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I know I need to sleep. My body's growing tenser by the minute. If I'm going to brave that, it shouldn't be around people. It should be at home. I could try to transport, but I don't want it to trigger more flashbacks, besides walking helps calm me down.

I take the back alleys through the village to avoid seeing the boys or any of the men from the bar. Thankfully most people are going about business as normal. They're probably used to seeing players come and go, many by violent means, which works in my favor now. Some players slay others for cards, put curses on others just to try to stay ahead of the game. I get that the cash prize is a big motivator but you can't spend the money if you're dead. No amount is worth peace of mind in my opinion, not that I have much of that right now.

It's the second half of the day. The sky's slowly dimming. Still bright enough for me to be spotted. I'm not really worried about other contestants as I am running into Gon and Killua. Aside Killua's embarrassment from our mouth to mouth, it'd be easier to go my separate way without seeing them. No questions. No disappointments or reassurances. I don't want to make promises I don't know if I'll be able to keep. I almost killed a little boy who was only trying to protect me, who looks up to me, wants me to mentor him. And I repay that by almost killing him.

I could try telling myself I didn't know what I was doing, it was an accident, he got in the way, but I'm still gonna feel like shit for what I did. Maybe one day I'll find a way to make it up to him, but I won't be any good to anybody until I get my nen under control. The nen exorcist is my top priority now. I can't go on much further like this. Whatever curse Pakunoda put on me is poison that's slowly killing me and I need it to stop. I need my life back.

The next alley across the street is closed off so I'll have to take the sidewalk. If I'm gonna walk out directly in public, I'll need to change my clothes. I look up and down the strip to see if there are any clothing stores. There are several. I decide to go into the athletic store and get the most dressed down clothes I can find. There's a set of dark gray sweats that I settle on before realizing I gave all the cash I had on me to the barkeep as compensation for destroying his business. I dump my old clothes in the trash in the dressing room and decide to sneak out, avoiding the cameras as much as possible. The cashier is busy with another client so I figure it'll be easy to sneak out.

But then her throat clears. "Excuse me, ma'am, you'll have to pay for that outfit before you leave.

My legs keep going as the voice behind me grows to a shout. Running's not an option since I don't want to draw attention to myself, but I do need to get scarce. The cashier probably set off an alarm. It'll take a few minutes maximum for authorities to get here, the roads are pretty clear so that'll speed things up. I look around to see if there's another store big enough for me to hide in, when I notice a few men from the bar hanging out down the block including the baldy who approached me. His injuries include a black eye, two missing teeth, a fat lip, and a couple of broken fingers reset in small crude casts.

This would be the perfect opportunity for him to get back at me by trying to hand me over to the cops. I can't use my nen out here. Too many civilians. I can't risk going berserk. Besides that'll give the players more to talk about and spread to others and I really don't need to make more of a reputation for myself. Police sirens sound around the corner. There's no choice but to sneak back into the alleyway I came out of. When I get to the end I hear two familiar young voices.

"So how was it?" Gon asks, his back leaning up against the wall of the building.

Shit. I have no choice but to hide in the dark until somebody, or hopefully everybody, leaves.

"I told you it wasn't a kiss. She was just resuscitating me," Killua says, kicking a pebble on the ground.

Gon smiles. "Well how was your resuscitation?"

Killua shoves his hands in his pockets. "Warm, wet, scary, but good...I don't feel right talking about Oby this way."

"What way? It was just mouth to mouth."

"What do you mean 'just'? Have you ever kissed anyone other than your aunt and grandmother?"

"I thought it wasn't a kiss."

"It wasn't."

Gon smirks and looks down. "No, I've never kissed a girl on the mouth. But I've done pecks on the cheek."

Telling by the disgruntled look on Killua's face, this is news to him. "Who have you 'pecked'?"

"We've had female crews come to Whale Island. Some of them like being around younger men. I think they're called cougars. I'd take them on tours and they'd teach me things."

My stomach clenches at the sound of this. Who the hell was messing with this little boy?

Killua's eyes widen. "Things like what?"

"Navigating the ocean, aquatic animals in the ocean and seas, how to handle pirates, how to knot ropes for sailing."

Killua and I both take a collective sigh. I was so nervous Gon had lost his...innocence already. Though I can see him being charismatic or considerate towards women, he's still only 12 or 13 tops. There's plenty of time for romance later. I can't believe he's already a little ladies' man, he's more like his father than I thought. Sure, he could be the love'em and leave'em type, but I hope not. I want him to be different from Ging. He's got a good heart, hopefully it won't turn to stone over time.

"So you're saying these women kissed you out of gratitude?" Killua asks incredulously.

"I mean I'd kiss them back. It's good to give and receive," Gon answers.

