Chapter 2
As the screen goes dark, I power off my gaming rig and remove the headset. The adrenaline rush persists, and my grin remains firmly in place.
I would have loved to see the look on Harvey”s face when he realized Elisa was winning the popular vote. He doesn”t deserve the victory, not after being a constant thorn in Elisa”s side since the exec team paired them up.
My phone buzzes, jolting me from my thoughts. I can”t stop staring at the message from Elisa.
”Great acting by the way. People thought we were a couple.”
Our performance was flawless, and the audience loved it. I didn”t hold back when it came to flirting with Elisa, playing up to the crowd.
Her avatar”s adorable pout is irresistible, making me want to kiss it right off her face. Feeling bold, I reply, ”Who is acting?”
Flirting like this is uncharacteristic for someone with a past like mine, one that would send most people running. But Elisa brings out the best in me. At the QA session, I answered the reporter”s question about why I play Shadow Surge honestly–I play to escape.
It got me thinking about opening up to Elisa, especially with the game trial ending soon. Speaking about my past was liberating, but I need to go further if I want a real chance with Elisa.
The old newspaper article about my circus accident stares back at me. Does she really need to see all the nasty details?
I breathe deeply and press send. This is a crucial step in building our relationship.
I glance at the time, realizing I need to leave soon to meet my sister at the Witching Hour cafe. I grab my laptop to show Celeste the replay. I throw on my jacket and head out the door, keys in hand.
Stepping out into the crisp night, I catch a glimpse of a werewolf”s glowing eyes before he disappears into the shadows– a reminder of the extraordinary world Celeste and I call home. The circus prepared us for the unusual and fantastical, but Screaming Woods takes it to a whole new level.
As I push open the creaky door of the Witching Hour cafe, a chorus of howls and cackles greet me. A werewolf”s glowing eyes meet mine, while a woman with a live snake draped around her neck sips tea nonchalantly at the bar.
The coffee shop is an eclectic haven for the unconventional and extraordinary, the peculiar sights and sounds echoing the comforting familiarity of our circus days.
In a shadowy alcove, a vampire is enjoying a steaming mug of something. Everyone is lost in their own worlds, minding their business.
Margo, the barista with blue hair and many tattoos, is frothing milk for a cappuccino while her long tail coils around the milk jug’s handle. ”Hey, Brody, the usual?”
Nodding, I scan the room. Celeste, engrossed in her sketchbook, tongue peeking out in concentration, is at our usual table.
Spotting me, her face lights up. She closes the sketchbook, tucking it away.
”Well, well, the infamous MX Obsidian.” She grins, brushing back her wavy hair. ”Spill! I bet you nailed it today!”
Sliding into the seat across from her, I lean back, sipping the coffee Margo delivers. ”It was wild!”
Setting my laptop on the table, I angle the screen for her to see. Celeste leans in, oohing and ahhing.
”I”m so proud of you. You”ve poured your heart into this.”
”It”s not me. It”s all Elisa. She has a gift.”
My sister nods. She laughs as she sees my avatar come to life. ”A gargoyle? It”s a perfect fit—you”re always brooding.”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I chuckle. ”Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up. At least I tried.”
Celeste leans forward, her voice softening. ”I know moving to Screaming Woods was a last resort for you, especially after the doctors said there was nothing they could do for your leg.”
I nod, my gaze drifting. ”Dr. Karloff”s potion was supposed to be my ticket to belonging, to becoming a monster like everyone else here. But it didn”t work.”
”You don”t need to be a monster to find your place,” Celeste says, placing her hand on mine. ”You”re my brother, and you”ll always belong with me, no matter what.”
I meet her gaze, my voice low. ”I want more than just belonging. I want a deeper connection with someone special.”
”Give it time,” Celeste reassures me. ”You”ll find the right person.”
I smile gratefully, but my mind races. The longing hasn”t faded; meeting Elisa has only intensified it. I shift in my seat, my leg bouncing beneath the table. ”I”m falling for her, Celeste. For Elisa.”
Celeste”s eyes widen. ”But you”ve never met outside the game.”
