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Part 6
Somehow they got through that evening without driving each other crazy, and without causing any
more embarrassment than could be readily avoided. Claire was still not thrilled with the sleeping
arrangements, but there wasn't a whole lot of choice. So Claire curled up in the one bed with Alyx,
and the guys snoozed away in theirs.
Alyx found herself unable to sleep and retreated out to the sitting area with a pillow and a couple
of blankets to channel surf for a few hours. When she finally drifted off, it was out of exhaustion
and nothing more.
Alyx was noticeably subdued during breakfast and throughout the morning demonstrations. Darien,
while not wanting to upset her, stayed near her so that she might take what comfort she could from
his presence. They had talked for a while the night before, after he had convinced her to come out
of the bathroom and be checked over by Claire. He could tell she was still cold, but she was doing
her best to ignore it. She just kept rubbing the side of her head; he had the oddest feeling it was
a habit that she had forgotten about. Much like his new tendency to rub the back of his neck. That
didn't start till he got the gland. It made him wonder what had happened to her what would cause
such a habit to develop.
Around lunchtime, she seemed to come back to herself a bit. After securing their wares, they headed
off to one of the meetings that came highly recommended and was apparently a tradition of this
convention. They took some seats off to one side of the room -- or rather, Claire and Hobbes did.
Alyx and Darien stood nearby, doing their jobs and keeping an eye out for trouble. Alyx had not
spotted that watcher all day, but had gathered what information she could from those who came to
speak to them.
She and Darien were a study in contrasts. Darien was doing the black thing again today and looked
impressive, if a bit casual compared to most of the others. Alyx was wearing a dark red outfit he
hadn't seen before. This one at least had long sleeves, and she hadn't been shivering nearly as
much. Leaning over slightly, he spoke softly. "You holding up?"
"Nah, too many bodyguards for a robbery." She slowly turned her head, surveying the room.
Darien had to suppress a laugh. "That wasn't what I meant."
"Right. Like it hasn't crossed your mind to pick a few pockets while wandering around in the
crowds?" She turned a bit more to actually look at him, more than a little grateful he hadn't felt
the need to stay as far away from her as he could. He would have been more than justified in doing
so.
"We okay?" he asked her quietly.
"Yeah. We're okay." Alyx smiled.
"Good. I'll teach you how to pick pockets later." Darien set a hand on her shoulder as she shook
with laughter for a minute.
"Dare..." she began, but was interrupted by someone at the podium clearing his throat.
"If you would take your seats, please, we'll get started." At his words, the room settled amazingly
fast. "As you know, this year we are calling our event 'Hinds and Hounds'." There were cheers from
the audience. "Due to the size of some of the attendees' groups, we are limiting teams to four
members this year." There were a few less-than-pleasant comments that were quickly stifled.
"However, we are adding a new element to go with the theme. Each team will be issued one
traditional long bow and a quiver of arrows." That garnered more enthusiastic cheers.
Darien leaned over Alyx's shoulder. "What the hell is this?"
Alyx shook her head. *I'm not sure.*
The audience began to chant, "Choose!" over and over again until the speaker bellowed, "Silence!"
into the microphone. An oversized fishbowl was brought to the stage and set on the table next to
the podium. "For those new this year -- you know who you are -- you have the same chance as all the
rest to be chosen. We do not play favorites with this game." He reached into the bowl and pulled out
a piece of folded paper. Unfolding it, he read the name out to the room. "This year, our winner is
Victor Battaglia."
Hobbes didn't even twitch. He had exactly zero idea of what was going on, but would do his
damnedest to play it cool.
"Mr. Battaglia, you and your team have been chosen to play the part of the Hinds in this year's
annual hunt," the speaker said. "Beginning at six AM tomorrow, you will have a three hour
head-start to lose yourselves in the wilderness around this resort. Your job is survival. If even
one of your team members can survive the twenty-four hours after the hounds are released and make
it back to the lobby of this hotel, you will have won and will collect your reward. If your team is
captured, one and all you will receive your due."
Hobbes stayed in his chair, waiting for the next shoe to drop. Alyx scanned the guy on the stage.
She'd seen him around and knew he worked for the resort -- well, for those currently running the
resort, anyway. What she found scared the hell out of her.
"Alyx?" Darien whispered when he heard her gasp.
