Let's Gamble!

After informing the maroon siblings of their plans, Revenant returned to conduct an inventory for supplies. When the others rested up and left through the glass doors, the veteran had already driven to the entrance and was waiting with the engine revved. He tilted his head back, gesturing for Phantom and Rascal to get on.

“Stay safe,” Poltergeist kneeled and hugged her brother tightly. “And remember…”

“I won’t trust him. I promise,” Rascal gave her a childish smile. Phantom helped the child up into the SUV before riding shotgun. As they drove away, the kid waved through the open window with Bird returning the energetic gesture. Poltergeist stared at her brother until they disappeared onto the highway leaving only dust in their trail.

“The shuttle leaves in five minutes twenty-two seconds,” Wraith glanced over their shoulder at the double-decker shuttle. Passengers had begun to board after dropping their luggage on a silver conveyor belt leading to the lower compartment.

“Would you ladies like a premium seat?” an attendant by the entrance asked Mouse as she strolled over. “They include all the features of the smart self-modeling seats, soothing therapeutic aromas, and reclining capabilities to enjoy along with the latest movies!”

“Four please!” Bird exclaimed, holding out a wad of cash without bothering to count it. Poltergeist quickly snatched it from her, inquiring about the price before handing over the correct amount to the attendant.

Wraith was the first to board after checking in their katanas. Upon onto the bus with a ticket in hand, the doorframe lit light blue and emitted a soft chime.

“Ah, sorry esteemed guest, we unfortunately can’t offer a premium seat to you,” the attendant informed with a sympathetic smile.

“Is it because of my prosthetics?” their eyes flickered underneath their sunglasses.

“I’m afraid so,” she gave an apologetic nod. “The cybernetics would damage the seat.”

Wraith placed a hand on their hip and let out a sigh.

“I’ll be in the back,” they told the girls before heading to the second floor of the bus.

The premium seats were lined in a 1-4-3 arrangement at the front of the bus. The back half of the bus contained regular seats with the last row lined with narrow seats. Wraith made their way to the back and settled in the middle.

They discreetly glared at Bird, who trailed behind Mouse as she claimed the window seat. Poltergeist lowered the divider after sitting beside Mouse, the white sign on it glowing a soft pink with three contour circles to indicate occupancy.

Bird snuggled into the plush black cotton seat blended with memory foam. A button to the side lifted and reclined her seat back as she tapped her finger on the screen, prepping to watch a zombie movie.

As the shuttle rolled into town, black shades gradually descended over the windows, creating a cozy, dim ambiance. Soft cyan lights illuminated the interior, reminiscent of an airplane cabin during takeoff, lending a tranquil and futuristic vibe to the space.

Mouse slightly lifted the shade and peeked outside. Several people lay on the streets wearing such worn-out clothes that Mouse almost mistook them for rags. Round bulbs of flesh infected many of them, growing like tumors on their face or limbs.

Besides the infected that lay close to death or were deformed, broken down androids laid in the trash, their insides scraped for material and many limbs were seen being worn by some of the residents nearby. All of them stared at the bus as it went by, not daring to get close to it but also glaring in anger. Mouse finally leaned back and lowered the shade.

A light chime roused the riders an hour later, accompanied by a refreshing fruity scent that spread through the area. The black shades gradually rose, letting in the bright glow of the neon lights inside. The windows adjusted to soften the sharp brightness before sliding back into their transparent sleeves.

Outside, vibrant flashing signs illuminated the scene as eclectic visitors meandered along the transparent streets, High billboards showcased dazzling animated figures and their shows, projecting colorful holographic images that danced and angled outward to entice as many customers as possible.

“Valued customers,” the bus driver announced through the implanted speaker embedded in his mouth, his voice smooth and clear. As he spoke, subtle lights flickered along the edges of the shuttle’s control panel, responding to his words. “We have arrived at the heart of Las Vegas.”

Dropped off at the entrance of a bustling casino, Bird shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight as she eagerly scanned her surroundings, a grin spreading across her face. The vibrant colors of the neon lights and the lively chatter of excited patrons ignited a spark of mischief in her.

Mouse, on the other hand, stayed close behind Bird and Poltergeist. She tucked her head down, avoiding the hurried pedestrians rushing past on the sidewalk.

“I shall start my mission, miss,” Wraith placed a hand over their heart and offered a light bow. “Please call me immediately if an event occurs.”

“Have fun!” Bird waved as Wraith left the girls and disappeared into the crowd. She licked her lips and scanned the crowd, ready to have fun. “Let’s get to work, shall we?”

