Would help if I actually…wrote an intro. New writing prompt! My tablet died, so ignore the handwriting and why I haven’t written it all into the roll up sheet.

A couple of things of notes with these (a disclaimer for every post):

• I do roll up a word count aspiration, but I am trying not to view myself as a failure if I don’t hit it for some reason.
• These are all one-shots. They’re to get me in the writing headspace, as well as play with some characters I love.
• I do post these on my blog, as well as on AO3, as well as on my Tumblr. So, the off chance you see it somewhere else, that’s why.

Today’s Prompt

A sentient wants to end the occupation of a run-down library, but they will develop a dangerous addiction.

Here’s the rolled-up sheet:

Not a fan of the rolled up prompt? Create your own with today’s cards! If you write a story with my writing prompt, please feel free to leave it in the comment or tag me in your story!

---

Our visas ran out tomorrow, there was no changing that. We had been stuck in this unexplainable world for a week now, with two games in our back pockets. I looked at Oz, watching as he changed the gauze patch on his head. Xander turned the dead phone over and over in his hands, staring at it so intently I was sure it would turn on or burst into flames.

“We have to decide on a game tonight, otherwise we are stuck with whatever arena is available tomorrow,” I said to the Scooby gang in front of me. “We have no way of knowing what kind of game or the level of intensity prior to it starting. Maybe half of us go in tonight, with the other half…”

Buffy shook her head. “I don’t like the idea of splitting up. If we stay together and end up in anything but hearts, we have a better shot. Clubs are team games, spades are strength, diamond wits. We have those covered between the five of us. Even without your witchcraft, Will, and my slayer strength or Oz’s werewolf abilities.”

“Yep, everyone is part of Club Xander,” he popped up. “No special abilities but a strange deposition for staying alive in trying times.” Buffy shot him a glance silencing him.

“Okay. We don’t split up. We hope it’s a five, something that gives us days on our visa without immediate pressure for more.” I concluded.

“There’s a spot light on the school library,” Cordelia said from her corner. She didn’t turn to look at us, just stared out as the night time spread across Sunnydale. “Do you think that’s likely to be a diamond game?”

“Feels a little cliche. Plus the whole hellmouth entrance. Feels more likely it’s a trap for a hearts game or even a demonic appearance.” Buffy hopped off the table she was sitting on, standing behind Cordelia with her arms crossed. She looked as if she was going to put a hand on her shoulder but resisted. Oz was still bleeding whenever he accidentally reopened his wounds, but Cordelia had taken the brunt of the damage last round. The left side of her face was red and raw from standing too close to open flame, and the hair she had left after cutting off the burned sections was still able to go into a ponytail. She wasn’t the sassy, vivacious self we were used to, yet scarred Cordelia was still beautiful. I watched as Buffy observed her, before adding quietly, “But if you think we’re likely to succeed, Cordy, then I’ll follow you into that arena.”

Cordelia shrugged in response. We all knew Buffy’s words would have meant more to her before they had fallen into this world, but I didn’t think the words completely bounced off her.

“Oh!” The exclamation came out of my mouth before I could stop it. “The library will have books!”

“That is the definition of a library usually, Will,” Xander replied.

“No — well yes but, witchcraft! My current abilities aren’t strong enough, but there has to be spells and books on where we are in the library, right?” I asked, my mind racing. “And there are plenty of books we haven’t gotten through that Giles keeps there that have to still be there, right? Even if he isn’t…here,” I trailed off, noticing the anxiety spike in the group. We hadn’t found Giles since we slipped into this strange dimension, and every day without him felt like a day closer to admitting he was dead.

I swallowed, continuing quieter, “There’s materials in the school we need. If there’s an open arena in the library, then that means we can get in despite the gangs camping out in the school. We don’t have to keep looking for a plan to get in and find your weapons, Buff. We use the arena to our advantage.”

Oz looked at me, giving me a single nod. He saw what I saw, knew it was the right idea. The odds were in our favor regarding the game, and the library was the best shot to find answers. My magic, Buffy’s slaying abilities, our weaponry, where the fuck we are… all of it had answers in the library.

Cordelia’s eyes focused as she looked at us. “If any of you get me killed, I swear to god I’ll haunt you and all of your fashion choices.” We laughed in response, though none of it was heartfelt. I helped Oz change his bandages while Buffy helped Cordelia apply an ointment to her face. None of us saw as Xander popped pills.

We sat out at a brisk pace towards the school, Buffy in the front. Not many people were in the streets, though we did see a few vampires coming out of their crypts as the sun set. It didn’t matter what kind of Sunnydale we were in; vampires were going to exist. We carried stakes despite the lack of magical strength, and Buffy was still able to kill a few before we reached the school.

“Is that Jonathan?” Xander asked, pointing to the small crowd of people in the school’s courtyard, definitely inside of the lasers dedicating the game’s limits. We stepped across and heard the ping of registration, picking up the new cell phones and waiting for the game start.

“Yeah, I think so. Standing next to Larry.” Oz and Xander headed over to say hi, while the girls stood together looking at the phones.

“I don’t want to know who’s here,” Cordelia said quietly. “I don’t want to know who could be dead at the end of this.” I squeezed her arm just above the elbow in reassurance. We stood in silence as a few more people trickled in to registration, before it was called.

The dreaded familiar sound of the start of games played. We all looked down at our phones.

Nine of Hearts. Let the Games Begin.