by Dawn Chapman
A light caught my attention and my phone buzzed as well. I rose and moved to fetch it from the couch. There were many messages, mostly from my sister and a gazillion from Andy. I deleted the messages unread and then blocked them. It felt empowering, and I chuckled to myself. There was one message left by an unknown number. Clicking on it, the golden background shone in the dark, and I almost shied away from it.
Refocusing, I read it. Thank you for purchasing your Golden Ticket to Leaton’s new SF/Fantasy VRMMORPG — Puatera Online. Please start your process. Enter your character name, age, and gender. More instructions will follow the next day for your appointment at the centre.
I sat down with my phone and sipped my drink, the cool liquid easing my sore throat. Why did crying hurt so much?
Enter your character name... I wondered for a split second what Andy might have actually picked, and then I pushed the thought away. The asshole didn’t deserve this, thousands of hard-earned money... over a year to be able to afford this for him. Could I sell it?
Quickly, I signed onto my computer and joined the net searching for some the keywords. My answer was a resounding ‘no’ since the game started tomorrow when one hundred players would have the first look into Puatera Online. One hundred special applicants.
I wonder if they’d allow me to play. But I had put that I was buying it for someone else... Moving to their website, I clicked the Chat Now button. With paying for the game, I could talk to a rep at any time I needed.
As I waited for someone to come online, I slugged back more of the wine.
Hello there. My name’s Jane. How can I help?
There was no need for me to go into major details on my personal life. So, I asked, does it matter who I bought the game for as a gift?
The reply was instant. Emma, no, you’re one of the few customers to have specified that this was a gift for your partner. Have you changed your mind on who will join the game?
I quickly replied, Yes, I intend to join, but I haven’t played any games before. Does that matter?
No, it doesn’t matter. The game is for everyone, experienced or not.
Thanks. I replied, feeling better.
What made you change your mind?
I poured myself some more wine, and found with little remorse I started telling this stranger my life story. I typed it out in sordid detail before I even knew it and hit send.
Jane listened to me, responding with sympathy and concern. I was very grateful.
Eventually, I checked on the time, realising how long I’d been on the Chat, but then didn’t care.
Thank you for your tme. I look forward to meetng evyone at Leatons, and I clicked off the page. My typos were awful. Too much wine. Sudden energy flooded through my veins. Could I actually do this?
I returned to my phone’s message, and though the wine was fuelling me now, I typed in the reply it needed.
Character name: Akillia
Age: 22
Gender: Female
I hesitated but for a moment and then clicked send before going to get another bottle of wine.
Chapter 2
A headache I woke with pounded worse than one I’d ever had before. What the hell was I thinking, getting so drunk? Ugh. I looked where I was—asleep on the couch. The smell of fresh coffee drifted by as I inhaled deeply, knowing Beth was up and no doubt cleaning. Her OCD got bad when she was stressed, and I had no doubt at all my breakup was stressing her out. She was a sensitive soul, and I couldn’t fault her for loving me.
I pushed off the couch and padded into the kitchen to find her cleaning as I knew she would be.
“Morning.” She beamed. “How are you feeling?”
I mumbled something as I reached for the coffee she’d placed on the table. I popped two pills in my mouth that she’d also laid out for me.
“You know me so well,” I said. “Thanks for staying over.”
Beth’s smile lit up her face. “I’d be here for you anytime, you know that.” Then she headed to the front door, returning with a box. “This came while you were asleep.”
I watched as she set it on the table in front of me. I pushed it away. “What is it, an anniversary gift, or an ‘I’m sorry please forgive me’ rubbish? Put it in the bin.”
With a frown, she picked it back up and pointed at the label. “No, it says it’s from Leaton Games. This was for Andy, right? It’s in your name, though?” She opened the box. I laughed and shook my head. I would’ve let her open it, even if she had asked.
That’s when I saw the suit and froze. Even I could see its feminine curves. How did they get my sizes? Then I remembered that they probably got it the same way I ordered clothing from an online retailer. You scan your details, and they send your clothes matching your sizes. Still, it felt a little invasive to be shopped for by a stranger.
Beth held it up to the sunlight, and her smile became larger. “What did you do? This isn’t for a guy.”
I remembered parts of the chat I’d had last night with the online rep. Then I remembered. “I filled in the forms myself last night.”
Her jaw dropped. “You’re going in?”
With a shrug, I said, “The fee is non-refundable. It was him or me. What would you do with something that cost more than your car?”
Beth carefully folded the suit away. “I don’t know, Emma. This is serious. Six months of your life tied up serious.”
I hadn’t thought about all of this last night—my job or my friends. Well, a couple of them might miss me. Beth definitely would.
But I put my coffee cup down and stared directly at her. “Beth, I just had the worst shock in my life. My job and the company will support me, or not. To be honest, I don’t care. I’ve strived to be the best at everything this year and look where it got me.”
The frown on her face deepened, and she pulled out a data chip from the box. “There’s a note with instructions on the chip.”
I motioned to the kitchen reader on the table, it’s thin, shielded glass display flickering. “Play it.”
