Fighting Chance - A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Thriller (Lights Out in Vegas Book 3)

by Sean Patten

  “That was the next step in the plan,” I said. “After I found you, and after I got Steve patched up.”

  I shook my head.

  “But what about you?” I asked. “How did you end up here?”

  “Damn,” she said. “I don’t even know. It’s all been kind of a blur since the power went out.”

  “No kidding,” I said. “What do you remember?”

  She looked up thoughtfully, then began.

  “My plane landed last night, I think a little after you and Steve were due to get in. And the…pulse, whatever it was, hit when I was at the baggage claim waiting for my stuff. At first, we thought it was some kind of power outage, like a temporary one. No one said or did anything. It was only when people noticed their phones weren’t working either that they realized something was seriously wrong.”

  “How long did it take for everyone to start panicking?”

  “Not long,” she said. “Each minute that passed with the lights off like that made everyone just a little surer that something seriously fucked up was going on.”

  “And what did you do?”

  “I realized that if something did go down, that the airport would probably be the worst place to be. I guess your paranoia kind of rubbed off on me in that way.”

  “Good,” I said. “Because I saw what happened to the airport and…I don’t even want to think about you being there.”

  “There was this girl nearby,” she said, going on. “Young, skinny, big boobs. Said she had a place in town where she was scheduled to work that night as a dancer. I was sure it was a strip club, but she assured me it was on the level.”

  “And you went with her?”

  “I was hesitant at first, but she told me that it was a casino in the city, this exclusive place that was built like a fortress. She said she knew the guys who ran it and she’d be safe. Don’t know why she decided to talk to me about it. But I learned.”

  “What happened?”

  “Right about the time she told me about all this, some big squad of goons, all in suits, showed up and asked if she was Lenore—that was her name, by the way. Evidently the Troika had sent some major escort to bring her back. Lucky for us they were all armed about as tough as they came. I should’ve known by the way they looked at me what they wanted, but I was too shocked to ask any questions.”

  “And they brought you back here?”

  “They did,” she said, her voice taking on a dark tone.

  “Why are you saying it like that?” I asked.

  “Because they seemed to know something major was up. And they weren’t in a mood to screw around. It was clear that Lenore was one of the favorite girls of the owner of this place, and they were under orders to get her to him without a scratch on her. So…that’s what they did.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “You remember how I said they were all armed? Well, they had even more guns in their car. By the time they got outfitted and we started our little trek to the city, they were like a squad of black-ops troops. Machine guns, night-vision goggles, grenades—the works.”

  I glanced around at the guards. Sure enough, most of them looked like they were no strangers to military training.

  “At first I thought it was just for show,” Kelly went on, “but the first group of normal people we came across who gave us trouble…”

  She shook her head.

  “They were just some drunk idiots stumbling around from one bar near the airport to another. They made some comment about me and Lenore and the guys gave them one warning, just one. Of course, the idiots didn’t listen. One of them was stupid enough to put his hand on one of the guards.”

  “Shit,” I said, knowing how this story was about to go.

  She nodded.

  “I remember clear as day the cracking sound that the guy’s hand made. Then the gunfire. It wasn’t a big shootout—the guys were too professional for that—just a quick raise of their guns, then bang-bang-bang, then done. Took about two seconds for them to drop the entire group.”

  She shook her head in disbelief and went on.

  “And Lenore was so cool about it, like it was something she’d seen a million times before.”

  “And you?”

  “I nearly peed my pants,” she said. “They murdered a half-dozen or so guys in front of me like it was nothing. Then one grabbed me by the arm and told me to hurry it up, that we had miles of ground to cover.”

  “Something tells me that wasn’t the only time you saw that,” I said.

  “Nope,” she said. “They…they were merciless. Anyone who came near and looked to be a threat got dropped without a second of hesitation. As we got further into the city and I got to see the insane state it was already in, it made a little bit of sense, but God…they carved a bloody path through the city trying to get us here.”

  “I’m sorry you had to go through that,” I said.

  “Thanks,” she said. “But you know what the most awful part of it was? That part of me was glad. Some deep, primal part of me was happy that I was on the inside of the little death squad instead of out of it. I was just happy to be safe, to be protected. And it made me sick.”

  “It’s over now,” I said, in a voice I hoped was comforting.

  “No,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s not over. There was a reason I was on that stage.”

  “What happened?” I asked.

  “They brought us back here and Lenore was quickly dashed upstairs to meet with the boss. And just as I started to get my bearings and try to figure out what the hell I was going to do, the guys led me up, up, to one of the VIP suites. They opened the door to one of the rooms and it was this big room with some rich Russian guy, said I was going to be his ‘special friend’ for the next few days.”

  “And I’m guessing you didn’t go along with it.”

  “Not a chance,” she said. “Once he finally got it into his head that there wasn’t a way he was going to get what he wanted without me ripping his balls off first, he told me that I’d entertain him in another way. He put me in some room and told me to get ready for the show tomorrow. The next day I got led downstairs and…you know the rest.”