Healthy attitude, but still, too young. I cannot listen to any more reveals today. Suddenly a flash of light starts traveling down the alley. I'm far enough away where it doesn't hit me yet, but if the cops travel further down, they'll definitely catch me. I'll just have to risk it and run out in front of the boys. Just as I step in their direction, Bisky comes up to them. "There you are. I've been looking all over for you."

"Where's Killua's new girlfriend?" Gon says.

Killua punches Gon in the arm. "She's not my girlfriend!"

Bisky rolls her eyes. "She ran off and I'm trying to find her. I think she's somewhere around here so let's head over to the next street and see if anyone's seen her."

They turn and start heading in my direction. Shit. Where am I gonna go now? I'm not interested in being captured or questioned, but at this rate I'll have to choose the lesser of the evils. Out of nowhere, a lid from a storm drain lifts a bit from the ground. A man with spiked blonde hair, orange eyes, and glasses pops his head out. "Get in."

I recognize him from the bar. The guy who slapped my hands and took my nen from me. Or rather transferred it into his fireball. Normally I'd refuse a stranger who'd approach me this way, but with everyone closing in, the option of running away has the most appeal. So I jump in after him entering the sewer. We drop down to a brick passageway near the water. The smell of waste and metal is potent. There are a few rats, but the ones that are still alive keep their distance from us.

He holds his hand out to me. "I'm Genthru."

"Oby," I say with a nod.

"Are you going to leave me hanging?" he smiles.

I look at his outstretched long fingered hand and lanky limbs. Between the bar fight, being around a bunch of people, and what happened with Mattheo, I don't want to be touched by anyone right now, especially a man I've never met before. I shake my head. "Sorry, I can't do that."

He nods. "I understand. No pressure." He turns and starts walking down the passageway. "We should get out of here." He opens the palm of his hand and a ball of fire forms, but I notice it's not regular flame. It looks like the inside of an explosion, clouds of orange and red. He uses that to light our way down the tunnel.

I start following him. But I have to ask a few questions to gauge what he wants so I don't run into an ambush of some kind. If he's up to something, I have a few shooting stars I can pin him with so I can get away. But let's try talking first. "Why'd you save me? Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful, but why?"

Genthru raises his glasses with his free hand. Watching him move makes me aware of how tall and lean he is. His white robe with gray crosses flows almost majestically around him. "I was in the bar for a drink when I saw what happened with you and the other guys. I hate seeing people get picked on. But especially after that beautiful performance you did, I knew those guys were going to be trouble. And when I saw that guy straddle you, I just...I couldn't hold back anymore. But as I jumped up to join the fight, the tables turned and you...I don't know what happened exactly, but it seemed like you were unleashed. I've never seen a nen user like you." He looks up at me briefly like he's too shy to make eye contact. It's actually kind of adorable and nerd-like.

"So this is a recruitment speech," I respond.

"Perhaps, but it's also about your safety. The more of us there are the more protection we'll have in this game."

"Listen, I don't want to waste your time, so I'll be frank. I just left a group and I'd really like to be on my own for a while. While things get hairy at times, I can handle myself."

He puts his hands in his pockets. "Just hear me and my crew out. That's all I ask. And if you're still not convinced, we'll go our separate ways. No harm, no fowl."

I sigh. It's the least I can do for him saving me even though I know my decision won't change. "Fine."

The end of the tunnel leads to an opening of a forest. We walk a little further past a path of trees and come to a cave. When we get inside I see about two dozen people inside. Mainly men, several women. "We'll begin in a few minutes" Genthru whispers near my ear. His fingertips press into the soft of my back, but before his whole hand touches down, I flinch away. He blushes and raises his hands like surrender. "Sorry. It won't happen again."

"Thanks. I'll be fine."

"Okay. We'll start in a few minutes. Feel free to chill out in the meantime." He turns and heads to the front towards two other men. One with blue hair and a pitchfork tattoo on his forehead, the other with fuzzy red hair and a heart tattoo with knives also on his forehead. Strange looking crew. Wonder what they have up their sleeve. I look around to make sure none of the men from the bar are here, otherwise I'll have to hide behind other people. As I walk around I bump into a familiar tan body with almond colored eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Abengane chuckles. "Relax. I'm not following you. Bara, the guy with blue hair, invited me to come. So I did."

"Why?" I ask.

He turns to me and folds his arms. "You and Bisky apparently had no interest in working with me. The battle at the bar was obviously proof that players will go to extreme measures to retrieve cards in order to win the game. No one wants to lose. Hell, when I came back in town two more players had been killed. Their chests had been blasted through. A few men eyed me from the concert and for fighting by your side. I can fight, but I'm not arrogant enough to think I can get through this game on my own. It's only going to get worse the more desperate players get as time runs out."

