Chasing Brinley (a story inspired by Sword Art Online)

Brinley

Player ONE is now dead. Player ONE is now dead. Player ONE is now dead.

The notification on my menu never leaves my brain as I walk through Summoner's City in a daze. River, Elspeth, and Cole should've each gotten a notification concerning Zero's death. I'm almost certain they're going to ask me if I witnessed Zero's death and how he died. That's going to be tough.

He never got the chance to escape this game. He never will. I blame the red players. Those damned red players. I blame myself too. My damned self.

I walk toward an ally with my head low, clutching my sword as I was when I was trying to save Zero.

I lean against the wall, using my hands for support. I drop my sword as I slam my hands against the concrete. The spikes of the sword enter my foot. I grunt and squeeze my eyes shut, but I do nothing.

After about five minutes of standing in this position and bearing the ongoing pain in my foot, I bend down and pick up my sword and put it in its double sheath which covers both sides of the sword.

I sigh as I walk through the town and drag myself to the motel I was at before. I get a room and the girl hands me a key. I snatch the key and mutter a thank you. She smiles warmly, probably understanding that something bad recently occurred.

I find my room and jam my key in the lock and twist. I use my shoulder to push the door open. I plop down on the queen sized bed and rest my hands under my head. My menu abruptly opens in front of me, tearing through the pitch black room.

It's a call. A call from River. I sigh. I prepare exactly what I'm going to say in my head. I answer the call.

"Hello?" I nervously ask. "Brinley?! You're alive. You're alive! Is Zero really dead? Don't tell me he's dead, just don't, damnit!" River yells through her end. I squeeze my eyes shut and I suddenly forget what I practiced to say to her.

"Uh, yeah," I whisper. "Are you kidding?" I hear Elspeth say. "No, I'm not. Why would I even kid about this? I tried my best to save him, it was those damned red players!"

The line is silent. "Were you hurt?" Cole asks quietly. "Yeah, I was stabbed in the shoulder, my leg, and a deep cut was made on my face. I used my healing potion on myself after the fight." "Why didn't you use it to save Zero?!" Elspeth shouts. I stand up and pace around the room. "You don't think I tried to?! You don't fucking think I tried to?! I was trying to get that potion to Zero, but I was stabbed in the leg and caught completely off guard! I tried! I tried!!" I bend over as if my stomach has been stabbed. "I'm sorry, Zero, I'm sorry!!" I yell. A man in the room next door bangs on the wall, screaming, "Shut up, will ya?!"

I ignore the man. "I'm sorry, Elspeth. I'm sorry, River. I'm sorry, Cole. I'm sorry, Zero!!" I yell, "I'm sorry, Chloe!!"

After a few minutes of awkward silence, I dryly say, "Where are you guys?"

"We're at the entrance to Summoner's City," Cole answers instantly, but softly.

I sigh and hang up the phone before they can protest. I run out of the motel. I try to leap on my hoverboard, but I land on the ground and stumble a bit, suddenly remember I don't have my trident to help me create the board. I steady my feet on the ground and angrily sigh. Being the stubborn and clumsy person I am, I try to create the hoverboard four more times, and end up giving up.

I continue running to the entrance of Summoner's City. I skid on the dusty road as I come close to the group.

River notices me first and violently shakes Elspeth and Cole.

Elspeth and Cole look in my direction. Cole seems more than relieved to see me, and Elspeth just appears angry and upset at the moment.

I shuffle over to the group, staring at my shoes.