They Played With Me First, but I Played Smarter Last

Trista's POV

Just as I was about to rip open the tent and escape, Shaun caught me red-handed.

He stared at me, eyes dark and eerie. “Trying to run, baby?”

His hand reached out to yank away the blanket I was using to cover myself. “Trista, I told you. You’re not getting away. If you just cooperate, you might even enjoy the game. Why do you never learn?”

I grabbed his wrist and looked at him, trying to sound calm, almost pleading. “I wasn’t trying to run. It’s just a game, right? I’ll play. But I’m cold. Can we wait to undress until the game starts?”

He grinned, clearly satisfied with my change in tone, and stroked my cheek. “That’s better. Come out and eat. We’ll eat and play at the same time.”

I wrapped the blanket tighter around myself and stepped out of the tent.

The six of them were sitting in a circle, drinking and laughing over grilled food. When they saw me, the jock and the chubby guy whistled and clapped.

“Here comes the beauty!”

As I sat down, the chubby guy offered me some skewers. But too afraid they were drugged, I just pretended to take them and set them aside.

Shaun pulled out a box filled with cards. With a slight smile, he tossed them on the ground and announced, “Alright. Game time.”

It was some twisted board game where we rolled the dice, moved the pieces, and completed whatever task the card said. Whoever reached the end first got to choose a partner for the “next round.”

We started with a quick game of rock-paper-scissors. I won and got the first roll. It landed on a two.

I picked a truth card.

After a brief pause, I asked, “Where exactly are we?”

The mood instantly shifted. So, I quickly tried to explain, “Wait, don’t get the wrong idea. I know I can’t get away. I just want to know where I’m going to die. I don’t want to be a ghost with no clue.”

That finally got a reaction out of Toby, the quiet one. He answered, “Mount Newmont.”

My stomach dropped.

Mount Newmont? That was the land my dad just bought to build a retirement villa.

The construction had already started, and I remembered him mentioning how hard it was to get in and out. So he got workers who lived here. Drones flew over every five hours to check for wildfires. During the day, the dense trees might hide the tents, but at night, the lights would definitely be seen.

If I could hold out until the patrol, I’d be rescued. And then, I’d make sure Shaun and his monsters paid for everything they’d done.

I’d be the trap, and they’d be the rats.

“What are you thinking, Trista?” Toby’s voice brought me back. “Don’t even think about running. You won’t make it.”

My heart pounded, but I kept my smile in place. “Nothing. I mean, look at me, I’m not going anywhere. What time is it, anyway?”

Toby just smirked. “That’s your second question.”

The jock took a swig of beer and chimed in, “Seven fifty-five. Almost eight.”

Then he gave me a gross smile. “What’s the rush, sweetheart? Feeling sleepy? Wanna skip the game and head straight to bed with me?”

I rolled my eyes and refused, “Hard pass.”

Five minutes left. Just five minutes until the next drone sweep.

The game continued, but I occasionally glanced up at the sky, praying for the faint outline of a drone.

But then I saw Shaun watching me.

He must’ve sensed something as he picked up a half-empty bottle of water and walked toward me.

Before I could react, he shoved the bottle into my mouth. Then the astrigen taste hit my taste buds. Right then, I realized something was in it.

I immediately tried to gag and spit it out, but he pinned my hands down.

“Trista, weren’t you cold? This water will warm you up. Warm enough to make you want to rip your clothes off. You’ll love it. Swallow it or I’ll pour more.”

My hands trembled with rage.

But then, I saw the faint, blinking light of the drone overhead.