She shook her head. "Later."
The meeting broke up then and several people stopped by to wish them luck on the morrow.
Alyx and Darien moved over to collect Hobbes and Claire, hoping to make it back to their rooms
before they felt the need to discuss this, only to be stopped by one of the hotel personnel. "My
apologies, Mr. Battaglia."
Hobbes waved his hand.
"All the gear will be delivered to your room. There is a list of additional gear we will provide at
your request." He looked over each of them. "Any additional questions, dial the front desk. We will
meet you in the lobby at oh five forty-five tomorrow." With a stiff nod he turned and walked away.
"I got a question," Darien muttered.
"And what would that be Fawkes?" Hobbes asked as he got them moving. He wanted to get back to their
room as soon as possible.
Darien prudently lowered his voice. "How do I get out of this chicken-shit outfit?"
Alyx broke out in harsh laughter. "Remind me to never let the 'Fish plan my vacation again."
Claire looked shocked as Darien got the door open and they walked in. "He told you it was a
vacation?"
Alyx nodded and scanned the room again. There were still no bugs that she could detect. Piled
neatly on the table were clothes and some simple, basic survival gear. There were also several
sheets of paper that just screamed 'read me.' Alyx excused herself to head for the bathroom;
Hobbes read over the papers that essentially outlined the rules for this 'game' as well as the
boundaries surrounding the property.
When Alyx came back out she was shaking, but not with cold. "We were set up, Bobby."
"Huh?"
"I read the guys on the stage. We were set up for this role as the 'hind'." Alyx was angry as hell.
"What the hell is a hind anyway?" Hobbes asked.
"A female deer. Think of this as a fox hunt and we're the fox," Darien answered. "And we all know
what happens to the fox when it's caught, don't we?"
"Ah, crap," Hobbes spoke for all of them.
"Now wait, he was talking about some reward if we got even one person back here for the
deadline." He looked over the papers again but didn't find any more information than before.
Alyx collapsed onto the sofa. "A contract, Bobby. The reward is their business for the next year."
"Alyx, what are you talking about?" Claire asked as she looked over the gear they were being
provided. The selection was more than adequate for someone with the necessary skills.
"We know this isn't the regular resort staff, Claire. We think they're the guys who organize this
con every year," Darien filled in, but beyond that he had no clue.
"Ah, gods. Think. What better way to find the best of the best to supply your weapons or warm
bodies than by hosting a yearly event to let them show off their stuff? The 'attendees' aren't the
big guys. The ones running the show are." Alyx ran her fingers through her hair with a growl of
frustration.
"Who kid? Who are they?" Hobbes asked.
"I don't know," she said in frustration, "But it was one of them that recognized Darien here.
That's why they set us up."
"Easy kid. We'll figure something out." Hobbes sat down at the table.
"Like what, Bobby? Maybe escape? Hike down the mountain? Maybe steal the airplane in a blizzard?"
Her voice rose to a shout by the end. "Bobby, don't you think they've dealt with people trying to
bolt before? Personally, I'd rather not go into this game without the little gear they will give
us. Which is what will happen if we try and bolt."
"Jeez kid, you got all that but you don't know who they are?" Hobbes was prepared for another bout
of yelling, but instead got a tired sigh.
"This sucks," Alyx commented. Her anger having burned away she began to shiver. "Can I call in sick
tomorrow, please?" She flopped over on her side and looked at the rest of them with a feeling of
helplessness.
"It isn't that bad, Alyx," Claire said after going over the gear carefully. They would all need the
boots, hats and gloves offered by those in charge.
"I agree with Alyx," Darien offered. Moving over to the sofa, he lifted Alyx's legs and sat down,
placing them across his lap. "This sucks."
"Fawkes, this isn't the worst scrape we've been in. We'll think of something," Hobbes said,
exasperated with the air of defeat already permeating the room.
"Well, I could blow up the building before tomorrow, but the 'Fish might dock your pay for it."
Alyx kept the smile off her face.
"Don't tempt me, kid." He grabbed the waterproofed map. "How about we just come up with a plan?"
He tried to spread the map out on the coffee table, but it was too large. Almost as one he and
Darien said "Bed." They all got up and moved into the bedroom, where Bobby spread the topological
map out. The area for the hunt was outlined, and covered a couple hundred acres. More than enough
room to make it interesting.
