by Eden Redd
Richard made strange choking sounds as blood poured into his lungs. Morgan grabbed the man by the neck and hurled him to the floor. The kitchen vibrated as Richard lay on his back, making wet gasping sounds. Nikki watched with a blank gaze as Morgan stepped to the man on his floor, knelt down and began stabbing again and again. Sounds of hard metal on weak flesh slapped as Richard gasped for life. The darkness consumed Morgan as his hand was exact, stabbing in different spots to let the pain linger. Seconds felt like hours as he continued his precise work, making every stab a pure moment of agony.
Nikki crawled out of the closet, witnessing the act as blood splattered against the tiled floor and part of the island. When Richard’s gasping and struggling began to subside, Morgan looked the dying neighbor in the eyes before driving the knife into his heart. Richard shuddered and let out his final breath, his body growing still.
Nikki stayed on all fours, gazing on the pooling blood. Morgan’s darkness clamored for more and the player obliged. Dropping the knife slicked with blood to the side, fingers clawed into Richard’s eyes. Morgan moved with practiced ease as he plucked one eye and then the other one. Blood covered his hands as he stood up, a calm black face hiding the demonic urges. The voices whispered for more and Morgan acknowledged them with a small head nod. Dropping the eyes with dangling sinew to the floor, he picked up his foot and stepped on one, squishing it underfoot. Immediately after, he stepped on the other one. The darkness laughed its delight before it faded to the background.
Bliss touched Morgan, hugging him like a mother’s touch. Staring down at the eyeless corpse, a mental picture formed. Calling up his player menu, he took a snapshot and filed it away in the Dark Folder. Swiping the player menu away, Morgan turned his attention to Nikki as she sat, tail swishing back and forth and gaze on him.
“Eyes are the window to the soul. I crushed his soul and prevented him from resting in the afterlife,” Morgan said in a foggy trance.
Nikki slinked closer, rubbing her face in Morgan’s bloody hand. The player looked down, red streaks blending in with her black hair and pale face.
“Do you want to stay?” Morgan asked in a low, innocent tone.
Nikki continued to rub against him, purring loudly.
“Welcome home,” Morgan whispered.
The player called up his Build and Buy menu with bloody fingers. Swiping at the virtual 2D screen, he reached the gardening section. Hitting purchase, a shovel appeared in his other hand. Nikki moved back as Morgan swiped the whole menu away and looked down at the cooling corpse.
“I think I’m going to take up gardening,” Morgan said with a crazy grin.
Six
Morgan eyed himself in the mirror before shaking his head. The car was going to pick him up in ten minutes and he had no idea what to wear. Glancing to his closet, only a few outfits hung on the almost bare bar. Sighing, he looked back to the mirror and wondered if he was overthinking it.
Digital Hearts was a life simulation game, but it was far from accurate. Thoughts drifting, the events of last night painted a different picture on what was expected and what actually happens. Images played out like a silent movie, Morgan digging a grave in his backyard, a chill touching his clammy skin. Dragging the body and dumping it into the hole while Nikki watched, her tail swishing from side to side and ears up. The satisfaction of dumping piles of dirt on the corpse and patting it down with the shovel when he was finished. Planting tomato seeds along the length of the mound of dirt. When he was finished, sprouts already poked up, waiting for the morning sun.
Cleaning up the kitchen was so quick and easy, the player almost felt guilty. He didn’t need any hard detergents as the blood wiped clean with long wipes. The rag didn’t even get bloody as he wiped across the floor and the island. Drops of blood dotted the walls and they vanished just like the rest. When it was all done, the kitchen was spotless as it sparkled.
The night was still early and Morgan knew what he had to do next. Stepping to the empty room between his bedroom and the study, the player questioned Nikki if she was fine with the room. The cat-woman purred her delight as she rubbed against him. He had no idea if she actually talked so he brought up a Buy menu and scrolled through beds. A red one appeared and she tapped it with a clawed finger. Morgan spent the last of his bucks to buy her a wide bed, thick carpet and a wallpaper with swirling string designs, Nikki’s choice.
