the afternoon sun was low casting long shadows across the cracked pavement ren sat on a broken crate outside the abandoned building sereas words repeated in his head "you want money right food shelter better" he looked at the worn deck of cards in his hands fingers tracing the edges worn smooth by time and use
he had learned the rules of poker patience and trick-taking but now it was time to put those lessons to the test the girl had said sit and gamble but ren wasn't sure what that meant outside practice it felt like a different world a place where the stakes were higher than hunger
he glanced around the empty street careful no one was watching then laid out the cards slowly like they were pieces of a puzzle he shuffled clumsily at first but soon his hands moved with more confidence remembering the rhythm the way the cards felt in his grip the weight of each bet the tension of bluffing
the rules came alive as he played against himself calling out bets folding hands imagining opponents and their tells he could almost see them in the shadows their eyes darting their fingers twitching hiding their nerves behind fake smiles
ren's mind sharpened with every round he felt something shift inside the hunger still gnawed but there was now a fire burning stronger a hunger for control for understanding for winning
just then footsteps echoed behind him he froze heart quickening turning slowly to see the girl from before her eyes cold but curious she watched him play the game she had thrown him into
"not bad" she said "you're learning fast" ren said nothing but met her gaze steady confident but cautious
"you ready for the real game?" she asked the words hung heavy in the air heavier than any bet he had made yet ren swallowed hard but nodded this was no longer practice this was survival
the sun dipped lower as the city held its breath ren knew one thing for sure this was just the beginning the cards had been dealt and he had no choice but to play