  “Wait a minute,” I said. “He put you on stage and…then what? Then you’re free to go?”

  “No, Justin,” she said, leaning in. “You don’t get it.”

  I cocked my head to the side in confusion.

  “What do you mean?”

  “There’s no leaving the Troika,” Kelly said. “Once you’re in, you’re in for good.”

  She took another drink of her wine, killing the glass.

  “This place isn’t just a casino. It’s a prison.”

  Chapter 4

  “A prison?” I repeated. “What are you talking about?”

  Kelly gestured around at all the guards.

  “You think they’re just here to keep the peace?” she asked. “Have you noticed that no one is leaving?”

  “Why would they stop people leaving?” I asked. “What good does it do to keep everyone in here?”

  “You find out, you let me know,” said Kelly. “I mean, it makes some kind of sense to keep the women in here. I’m sure I don’t need to break out the finger puppets to explain why they might do that.”

  “Sure,” I said.

  “But as for everyone else…I don’t know. Everyone’s just so happy to be here, away from all the insanity happening outside. They haven’t given it a second thought why they’re not allowed to leave, if they’ve even found out that they’re not allowed to.”

  I said nothing, simply shaking my head, baffled.

  Then something occurred to me.

  “Fuck,” I said, getting up. “They still have my things.”

  “What are you talking about?” she asked. “What things?”

  “Come on.”

  “Shit,” Kelly said. “Hold on, hold on.”

  She paid with one of her chips and together we were off.

  “Justin,” s
he said as we strode through the main floor of the Troika. “In case you didn’t remember what I just told you, there’s a really good chance some Russian gangster or warlord or something is trying to find me.”

  “That’s why we need to get out of here. Right now.”

  “But—”

  I wasn’t in the mood to stand around and discuss the issue. After making a beeline to the entrance where Carlos and I had entered, we came to a stop in front of two of the massive guards.

  “Yes?” asked one.

  “I left my things here for safekeeping,” I said. “And I need them back.”

  “Why is that?” the other guard asked.

  “Because I want to leave.”

  “Justin,” said Kelly.

  The two guards looked at one another before turning their attention back to me.

  “Due to the situation in the city, we are currently not letting any guests out of the hotel.”

  “What?” I asked. “You can’t just keep us in here!”

  “Liability reasons,” said one of the guards. “You understand.”

  I realized that I wasn’t going to be getting anywhere with this angle.

  “If it’s all the same to you,” I said firmly. “I need my belongings back.”

  “Valuables are being held down below in our secure access vaults,” said the guard on the left.

  “Then when can I get them?”

  “We will let guests know when vault access times have been scheduled. For now, please return to the main floor and enjoy your evening.”

  “But—”

  “I said, enjoy your evening.”

  With that, the guard opened up his suit jacket and exposed a gun in a holster underneath.

  Message received.

  I stepped towards Kelly, and she hurriedly grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the guards.

  “What was that about?” she hissed. “Didn’t you listen to a word that I said?”

  “I did. I also left some really important things with them, and I need them back.”

  “Yeah,” she said. “I heard you when you told the guards. What’s so important that you need right now, anyway?”

  “Medical supplies,” I said. “For Steve.”

  “Shit,” Kelly said.

  “And Carlos, the guy with the broken hand, he’s a nurse, and was supposed to come back with me to take care of Steve.”

  “Don’t think he’s going to be doing any treatment with that hand of his. If anything, he’s the one who needs a damn doctor.”

  “Fuck,” I said. “Steve’s out there by himself, and I need to get back to him with those supplies or…”

  I didn’t even want to finish the sentence.

  “Yeah,” said Kelly. “This can’t wait. We need to get to Steve.”

  I raised an eyebrow.

  “We?” I repeated.

  “What?” she said. “You really think that I’d let you leave by yourself?”

  A small smile formed on her lips.

  “Besides,” she went on, giving me another soft jab on the shoulder. “It’s not like I’ve got anyone better to hang around with.”

  It was strange to hear her be so…conciliatory.

  “It’s just that, I don’t know,” I said. “With the divorce and everything else…”

  She shook her head.

  “We’ve got bigger things to worry about right now,” she said. “You’ve got a brother that needs saving, and I’ve got a Russian mobster who wants to turn me into his personal sex slave. I think we can put the other stuff on hold until this is all over with.”

  “Good call,” I said.

  I stopped and looked around the casino.

  “Okay,” I said. “First step is figuring out where they’re keeping my stuff. Second is getting past the guards and finding a way out of here.”

  “Where’d you leave your stuff to begin with?” she asked.

  “Downstairs,” I said. “Carlos and I got changed and I had a backpack that the tailor said he’d hold onto.”

  “I was going to ask about the nice duds,” said Kelly, her eyes tracking up and down my outfit. “Can’t remember the last time I saw you in a suit.”

  I shook my head. “Our wedding” was probably the answer, but I didn’t feel like bringing that up in the moment.