She picked it up, sliding the screen up so she could slip the chip inside and pushed play. A 3D image appeared at the centre of the table. It was of Leaton himself. The handsome and young entrepreneur’s tanned face beamed.
“Hello there, Emma, I’m live from my secure base on the island—Cibang Cove in the Philippines. This is where you’ll be for the next six months. And I’ve arranged for your travel, care, and accommodations until you get here. Your employer has been notified. Your housing there will also be taken care of.” I watched in awe at the beautiful landscape behind him. “A driver will pick you up at noon today. Pack light, no electronics. There isn’t a lot you’ll need over here.”
And then he was gone.
Beth stared at me. “You’re seriously going to do this?”
I pulled the box towards me, taking out the crumpled suit. I fingered the material, strong yet silky.
“What do I have to lose?” I asked.
Beth sat searching for something deep within me. “You never struck me as a gamer. What do you think it will be like?”
“I’ve not a clue.”
Beth laughed. “I so wish I could come with you,” she said. “I could do with an escape for a few months.”
“Yeah,” I reached over, patted her hand, “I know. I’ll keep in touch if they let me. If not by phone, then I’ll email you.”
Beth still wasn’t with me. “What do you think they’ll be doing with you when you’re logged in, fully immersed as they advertised?”
I held up the suit. “I guess this might have something to do with it—” My eyes drew to the clock. Ten a.m. Shoot. I had two hours before the car would be here to pick me up. “Beth, what should I take with me?” I asked. “Help, I’ve no idea...” My drunken hangover panic had set in.
“Get in the shower, wash all the products off your hair, and I’ll sort you out a bag of clothes.”
I tried to focus as I stood, but my legs wobbled beneath me. My ha
ir fell around my shoulders, knotted, and it smelled of alcohol and vomit. Ugh. My stomach heaved again, and I ran for the bathroom, only just making it before that lovely coffee departed from my stomach. I so wished there was a hangover cure.
The warm water of the shower skimmed over me, and I lathered my hair, rinsed and repeated before I conditioned it, and then rinsed off. It made me feel a lot better, and when I went to my room, there was a nice set of tracksuit pants and a shirt.
“Something comfortable to travel in,” Beth said from the doorway.
She’d been in and cleaned the bedroom, changed and washed the sheets, no doubt. I was glad I wasn’t sleeping here now. I faced her, tears in my eyes once again.
“I’ll sort it before you return,” she said. “Or if you want me to, I’ll prep it to sell.”
“I’m not making any decisions yet.” I plonked myself down on the bed and pulled on my underwear then discarded the towel to finish dressing. Beth had seen me naked before. I wasn’t worried. I tugged on the pants and shirt she had set out for me. Beth came to me then and started to brush out the knots from my hair. “Thanks,” I said, “For everything. Will you take Mace, as well?”
“Actually,” Beth smiled at me through my wardrobe mirrors, “I was thinking about making him a resident for my little brother while you’re gone. He really misses the family pets. Mace would do him some good. Only if you’re okay with it, though.”
I nodded. Beth’s little brother wasn’t so little. I’d almost considered his ‘date’ quest for my attention four years ago, but then I’d met Andy. “I hope he looks after him.”
Beth laughed. “You might not get him back.”
That was when the doorbell rang. “The car’s here already?”
I shook my head. “It won’t be the company car, surely.” It was too early—eleven forty.
Beth moved to my window and looked down. I could see her frown. “Andy.”
“You’re kidding.” I sighed and almost started to cry again.
“Want me to handle it?”
Sucking in a breath, I got up and moved to the door. “No, this one is on me, but you can be a witness.”
I didn’t take the stairs calmly. Two steps at a time, I almost dove down them. “You’re sure you want to deal with him right now?”
“There’s nothing else I need to take with me. I’ll be fine. Maybe the cab will turn up while he’s here.”
I answered the door, my arms folded across my chest. Mostly because the air outside was going to sting, but I also knew he’d be psychoanalysing my body language in that horrid way he always did when we first met.
“Emma, I’ve come to try to sort things out. You blocked my phone.”
“Did you expect anything less?”
“I don’t know.” He looked at me, and I knew he could see Beth standing to listen in.
“Can we talk somewhere more private?”
I shook my head. “No, here’s fine. Whatever you need to say can be done in front of my best friend.”
Beth shouted over, “Leaton’s car will be here in one minute!”
“Wait, what?”
I uncrossed my arms, took my bag from Beth, and placed it on the doorstep. “I’m going to the Philippines. What would have been your anniversary present is now mine. I’m joining Leaton to take part in the trials of his new game. Puatera Online, wasn’t it?”
“You’re joking, right?”
I saw a blacked-out limousine turn up our street and pointed towards it. “No, Andy, I’m not. I spent the best part of a hundred grand, on securing you a place there. Now, since you’re not worthy, I’m the one taking the plunge.”
The limo pulled up to the drive, and a rather strapping young man got out. He wore a deep blue suit that bulged beneath taught muscles. As he started to walk over, Beth’s face dropped. “Miss Saunders? Are you ready?” his voice thick and accented, but I couldn’t work out where he was from.
