Her eyebrows rise.Guns?
Grecs breaks in.Laser guns.You try to shoot someone on their vest.He points to his chest.That tags them out until they go back to their base to get their health back.We’ll be doing a Capture the Flag-style tournament.
Every word he says throws Evie into further confusion.Normally I would find this hilarious, but the competitive demon in me is rising.
Look, you don’t have to come if you don’t want to,I say hopefully.
She smiles.No, I’d like to come.After all, it sounds like your whole team is going.
Atta girl.Grecs writes our names onto his sheet with a big grin on his face.I can tell he wants to whip my ass at this tournament.He resents me for reasons I can’t figure out.Maybe that incident with Destiny?All I do know is that there’s no way I’m letting him beat me.
He leaves, and Evie sips her coffee, oblivious to all my competitive angst.But then she asks,Where do we play laser tag?
It’ll be some kind of game centre.You know, with a video game arcade?
She blinks.An arcade?Like a county fair?I hope there’s a place where I can win a stuffed animal.
I laugh.That is such an Evie thing to say.Shouldn’t I win the stuffed animal for you?
Oh, that’s even better,she says brightly.And you’re such a good athlete too.
Now I feel guilty for even hoping that she might not come.I’ll work out a signal with Mats so he can let me know if I’m being too competitive.
ON THE NIGHT WE’RE PLAYING, SINC DRIVES OUR TEAM IN HIS TRUCK, WHICH SEATS SIX.I’M SITTINGin the back with Cleo and Evie in the middle.
You wanna talk game plan?Cleo asks me.
I notice Evie watching me, and roll my shoulders to relax them.
No, I’m good if everyone has fun,I reply.
Who are you, and what the fuck have you done with Big Z?Cleo demands.
Mats turns around from the front seat.Chill, Cleo.
Chill?I’m sorry, but I’ve scrimmaged with this guy and he’s fucking relentless.He scored so many goals that our goalie had to go into therapy afterwards.Anyway, I’ve got a strategy.It’s Greco’s team we have to look out for.Did you know that his girlfriend is a biathlete?
Of course.It’s always the person who organizes the event who has an advantage.
Cleo eyes Evie, who’s wearing a grey cloth coat and an embroidered green velvet scarf, and looks more like a cute pixie than a laser tag assassin.Are you wearing black under that?
She nods.Viktor told me to.
Andy turns around.Were we supposed to wear black?I’m wearing navy.
That’s fine, just not white.They can spot you a mile away in white under the lights.Cleo turns back to Evie.How good are you at laser tag?
I’ve never played it before.
Cleo nods.Okay, we’ll protect you.We’ll go as a group.The key is to keep moving, okay?It’s easier to tag you if you’re stationary.
Evie nods.What about shooting people?
Cleo’s eyebrows rise.Well, if you can hit an opponent, go for it.But the main thing is to keep up with the group.
Fine.
What are your strengths?Do you do any sports?Cleo asks.
