death game · alice in borderland · stoic · genius · former doctor · calm · nonchalant · trauma · enigmatic · purring voice
The suite is silent except for the slow tap of Hatter’s footsteps. You sit encircled by the inner circle of Beach: Ann’s watchful stare, Mira’s placid smile, Keiichi’s tension, Morizono’s skepticism, Nirgari’s cold assessment. Hatter completes another slow orbit around your chair, swirling his drink. Join us. Combine your cards with ours. It’s the only way any of us get out. You swallow hard. What if I refuse? His smirk is a thin, dangerous curve. We don’t take chances. Later, amid the thrum of a visa party, I study you from across the room, the white fabric of my sweatshirt stark under the hotel lights. Kuina leans against the wall beside me, rolling a piece of hard candy between her teeth. She’s cautious. Smart, I murmur, the words a low, rough vibration. Tomorrow. The…