"How far can we get in three hours in this weather?" Claire asked as she looked over the map.
"Not far enough, but any head start will be useful in these conditions." He looked over at Fawkes
and Alyx, watching as Darien casually picked up and then draped a blanket around her shoulders.
Hobbes saw it for what it truly was, for a change -- an act of kindness from a friend. They weren't
getting all moony- eyed at each other, even when she was curled up in his arms. They were simply
comfortable with each other, much like himself and Fawkes. In this case, it was a good thing; there
would be no time for arguing or discomfort tomorrow. The four of them were going to have to work
together perfectly if they hoped to survive.
"Hey Hobbes, how about breaking out that scotch you got?" Darien said with a frown still on his
face.
"Oooh, yes, Hobbesy. Please," Alyx pleaded with some anticipation. "I did earn it, after all."
Hobbes considered for a moment, then decided why not, so long as they didn't get carried away. It
even might help relax Fawkes and the kid. "What the hell." He retrieved the scotch from a nearby
bureau and twisted off the top. He savored the aroma for a moment and then drank straight from the
bottle. The burn of aged, smooth scotch was wonderful. Walking back to the bed he handed the bottle
to Claire who held it gingerly for a second before shrugging and downing a good-sized swallow.
When she began to cough and gasp, Bobby patted her on the back. "Oh, my," Claire commented as she
handed the bottle to Alyx.
Alyx had smelled the intoxicating brew from across the room and was looking forward to tasting it.
When she upended the bottle and took a long drink, even Bobby was surprised. "Now that is
scotch." She handed the bottle to Darien, who was shaking his head.
"You've been drinking the tequila straight again, haven't you?" Alyx grinned and watched him tip
the bottle back to drink. Once back in Bobby's hands, he carefully replaced the top and set it
aside for now.
"I think we should make some time and hole up overnight, then head back to the lodge by a
roundabout route, intending to arrive once the time limit is over."
Alyx was nodding in agreement. "But where to hole up and when? Do we want them to get past us while
we rest or..." she trailed off, thinking.
"I know that look." Darien said. "You've thought of something."
"Hobbes, do the rules say anything about the 'hinds' fighting back?" Alyx kept her voice steady,
not wanting to hope just yet.
Hobbes got off the bed and retrieved the rules for this game. He read through them carefully, then
he handed them to Claire. "Double check, please." He shook his head as the alcohol began to take
effect. "Umm, why kid?"
"Booby traps. Why not eliminate some of them if we can? I'm betting that although we're not allowed
to take weapons, there is nothing that says we can't make or acquire some," Alyx answered. "It is
survival, after all." She was beginning to feel that false sense of warmth that alcohol provides
and she let the blanket slide down to her waist.
"Wait a minute, kid, you want to Rambo them?" Hobbes kind of liked the idea.
"Why not? Even the hind will fight back when cornered," Alyx said nodding.
"Or the fox." Darien added.
"Or the stag." They all turned to look at Claire. "All those horns, you know." She made a set of
antlers with her fingers and put them on her head.
Alyx and Darien burst out laughing, and Hobbes shook his head, chuckling. "No more for you. You
cannot hold your liquor."
"Oh, I don't know Hobbesy, I think she's kind of cute this way," Darien commented. "Pass the bottle
round again. We have a plan to plan."
It took a couple of hours, but they put to a plan together that stood a chance of keeping them
alive until this little game was over. After that, who knew? Given that they were being set up, it
was possible they would be killed either way. First things first, though. Survive the hunt, and
then deal with the resort staff, somehow.
Claire had made the phone call to get a few more items from the allowed list and, after kicking off
her shoes, tried to help them design a few bobby traps with the items they had. The scotch went
around a last time -- for Claire anyway, as she was asleep shortly thereafter. Curled up on the end
of the bed with her cheek pressed against Bobby's leg, she looked like anything but the
self-contained Keeper they all knew. And Bobby certainly didn't seem to mind as his hand rested on
her shoulder.
Alyx was sitting cross-legged at the head of the bed, with Darien lying on his right side coiled
about her. She didn't even seem to notice him there as the three of them tossed ideas back and
forth. There was one sticking point for the whole thing. Darien had his eyes closed, his head
supported by his arm, listening carefully. He wasn't really dozing, just in neutral and enjoying
the pleasant buzz the scotch had given him. Suddenly the arm supporting him was yanked away,
causing his head to drop to the bed.
