Devil's Playground

by Sara Clancy

  “So,” Evelyn clicked her tongue and decided it was time to get to the point. “I got a text.”

  Ivan warily released her hand and let her retrieve her phone from her pocket. She unlocked it and handed it over to the elder Sokolovsky. Years of bare-knuckle boxing had twisted up the joints of Aleksandr’s hands. Each knuckle pushed against his scarred skin at strange angles as he took the phone.

  “Don’t suppose you recognize the number,” she asked.

  Ivan latched back onto Evelyn’s hand as he and Nadya pushed up onto their toes, lifting their chins to catch a glimpse of the screen.

  Aleksandr read the short message, barely managing to keep himself from swearing aloud.

  “Vera and Vlas.”

  The twins stiffened, their little hands squeezing her fingers. Evelyn nodded once, waiting for Aleksandr to continue. He didn’t.

  “I’m guessing they’re your siblings?” she prompted.

  “This is their version of Hide and Seek. They’ll kill you when they find you,” Aleksandr replied. He reread the message and arched a brow. “You received this a few hours ago?”

  “Yeah. I was in Tampa checking into a hotel. Came right here after.”

  The skin around his eyes pulled tight. “You didn’t go home?”

  “And risk leading them back to my dad? No, of course not!”

  “But it’s fine to lead them here to us?” Nadya asked.

  “Yeah, I’m not buying this innocent act,” she said. “You are one creepy, dangerous little kid. And for the record, I didn’t suggest bringing you guys to this little meeting. That was him.” She jerked her chin to indicate Aleksandr. No one seemed to care.

  “Why were you in Tampa?” Aleksandr asked.

  “I went there for a kickboxing competition. I suppose that’s how they found me. I had to register months in advance. Thing is, I never gave the organizers my number, just an email address. I still haven’t figured out how they got it.”

  “Why didn’t you go to the cops?” Ivan asked.

  “Mostly because of the current state of stalking laws,” Evelyn replied, the words tasting bitter on her tongue.

  The twins looked to Aleksandr. He was clicking around on Evelyn’s phone but felt their question.

  “They didn’t do anything illegal.”

  Ivan checked with his sister before saying, “Aren’t they stalking her?”

  Nadya nodded in agreement.

  “The text doesn’t prove that,” Aleksandr explained as he passed the mobile back to Evelyn. This time, Nadya released her grip to allow Evelyn to move. “For it to legally count as harassment or stalking, there has to be a clear threat of violence or death. This text isn’t illegal. I’m sure the police would believe her, but their hands would be tied. Besides, she doesn’t want Vera and Vlas in jail.” Meeting Evelyn’s gaze, he crossed his arms over his chest again. He wanted her to be the one to say it.

  “I want you to kill them.”

  He smiled for a moment, more surprised than pleased. “You didn’t even hesitate.”

  “Should I have?” Evelyn asked.

  Aleksandr stared at her for a heartbeat. Suddenly, he crouched down, all smiles and thick Texan drawl, excitedly pointing out the fish to the now hyper twins. The performance only made sense once Evelyn spotted the small family coming towards them. She had been so caught up in the conversation that she hadn’t even noticed them. The second the strangers had passed by, Aleksandr straightened, and the kids settled.

  “We have bigger problems,” he said, as if they had never been interrupted.

  “Bigger than murderous siblings?” Evelyn’s smirk fell the moment the words were out of her mouth. “The Furies.”

  “They dropped by this morning,” Ivan mumbled.

  “They killed my birds,” Nadya said in the same tone.

  “That’s why you were so quick to reply. You were already trying to contact me,” Evelyn shook her head. How hadn’t that occurred to me? “Why are you still here? Shouldn’t you be running for the hills?”

  “I don’t want to risk them catching us in a desert again,” Aleksandr answered.

  The screaming teenagers that had startled Evelyn before came roaring towards them, backtracking their way to the exit. Shifting closer to the wall, Evelyn waited impatiently for them to get out of earshot. She almost screamed when the teens felt the sudden need to stop and have a discussion only a few feet away, unintentionally trapping Evelyn and the Sokolovsky siblings in an uncomfortable silence. It gave Evelyn time to think. To weigh her options against her conscience. After what seemed like an eternity, the teens set off running again.

