Mountains and Buffalo.

Chapter 26: Games and Chats.

As it would turn out, Serpents and Vines was a remarkably easy game to learn. The goal for all the players was to make it to the end of the board. Each player had a turn to roll two die, and depending on the number, the player would move that many paces. However, some tiles had, as the game would imply, serpents and vines, where the former would bring you closer to the beginning, and the latter, closer to the end.

Such a simple game made me think adults shouldn't be playing it. I also felt as if such a game existed elsewhere under a completely different alias. Setting those feelings aside, I was enjoying myself.

"That's a five. I barely missed a serpent, phew."

The bearded man, Damon, was in the lead. Nigel was in second place, and due to an unfortunate series of dice rolls, I was dead last. I was surprised that something like this could make my eyes twitch, but I was able to keep myself composed.

"That's a three. Damon, it's your turn."

"Right on."

Turns shifted and the die rolled. The process repeated a countless number of times and the minutes passed by quickly. At some point, it stopped being that way. At some point, rolling the die and moving a figure a few paces forward became dull. Looking at Nigel and Damon, it was impossible to tell if they felt the same.

"Six. Lucky me. You're up, Kenny."

"Huh? Oh, alright."

I grabbed the die and shook it in my hand before throwing it on the table.

"A two. That puts me on a serpent, doesn't it?"

"Ha, you've got really bad luck with this game."

"Luck..."

Damon had a point. Maybe the absurd reliance on luck to function was why this game so quickly lost its luster. I moved my figure forward and was sent straight to the beginning. I sighed as my head sank.

"It's alright," Nigel said, "there's not much you can do about that."

"That's what's so frustrating. What's the point of playing a game you have no control over?"

I looked at the two men, who looked at each other and then back at me. They both shrugged.

"You people are strange..."

"Maybe so," Nigel started, "but games like this help to keep the nerves at bay. I'd rather be frustrated than uneasy."

I looked at him, conflicted. His words didn't align with what I knew.

"Uneasy? Are you feeling uneasy?"

"Pff, of course I am. We all are, even Damon over here."

"Shut up! Speak for yourself."

Damon looked away with a grumpy scowl.

"Especially Damon," Nigel stressed, "It's only natural if you ask me. Our upcoming operation will be the biggest battle we've ever fought. I'm sure the same is for you, Kenny; aren't you nervous?"

"I... well, of course I'm nervous. All you said was true, but..."

"But?"

I pinched my chin and thought: why was it that I had a reservation for his words? I knew better than anyone how parasitically such events nibbled your psyche. But still, I struggled to believe it.

Fortunately, I pinpointed the reason quickly.

"The whole Retaliation Crowd seemed so enthusiastic during that meeting. I didn't see you specifically, but with how loud the room was, you were cheering and roaring too, weren't you?"

"Mmm, that's what you're talking about."

Nigel looked away and placed his chin on top of his fist.

"Well, don't tell anyone, since it's a big secret and all, and I don't want to be beaten for spilling the beans, but we collectively agreed to act that way."

"...Huh?"

He looked back at me with a smile. A plain smile. It surprised me.

"You've seen Lola, haven't you? It isn't just her, our officers are doing terribly, too."

"I can't deny that."

"Right. We figured that it would make the situation worse if they thought we were dejected too. Let me tell you, after hearing the news about the Raptors, it wasn't easy. It wasn't easy at all."

He grabbed the die and shook it in his hands, releasing it and landing on a five.

"I don't know who started the cheer, but I owe them. They saved this whole thing."

He stopped talking and moved his figure. He looked at Damon.

"You're up."

"Right on."

They kept playing the game as if nothing happened. It gave me ample opportunity to mull over his words. I had a knot in my stomach at first, one that came from confusion, but as I mulled over it, I felt something spark inside of me.

"That's... that's incredible."

"Huh?"

Nigel looked at me with his mouth agape.

"Incredible? You think that's incredible?"

"Y-Yes? What's wrong with that?"

He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, but then shrugged right after.

"You run into all sorts of crazy people in this job, don't you, Damon?"

"Are you calling this runt crazy? That just ain't fair."

"I'm still here! Have some tact, for goodness sake!"