It wasn’t soon before the atmosphere shifted as Bird leaned over a gaming table with a confident grin on her face. Mouse and Poltergeist stood behind her resembling her mistresses. They stared at their master as she casually leaned back on the red stool with her legs crossed.

“Three of a kind. House wins again,” announced the dealer, a striking woman in a form-fitting red dress with flowing black hair cascading over her shoulders. Bird slammed her palm down on the plush velvet tabletop, frustration radiating from her.

“It’s not fair! You pulled us away from the slots!” Bird's demeanor shifted dramatically from the composed figure who had been sipping wine just moments before.

“I do apologize for the malfunctions, miss, but we did offer you a generous reimbursement,” the dealer replied, maintaining her professional tone.

“And you’ve taken it all back from me!” Bird pouted, her eyes narrowing in determination.

“Perhaps Lady Luck is not on your side today,”

“One more game!” Bird held her arm high in the air, defiance lighting up her face.

“I’ll bet our SUV!” Bird declared boldly, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Hey! We can’t use that—” Poltergeist protested, alarmed.

“We’re betting it,” Bird interrupted, a sly smile on her lips. With a wink, Bird flipped a coin over to her and mouthed a single word.

The dealer smiled gently as she passed over a sheet of paper. Bird quickly signed it, allowing their vehicle to be collateral if she lost. After passing the document back, the lady quickly reviewed it before nodding.

“Let’s start then,” the dealer said, her tone steady as she dealt two cards to each of them, followed by the five community cards placed face down in the center. Bird tapped her knuckles lightly on the plush velvet tabletop. The dealer mirrored her gesture, the atmosphere thickening as they both indicated a check.

Ace of Spades, Queen of Hearts, and Five of Spaces.

“Raise, five thousand,” the dealer announced with a smile, her gaze steady. “If you can afford it.”

“Call,” Bird tossed down her tokens.

A Queen of Diamonds. There was now a guaranteed pair.

“Raise, another five thousand.”

“Call,”

The dealer maintained her poker face and placed down the last card: a three of spades.

“Check,”

“Raise,” Bird smirked at the dealer as she used her two cards like a fan. “Ten thousand.”

Mouse obediently pushed a large stack of rectangular glass tokens into the center of the plush velvet table framed in wood. The onlookers whispered among themselves, glancing at the impressive pile. Bird paid no mind to them, acting as if she were alone.

“Call…” the dealer’s canine ears twitched.

A red glow pulsed from the table’s ring, signaling the final call. The dealer reached down, her fingers brushing over the cards. With a sidelong glance at Bird, her ears flicked twice before she flipped over her cards—two aces.

“That’s hard to beat,” Bird sighed, leaning forward as she audibly tapped her fingers on the wooden rim, then examined her nails. Scrunching her face in thought, she sighed again and picked up her now-empty glass, pouting as she scanned the room for another drink.

“Miss, please stop stalling,” the wolf lady held her hands in front of her calmly. “Your card won't change, no matter how long you wait.”

“Then what a shame,” Bird shrugged disappointingly. “But not for me.”

With a flick of her wrist, she threw down a two and a three, winning the game with a straight flush, causing the crowd to awe.

As applause erupted around the table, the dealer closed her eyes but kept her demure expression. A small smile grew on her lips and she held up a hand to stop Mouse from retrieving their winnings.

“One more game,” she proposed with a stern gaze, her eyes shining bright red.

“Are you sure? I’m not sure the owner will be pleased if you lose any more of their money.” Bird repeated her phrase. She picked up a wine glass offered by a young butler with white hair.

“I can’t have my manager be displeased with me,” the wolf girl sighed. “How else would I remain head dealer?”

“What could you have that would convince me to play along?” Bird dipped a finger in the glass tasting the wine with a playful flick of her tongue.

“For a cute girl like you, this,” with her hand still held up, the dealer wiggled her slender fingers adorn glossy black nails. “I’ll bet my reliable righty.”

“Oh?” Bird’s interest was piqued.

“As a high-end dealer, My hand’s pretty valuable in any market—be it experimentation or other purposes,” her left ear twitched, “I could call my manager if you’d like to check my price.”

“I believe you,” Bird sat up and nodded at the girls. Mouse and Poltergeist shoved the entire pile of chips over, the top half spilling down like a small avalanche. Murmurs began to grow in the audience.

“Since you’re being so bold, let me sweeten the deal,” Bird pointed a finger at herself as her pink jacket slipped off her shoulders. “If you win, I’ll give you any part of me that you want.”