Page 102 of Role Play
“We need to regroup,” Forrest decides. “Sora, stay behind me. We’re going to make a run for the central building.”
I nod, my hands shaking from adrenaline. This is supposed to be just a game, but the fervor in Forrest’s eyes tells me he’s taking the protective hero role very seriously.
We move together through the maze of obstacles, Forrest shielding me with his body at every turn. Despite the bulky gear and masks, there’s something undeniably intimate about the way he keeps me close, his hand occasionally brushing mine.
“Almost there,” he murmurs as the dilapidated central structure comes into view. “Just a few more—Ah! Fuck!”
A paintball explodes right above his shoulder, the bright blue dusting his protective vest.
“Sniper!” he yells, pushing me behind a concrete barrier. “From the tower!”
I peek around the edge and spot Jax, perched in the watchtower, reloading his weapon.
“It’s Jax,” Forrest confirms. “He’s got the high ground.”
“Dammit,” Taio mutters. “And Trevor and Brody are guarding the entrance to the building. We’re cut off. Any bright ideas?”
Forrest thinks for a moment. “We need a distraction. Something to draw them out of position.”
“I have an idea. Sora, remember how we got separated at the beginning?” Taio asks.
“Yeah?”
“That wasn’t an accident. They’re using a divide-and-conquer strategy. But we can turn it against them.”
“How?” Forrest asks.
“Let them capture Sora.”
“What?” Forrest’s voice rises in disbelief. “No way in hell.”
“Think about it,” Taio continues. “They’ve been targeting her to fuck with you, Hawk. If they ‘capture’ her, they’ll relax and lower their guard. They’ll think they’ve won.”
“And then what?” I ask, oddly intrigued by the plan.
“Then we launch a counterattack while they’re celebrating. Classic Trojan horse.”
“I don’t like it,” Forrest says stubbornly. “Using Sora as bait is exactly what they want.”
“I can handle myself,” I insist. “Besides, isn’t this whole day about the ‘touch her and die’ trope? What better setup than a rescue mission?”
Forrest is quiet for a moment, then sighs. “Fine. But at the first sign of trouble, abort.”
“Not your rodeo anymore, cowboy. I’m taking over the offensive strategy now,” Taio says. “Sora, make it look convincing. Let them capture you and take you to their base in the tower. I’ll be right behind you.”
I take a deep breath. “Okay. Here goes nothing.”
Before Forrest can protest further, I stand up, hands raised, and step out from behind our cover.
“Don’t shoot!” I call out, trying to sound appropriately defeated. “I surrender!”
The paintball field goes quiet for a moment. Then Randy’s voice rings out from the tower: “Well, well. Look who’s all alone.” He gestures to someone out of my sight. “Brody, escort our guest to the tower.”
Brody emerges from behind a barricade, paintball gun trained on me.
“Don’t,” I plead.
“Don’t what?” he grunts.
