Draw, Spades.

CHAPTER 1

     The four shadowed figures, hunched over the circular table between them, muttered quietly the plan they had discussed many times before. They needed to remove the backbone to the felts competence, and yet they were all reluctant to nominate themselves, and knew to suggest any of the three others would result in a painful fight for all.

The shortest, and most compassionate, of the beings suddenly perked up, announcing that they had an idea. They'd simply have to place their cards in the centre of the table. After having the small pile shuffled, one of the figures would choose a card and they would subsequently be nominated to carry out the mission.

They all nodded in agreement. Sure, none of them trusted themselves in the hands of luck, but the odds would be in favour of them not being elected. The second figure, the second tallest and by far the most sensible, deftly mixed the cards in a flurry. The third figure, only slightly shorter than the second, secretly willed the cards in his favour.

As much as he knew he would regret travelling to that mansion, the thought of what awaited him beckoned him. It was dangerous there, but if he got what he wanted out of the mission it would be more than worth it. He couldn't let the others know about this though. If they discovered his true feelings, he would never hear the end of it. He would lose all the respect that he had gained, and the team would fall into disarray. This was not a desirable outcome. So he kept it a secret from his team for their own sake. Entirely for them. Of course this was the case.

Just like he wanted, the cards drew the symbol of a spades. In a slight moment of panic, he glared at the fourth figure who had drawn the card from the second's hand. Feeling intimidated by the leader's power, he returned the card.

"No, you're right. I'm starting to think it would be better for us all to go as a group."

The figure assigned to spades thought about this for a second. Perhaps knowing that his crew would be nearby during the search would help him resist his urges. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of anyone, and this exercise should help with his self-control. Having quickly ended this discussion with himself, he nodded in agreement, the rest following his lead.

"So, boys. We'll leave this wretched place as the moon rises. We don't want to keep our host waiting for us, and I think we all need some rest before we leave."

Again, the crew silently nodded in agreement, not wanting to disagree with the one they respected. With one final glance at his comrades, the second figure, known as Diamonds, swiped his card from the pile and immediately made his way to his room where he would fall asleep first. Straight after him would be the first and fourth figures, Clubs and Hearts respectively. Spades would stay up for a few minutes longer.

He fell onto his bed, his arms outstretched. "Why do I have to be like this? Why does she have to be like this? It's not fair. Not fair at all." He slid his hands down his face. He hated how she made him feel, and how his dreams would be filled with her tonight. Visions of the most gruesome scenes; her body strewn limp across the floor, her amazingly stunning blue blood perfectly contrasting against the red of his enemies. The vision, as fulfilling as it was, made him uneasy. He would not sleep well tonight.