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The plan had been pretty straightforward: break in, scrounge for supplies, and (though he was completely against the idea) attempt to rescue anyone who had not returned investigating the brightly lit building. The mall assistant already had weapon at the ready for any kind of dangerous interference that might come his way, zombie or bandit.

Whatever 888 had been expecting from the casino, it certainly wasn't this.

It took him a good few seconds before he slowly began to lower his pipe weapon and actually observe the scene in front of him. This wasn't some hollowed-out shell of a building with power restored as a trap, it was a fully functional casino. With people, and lights. And women in extremely revealing costumes offering him alcohol. He shied back, hugging the walls as he circled the place. He kept a wary eye on the proceedings as he clutched his makeshift weapon for comfort. There were so many people, all in one place. And no chaos? No fighting? No creatures bursting in to murder them all in such a poorly defended space?

After spending so much time away from proper civilization, it was a little dizzying. Like a mirage. This place couldn't possibly be real.

Tentatively, he tried again. Yes, this slot machine was very real. Two pulls certainly more than confirmed this wasn't just a thirst-induced fever dream.

Some part of him was still on edge, put off by the grandeur when there were rotting bodies dragging themselves around just beyond the walls of the place. Another part was relieved to not be constantly filled with adrenaline. Finally, somewhere safe.

The latter part was winning.

COINS: 54

When 888 came to, he was pissed.

Of course it was a trap. Of course they were all being taken advantage of. In particular, he was being taken advantage of. The moment he let his guard down, it was game over. Why they didn't have the decency to finish him off while he was already unconscious, he didn't know, but it was just poor sportsmanship. He could hear everyone, loose incoherent noises of confusion, upset, anger, fear, murmuring through the empty space. The lights blasted on, and the announcer began to speak.

The rules were simple enough. Win coins, win freedom. 888 couldn't deny that they had ample opportunity to kill them if these people wanted them dead. So, what did they want? People to mindlessly paw at the machines like rats? That must have been what was going on out there, they were all trapped here too. Buying their freedom, when there was hardly any reason to be held prisoner in the first place. His thoughts flickered briefly to the mall, undefended. But there was no other choice now but to play the game.

And 888 was good at those.

It was suddenly and unceremoniously that his chair was dragged off, and him bound to it, into a small room in which he faced a teenage boy and a young woman, both of them fighting against their restraints with horror in their eyes. A knot immediately formed in his stomach at the sight. He pushed it down, deep down, steeling himself against the guilt of having to make a choice beyond himself. He couldn't feel sorry every time someone died in this place, or he'd have a whole city's worth of it paralyzing his every move. He had to look at them as they truly were - they were dead already, long before he got here. He was only delaying the inevitable for one.

Still unable to speak thanks to restraining ropes, he could only motion with his head toward the young lady.

Several attendants poured into the room. They released the woman from her chair, and the man from his, though the man was obviously more ominously gripped by them. He was thrashing and screaming, muffled but still wholly palpable fear. There was blood where the ropes cut into him. They dragged him into the next room. Through the doorway, 888 could only catch a flash of white, and then as the door slammed shut, the screaming began.

888 fought against his own restraints to speak. "What's in there?"

"Are you sure you want to know?" The attendant's grip on the woman's arm tightened, a threat. The woman was shaking her head no. There was a lengthy pause.

"No," he admitted in apparent defeat. Or even a desire not to know after all. It wasn't his business. It wasn't his problem. It wasn't his fight. "I guess I don't."

"Good. I didn't think so," the attendant leered as he cut the ropes.

COINS: 58