I spun to look at Beth, and she rushed to me. “Call me as soon as you can,” she said, squeezing me in a tight hug. She handed me my bag and a jacket.
“Thank you,” I said and turned to the suited man. “I’m ready.”
Andy stood mouth open, and then he started to say more, but the suited man held up his hand. “Andrew Chen, you’ve been served with a restraining requisite, by order of the state,” he looked to me, adding, “filed last night.” He quickly pulled a data chip out of his pocket. “You may arrange for a supervised visit to gather any other belongings from the property, and then you are not to be seen here ever again.”
I struggled to think, how it could have been so fast, less than six hours since I filed that report. Then I thought that maybe it was Leaton’s company. Andy tried to move in front to get to me. I backed away feeling my legs wobble, but the man was fast. Within a millisecond, Andy was on the floor, and he held the data disk in front of his face. “Do you understand?”
My first instinct was to run to help Andy because the driver was hurting him. But then I remembered what he’d done. When he looked up at me for support, I turned away. “You’re on your own, asshole.”
The driver of the car smiled my way and then hopped up. He made sure Andy didn’t follow me, and then rushed to open the door, motioning for me to get inside. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Saunders. I’m Miles. I’ll be your driver and guard while we’re on our way to the island.”
“Guard?” I suddenly felt nervous.
“Well, once your friend over there announces to all his pals you’re the one taking his place, there will be a lot of people who’ll want to talk to you, miss. This is just a precaution, that’s all.”
“I didn’t want that.” I almost looked back to see the ending to Andy’s issues, but Miles’s smile held me captive.
“I am sure things are for the best now, miss. I’m glad to have you on board. Let’s get you to the island, and you’ll hear more about the project there.”
I felt myself blush. I wondered if they all knew about Andy’s infidelity or thought that I was some intense gamer girl, someone who would have done anything to play. Now that I had slid into the car and tucked my feet beneath me on the leather interior, I suddenly felt alone and very nervous.
The young man joined me a few moments later in the driver’s seat.
“How long will it take us to get there?” I slid back into the seat, fastening my belt as best I could with my feet beneath me.
“You’ll be flying with a special shuttle, so a few hours to the airport and then a good few on the plane. Our senior designer rushed you through due to your personal circumstances. She was quite concerned about you after your hour-long chat last night.”
“An hour? I was on chat for an hour!” Oh, geez. The size of that bill would be phenomenal. How embarrassing I felt awful for telling Jane my life story, but then I suddenly felt glad that I had because Andy showed up at the house this morning.
Miles pushed a few buttons, and the interior of the car darkened, blocking the bright daylight. I was glad as it really eased my eyes. “Yes, an hour. I’m here today because she needed to make sure you got in the car and to make sure you came to join our game world.”
“Why?” I asked curious to hear his answer.
He coughed. “It’s really beyond my paygrade, ma’am.” Then, as he started to take the main road away from my house, he added, “Her words were, ‘she deserves better than him.’”
I almost started to tear up again, but Miles lifted his index finger at me. “I don’t usually judge people, but from meeting him this morning, and then seeing you, I don’t like him. At all.”
I breathed in deep and let it out slowly, pulling my knees in closer. “I don’t know what to do with myself.”
“Where you’re going, you can do whatever you want.”
His eyes lit up, and I asked, “Have you played the game?”
The wickedness of his grin was stunning, but he didn’t answer. He just winked.
The car was super smooth on my b
umpy local roads.
“You’ve never been a player, have you?” Miles asked some time later.
I shook my head. “I’ve never really done much of anything other than bar work.” I let out a sigh. To this guy, I must sound like a real loser, but I was proud of my job. It was important.
“Then you’re in for a bit of a shock. You can learn anything you want, be anything you want, and do anything you’ve ever dreamed of.”
The more he spoke about the game, the more the sadness of the past twenty-four hours lessened. While Miles filled me in on some of the basics of MMORPG, I listened and mentally tried to take notes. Andy had explained some of it, but there was a lot I didn’t know. At least I understood the difference between stat-based and skill-based systems, which was part of Miles’s explanation.
“Puatera Online is actually loosely based on an old tabletop RPG, the A+ Game Engine. It had a small but fierce fan base. A few of us actually played it growing up. As we developed our game, we realised it quantified what we wanted to do quite nicely—you know, for the computers to crunch the numbers—so we just bought the property outright instead of reinventing the wheel.”
The more he explained, the more it blew my mind.
“You’ll be able to ride a horse,” Miles said. “Learn to fight like a professional and drink and eat anything you want.”
I laughed at the ‘eat anything you want’ comment. Damn. Tell a girl she could eat anything and that she wouldn’t put weight on, half the population would be playing—I was sure of it. The online world was mine to enjoy, and there were things I could do to make it more fun for myself.
We arrived at the airport and boarded the small plane. Miles tried his best to explain everything, and his excitement was evident. “Earn a living, craft to your heart’s content, learn how to cook.”
“Cooking would be nice. I’ve always wanted to learn more from scratch.”