Page 58 of Vas

“You guys go up,” Vas said. “Cover us from above as we make our way toward the middle.”

“Ten-four,” Luke responded and Anna had to hide her face in Vas’s side to smother a laugh.

“Maybe I should cover you from here,” Anna suggested, once Tiffany and Luke disappeared up the ramp. She eyed the activity in the center of the room, knowing she’d get shot for sure.

Vas laughed. “Come on. Where’s your sense of adventure?” He took her hand and pulled her from the safety of her sanctuary.

He aimed for a center pillar, Anna hot on his heels, until he did some fancy spinning move to avoid getting hit and Anna kept going, her line of sight narrow as she raced for protection.

The column she ducked behind was wide and had easily enough shielding, but she still felt exposed with no friend at her back. She looked around, trying to pinpoint where Vas had gone, but he was nowhere in sight.

A few people ran by. She aimed her gun and fired a few shots, missing every time. She scanned the upper level, trying to see if she could find Tiffany and Luke, but at such a distance everyone looked the same in their black suits and helmets. The only distinguishing factor was the brightly colored armbands players wore and she didn’t see any pops of red.

She needed to move around. Hiding in one spot wasn’t getting the job done. Creeping out to make sure the coast was clear, she ran full out, aiming for a bench about twenty feet away. She threw herself behind it, popping her head up over the top, firing. The most exhilarating thing happened… She got her first hit.

Did it matter that it was by complete accident and that she’d been aiming for a totally different person? Hell, no. Big grin on her face, she raised a fist into the air, shouting, “Yes!”

After that, there was no stopping her. Amped with a rush of adrenaline, she ducked, ran, and weaved across the arena, making three more ‘kill’ shots.

She was taking a quick breather behind her original pillar when she felt a presence materialize beside her. Turning, she found a smiling Vas.

“Having fun?”

Grinning, she said four words she never thought she’d say, let alone be happy about. “I killed four people.”

“That’s my girl.”

Laughing, she threw her arms around his waist and received a tight one-armed hug in return.

They separated again after that, and Anna was having the time of her life, until things took a turn.

It happened when she ran for a faux rock about fifty feet away. Legs pumping, she turned her head this way and that, and she had just turned her head to look over her shoulder to check behind her when she collided with someone. They both fell, Anna landing on her hip with a hard thunk.

“What the hell, bitch? Watch where you’re fucking going.”

Still a bit stunned, Anna pushed up onto a hand, turning to look at the glaring man yelling at her. Two strong hands grabbed her from under her arms and lifted her to her feet.

“You okay, sweetheart?” Vas’s voice asked close to her ear.

“Yeah.” She gingerly rubbed her sore hip.

“Apologize to the lady. Now.” The words thundered from Vas’s mouth.

“What the fuck for. She’s the one who crashed into…” It was at that point the guy looked up from his spot on the floor—way up—and Anna saw him visibly swallow.

“You don’t want a problem with me.” The menacing quality of Vas’s deep voice sent a small shiver down Anna’s spine.

Though Vas’s comment had been a statement not a question, the guy answered anyway by way of vigorously shaking his head.

“Then apologize for calling my woman a bitch.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” he was quick to reply. “I didn’t mean it.”

Vas held out his hand and after a short hesitation, the guy took it and Vas helped him to his feet.

The guy looked at her and dipped his head, his eyes quickly darting to Vas and back again. “I overreacted. Gamer rage.” He held out a hand. “No hard feelings?”

Anna looked up at Vas, who gave her a small head dip before she took the guy’s hand and gave it a shake. Then they both watched the guy walk off.

---