The Shrink Program

Chapter 171

Even I would have looked like an idiot in the process of trying to get over that crap...

Vain raised an eyebrow, but when Alex only twitched his fingers encouragingly, he took the small hand with a resigned sigh.

Despite his size, Alex made short work of pulling the albino up, helping Vain balance as he climbed.

Geez, if Alex was already this strong Alan had to be close by.

As soon as he was up, Vain dropped the hand and stepped back, face calmly blank.

Alex rolled his eyes before offering the same helping hand down to Nigel.

Good thing too. The last thing we need was Nigel falling, breaking his head open and dropping me in the process.

Nigel excepted Alex's help enthusiastically, seemingly impressed with the show of strength. Since Nigel actually had a sense of balance, our climb went even smoother than Vain's.

"We could play I-spy," Nigel suggested light-heartedly as we resumed walking.

I spy.

I sent him a look.

Of all the stupid, childish...

"... Only if I can go first."

Nigel's smile brightened, even as our more mature company groaned.

"Kay. "

"I spy with my little eye... Something beginning with V. "

"Vain."

"Right," I admitted grudgingly.

Nigel hummed happily, tilting his head back to think. "I spy, Something beginning with A. "

"... Alex. "

" Yep."

"I spy... "

"Cage." Nigel interrupts.

I glance at him in surprise.

His smile was still in place, friendly as ever... But a cunning glimmer had entered his eye.

He had been right, and he knew it.

.... Playing the worm just to reveal himself as the snake...

My eyes narrowed.

The gauntlet had been thrown.

And I always accepted a challenge.

I began calling letters, rapid-fire.

"W."
"Wall. "

"R. "
Rubble. "

"S."
"Stairs. "

"F!"
"Fluorescent Light."

We fell into silence.

There wasn't anything in our barren surroundings left to spy.

"Well, looks like we've exhausted this possibility."

"I agree. "

...

"Vaaaaain! "

The pale boy stopped short, took a deep breath, then turned to us, pulling his gun out.

Woe! Hold the horses!

"Is it life-threatening?" He asked politely.

I cringed.

"um... No?"

"Good." He turned away with a smile. "Let's keep it that way..."

Alex actually snickered.