As irritated as I am by his presence, I realize he has a point. I don't remember players being this ruthless when we first designed the game. It was more about the adventure. Now it seems people are more motivated by the money. There is a lot of it. Tsezeguerra messaged me that the latest pot is worth 1 billion jenny. Any jackpot hunter would go after that. Sometimes I wonder if another prize would promote better behavior, where people like the Bomber wouldn't be a threat. A prize like a quest with a mentor/celebrity in any respective field of hunting that the winner wants. Something educational.

"If there's anything I've learned from this business, it's never enough money or conquests to make you happy. It's all about the journey," I say.

Abengane snorts. "Yea, well I'd like to find out for myself."

A few more players wander into the cave before the meeting begins. A man with white electric looking hair explains why we're here and what the objective is. Based on what the announcer's saying, most of the people in here are returning after a few weeks of retrieving cards. "Altogether we have the 90 cards needed, but we're missing Fortress. Keep in mind that once we turn all of them in, we'll be able to split the reward money. Fortress will protect our cards from being stolen or any unfriendly spells from being cast on us. We'll need to get this ASAP as Tsezguerra and his men have about the same amount, so we'll likely have to go up against them. However, I believe we have more spell cards that are all stronger than theirs."

My brows furrow at this. It all sounds sketchy as hell. It's an easy opportunity for whoever's turning in the cards to claim the prize for themselves. A scam. The guy who's heading this is playing on weak-minded players who don't have many spells or fighting skills and are afraid to try to compete on their own. I may be a lot of things but weak-willed isn't one of them. And now I'll have to warn Tsezguerra about some of the players coming after him. I tug at Abengane's arm. "We should get out of here. I don't have a good feeling about this."

"Actually," Genthru begins, "someone does have the Fortress card. She recently won it at Antikoba's monthly contest."

I look back in Genthru's direction. So this is why the bastard really wanted me here. He thought I was just a regular player, scared shitless by that bar fight and that I'd give up my card in exchange for protection. I didn't even look at the card long enough to know what it was for, how the hell did he find out?

"Oby," Genthru shouts. His voice is more confident now than when we were traveling down the tunnel. I wonder what changed. "Do you have something for us?"

"I never said I'd give you anything."

He smirks devilishly. Whatever softness was in his face disappears. So it all was a fucking act. "Let me come at this another way." His right palm lights up for a moment. "For those of you who don't know me, I am the Bomber."

The cave is stone quiet after Genthru says this. Eyes wide, everyone is frozen as if the slightest gesture could cause them to blow up. The entrance to the cave is suddenly blocked off by a wooden wall.

"I've taken the liberty of planting a bomb on all of you. Well, almost all," he says looking me up and down.

How would he have planted a bomb on me—wait, is his ability related to touch? That must've been why he really wanted to shake my hand or touch my back. Only the tips of his fingers grazed me, so that must mean his hand has to be firmly placed on the person for the bomb to be planted. He could've forcefully grabbed me and tried to fight me for the card. So why didn't he? He must have been afraid of my power unleashing on him. Before it was unfocused, tearing up the entire room, so he could step in and help me snap back into reality, but in the tunnel, my only target would've been him. And he'd have no one to help him. He's probably most dangerous with close attacks.

The announcer with the white hair runs at Genthru, but is quickly stopped with a blast to his face. The guy falls on the floor screaming and writhing as his blood drips on the floor. He's not going to last long in that state. The risk of infection is too great.

Genthru turns back towards us, his robe passing over the announcer like leaves on the ground. He fixes his glasses and sighs as if he's been horribly inconvenienced. "As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, this is one of my abilities: Little Flower. Anything I grab with my hand, I can blow up. While this one may still be living for now," he says looking down at his victim, "if any of the bombs on you explode, you'll die."

This guy's a fucking psycho. He's killed how many people and would kill how many more... over cards? Over money? We've got to get out of here, but I'm not sure how yet. He explains how his power works and it's exactly what I thought. Countdown. The name of the bombs he's placed on everyone. He also reveals how to disarm the bombs. Once he finishes explaining, the bombs appear in whatever place he touched on the players, including Abengane. I take it that's one of the conditions in order for countdown to start. Dammit. I realize why Abengane's here now. They probably invited him because they saw us together thought they could use him as a hostage and convince me to hand over the card. We both look at the bomb placed along his shoulder and see that it's already begun counting down.

Bomber clears his throat to get our attention. "Here's your mission: in exchange for your lives, I want you to give me the cards you've collected. And because I suspect Oby will not give up her card willingly," He looks at me over his glasses with a wry smile, "you all will need to confiscate it. I'll be waiting at Battera's Castle once you've made your decision. Send one player over to deliver the message."