When he was finished, weakness washed over the player. Morgan knew it was coming. The come down from basking in his darkness overloaded his senses and he often slept deeply after each intimate kill. Moving like a zombie, he fell into bed and passed out.
Morning light woke the player from his deep slumber and he noticed Nikki was on his bed, curled up next to him. Smiling, he wondered if she would ever sleep in her room. Getting up, the cat-woman didn’t stir as Morgan began getting himself ready for his new job.
Standing before a full-length mirror, the player shrugged and figured they would tell him how he needed to dress on his first day. Stepping out of his bedroom, Morgan made his way to the living room when a car honked from the front of his home. He made a beeline for the door when light whirled around him. Stopping, he looked down and saw that he was dressed in a chef’s outfit, complete with white hat on his head. Smiling, he opened the door and stepped out to the bright and beautiful morning. Birdsong filled the sunny day as several people Morgan didn’t know beckoned him to the car with hand waves and smiles.
Morgan made his way, eager to start his first day. Opening the door and stepping in, he sat down as three other people greeted him with warm grins. Morgan took a deep breath as the car pulled out and then the simulation stopped. The player looked to the other people in the car, their bodies frozen. A timer appeared in his vision as an alert scrolled by.
You have joined the workforce! You have two hours before re-entering Digital Hearts. You may sleep or disconnect, but you must return before the two-hour time limit expires. Enjoy your time!
Morgan smiled as he hit the log out. Pulling the helmet off his head, he stood up with a little extra energy. After a bathroom run and enjoying a hearty ration meal, he managed to get in a little reading before logging back in a few minutes before the timer ran out. Sitting in the frozen car, the player waited as the timer reached zero and the car pulled up to his home.
Fellow riders wished him a good day as he stepped out and waved goodbye before the car drove off. Morgan smiled to himself as he finally understood what Mina was saying. The young man guessed players didn’t want a full immersion life simulator and cut down on anything that would interfere with the true heart of the game. A two-hour break was just what he needed and now he could go back to taking care of his home, getting ready for David’s house warming party later and maybe get to know Nikki a little more.
An alert scrolled across his vision as the player stopped walking toward his home. Reading it, his smile broadened.
You earned 200 DIM bucks today!
You earned +1 to your Skill!
You earned +1 to your Knowledge!
“Alright,” Morgan said as he resumed walking to his home and opening the front door.
Closing the door behind him, Nikki emerged from the hallway, standing on two legs. The cat-woman rushed to him and threw her arms around his neck. Morgan was temporarily stunned because he thought she walked on all fours all the time. It surprised him that she was bipedal as well. The cat-woman snuggled her face to his neck, purring up a storm.
“Good to see you too,” Morgan smiled as he hugged her, work clothes flashing away and his normal outfit replacing them.
“You too,” Nikki purred.
Morgan held her close as his eyes widened a little, “You can talk.”
“I can,” Nikki whispered.
Memories stabbed into his mind and the good feelings turned gray.
“About last night…”
Nikki kept the embrace, “No one needs to know…ever.”
Morgan pulled back, drinking in Nikki�
��s glowing beauty. “What happened? Why were you a prisoner?”
The cat woman purred as she snuggled to his neck. “I remember prowling the neighborhoods at night. I can’t tell you more beyond that because I don’t remember. One night, I was caught rummaging through Richards trash. I tried to run but he told me he had milk. I was so thirsty, I waited and he came out with a large bowl. I lapped it up and before I knew it, he slapped a chained collar to me.”
Nikki stopped purring but stayed at Morgan’s neck. “He pulled me inside. He said he was lonely. He put me in a room and made me his pet. I tried to run, but the chain was too strong. He fed me and took care of me so I stayed.”
Morgan’s mind turned black. “Did he do anything else?”
Nikki pulled back, eyes wide. “No. He wanted companionship, but I had to obey his rules. At first, I started to get used to it, but I yearned to go outside again. He wouldn’t allow it.”