I take a deep breath, my hands fidgeting with my coffee mug. ”When I”m in the game with her, I feel alive. I can be myself without the baggage.”
Celeste leans back in her chair, studying me. “I can see you care about her. What about the NDA? You can”t just look her up.”
Elisa is bending the rules, but she said she had approval for that.
”There has to be a way,” I insist. “I want more with Elisa than just virtual moments. I want lazy weekends, inside jokes, and falling asleep together to see where this goes.”
Celeste smiles, a knowing look in her eyes. ”She sounds special. I haven”t seen you this excited about someone in a long time.”
I grin, picturing Elisa”s face during the presentation. ”She is.”
Leaning forward, Celeste raises an eyebrow. ”Have you told her about your leg?”
I nod, a hint of self-consciousness creeping in. ”I sent her an article about the accident. I”m not the same guy I was back then. Thinner, younger. But I want her to know the real me, scars and all.”
Celeste”s expression softens. ”That”s a big step, Brody. I”m proud of you.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. ”Thanks, sis. I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
A notification from Zephyr_Reign_88 blinks on my screen. Glancing at Celeste, who”s stirring her coffee, I keep my expression neutral as I open our private link server.
”Discuss next steps for Shadow Surge,” the message reads. ”Meet?”
”Name the time and place,” I type, hitting send with a flourish. ”It”s a date.”
Elisa”s response lights up my screen. ”Online. I”ll send you a code.”
I lean back in my chair, a grin spreading across my face. ”As you wish, Your Majesty. Your kingdom, your rules. Any hints what to expect?”
”Bring your A-game.”
My pulse quickens, my fingers tapping against the tabletop. ”Should I be scared or excited?”
”Definitely excited.” A winking emoji punctuates her reply.
“Any hints?” I add a question mark emoji.
”You”ll have to wait and see.” Elisa”s response is maddeningly cryptic.
The meeting invitation with the codes pops up, and our exchange ends, leaving me staring at the screen, my mind racing.
Celeste nudges my foot under the table. ”So, what”s got you grinning like a Cheshire cat?”
I meet her gaze, a sheepish grin tugging at my mouth. ”Elisa needs me for something in the game.”
Celeste leans back, her fingers laced around her mug. ”Of course she does.”
”I know that look. You think you”ve got me all figured out.”
”I”m your sister. It”s my job to be annoyingly perceptive.” She sets her mug down, her tone turning gentle. ”Falling in love is always a risk, but it”s worth it.”
I nod, my resolve hardening.
”I”ll catch you later. And thanks, for everything.” Pulling Celeste into a quick hug, I ruffle her curls. ”You always know just what to say.”
She waves her hand dismissively. ”You”d be lost without me, obviously. Now, go sweep Elisa off her virtual feet.”
I chuckle, shaking my head as I rise from the table. ”I”ll do my best.”
A mischievous grin spreads across Celeste”s face. ”Well, if things work out between you two, you”ll have to bring her to Screaming Woods. I have a feeling she”d fit right in.”
I chuckle, imagining Elisa”s reaction to the town”s quirky residents. ”You think so?”
Celeste nods, her eyes sparkling with amusement. ”Definitely. Anyone who can design a game like Shadow Surge would feel right at home here. Plus, I bet she”d love the Witching Hour”s signature ”Blooduccino”--a cappuccino with a hint of blood orange.”
I laugh, shaking my head. ”You might be right. Elisa”s got a wild imagination. I could see her getting along with everyone here, from the werewolves to the vampires.”
Celeste grins, leaning back in her chair. ”And who knows, maybe she”d even be able to help you figure out why Dr. Karloff”s potion didn”t work on you. She seems pretty smart.”
I toss a few bills on the table. ”Maybe. But first, I need to figure out a way to meet her in person. The rest can wait.”
Pulling Celeste into a quick hug, I ruffle her curls. ”Alright, Romeo. ”Go get her.”
Curiosity grips me as I park in the driveway. I walk inside and throw my keys on the counter. The computer hums to life as I slip on my headset. I navigate to our private server, anticipation building with each click.