A short guy in a purple suit scoffs. "Do you take us for idiots? What's to stop us from charging you right now?"

A few men step towards Genthru, but his hand quickly lights up in their direction, stopping them dead in their tracks. "The same thing that should've stopped the man writhing in pain beneath me," he says leaning towards the announcer. "Try not to stress over it too much. The more your heart rate picks up, the faster the countdown will go." Genthru calls for his book and picks up a card. "I look forward to your answer." He says the command of the card and leaves in a flash of light.

All the players speak among themselves about what to do. Abengane turns to me. "We need to figure out how to get this thing off my arm. I don't trust this crazy motherfucker, even if all his demands are met."

Point taken. I don't know too many honorable crazies in the world. I bite my lip as I think of what might be able to remove or disarm the bomb. I close my eyes to remember people, places, creatures that could help us. Suddenly I remember a crucial detail about the wambari. "I have an idea."

"What about her?" the guy in the purple suit shouts. "If we're going to give this whack job our cards, she has to cough up hers too."

I narrow my eyes at the man and then look around at everyone else. Some of the players look confused and scared, others look predatory, like they just want someone to take their anger out on. It's the bar all over again. I don't want to kill anyone here, especially since they might already die soon anyway, so I have to stay in control. Focus on getting out. I look at Abengane who's breaking out in a sweat. "Get ready to fight and run," I say in a low voice. "And stay calm." He nods and crosses his hands behind him. If he's smart, he'll have a weapon on him.

A calm voice starts to speak, slowly walking closer to me. A man in a burgundy sweater and buzzcut. He talks to me as if speaking to a child. "Oby, we all want to get out of here safely, but in order to do that we'll need your help. Will you give us Fortress?"

I cross my arms over my chest, preparing to grab some of the shooting stars from under my shirt. "I will do my best to figure out a way to disarm the bombs. But I can tell you right now that as a mass murderer and terrorist, the Bomber is not likely going to keep his word to you. He's already killed so many players, there's no reason for him to find us any less expendable."

"Us?" the purple suit shouts. "You don't even have a bomb on you, so don't act like you give a shit what happens to us. All you're trying to do is go on your merry way with your boyfriend here."

He's right in front of me now, smelling like cheap aftershave and cigarettes. I look him in the eyes, his are as blue as mine. "My "boyfriend" also has a bomb on him. We can figure out a way to take these bombs off, but first we all have to stay calm and—"

Purple suit punches me in the jaw and stomach. I keel over onto the ground. He's a lot faster than I thought he'd be. Nothing's broken, but it did shock the hell out of me. "Give up the card, you little cunt!"

I roll over onto my back and kick him in the groin then face so hard a few of his teeth fall out. Abengane brandishes a pair of nunchucks from behind him. Some of the players break out in argument about what to do next while others run at us. Abengane knocks a few of them back with his sticks and I send stars flying to pin the rest against the wall. There's no choice. I have to use my nen if we're gonna get out of here, but there aren't any crevices to bust open as I look around, only rocks...wait, that actually might be the answer. I just have to pick one that doesn't cave everyone else in.

"Get to the door!" I yell at Abengane.

I'm about to jump when purple suit grabs one of my legs, causing me to fall again. I harness half my nen in my foot and the other half in my hand to pick up a small boulder in the back. Once I do, I lift it with all my might and throw it at the wooden wall, cracking it open. While everyone stares at the rock shifting through the air outside, I kick this asshole's face as hard as I can. With any luck, the concussion he has should teach him some manners.

Abengane doesn't need me to tell him to move. We run into the forest, brushing past branches and leaves. I finally catch up to him on a path near a pond.

"Where are we gonna go?" he asks.

I check to see if we put enough distance between us and the crowd. I don't see or hear them, but I'd prefer to be in a more secluded area to transport. Up ahead there's a set of weeping willows that blocks the way. "Over there," I nod. Once we push past the curtains of the trees, I call for my book.

"Let's use mine. They don't know my name and they won't be able to track us," Abengane says.

I put away my binder and point to a place on the map in his. "Fine. Let's go to Osara."

Voices begin to fill the forest, ask if we left footprints. I can tell they're listening for any noises other than nature. "Accompany on! Osara." Abengane commands. Our bodies fill with light, turn into a beam that moves like a pin ball out of the forest and across land. I never got used to this part. Nausea always follows. And with the nightmares sneaking up on me, I'm doubly frightened. I remember my response to entering the game, how I couldn't even control my tears, all those memories, and no body to hide or protect me from them. Yet this time is different because it feels like a force is touching mine. Maybe he is. And I'm grateful that it keeps me in a place of light while we skyrocket to our next destination.