Merlin's Curse

CHAPTER 2: Zombie Guts

My squad leader is a goddess.

No, seriously. Her name is Jupiter, which means The Supreme God. How cool is that? She's also a senior with long brown hair and killer green highlights. And I'm totally freaking out because I'm a member of Gauntlet Squad.

My life is so cool.

"Merlin, are you listening?" Jupiter asks. She's all business.

"Oh, yes, of course." But I can't stop gawking as I sneak another peak at the two massive crystal chandeliers hanging from the vaulted ceiling of the great dining hall, which is in its own category of amazing with all kinds of intricate woodwork trimmed in gold and fancy murals of angels and gold chariots riding through the clouds.

She folds her arms. "Ok, give me a recap."

"Well, this place is amazing. You're amazing." I put down my phone on the enormous wood table, one of three, in the empty dining hall and lock in on her for a second or two, but I can't keep my eyes from wandering to the marble fireplace. The hero-sized mantle is tall enough to walk under without ducking. How cool would it be if it had a secret hidden passageway?

"Hello, Merlin?" Jupiter snaps her fingers at me. "The game-based learning model we use at Code-X Academy—recap, now."

"Oh, yeah...um, that's amazing, too." But I can't stop wondering how I ended up in a palace. Because that's the only way to describe The Breakers, a palatial retreat fit for kings and queens. And the most unlikely of places to school a bunch of nerds.

Jupiter sighs and then slaps the table. "Merlin, focus. God, you're like a two-year-old."

I stare at her, avoiding the temptation to look away, even though the heavy drapes in the row of picturesque windows are parted wide enough to take in the spectacular ocean view. Because I want her to look into my eyes. My dad told me my electric blues are my magic weapon, like a spark or zap of lighting. I'm not so sure but staring at her helps me focus.

And now I'm ready.

"Code-X Academy is a real-life-multi-player-role-playing game or RPG. Although, that's more like RLMPRPG." I smile and feel the heat from my big ears turning red under my shaggy hair. That happens when I'm in attack mode. "And XP, or experience points, is how we're ranked both individually and as a team. Oh, and we're called PCs (player characters), not students. The Breakers is basically Hogwarts for nerds without magic. Super cool and amazing and I'm so in. Did I miss anything?"

"Good." The corner of her mouth twitches as if she's resisting a smile. "But, ew...don't ever compare The Breakers to Hogwarts again. There is no chosen one here. Killing is encouraged. And Hufflepuffs would never survive."

"Wait, what...k-killing?"

A bell rings and Jupiter gets up. "You'll figure things out fast enough. This is our squad's table. Go line up for lunch through those doors and then come back here to meet the crew."

As if on cue, a steady stream of PCs enters the dining hall. The distraction helps me forget about the killing-is-encouraged part because I can't help but imagine everyone as actual player characters in a game, changing their skins on the regular.

Now that would be cool.

I hop in the growing line and grab a food tray. I'm smiling. I'm actually smiling at school. And at lunch of all places. I have a place to sit. I'm a member of Gauntlet Squad. And my life now orbits Jupiter. I'm over the moon happy. Her moon. But I'm not saying anything. She might shoot me.

"You must be the new kid." A rather small and skinny boy looks up at me when I turn around. He has short, dark hair, high cheekbones, and barely reaches the middle of my chest. "Cool tee," he adds with a slight grin. "Zoro's pretty lit."