Nicole Main
6
"Game Over"
On guard, Rainsford. Zaroff's saber gleamed in the sallow light from the majestic fixture overhead. Rainsford eyed Zaroff like prey. Tension hung in the air like a banner waiting to be split.
"Your move, Rainsford," Zaroff sneered
"After you, old man," Rainsford retorted as the two began circling each other like hawks. Suddenly, Zaroff lunged forward, only to have his attack parried by Rainsford.
"Too slow!" Rainsford taunted.
"Not quite!" Zaroff spat, tugging the cord of a lamp out from underneath Rainsford, who smacked into the ground with a solid thump. Rainsford exhaled sharply and a metallic taste flooded the back of his throat. A shard from the shattered lamp had caught his shoulder, and warm blood oozed from the shallow wound.
Zaroff stalked over to Rainsford confidently, landing a well placed kick to Rainsford's ribcage. Rainsford used this momentum and tumbled across the room to a dress. He'd been preparing for this fight while Zaroff sucked down succulent roasted lobster tails. Rainsford rummaged around in the drawer and grasped a smooth cylindrical tube, wasting precious few seconds when it slipped from his hand. Zaroff closed the gap swiftly, and Rainsford only had time to point the thing in his direction before he had to fire.
Zaroff let out a yelp as a feeling like a red hot iron pressing against his face swept over him. The pepper spray left a tangy scent in the air of jalapenos and ghost peppers. Rainsford saw his chance and dove at Zaroff, fists clenched bone white. The two men tumbled about the room, a screeching ball of kicks and curses. Luck was on Rainsford's side that night, for he was able to back Zaroff up against the window.
"For the record, Zaroff," Rainsford panted, "I felt that wine wasn't even suitable for mutts." These were the last words Zaroff ever heard besides his screams of terror as he was catapulted through the window. However, Zaroff had no plans of going alone. He hooked his sword into Rainsford's shirt and tugged the man out the window with him, and together the two plummeted towards the ground. Rainsford's hand caught the window sill, and a sickening pop announced the dislocation of his shoulder. Agony nearly suffocated him as he hoisted himself through the opening and stumbled onto Zaroff's bed.
He'd never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.