You Won't Get Away Twice (Alastor x Reader)

Chapter 2: It's his decision, not yours.

Watching Husk explain that every coin would represent one soul and every dollar would represent five easily made sense to the Radio Demon. It was more surprising to see the different stacks of coins and dollars between the two players.

Husk had a decent number to gamble with, but it looked like child's play compared to Alastor. How in Hell did he manage to gather so many souls during his time here? He's a terrifying man hiding in a red coat.

The first few rounds went by easily for Husk. He won every hand and earned every soul from Alastor. Husk didn't expect anything different. He was the gambling overlord! He knew the game and hasn't ever lost. I think that cocky attitude was the beginning of his downfall.

The first hand he lost didn't seem to outwardly make him nervous. He'd lost a hand or two before, but when those instances happened it was always his choice, not the opponents. It was all about strategy, that's what Husk would explain to me. Sometimes it was beneficial for him to lose a hand. He explained that this would help him read his opponent, learn what they would do when they had the upper hand. Do they smile? Do they have any giveaways or ticks? There was so much more to this than I originally thought.

But how do you read someone who always smiles? What other things was Husk looking for?

When Husk lost that hand, I knew he was strategizing. What I didn't know was if he was panicking at all. He still earned quite a bit of souls from the previous few hands. He was in a good spot. I should stop being so nervous. Husk was right. He is the gambling overlord for good reason. This is his game and his territory. There's no way Alastor is leaving here with more than he came in with.

But then it happened again... Husk lost another hand. This is abnormal.

"I think I'm starting to understand better." Alastor laughs as he looks at his next set of cards. "I can see why this would be addicting. It's very exciting." He exclaimed as he upped his bet. Of course he would, he's confident now.

Husk matched Alastor's bet and continued the round. My nerves started kicking back in. I can't tell if Husk still has a handle on things or if he's starting to get nervous too.

The game had been going on for a couple of hours at this point. Husk won a few rounds but had slowly been losing more and more rounds. Alastor now had more souls than what he came into the room with. It's easy to see that Husk is getting worried now. At least I can see it. I'm not sure if Alastor can read it on his face.

"You seem concerned, Husker." Alastor comments. Okay, so he can tell. "You agreed to these terms. I didn't twist your arm." He laughs. This got a growl from Husk.

"Shut up!" He yells out of frustration, dealing another hand and placing his bet. How long does he plan on letting this go on? When will they stop?

This may be a good time for me to try and help Husk. I've been leaning against this wall for hours, not making any comments or drawing any attention to myself. At this point I should blend in with the wall, not be noticed. If I make small gestures now, hopefully Alastor won't notice.

I watch as the next hand is dealt, focusing on Alastor's cards. As he lifts his cards, I can see the flashes of red and black before he holds them up high enough that I can no longer see. That's fine, the little bit of time I got that glimpse is all I need.

With my arms still crossed across my chest I use the hand that's covered by my arm and change the shape of my hand to one pointed finger. Husk should take notice of this gesture. He knows that this means his opponent is holding one pair. Husk has always been good at not looking directly at me or giving any nods that he notices my gestures. With my help he's able to win the hand.

"Hm." Alastor hums, eyes on his cards that have not been picked up yet. "You must be pretty desperate, Husker. If you're going to start using your 'hellhound' to cheat for you." The way Alastor quotes the word 'hellhound' makes me worried that he's aware of the disguise. But how?

"Why would I continue playing with a cheater?" Alastor states as he stands up from the table and fixes his coat. "I think I'll take my winnings and take my leave." At least with this outcome Husk is only down, so it's not the worst outcome.

"No!" Husk protests, putting up his hand and standing up from the table. "One more round. Just one more." Husk is basically pleading. "A winner takes all." He recommends.

"What do you think you're doing?" I interject. I still sound like the hellhound I'm trying to portray; I don't sound like myself. I can see Alastor glancing in my direction, but he doesn't say anything to me.

"Well, I guess I could play one more round." Alastor agrees as he sits back down. Why do I feel like Husk is walking right into Alastor's trap? I was nervous about this game before, but I feel like my heart is going to explode at this point.

The round felt like it took an hour just to get through, though realistically it had to of gone by in the same amount of time as previous rounds. I can't read anything on either of their faces. If they have a good hand or a bad hand, there is no way to know! This is terrifying.

Once hands are finally revealed, Alastor once again shows that he has the better hand.

"No..." Husk says quietly, frantically looking back and forth as every coin and dollar he once had was now on Alastor's side of the table.

"Well, this truly has been entertaining." Alastor laughs. "Thank you again for the invite. We should play again once you-"

"One more round." Husk interrupts. This is just sad!

"Husk, you don't have anything left to bet." I remind him.

"That's not entirely true." Alastor mentions as he leans back in his chair, looking more smug than usual.

"You've taken every soul he's ever collected. He has nothing left!" I argue with Alastor.

"He still has his power as an overlord, doesn't he?" Alastor asks as he finally turns his head towards me. "He still owns your soul, doesn't he?" He laughs. "He's got plenty to gamble away!"

"That's not funny." I growl. I know I'm losing my cool, but this is getting too dangerous. I knew it would.

"One more game, Husker." Alastor focuses his attention back on Husk. "If you win, I'll give you back every soul you wagered." He sits with his leg crossed over the other and his fingers intertwined together. That shit eating grin still plastered on his face.

"And if you win?" Husk questions.

"Your soul belongs to me. You lose your power as an overlord." Alastor calmly mentions. "I also want their soul." He throws in as he looks over at me. "There must be a reason you haven't gambled them away yet, and I'm intrigued." I don't like the way his eyes are narrowing at me.

"Husk, there's a right answer to this." I try and bring reason to him, no longer leaning against the wall.

"It's his decision, not yours." Alastor bites back at me. "So, what do you say, Husker?" He holds a glowing green hand out to Husk. "Do we have a deal?"

It takes a few seconds before Husk finally agrees. "It's a deal."

Fuck, no!