  “Would ... um ...” Evelyn clicked her fingers.

  “Vera and Vlas,” Ivan whispered.

  “Yeah, them. Would they have followed me here?”

  Aleksandr tipped his head to the side. “If they found you once, they’ll find you again. So, you might need to get going soon.”

  “I thought we wanted her help with the Furies,” Nadya protested.

  “That was before I knew Vera and Vlas had set up their game,” he said. Tossing the siblings a meaningful look, he prodded, “They picked her. What does that tell you?”

  Both of the twins let go of Evelyn’s hands.

  “A family game,” they said in unison.

  Evelyn looked between them. “I don’t know what that means.”

  “It means Radmiar is playing too,” Ivan said.

  Biting back her frustration, she looked between them. “Who?”

  “My twin,” Aleksandr said.

  Another one? “How many pairs of twins did your parents churn out?” she snapped in frustration.

  “Four,” Ivan and Nadya answered swiftly.

  Aleksandr snapped his fingers and pointed at Evelyn. “She’s right. We need to run.”

  “What happened to Las Vegas being a better battlefield than the desert?” Evelyn protested.

  “It’s too much,” he hissed. “We can’t fight our siblings and the Furies.”

  “So, we don’t,” she cut in.

  “That’s not an option,” Aleksandr spat.

  Unsure of how much they would like her idea, Evelyn forced herself to hold Aleksandr’s fierce gaze, struggling to think of a way to make it sound convincing. “Your siblings don’t know about the Furies, right?”

  Lines formed between Aleksandr’s eyebrows, but he nodded once.

  “Just over two years ago, the Furies took your parents,” she said.

  “I remember.” The words were barely audible.

  “That’s a year of peace for each.”

  Aleksandr’s eyes narrowed into slits as he caught onto her thinking. “You want to pit my siblings and the Furies against each other?”

  “It’s our best shot.”

  “You’re trying to bleed a hog in a snowstorm,” he snarled.

  “What does that even mean?”

  Ivan tugged her hand. “The hog would freeze in icy conditions.”

  “Basically,” Nadya continued, “he’s saying it’s a stupid idea doomed to fail.”

  Evelyn swept her hands out in an exaggerated shrug. “Fine. What’s your master plan? Run? See which one can hunt you down first? How’s that a better idea?”

  “Your problem is that you think you’re in control,” Aleksandr said.

  “No, I’m thinking strategically,” she argued. “You know the layout around here. Your killer siblings don’t. And they’ll be under pressure. Anything brazen will have a heap of tourists calling the police. Hell, all of these casinos would have their own security with pretty good response time. And we have the element of surprise. They don’t know about the Furies. Logically, those demonic chicks would love to get their hands on anyone in your family. Vengeance is vengeance. So, let’s set them up against each other and pick off the wounded survivors.”

  Aleksandr glanced around and stepped closer.

  “You’re worried about being overheard?” She balled her hands in frustration. “We’
ve counted everyone. We’re alone. And I don’t think those security cameras are rigged for sound.”

  He glared at her. “We survive because we’re careful.”

  “Right.”

  “You realize what you’re suggesting, right? This would be murder.”

  Is he kidding me? “So?”

  “You’ve never killed anyone. Do you really think you can stomach it?”

  Evelyn looked Aleksandr dead in the eye. “Hell, yes.”

  “Simple as that?”

  “It’s a simple question. Do I value my life more than theirs? Yeah, I do.”

  “The actuality is different,” he dismissed.

  “I didn’t ask for any of this. They want to use me, I’ll shove these games down their throat.”

  Aleksandr blew a hard breath out through his nose. He looked off to the side as he thought before he turned to each of the twins in turn.

  “I’m in,” Nadya chirped. “Think about it, Alek. We’re not going to get another chance like this. We could get rid of them all in one go. Let’s not waste it!”

  They all turned to Ivan. It didn’t sit well with Evelyn knowing that all of this rested on a child’s shoulders. Guilt or not, she wasn’t about to intervene. She needed this to end.

