Chapter 12 #4
Controller 2: [stops Player 2] Quit your bitching. If you keep shouting and give away your location, you’re going to be next!
Player 2: [clamps mouth closed]
Controller 2: [turns in circle]
Player 2: [whispers] Please, for the love of God, just… I don’t want to die! I thought this was just some twisted nerdy game or maybe even a fetish thing, but I really, really don’t want to die.
Controller 2: [heads north] Then maybe you’ll answer a question at the next Checkpoint.
* * *
Handler 1: [flashes light] Welcome to Checkpoint Three.
Player 1: [gasping for breath] How…the…fuck…did…you…beat…me…here?
Handler 1: [makes a waving hand gesture] Magic!
Player 1: [still gasping] Jesus. Water… Please, I need water…
Handler 1: [does not move to assist] Answer my question and I’ll see what I can do. We know Kennedy’s partner inside the USMS is Agent Talbot Corrigan.
Player 1: [pauses] Corrigan? What? No shit.
Handler 1: [pauses] Are you an agent or former agent?
Player 1: [shakes head, still gasping] I never made it through training. Kennedy hired me to help him on the side. I had no idea WHAT that help was going to look like! I’m innocent. I swear.
Handler 1: [raises eyebrow] So says one of three men who were sent to capture a woman and hold her against her will?
Player 1: [swallows hard] Um, does that count as another question?
* * *
Player 3: [groans in pain] Stop! Stop! I need help! I need a hospital! I’ve been shot!
Controller 3: [keeps moving Player 3 forward] ‘tis but a flesh wound.
[more gunshots ring out]
Player 3: [panics but forced to keep moving] This is fucking insane, dude! Just stop! I’ll tell you everything you want to know! Just stop!
[more gunshots]
Controller 3: [turns Player 3 to the left] Oh! Checkpoint. Maybe you’ll quit your bitching if you get a band-aid.
Player 3: [groans] I need a hospital! The only reason I’m still standing is because you’re using these things on my joints to move me!
Handler 1: [flashes light] You’re alive. Congratulations.
Player 3: [pauses] You have to help me! I’ve been shot! I need a doctor!
Handler 1: [glances in box] Well, if you answer my question, I can offer you a band-aid.
Player 3: [jaw drops] What the fuck do you people not understand?! I need a DOCTOR! I’ve been SHOT.
[gunshots continue in the distance]
Handler 1: [glances to left] From the sounds of it, you’re not the only one. Now, do you want the band-aid or not.
Player 3: [hangs head] I’m going to die… I’m going to die…
Player 3: [straightens] Fine. What is your question?
Handler 1: [crosses arms over chest] How did Kennedy track down the woman he sent you after?
Player 3: [eyes wide] Shit, man! I have no idea. I didn’t ask! He just called and told me where to go and I went. It wasn’t like we played a game of Twenty Questions. Kennedy said to go, and I went. As simple as that.
Handler 1: [pushes Vault of Honesty behind him] Not good enough. Have fun bleeding to death.
* * *
Controller 1: [laughs] Ha! You missed!
Controller 2: [sticks out tongue] So did you! Not so cocky, are you now, bitch?
Controller 1: [gasps] Hey! No fair. I can’t call you that.
Controller 2: [snorts] If you can’t take the heat, don’t step into the kitchen! Ha! Gotcha.
Controller 1: [groans] Motherfucker…
Controller 2: [laughs] Do you kiss your mama with that mouth?
Controller 1: [looks to left and winks] No, but I kiss you.
Controller 3: [clears throat] Just a reminder that I’m in the room, guys.
* * *
Handler 2: [waiting with Vault]
Player 2: [gasping for breath] There’s a dinosaur on this side.
Handler 2: [deadpans] Several, actually. Next question. Kennedy’s next move. What is it?
Player 2: [silence]
Handler 2: [tilts flashlight toward Vault] There’s a bulletproof vest in there.
Player 2: [looks at vest, looks at Handler 2] Look, all I know is that he wants the kid.
Handler 2: [unimpressed] We already knew that. Our question is why he hasn’t come after him himself.
Player 2: [exhales slowly] You’ve clearly never met Kennedy if you’re asking me that question.
Handler 2: [narrows eyes] What is that supposed to mean?
Player 2: [nose twitches] Shit, man. This is so weird.
I never realized how much I scratch my nose until I can’t anymore!
Fuck. Okay, fine. Look, Kennedy is diabolical.
You want to know why he went after that biker chick?
Why he hasn’t come for his son yet? Because he CAN’T.
Or rather, he won’t. Not until he knows he can win.
Not until he knows everything about what is going on and more.
He’s patient, methodical, and he ALWAYS has a backup plan.
That’s why he wanted the sister. He wants answers.
Handler 2: [scratches his nose] Rose?
Player 2: [narrows eyes] Fuck you, man.
Controller 2: [sighs] Honestly, I knew Kennedy for such a short amount of time, and the man I knew clearly was just a facade. But if he’s right, then we’re both waiting for the other to make the next move.
Controller 1: [snorts] Zugzwang.
Controller 3: [deadpans] Gesundheit.
Controller 2: [speaks softly] I don’t think we’re going to get anything useful out of them. They’re just peons.
Controller 1: [sighs] Agreed. Want to keep playing or end it?
Controller 2: [smiling] I mean, we can play a LITTLE more.
Controller 1: [chuckles] You just want that candy bar.
Controller 2: [laughs] Hell yeah! Don’t get between me and my chocolate.
Controller 3: [clears throat] I mean, this has been fun and all, and honestly creepier than I ever thought you capable of, Keys, so congrats on that, but I’m out of here. Permission to terminate?
Player 3: [panics] Wait, what?!
Controller 1: [nods] Permission granted.
Player 3: [raises own gun to his head] No, no! Wait, stop! I—
[gunshot]
Controller 3: [groans and stretches] Well, I’m out. Clearly, I was not the gamer I thought I was compared to you two. I need to practice before we do this again.
Controller 1: I’ve been teaching Oscar. I’m sure he’d be happy to help you.
Controller 3: [chuckles] Ha-ha. Night, everyone.
Handler 2: [clears throat] Hey, dumbass. Come clean up your mess.
* * *
It was well past midnight by the time Rose and Keys terminated their players. Even on a video game, Keys had trouble shooting at Rose, so it really was no surprise to anyone when she reigned victorious.
“Thorne owes me a candy bar,” Rose grumbled as they packed up their equipment. “‘Left it right there’, my ass. Clearly he didn’t, or I’d have my candy bar.”
Keys chuckled, throwing his arm around her shoulders. “I’ll buy you a whole case of them tomorrow.”
“Ooh, get the caramel ones, too.”
Keys kissed her temple as she raised her hand to lace her fingers through his at his shoulder. “Whatever you want.”
Since she was closest, Rose reached forward for the doorhandle. “Maybe one with nu—Oh shit!”
Keys’ attention had been on the light switch on the wall, so he didn’t catch what had startled her at the same time she did. But at her scream, his head snapped forward and his eyes went wide.
Ghost stood in the doorway, Scar behind him. Keys’ president held up the chocolate candy bar and raised an eyebrow. “Something you’ve been meaning to tell me, Keys?”