Chapter 20 #3
“He could have hoped to take us both out for that,” Rue said, but Ryker was already moving on to a different piece of the puzzle.
“If this really is based off my game, then I can explain why everyone seems to keep losing their minds at random. I designed it as a horror survival strategy game.” His head turned toward the window, which was blocked by the blinds.
“Aside from the monsters outside, the fog itself is also a danger. It causes hallucinations.” He paused.
“I don’t think that’s the case here at least. The three of us were out there for a while and we’re fine. ”
“If it isn’t the fog causing people to get violent, then what is it?”
“One of the NPCs is the culprit,” Ryker revealed.
“The game is similar to this. In it, someone manipulates the weather and traps the players inside in the middle of nowhere. The villain is locked in with them, pretending to be a victim along with the rest, when really, they’re the mastermind.
The player has to learn this, and then uncover who it is before time runs out.
To help drop clues, me and the other developers who helped me brainstorm decided to give them a more active role. ”
Ryker reached back and touched his neck.
“The NPC sneaks around and places clear patches onto the others, starting with other NPCs and working their way up to targeting players. The patches cause intense rage, but it takes some time to become effective, since the chemicals need to seep into their bloodstream.”
“You’re saying someone has been going around putting these patches on us randomly?” Rue stiffened. “That means they would have had to get close. None of us have seen Rhys since that first day.”
“He could have a helper,” Ryker said, “or he altered the formula and chose who he would drug the night before. I don’t know.
I don’t even know if I’m right. There’s no telling how much he pulled from my game and how much he made up on his own.
” He went to stand. “I’ll go check Ishleen’s body. Maybe—”
“Absolutely not!” Rue shoved him back onto the bed, standing before him to prevent him from getting up again. “The sun has set. There’s no way I’m letting you go out there in the dark.”
“I’ll use—”
“Yes, turn on the flashlight on your multi-slate and attract the monster’s attention, super smart.” Rue glared. “No. You wouldn’t listen to me about going to the pool house, and look what happened. I was almost killed!”
Ryker faltered, and seeing it, Rue decided to push his luck.
“The body will still be there tomorrow,” he said. “Tonight, promise me you won’t go anywhere. Don’t leave me, Ryk. I can’t do this without you.”
“Okay.” He sat up and pulled Rue in, resting his cheek on his stomach as he held him. “I won’t leave. Promise.”
“Ryker.”
“I’m serious,” he insisted. “I’ll stay. Come on, let’s get you into some clean clothes and get ready for bed.”
“What if that thing finds us?” Rue asked.
“We’ll hear the dresser moving before it can crash in. Then we’ll go from there. Don’t overthink it. It won’t do you any good right now.”
Rue let Ryker get up only so he could go get a change of clothing out of the dresser, but he positioned himself between the Black Hart and the exit again right after.
Seemingly finding humor in his actions, Ryker chuckled, then got the bed ready so that Rue could slip beneath the sheets as soon as he was in another set of sweatpants and a fresh t-shirt.
The Black Hart yanked his shirt over his head and dropped it to the ground before sliding in after him, pulling Rue in so he was secured against his chest.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered a moment later. “About Lenore. She seemed nice.”
“She was.” Rue didn’t want to talk about her.
Ryker seemed to pick up on that.
“If my father really is the one responsible for all of this—” he began, only for Rue to lean up and kiss him.
“Don’t,” Rue told him. “I won’t blame you for his actions.”
Ryker searched his expression. “But you blamed me earlier, didn’t you? You considered it was me.”
Rue glanced away.
The Black Hart sighed and settled him back down, tucking Rue’s head beneath his chin. “Sleep, sweetheart. Tomorrow will be another long day.”
“Ryker.”
“Sleep.”
He wanted to apologize, but it wasn’t like it was his fault for considering all of the angles, especially when evidence like the manual had fallen into his hands. “Maybe Cosima was involved before Jesse killed her.”
That was assuming Jesse had killed her, but that’s what they were going with since there were no other obvious options. Technically, they’d yet to find the bodies of the couple of other missing workers, but Rue wasn’t holding his breath for them.
They were most likely dead as well.
“She was incredibly adamant that no one should panic,” Ryker said.
“And she had your manual in her desk.”
“It’s possible.” He sighed. “But it doesn’t really matter. Whoever was or is involved can wait. I just want to focus on getting us out of here in one piece.”
With nothing more to say, Rue chose to go quiet, clinging to Ryker as he tried to relax and let sleep wash over him.