  “I’ve always wanted to beat them at their own game,” the little boy said with a smile and a shrug.

  “And you guys realize that we could die?” Aleksandr said carefully.

  Instantly, both twins rolled their eyes and threw their hands in the air. “No, really? How new and different. Never been in that situation before.”

  “Okay, shut up,” Aleksandr muttered, fighting back a smile. “Guess it’s settled.” He extended a hand towards Evelyn. “Kill them all or die trying.”

  A storm of relief and fear raged within Evelyn’s skin, but she smiled anyway, shook his hand, and sealed the deal.

  That’s when the fish scattered.

  Chapter 4

  An icy chill rolled down Aleksandr’s spine. He froze, every joint locking into place. Clear water filled his peripheral vision. The once teeming wildlife was now barely more than little specks, disappearing into the deeper, murkier recesses of the massive tank.

  “Alek,” Nadya asked.

  She sounded small and weak and so utterly fragile that his chest tightened.

  “They’re here.” Ivan muttered the words as if he hadn’t intended anyone to hear.

  The light around them shifted and dulled. Aleksandr’s first thought was that the staff was closing up, intending for the dimming light to force the guests out. The notion died as he watched Evelyn look up. Shock twisted her features as a deep crimson glow washed out to cover her skin. He didn’t have to look up. Blood. It didn’t move through the water like a liquid. Instead, it rushed down to cover the dome-like crackling flames. Within an instant, the world was reduced to shades of black and red. They crouched low, gathering into the middle of the hallway.

  “Alek,” Ivan said softly.

  Twisting around, Aleksandr snatched up his brother, holding him close with one arm while reaching for sister. Evelyn had already collected the little girl and straightened.

  “I’ve got her,” Evelyn said in a rush. “Let’s go.”

  Aleksandr broke into a run, Evelyn close to his side. They had barely started when the ground shook violently. It was just a short burst but almost threw them all to the ground. The familiar sound of cracking glass turned his blood cold.

  “Run!” he commanded.

  The cry pulled them all out of the horrified shock, and they sprinted down the crimson hallway. The overhead speakers crackled and screamed, releasing a shrill cry that drove into Aleksandr’s ears like ice picks. Time between the tremors dwindled until it seemed that every passing second was punctuated with a shudder. Side by side, Aleksandr and Evelyn burst into one of the circular junction rooms, the children clutched protectively to their chests.

  “Which way? Which way?” Evelyn shot the words out with the speed of a Gatling gun.

  Aleksandr took the lead, heading directly to the passage on the right. The glass dome behind them shattered. Water as red and hot as blood gushed into the hallway, creating a small wave that chased them down and knocked them off their feet. Aleksandr balled himself tight, curling protectively around Ivan as the rush of blood drove them into a wall. He gagged, blood running down his throat. Panic exploded inside of Aleksandr as the liquid sloshed over his head. Scrambling and stumbling, he got to his feet, gulping down a deep breath as his head and shoulders broke free of the rising water line.

  “Are you okay?” Aleksandr asked, cupping his brother’s cheek.

  Ivan was choking, but nodded.

  “Nadya!”

  No sooner had he bellowed the word than Evelyn burst up from the coursing water, her arms wrapped tight around Nadya’s slender waist. The blood and dim light made it impossible to tell if she was injured. Before he could ask, her hand shot up, pointing back down the hallway as she started to scream. Aleksandr followed her gaze. A shark, far bigger than any of what they actually had in the tank, was now lodged halfway through the dome wall. Its skin was rotten, flying off in chunks as it thrashed for freedom. Each movement broke the glass a little more. Blood gushed inside. The tide grew higher as more sharks slammed into the dome, a flash of teeth before receding back into the depths.

  “Go!”

  Aleksandr’s command wasn’t needed. The dual threat of drowning or being eaten alive had spurred Evelyn out of her shock, and she was already racing for the door. The blood lapped at Aleksandr’s thighs, high enough to make every step a battle. In seconds, the hot liquid was pushing at his hips. It made it harder to keep his footing each time the sharks attempted to get inside.