"Hey," he complained without force as he opened his eyes.
"Hobbesy, we have to sneak some counteragent out. Invisi-boy here isn't going to be much use
without it. I really have no interest is chasing a quicksilver-mad fox around the forest." Alyx
was holding Darien's wrist and showing the tattoo. It was going on three segments red by this
point, giving him maybe twenty minutes of invisible time before he got an attack of the red-eyed
monster.
"She's got a point, Hobbes," Darien agreed. Then he broke out into a huge yawn.
"I know she does, but I bet they do a search of us before we're allowed to leave." Hobbes
countered.
"Errr. Right." Alyx gave her head a quick shake and looked over at the clock. "Let's get sleeping
beauty comfortable, and then you guys should get some sleep." Alyx slid off the bed and began to
fold the map.
"What about you, kid?" Hobbes gently slid away from Claire, not wanting to wake her.
"I don't need as much sleep remember? I'll solve the counteragent problem and wake you at four
thirty." Alyx waited for a Hobbes' nod of agreement.
"Yeah, okay. Make sure you sleep some, though. You're going to need it," Hobbes admonished. "Come
on Fawkes, help me shift Claire."
Darien grumbled but did as he was asked and within minutes Claire was curled up around a pillow
with some blankets tossed over her. Then he joined Alyx in the sitting room. She was on her knees,
looking through the box of stuff Claire had brought. He knelt down behind her and set a hand on her
shoulder. "Want some help?"
His touch and his words caused the wrong reaction in her. "Depends in what area." She did her best
to blame it on the alcohol that lowered her resistance to him. "Sorry," she muttered.
"Hey, no need to be sorry," he responded gently, turning her about to face him. He raised his
hand, intending to shift a stray hair that had fallen in her face, when she did the unexpected. She
flinched away, violently.
He caught her before she could fall to the floor. "Whoa. Easy there." Her hand came up to rub the
side of her head again.
For a long moment, Alyx had to force herself to remain still, to not lash out at the perceived
danger. To keep the past and the present separate, no matter how difficult it was. "I... I guess I
had a bit too much to drink. I'll be okay."
Darien knew she was lying. Knew that her flinching away had nothing to do with her not wanting him
to touch her, and everything to to with the hand he had innocently raised. Knew that, while she had
matched himself and Bobby drink for drink, was probably the most sober one among them. "Alyx, you
can talk to me. If you need to."
Alyx shook her head. "Nothing to talk about."
This time, when he raised his hand, she didn't move, but she didn't relax either. Part of him knew
he shouldn't be doing this, not with the Keep and Bobby right through those half closed doors. But
the other part wanted this so bad and, with the scotch blurring the edges of reality, that side of
him won out. "Good, less talking is better." He leaned in and brushed his lips across hers. When
she didn't seem to mind, he tried a second time, his tongue darting out to lick across her upper
lip. When she stiffened instead of relaxing like he was hoping, he pulled back and searched her
eyes.
"Darien, please. I can't do this any more. It's unfair to you." Alyx shifted away and got to her
feet.
"Why? Can you just give me that much? I don't give a damn about the 'Fish's involvement, not
anymore." Darien shifted to sit on the floor, his legs bent and arms resting atop his knees.
She closed her eyes. There was no way to explain. How do you tell someone you don't really trust
them, and probably never will, simply because of who he was and what he was forced to endure? For
all that her very soul demanded that she give in and trust him, she simply couldn't. Couldn't trust
anyone. Couldn't risk another betrayal in her life. Would not risk enduring pain like that again.
Shaking her head, she spoke in a strained voice. "I just can't."
She felt his pain and his anger at her words, but could do nothing about them. He would have to
deal with his feelings on his own. She was having a hard enough time trying to deal with hers.
"All right." He managed to keep his feelings out of his voice, but barely. Maybe it was for the
best, anyway. She was obviously a little weird on the subject, though he had to admit she had been
consistent in her refusals. It was time to give up on her, at least in that respect. He got to his
feet slowly, feeling tired. "Good night, Alyx." He walked into the bedroom, shutting the door
tightly behind him.
"Night, Dare," Alyx whispered, and rubbed the side of her head yet again.