The cat woman’s eyes softened. “Then I saw you move in next door. I knew if I stayed, Richard’s rules would drive me crazy. I spent a whole day pulling on my chain until it broke. I came down…and wanted to meet you.”
Morgan’s hands tightened at her waist. “Well, you don’t have to worry about him anymore.”
Nikki’s bright smile returned. “Thank you, for taking me in.”
The player nodded. “I won’t chain you up. You can come and go as you want. I’m not looking to control you.”
Nikki’s eyes beamed as a heart appeared over her head and burst with pink energy. Morgan studied the floating heart for a long moment before it disappeared. He wasn’t sure what to think of that, since she was a cat woman. She seemed mostly human except for the ears, tail and fur along her forearms and shins. The rest of her was feminine and beautiful as far as he could tell. The inner demons whispered lurid thoughts and Morgan smirked to himself. Nikki snuggled to him once again as they held each other.
“Should I take off that collar around your neck?”
Nikki shook her head. “No, I’ve grown used to it. It…brings me comfort.”
Morgan nodded again and pulled away. Nikki seemed to have extra energy because she leapt into the air and landed on the couch. Snuggling to a corner with her gaze on Morgan, she purred loudly.
The player stepped past the couch and stood by the front door. “I have an errand to run before I go to a party tonight. Will you be okay while I’m gone?”
Nikki nodded as she picked up the remote off the couch and turned on the flat screen. A horror movie played, a monster rising up from the waves as scantily clad beach goers screamed and ran in panic. The music was abrasive and loud, but Nikki stayed huddled were she was, watching with wide eyes.
Morgan smirked before he opened the door and stepped out. The sun was sliding into early afternoon, golden light covering the neighborhood. Gaze sliding down, the player’s heart nearly stopped as the sheriff’s car was in front of Richard’s home. A strong, older man was turning away from the front door, steely gray eyes catching Morgan and giving a quick head nod. Gray touched at his temples while short jet-black hair flowed. The sheriff’s hat was tan as was his jacket. Brown shirt and slacks covered the rest but the boots were abyssal black.
The sheriff moved from the front step and walked out of his dead neighbor’s yard. Morgan stepped closer, keeping his demeanor calm and neutral. No need signaling something dreadful was afoot. When the two men met, the sheriff gave Morgan a pleasant smile.
“Afternoon Mr. Strange,” the sheriff said with practiced ease.
“Afternoon Sheriff,” Morgan said, not knowing the man’s name.
“Please, call me Jack. Jack Norman. I may be a sheriff in Driftwood Cove, but we’re all family.”
“Morgan,” the player smiled. “What can I do for you sheriff?”
Jack kept his smile. “Not much at the moment. I was doing my rounds in the neighborhoods and stopped by for my usual sit and talk with Richard. He didn’t answer his door which is not like him because we meet pretty much every other day. We shoot the shit before I continue my rounds. Say, you haven’t seen or heard of him?”
“No sheriff. I’ve just been trying to settle in. It’s a nice neighborhood, but I’m only starting to know my way around. I met Richard yesterday and he seemed really nice.”
Jack nodded. “He is when he doesn’t have a stick up his ass.”
The sheriff looked to the house. “I’ve known him to take off for a week or two, visiting his folks, but he often told me when he was doing that. Plus, his car is still in the driveway.”
Morgan’s inner self cringed as his face remained a blank mask. “I haven’t seen him, but I’ll be sure to let him know you stopped by when I do.”
Jack tipped his hat, “That’s mighty neighborly of you. Thank you, Morgan.”
The sheriff turned and began walking to his car. When he opened the door, he gave Morgan one last smile before stepping in. The player watched as the sheriff drove off. Mind working, he berated himself on not thinking of a cover story for his activities. True, it was kind of out of the blue, but now survival kicked in and he had to get rid of the car. Since it was early afternoon, there would be too many chances someone would see the player if he tried to drive the car through town. Morgan knew he had to behave as normal as possible and wait till nightfall. With David’s housewarming party tonight, he would have to make a discreet exit so he could ditch the car.