  “Right!” Aleksandr bellowed as they reached the end of the hallway.

  From here, it was a series of twists and turns, the walls filled with small tanks of jellyfish and crabs. The overhead lights flicked off, casting the world into an inky darkness. They kept running. The water pushed at his spine. Somewhere behind them, the glass released one last cry and then the world was filled with the rumbling roar of an approaching wave. Ivan clutched his fingers into Aleksandr’s shirt, holding onto him for dear life. Pressed this close, Aleksandr could hear his brother’s mumbled words over the rest of the chaotic noises.

  “It’s not real. It’s not real. It’s not real.”

  Aleksandr began to repeat the noises in his head, but that didn’t stop him from pushing forward. The wave hit him like a punch to his spine. Thrown off his feet, he burst out into a blinding light, his shoulder smacking down against the tiled floor. Panting heavily and still clutching his brother tight, Aleksandr surged up onto his feet. But there was no pressure from the building liquid now and he over-sold his movements, causing him to stagger and trip. If it weren’t for the wall he smacked blindly into, he would have fallen again.

  “Sir, are you alright?”

  On the verge of hyperventilating, Aleksandr could only blink into the array of bright, colorful lights. Faces faded into the haze. Each one staring at him with wide eyes, creeping closer as they murmured amongst themselves.

  “Hey, kid, you okay?”

  Aleksandr couldn’t pinpoint who had spoken. Could barely even see them. But he knew without a doubt that someone was reaching towards Ivan. Trying to take him away! The thought rushed burning hot into his mind and Aleksandr stumbled back, twisting his body to shield his brother, his teeth bared in a feral growl.

  “What the hell, man? Let the kid go!”

  “He’s claustrophobic,” Evelyn’s voice broke into the haze of Aleksandr’s panic. “It’s okay, I’m so sorry we worried you. We thought he’d be fine.”

  “We didn’t know it was underwater,” Aleksandr whipped around, seeking out Nadya’s voice.

  She was at his side before he could clear his vision, her arms wrapped around his leg. The reassurance of the touch pushed aside his confusion and dread. Still, fine tremors pulsed through hi
s hands as he crouched down and drew his sister into a tight hug.

  What followed was a familiar activity. Checking for battle wounds. The twins insisted that they weren’t hurt and offered little smiles that did more to calm him than anything else could have. All the while, he was vaguely aware of Evelyn standing a few feet off to the side. She was still prattling on, talking about panic attacks and getting lost, and a flickering light that had, apparently, been very scary.

  He ignored it for the most part until he was sure his siblings were okay. They were still trembling as he gathered them into a group hug. He kissed the crowns of their heads in turn and released a long sigh.

  “It’s okay,” he said.

  When the assurances didn’t appease them, he tightened his grip.

  “Who wants pizza?”

  That earned him a chuckle and they patted his back, signaling that they were okay. At least for now. Pulling back, he cupped their cheeks, gave them a smile, and finally turned, preparing himself to deal with the gathering crowd. Instead, Evelyn came up beside him and began to insistently shove him.

  “Thanks again. It’s really cool so many people care. He’ll be fine,” she spoke swiftly, the words broken by awkward laughter and random waves of her arm.

  Once she got him and the twins moving, the remaining crowd began to disperse and went back to what they had been doing. It only took a few quick glances for Aleksandr to realize that they were in the aquarium’s gift shop. Keeping the twins close to his sides, they weaved around the array of souvenirs. For once, they didn’t seem interested in anything. It was the quickest they had ever crossed the shop, and soon enough, they were out into the main hallways of the casino.

  “Okay, I don’t think anyone still cares,” Evelyn said quickly as she came up beside them, still glancing around. “Are you guys okay? No one hurt?”

  “We’re fine,” Nadya nodded.

  “What about you?” Ivan asked.

  Aleksandr blinked, feeling a little more himself and realizing that he probably should have asked that earlier. One of her hands restlessly twisted in the strap of her duffle bag as she assured them that she was fine. It didn’t stop them from picking up their pace. They had crossed the entire casino before his heartbeat had settled back into a normal rhythm.