Last of the Living

Last of Luck

Oh fuck.

"Well would you look at that." A chuckle left the man's mouth, clear amusement in his tone that sent the other man's hatred even deeper. "It seems luck was not on your side tonight."

Husk's shock was palpable. He had never imagined losing his position, his control, to anyone, let alone to someone like Alastor.

But now, the dice lay still on the table, and the outcome was undeniable. Husk had lost.

The casino had been his lifeline, the only thing keeping him grounded in this hellish world, the only thing that connected him to his life before everything had gone to shit. His mouth fell open, his poker face no longer visible and replaced with an expression of disbelief.

"No.. There's no way, y-you.." Husker's winning streak was bound to come to an end sometime soon, and he knew that. Deep down he knew Alastor had played fair, as much as he hated to admit. So, he lowered his finger from accusing the man of cheating, and swallowed down the insults he had in mind.

Alastor's grin widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, Husker, it was a pleasure playing with you. Now, as per our agreement, I am now the new leader of this fine establishment of yours."

The room fell silent as the other inhabitants of the casino watched the exchange. They had all seen Husk as an unshakable figure, but now they saw a man who had been outmaneuvered.

Alastor's deep brown eyes gave Husk a signal, nudging his head towards the waiting people, and Husk immediately understood the unspoken message.

Husker stood, the same way he had for years while building up to his status. And now, as a final time, he stood tall with an unreadable face.

"As most of you know, I've been here a long time."

His eyes trail over the audience, recognizing each and every one of them. The day he accepted them in open arms as long as they return the favor by doing his dirty work.

"I've seen this place at its worst and at its best." Best being having enough spoiled food for everyone to feast on and half of them getting food poisoning. "And in all that time, I've done my best to keep this place running."

There were nods of agreement in the crowd, and Husk couldn't help but feel more at ease. "As of today, I will be stepping down my position as your leader."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the room erupted into chatter and whispers. Concern and confusion spread among the patrons. Husk raised a hand, his voice cutting through the noise.

"Quiet down!" He commanded, his voice sharp and authoritative. The crowd fell silent almost immediately, eyes wide with anticipation. They followed his orders, just as they did all those years before. Some have only been here for a few months, weeks, and some even a couple days, but they could all recognize that stern voice like it's been there their whole life.

He waited for a moment, ensuring he had everyone's full attention. "As of now, Alastor is the new leader of the casino." The crowd's eyes followed where Husk was pointing to, and eyed the new man that was going to be leading them from here on out. "He's got his own ideas, his own way of doing things. And it's time to see where he can take this place."

He glanced over at the seat where Alastor sat, and he was watching Husk with an amused expression. "Alastor's got a vision, and maybe it's exactly what this place needs to thrive."

Husk was just talking out of his ass. The only reason why he's saying this to the people is because he lost a silly game that he had full intention on winning. But these people can't loose anymore hope than they had already lost.

Taking another deep breath, he concluded with a note of encouragement. "I will still be here, but I will hold no higher power above any of you. I will be an equal, so I don't want anyone coming to me for anything. You go to Alastor. I still expect everyone to show him the same respect you've shown me for years, no matter who's in charge."

With a final nod, Husk stepped away as the crowd watched him with a mix of respect and honor.

His eyes trailed back to the man that he had lost to, the man who came into his casino as a total stranger and single handedly taken everything he had. His pride and joy, and his last bit of control.

A bit over dramatic, but nothing a good bottle of vodka can't handle.

"Follow me."

Husk could feel Alastor's gaze boring into the back of his head, but he kept his focus straight ahead and eventually, they reached Husk's office, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. The room was neat and organized, every paper and knick-knack in its place.

Husk gestured for Alastor to take a seat across from his meticulously arranged desk. Alastor obliged, his ever-present grin widening as he made himself comfortable.

"Alright, Alastor," Husk began, leaning back and lighting a cigarette. "What's the plan? How are you gonna run this place?"

Alastor leaned forward. "Simple, my dear Husker. That is for me to worry about."

Husk raised an eyebrow, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Oh? You really think you can just walk into my casino, the casino that I've been running since before this whole shit show went down, convince me to play a game with you over a wink and some cheap booze, loose every game that had no reward up until I agreed to have you take my place as the new leader, make me tell my people I'm stepping down just to not tell me your little plan for all of this?! You think I'm some kind of fucking clown?!"

Alastor's brown eyes glistened with malevolent glee.

"Maybe."

Husk took a step back, his bravado faltering in the face of Alastor's unwavering confidence. "Who are you..? No- what are you?" His voice was clearly shaken, just above a whisper and tinged with fear.

He has spent years living through hell, he's seen the unforgettable. It's been a good long time since he's been afraid.

Alastor chuckled, a low, ominous sound that sent shivers down Husk's spine. "I'm Alastor." He purred, his tone dripping with dark amusement, but Husk found nothing amusing.

"Why me of all people? Out of all the districts you could've gone to, you came to mine. Why. What exactly do you want from me. What are you planning."

Being direct was the best option right now for him, but he was already twisted in the man's own personal little game.

Alastor's smile never wavered. "I want you to understand your place," he said, his tone cold and commanding. "Serve me well, and you might just find this arrangement tolerable."

"And if I don't?"

He already knew the answer to his own question, but he had to know exactly how twisted this man was.

Alastor's dark aura pressed down on him, a constant reminder of his helplessness and the futility of resistance. The feeling was suffocating, and Husk knew that any defiance would be met with swift and brutal consequences. His sharp, yellow smile never left his face, and Husk wanted nothing more than to drink away the memory of ever seeing it in the first place. Wash it away with the best he knew how: liquor.

He didn't know if the man had actually responded to his question, too hazy with fear just because of the man's presence.

A weak man is what he's become.