Page 53 of Ring Me

A loud beep rang through the air—then the host's voice erupted in the speakers, louder than the rumbling music. “Get ready! Your vests will light up then the game is on! You can take three hits before you're out, and you CAN shoot your teammates so be careful! All weapons fire three shots before they need ten seconds to reload! That means make! It! Count!”

The room went pitch black; people gasped and giggled. Then all at once the music kicked into hyper gear, the fog rolling thicker, red lights twinkling along the edges of the platforms and tunnels in the big room. My vest vibrated as it charged up. The gun I held whooooped as it revved to life.

The game was on.

Strobe-lights illuminated sections of the battle ground, letting me spot faces I knew, some faces I didn't. People shrank down to green versus blue. Friend or foe. I reminded myself this was all for fun, and the occasional nervous scream or booming laughter helped keep the mood energetic but light.

Clutching the laser-gun, I circled a corner, hurrying up a sloped tunnel. I wanted the higher ground so I could fire at people easier. There was movement ahead of me—the person's vest had the faint glow of blue on the sensors.

Without hesitating I aimed and fired. Pew pew pew! They gasped, stopping in their tracks, palms sliding over their vest as it powered off. The scoreboard on the far wall blinked as it tallied five points to the Green team. My team.

“Oh, come on!” The girl I vaguely recognized as one of Aubrey's friends stared at me in distress. “I barely got to play!”

“Sorry!” I said, running around her, crouching as I moved across the upper platform. The fog in the room made it harder to see people on the bottom floor. I squinted, moving cautiously as more yelling echoed in the chamber.

Aubrey appeared in front of me. She giggled like a mad-woman, raising her gun just as I saw she was on my team. “Don't shoot!” I said.

“That was close,” she apologized, motioning for me to follow her. Together we ran across a rope bridge, then down a hall that swirled with white bands of light. At the end there were a number of large crates.

I ducked behind one, craning my neck to look out at the wide open room. “Everyone is shooting without thinking,” I said.

“Most of them are kinda drunk,” she agreed with a toothy smile. “I'm a little buzzed, myself. These lights and music are killing my head.”

“Follow me, I'll end this fast.”

“My white knight,” she said, fanning herself.

Jumping up, I fired shots at another blue team member. I hit twice, missed the last one. My gun began to count down—ten seconds till I could fire again. “Get them!” I yelled at Aubrey, pointing to someone who had their back to us.

She aimed, missing horribly as they turned.

“Conner!” I gasped.

His eyes lit up at the sight of me. The thrill in his face was predatory... playful. Sexy. I froze on the spot as he fired lasers at Aubrey, shutting her down. “Dammit!” she huffed. “Avenge me, Maya!”

I looked at my gun. Five more seconds. Conner had ten. Smirking, I aimed at him. “You're in trouble now.”

“I can see that,” he said, before bolting into the darkness.

“Hey! Get back here!” I laughed, chasing him with my heart thudding wildly. It gave me a thrill to pursue him. The music rumbled around me as I pumped my arms, tensing my body, demanding everything I had just to keep up with Conner.

I slid to a halt, nearly hitting a wall when he turned on a dime and ran into a foggy tunnel. I'd stopped paying attention to everyone else, but distantly, I noticed the crowd noise was fading. The game was nearing its end.

My gun vibrated back to life. Conner was done for.

A warm, firm arm circled my middle, yanking me to one side. “Ah!” I squeaked. The grip tightened, muscles trapping my arms, my weapon, to my sides.

“Got you,” Conner murmured into my ear.

My skin became fire. “Cheater, let me go!”

“Please, as if you want me to.” His lips stroked my earlobe, his breath giving me delightful goosebumps. “Caught by the enemy, how tragic.”

Arching my back, I let out a soft whimper. “This isn't fair.” My struggles were curbed by his jaw rubbing on my cheek. Something poked my hip. “Is that your gun or are you just happy to see me?” I teased.

“Both.” Conner shifted his grip, turning us so my back was on the wall, his chest against mine. Our vests crushed together, green lights merging with blue. “How long do you think we have before people notice we're missing?”

“Not long enough.”

---