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Their plan was far from perfect, but Benny had full confidence he could get himself and Eddie past this game without a hitch. It was simple enough, just shoot his gun before anyone else had the chance, stand, and hope they beat the dealer. Thinking about it, their odds weren’t the best and it might be in their best interest to hit and bring another player up. What made him uneasy was the fact that the next player, or card, was random. If only they could choose. He admired Eddie’s interest in trying to get everyone through in one piece, but losing him was much too great a risk for Benny to be selfless at the moment.
As the two stood waiting for the discussion period to end, Benny couldn’t help but stare at his new friend. There was something about him that pulled on Benny like a magnet, but he couldn’t quite place what it was exactly. He wasn’t the most pleasant person to be around and frequently snapped at Benny within the short time they’d known each other. Yet, Benny kept finding himself next to Eddie. Maybe it was Eddie who was drawn to Benny instead, that would make more sense, he thought. He was quite attractive after all.
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The four remaining players left in the game of human Blackjack conversed amongst themselves on the stage. Benny watched through the television in the lounge as Eddie moved back and forth between Vega, Sandbag, and Sailor. He knew Eddie’s best bet was to just stick with the Paranoid Cosmotologist–or whatever their title was–but he could see the indecision on his friend’s face clear as day. After being outdrawn by Vick, his plan to get both him and Eddie to safety was thwarted and he had been anxious about the fate of the game ever since. Not to mention he was stuck waiting in the same vicinity as Bones, who he kept catching staring in his direction. Thankfully, he didn’t make any snide remarks or try to start a conversation. He hoped Bones wanted to avoid him as much as he did.
Another shot was fired, the sound drawing Benny back out of his thoughts. His vision refocused on the television and he watched with horror as the camera focused on Sandbag’s face, glistening with sweat and tears. The camera panning down to the fired gag gun in his hand confirmed Benny’s fear. Eddie’s chances of making it out decreased by at least twenty-five percent, maybe fifty. Benny was never good with math. He guessed Sandbag would choose Sailor to join him and the both of them would want to hit to bring up another player at least. But the odds of Eddie being randomly chosen weren't looking too hot. Not the worst, either, so Benny still had some hope.
“Your options are slim so I’m guessing you’ll be pairing with…?” Benny watched as the camera jumped between Cupid and the four players. Sandbag unfortunately surprised him once again when he cut Cupid off and answered his question: “Vega, I’m paired with Vega!”
Benny’s heart was in the depths of his stomach as thousands of thoughts raced through his brain. Why on earth did he not pair with Sailor? Did Eddie not shoot on purpose or was Sandbag just faster? Will Sandbag and Vega hit? They had to if it meant Sandbag had the slightest chance of leaving alive with Sailor. What the fuck was Sandbag thinking? He supposed he’d have better chances of making it out himself by going up with Vega than with Sailor. Man, he was starting to sound like Eddie with all of the probability bullshit flying through his head.
Benny could hardly focus as he watched the two make their way up to face the dealer. His eyes were still glued to the television as Vega and Sandbag’s cards were revealed. It didn’t matter what they were, of course. Benny realized with a wave of nauseating dread that it didn’t matter if the pair hit or not. Whatever they did, he knew Eddie would die.
The camera panned to Eddie and Sailor who were exchanging worried glances. Benny noticed Eddie looked more tired than frightened though, he appeared as if he knew his luck had run out. He was likely aware light years before Benny, and had spent all this time preparing himself. There was no way Benny was already about to lose his new best friend. He wasn’t even sure if Eddie felt the same way. There was so much he needed to say to him that he hadn’t gotten to, things that may just be better left unsaid.
Vega hit. The time between the sound of their gun and the thunk of the spotlight turning on felt like an eternity. Although he knew the outcome and he knew what he would witness firsthand on live television, Benny couldn’t peel his eyes away from the screen. He had been so foolish for letting himself get close with Eddie, knowing that he would end up losing him one way or another when the two were first partners for roulette. For once, though, it wasn’t Benny who was leaving first.
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Why is it always so difficult to look away from violence, why must the human brain be so curious? Benny was human, still watching as the camera finally panned away from Eddie’s now-lifeless body swinging from the ceiling and dripping blood onto the stage. He couldn’t move his arms or legs. He was frozen, staring at the stupid television screen, the image of Eddie’s body forever burned into his retinas. He might throw up, pass out, start sobbing, or all three, still stuck in place. What was wrong with him? Benny felt a strong urge to run back to the stage and inspect the body, checking just in case Eddie was still alive. There was a chance. The spikes weren’t that big or sharp. Hanging doesn’t always kill someone right away and he heard someone mention they wouldn’t even function like nooses.
He finally tore his eyes away from the television screen to where a bodyguard stood at the entrance to the stage. He slowly walked over, using the last of his common sense to not want to appear threatening. Their tall and bulky frame loomed over Benny despite not being an inch taller. There was no getting past them.
“Please,” he choked out. “Can I go see him?” The guard only glared down at him. He was seconds away from getting on his knees and begging when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Flinching, he whipped his head around to see Vega. What the fuck could she possibly want?
“Come on,” was all he said. When Benny took a second to reply or move, Vega reiterated. “Please, trust me.” The last two words were barely a whisper. Vega obviously knew something Benny didn’t. He rose to his feet with the help of the other contestant, not quite sure he could trust them, but willing to do anything to see Eddie again.