  “I still can’t believe I let Carlos talk me into getting this,” I said. “Idiot put it all on his tab. Now he has a broken hand and I’m stuck wearing an outfit fit for a ball.”

  “Looks good, though,” she said.

  “I’d rather be in something more practical,” I said.

  “Okay,” she said. “Then why don’t we check the tailor’s office? Where was it, downstairs? I mean, if you just had a backpack they might not have gone to the trouble of putting it in the vaults yet.”

  “Yeah,” I said. “Good call. Come on.”

  We made our way through the casino floor, taking the same path that Carlos and I had gone to get to the tailor’s. After a trek through one of the back halls, we soon arrived at the door that led into the small shop. I gave it a quick rap and waited.

  Moments later, the door opened up revealing the tailor that I’d met just a couple hours before.

  “Oh,” he said, sounding surprised to see me again. “It’s you. Enjoying the suit?”

  “Yes,” I said. “But my, ah, friend needs something to wear. We’re going to a private party and she wants to look her best.”

  “Well, I do apologize,” he said. “But we’re closed for the day.”

  Kelly didn’t waste a second.

  “Please,” she said, placing her hand on his chest. “My friend here said that you do incredible work. And it’s been so long since I’ve worn anything nice that I don’t know what my measurements are.”

  The tailor got the hint, eyebrows raising slightly as his eyes roved up and down Kelly’s body.

  “I…I think I might have a few things in your size,” he said. “Come with me.”

  He opened the door wider and the two of us stepped in.

  “I’ll take her measurements in the other room,” he said. “You can wait in here.”

  “Ah, where’s your bathroom?” I asked. “One too many martinis.”

  He regarded me with skepticism for a long moment.

  “Down the hall,” he said.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “Now,” said Kelly as the two of them made their way to the other room. “I was looking for something…maybe a little shorter than I usually wear.”

  “Happy to help,” he said.

  Then they were gone.

  I didn’t waste any time looking around. First, I spotted the hangers where he’d placed my backpack earlier.

  Nothing.

  I scanned my brain, trying to remember what the guy had said—they’d have them in a secure storage locker near the entrance, probably to the vaults after that.

  Shit. That wouldn’t do me any good. But there was a chance he hadn’t gotten around to dropping them off yet.

  His office, I thought. That’s the best place to check.

  I glanced over towards the other room to make sure that Kelly was keeping the tailor occupied. Once I was certain he wasn’t going to be bursting out, I hurried through the shop and towards the back hall. I quick look revealed that the right led to the bathroom, the left to what appeared to be an office.

  After rushing over to the door I grabbed the knob and gave it a twist and—

  Locked.

  Through the walls I could hear Kelly and the tailor chatting, and I hoped that she’d manage to keep it going without raising suspicion.

  I scanned the area around me, looking for something, anything I could use.

  Then I spotted some stray tailor’s pins on the ground. They weren’t perfect, but they’d have to do.

  After bending down and taking the pins in hand, I went to work on the lock. It took a few minutes of work, but I eventually managed to push the pins inside the mechanism in suc
h a way that mimicked the correct key being inserted, finally hearing the soft “click” of the lock opening up.

  “…in my office. I’ll be right back.”

  It was the tailor. My eyes went wide and my heart began thudding in my chest.

  I took a look inside the office to see that, yes, my backpack was on the desk, along with a few other bags that likely belonged to other customers.

  As quickly as I could, I rushed into the office, snatched the bag off the desk, and clicked the lock on the inside of the knob as I shut the door. Once that was done, I dropped my backpack and kicked it under a pile of clothing scraps at the side of the hall.

  Right at that moment, the tailor turned the corner and I was face-to-face with him.

  “What are you doing?” he asked.

  “Looking for the bathroom,” I said. “But the door’s locked.”

  I twisted the knob of the office, confirming to my relief that it was, in fact, locked.

  “That’s the office, you fool,” the man hissed as he blew past me. “Bathroom’s that way.”

  He stuck his thumb out in the opposite direction before shaking his head, taking out his keyring and opening the door.

  Once he was inside I reached down and grabbed the backpack, rushing to the front door of the shop and placing it just outside the front door. The tailor returned a few moments later, shooting me another skeptical look as he went back to the dressing room.

  Relief cooled my body. While not having Carlos with me would make treating Steve harder, the first-aid kit was a total essential. The thought of losing it this far into the trip made me sick to my stomach.

  “Okay,” said the tailor, stepping out. “I think we found something that works.”

  Kelly emerged from the room a few moments later and, ah…she looked good.

  She was dressed in a tight black cocktail dress that left little to the imagination. On her feet was a matching pair of pumps, a clutch in her hands.

  “What do you think?” she asked.

  “It’ll do,” I said.

  “Well,” said the tailor. “Glad I could be of some help. Now, if there’s nothing else…”

  Kelly glanced at me.

  “Nope!” I said. “That’ll do.”

  “Excellent,” he said. “That’ll be—”

  Kelly took out one of her chips and shoved it into his hands.