There was only one candle's worth of light in this almost claustrophobic room with two humans sitting across from each other.
Separating them was a polished wooden table that cradled our light-source, its quiet flame being indifferent and impartial.
Apart from the candle itself, this table was littered with several more 'interesting' items, the most eye-catching of which was made of brass and had levers, holes, rotating barrels... It was an ancient revolver!
"Ah man! A draw? ...you're good at this !
What do you say? Wanna play once more?-"
Kaera's voice was full of anticipation and excitement as he stared at his opponent.
It was almost close to midnight, they've been playing chess for the past three hours.
His opponent on the other hand, appeared tired and sleepless. Her posture was slouched, hands trembling with excessive sweat dripping off her forehead. The candle's warm light reached her pale boney face, while her expression stayed relatively neutral. Unlike Kaera, her appearance wasn't too appealing nor was it too unlikable.
"It's not like I have a say. If you want to shoot
me, then why wait? Just get this over with."
She was untethered while saying this, but her loud gulp just after said so otherwise.
One could use the phrase - 'projecting indifference outside whilst being terrified within'.
Rules were so that if one loses, the winner can decide to either kill or spare their opponent.
This room had no walls and was made of a deep-red, curtain-like fabric, further isolating them from the outer world. It might not even be a room, perhaps a tent?
Kaera began resetting the pieces.
Numerous wooden chests were spread all over the dry-mud covered ground.
The tent smelt of burnt wax/perfume and had an unexplainable vibe.
"Oh I know! If we are to draw this match too,
wouldn't a coin flip do the trick? Hah!"~
Kaera was excited as he pondered openly.
His idea was, the winning party would get an extra Queen and also get to decide their own desired position. This way, the possibility of a potential draw is reduced.
After hearing his suggestion, she was enlightened about why one mustn't trust strangers. Who would've thought this Kaera person would out right kidnap for a chess game? Apparently, women are gullible and are incapable of spotting deceptions. Thus, she was lured by Kaera and was abducted.
When she first opened her eyes, she was already in this red-coloured tent, unaware of her location. And now, she deduced her chances at survival were close to 40%, that too if she gets lucky.
"I'll play as white this time!"~ Kaera exclaimed.
She could only nod while taking a deep breath, hiding away her fear and solely putting all her attention to the game. Kaera was a challenging opponent, even if she finds a forced draw, coin-flips are impartial.
Despite being a girl, her skills at chess were exceptional and matched somewhat evenly to Kaera, though he still had the upper hand.
...
And so it began.
The silence was able to make one feel a tingle in their stomach. Every so often, a dull thud would break this quiet and tender moment.
This was them exchanging moves. The chess pieces were elegantly lit by the candle's flickering flame like royal statues.
There were times when neither of them made any moves, letting silence linger.
Kaera glanced towards his opponent from time to time, smirking as he savoured the thrill of such a life-death scenario. He had golden hair and wore a silky bright yellow shirt that had a flower-like design plastered all over it.
"Hey Neo, if I were to lose, would you shoot
me?"
Neo's expression was blank, but one could tell that Kaera's words got to her.
She had envisioned countless scenarios of her demise, but never one where she lives on. It could be seen as pessimism, but it was likely her cautious nature and distrust.
Kaera's insight caused her mind to lose focus and spiral towards this new possibility. If she chose not to 'neutralize' him, who is to say he wouldn't forcefully challenge her again or become a threat later on? Kaera is unstable and psychotic, but he does abide by rules.
Another obstacle was her sense of morality, she couldn't just take someone's life.
Seeing Neo's subtle hesitation, Kaera could only smile wider. It was clear that the question he posed earlier was only to mess with his opponent's mind in hopes that they make fatal mistakes on the board. Kaera was bent on not having this game progress into yet another draw and have a coin decide his fate.
Seeking thrill, he desired a clear battle of wits!
As time passed, Neo's thoughts began to swirl. Endless voices, each with their own opinion reverberated beneath her skull. It took her a while to realise Kaera's reasoning behind that innocent question, but even then, it was hard to ignore. Kaera was a mad genius, just his words alone could unravel someone!
Resting her eyes upon the fire, she began pulling on her left ear. This was a frequent habit of her's whenever she felt lost or aimless.
At this point, all she could do was accept fate, that if she does win, she couldn't take Kaera's life and thereby lower her survival rate to 7%.
There isn't a possibility where both parties win.
But just then, as her gaze drifted towards an antique, silver/brass pendulum clock behind Kaera, a strange idea surfaced to her mind!