“Let’s just go about our day,” Morgan whispered to himself as he pulled out his cell phone and touched a button.
The phone clicked and a cab drove into the cul-de-sac and reached the front of Morgan’s home. The player made a mental note to buy a car when he had enough bucks and stepped into the cab. Meter on, the cab drove out of the neighborhood and onto the main road leading into town.
The drive was short and before Morgan knew it, he was standing on Main Street in front of the town library. The building was made of brick and steel, a strong but classic structure. Old towers stood at each corner and Morgan guessed it used to be some kind of fortress. The air held a touch of sea scent as townsfolk moved about their day, happy smiles all around.
Morgan’s mind fell back to the motel on the beach. Karen said something that gnawed at his nerves. The monsters came for her, but she seemed like she was defending herself from some kind of bigger threat. Karen’s body turning into a nalik only made the encounter weirder. The lizard people were one of thousands of monsters that fought on the grid. A creature meant to provide challenges in the digital wars. It gave players purpose to exterminate them without a thought, so why did she prey on his mind? Morgan noticed he didn’t feel anything for her but the words she spoke stung his thoughts.
Stepping into the library, the smell of books washed over the player. Heart thudding in his chest, he basked in his favorite scent. Inside, the library was open, books lining oak shelves with tables and chairs throughout the middle. A second floor was above, open in the middle as people walked along the rail edges, hands sliding along mahogany wood. Books lined the second floor. When the door closed behind them, a comforting silence enveloped the player as he made his way to the Library Help Desk to his right.
An elderly woman looked up with gray hair tied into a bun and reading glasses on her nose. A chain encircled her neck, each end clasped to the glasses and wrinkled skin curling into a kind smile.
“How can I help you?”
Morgan gave a cheery smile. “Hi. I’m actually not sure what I’m looking for.”
The librarian’s smile turned to a frown.
Morgan quickly followed up. “I’m interested in finding out more about something I heard at a party. Do you have any books on Yir? I think it’s spelled Y-I-R.”
The elderly librarian kept her frown as she lifted a wrinkled hand and pointed past the player. “You want the occult section in the basement. Go to that doorway and take the stairs down. You want Libro De Venari by Luke Aras. You won’t be able to check it out, but we have digital downloads of the texts if yo
u want a copy.”
Morgan smiled. “I’ll check it out and let you know. Thank you.”
The librarian barely made a squint like she was trying to smile and then looked down at her book in her lap. Morgan turned and walked toward the doorway. Stepping around tables and chairs, his mind began to drift. He couldn’t fathom why he was making the effort to know more. The goal of the game was to find romance and win a huge credit payout. Wasting time on some vague subject crawled along his senses until he lost his balance.
Morgan tripped, not seeing where he was going. Foot flashing forward, he caught himself before sprawling to the carpeted floor. Regaining his balance, he turned around and saw a woman sitting in a comfortable high-backed chair, legs out and book in her hands. Dark green eyes stared at the player, her demeanor cold and unfeeling. Blue jeans covered her legs while a black top hugged her body. Tall black boots covered her feet and ended just before her knees. In her lap was an open book. Morgan tried to make out the title when the gravity of her pale white cleavage caught him. Recovering, he refocused on the book and smiled at the title.
“Frankenstein is a really great book,” Morgan said without thinking.
The woman’s cold features softened a hair, but her gaze was laser hot.
“I have a copy,” Morgan thought back to his study and his copy of the book, trophies enshrined in it, “Mary Shelly’s work really spoke to me. To be a monster among people, having humanity when people acted like monsters really spoke volumes.”
The woman folded the book down onto her lap. “Why are you still talking to me?”
Morgan grinned. “I like your tastes in books. I remember you from the other day at the club, reading Dracula.”
The woman kept her chilly gaze.
“My name is Morgan, Morgan Strange.”
The woman maintained her cold stare.
“Well, it was nice to meet you. As a fellow bookworm, I hope we meet again. Sorry for bumping into you,” Morgan said before turning and walking toward the door.