavors. Not including the one you were dreading the most, of course.

     "Everything is hurting," Cuphead grumbled, rubbing at some small cracks and bruises forming after your locomotive themed smackdown. You gently pulled his hand away as he picked at a particularly deep fissure, assuring him that once this was all over you'd see about getting them both fixed and glued back up. Until then, it was best that they leave any cracks and chips alone; the last thing you needed was for the two to fall apart any more than they already had. "Fine, fine," Cuphead huffed, shooing your hand away. "Don't baby me!"

     "She wouldn't need to if you'd stop messin' with it," Mugman called over his shoulder. He'd moved toward the front of your party now, taking the lead as the entrance to the cave grew wider and wider upon your approach. The jagged edges smiled down at you, glinting in the moonlight like teeth as if anticipating the chance to swallow you whole. You felt your pace slow as you grew nearer, biding as much time as you could in an attempt to delay the inevitable. The wind had begun to howl around you, tugging at any escaped pieces of hair with angry hands.

     You were only a few feet away from the entrance, now; inches; centimeters. From there, it'd be a short journey into the cave's stomach and to the doors of the casino; Five minutes at the most. From where you stood at the cave's mouth, you could already hear the sound of jazzy music and fists slamming tables; intoxicated laughter bubbling and echoing from all around you.

     Busy night tonight...not good.

     "Why don't you let me lead," you said, suddenly taking a moment to reach forward and pull the boys behind you, much to their irritation. "I've got a different way in. It'd be best if we avoided the crowds, anyways. There's a side door...I'll see if it's unlocked while you wait out front."

     There were a few moments of complaint and debate before they finally gave in to your orders, following along like you had asked as you took your first steps into the cave's mouth. You'd never felt the need to be so cautious before, typically charging straight down to the casino, through the side door, and into the Devil's office without so much as a hesitation or knock as you slammed whatever contracts he'd demanded down onto his desk with a sneer.

     It had always driven him mad...you'd better not do that tonight. You didn't need him any more angry than he already was.

     "Hey, Straightway?" Mugman whispered, trying to avoid an echo as he pulled at the back of your coat. "What happens if we can't get in the sidedoor?"

     You forced yourself to keep walking as you responded. "I suppose that leaves us with no other choice than the front," you whispered back, "but I doubt it'll be locked. I've never had that issue before."

     It wouldn't surprise you if you had that issue tonight, though; It would certainly be the cherry atop your already dilapidated and miserable cake. Your spirits sunk even lower as the casino grew closer, the bright lights illuminating the space around you with a yellow glow, sending your shadows dancing along the walls. The music grew louder, the voices grew roudier, and your nerves continued to skyrocket.