Breakthrough

Caught in the Game

Mateo

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The casino buzzed with life—the clink of chips, the shuffle of cards, and the low murmur of gamblers hoping to strike it big. I leaned back in my chair, casually spinning a chip between my fingers. Jeff sat across from me, the scar down his cheek twitching with every glance at his cards. He looked like a man who thought he couldn’t lose. Perfect.

The trick to a good con wasn’t just playing the cards—it was playing the man.

I dealt the final hand with a relaxed smirk. Jeff’s heavy brows furrowed as he studied his cards, and the veins on his neck bulged slightly. His flush was good, but not good enough.

“All in,” I said, my tone light, almost bored, as I slid my chips into the pot.

Jeff’s jaw tightened. He didn’t like being challenged, especially not by some punk half his size. “You got a death wish, kid?”

“Just feeling lucky,” I replied, my grin widening.

He slammed his chips into the pot. “Call.”

The dealer flipped the final card. I let a beat of silence stretch, then laid down my hand—a full house. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Jeff’s flush, though strong, didn’t stand a chance.

“You cheated,” Jeff growled, his voice a low rumble.

“Me?” I put a hand to my chest, mock-offended. “Why, Jeff, I’m wounded. It’s just luck.”

His glare could’ve set fire to the table, but he stood abruptly, sending his chair crashing to the floor. He stalked off, shoving patrons out of the way. I pocketed my winnings with a satisfied chuckle.

“Poor Jeff,” I muttered. “Never knew what hit him.”

---

The chill night air bit at my face as I strolled through the alley, whistling a light tune. My pockets were heavier with Jeff’s money, and my mood was light. But that didn’t last long.

“You’ve got guts,” came Jeff’s voice, thick with rage.

I turned to find him blocking the exit, his scarred face twisted with fury. Behind him, his wiry friend twirled a blood-streaked bat.

“Well, well,” I said, flashing a grin. “Came back for a rematch?”

Jeff lunged. His fist slammed into my stomach, knocking the breath out of me. I doubled over, coughing, but instinct took over, and I swung my leg up, kicking him in the knee. He stumbled, giving me just enough time to twist out of his grip.

“Bad move,” Jeff snarled, cracking his knuckles.

The other guy charged, bat raised. I ducked, the bat whistling past my ear, and rammed my elbow into his ribs. He staggered back, cursing, but Jeff was on me again. He grabbed me by the jacket, lifting me off the ground, and slammed me into the brick wall.

Pain shot up my back, and I winced. “All this over a little cash?” I wheezed. “Thought you’d be tougher.”

Jeff didn’t laugh. He threw me to the ground like a rag doll, and his friend came at me again. This time the bat connected, smashing into my side. I felt a rib crack, and stars danced in my vision.

“Still think it’s funny?” the smaller guy sneered, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

I spat blood onto the pavement, grinning through the pain. “Hilarious.”

Jeff grabbed me by the collar again, slamming me back into the wall, lifting me off my feet. “Give me one good reason I shouldn’t end you right here.”

I coughed, barely able to speak, but I managed a breathless, “You’d get blood all over your nice boots.”

“Kill him, Jeff,” the smaller man said, smirking.

Jeff’s fist was already swinging, but before it landed, something strange happened. He froze. His eyes widened for a fraction of a second, as if sensing something. He glanced around, unease flickering across his face, then lowered me slowly.

“You’ve got two days to get our money, or you’ll be lying in the trash, cold and stiff,” he grunted, dropping me like dead weight.

He turned to leave, and the smaller guy followed, giving me one last glare before spitting at my feet.

I slumped against the wall, clutching my ribs, breathing hard. Blood trickled from my split lip, and my whole body ached. But I’d survived worse. This wasn’t my first beating, and it wouldn’t be my last.

I was catching my breath when I felt it—that prickling sensation, like eyes on my back.

I lifted my head, squinting through the haze of pain. A figure stood a few feet away, shrouded in shadow. Something about him felt... off. He didn’t belong.

“What are you staring at?” I rasped, trying to sound tougher than I felt.

No answer.

I tried to focus on his face, but it was blurred by the dim light and my dizziness. Still, his presence was undeniable.

“Help,” I muttered, the word escaping before I could stop it. And then everything went black again.

---

When I woke, I was lying on something soft. A cot? My head throbbed, and the taste of copper lingered in my mouth. I blinked, the dim light of the room slowly coming into focus.

“You’re awake.”

The voice was cold, detached. I turned my head, and there he was—the same figure from the alley. Now I could see him clearly. Brown hair, sharp features, and eyes that looked like they belonged to someone who had seen far too much.

“Who the hell are you?” I croaked.

Finally, he stepped closer, slow and deliberate. His eyes were like ice, cold and distant. He didn’t look like someone who cared about much of anything.

“You shouldn’t be able to see me,” he said, his voice low, almost a whisper.

I frowned, leaning back against the wall. “What kind of cryptic nonsense is that?”

He didn’t answer, just studied me like I was some kind of puzzle.

“Look,” I said, wincing as I straightened up. “If you’re here to kill me too, get in line.”

“I’m not here to kill you,” he said, tone flat. “But you interest me.”

“Oh, I’m flattered,” I shot back, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Mind telling me why you’re stalking me in the middle of an alley?”

He said nothing, and for a long, tense moment, we just stared at each other.

“Suit yourself,” I muttered, pushing off the wall. But as I tried to walk past him, his hand shot out, gripping my arm like a vice.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Mateo,” I said, pulling free. “And you?”

His lips barely moved. “Levi.”

“Well, Levi,” I said, smirking despite the pain. “Looks like you’ve got some explaining to do.”

His eyes glinted with something unreadable. “Not yet.”

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