Rush

Chapter 6

I am trying so hard, but it's impossible. What is happening? I'm using all the tricks I learned from a well-viewed YouTube video. Was it just bullshit? Am I doing something wrong?

WHY THE HELL AM I NOT ABLE TO FRAG ANYONE IN THIS FUCKING GAME?

I threw the controller away, and it landed with a crunch on the floor. I don't think it's broken, but even if it is, who cares? It's not mine.

Darryl looked at me in shock. "Bro, it's the new Xbox controller! It's-"

I looked at him with disdain. "Limited edition, Darryl?"

"Um... yeah," he said, looking like a chihuahua.

I winced in disgust. Hanging out with Darryl was a mistake. That bastard deliberately made me stay so he could humiliate me in this video game. I've heard great things about this new Quake game, but it's so disappointing. I can hardly get any kills. This game feels rigged. I'm not sure who's to blame—either Darryl or Bethesda Softworks, the studio behind Quake.

Wait a minute! Could Todd Howard, the famous game designer at Bethesda Softworks, be working against me? Did he do something in this game to prevent me from scoring kills? But why would someone like Todd do that, unless Richard Spooner has something to do with it? Richard has connections, right? Does he know Todd? Maybe Richard asked him to make some changes in the new patch so I couldn't get a single kill. Yes, that must be it. Gaming is the one thing that brings me joy and hope, but it seems some people just can't stand to see me at peace.

"Hey! Earth to Kilman! You zoned out or something?" Darryl asked, snickering.

"No, not at all," I said, wiping my forehead. I didn't even realize I was sweating while trying to make sense of the great conspiracy Richard Spooner was orchestrating against me.

"Come on, man, just one more match, little buddy. I'm sure this time you'll get a kill. Alright, this time I'll be on your team and help you out."

Little buddy? Who does he think I am, his pet? I stare at him with a look that would give Janet Leigh a heart attack. But Darryl doesn't even flinch! He just smiles like a dumb bastard.

I reluctantly agree to a rematch and wait for it to start.

But then... I see something on the screen that cements my suspicions about Todd Howard.

A text pops up on the screen for a few seconds: "You are gonna fuck up again, Kilman. HA HA HA!"

The text disappears and is replaced by the countdown sequence for the match to start.

"What? I almost gulp in panic. What's going on?" I grab Darryl’s collar and shake him hysterically.

“Darryl! Did you see that on the screen? That’s Todd, man! Todd!” My face is a mix of fear and panic.

“It’s the countdown, man… What are you talking about, Kilman?”

I let go of his collar, feeling confused. I need to get a grip. I clearly saw that text pop up on the screen! How did Darryl not see it? Is he lying? Is he in on it too? Is he working with Spooner? Are Spooner and Todd Howard trying to make me go insane?

The match started, but I didn't move my character. It just stood in one place, even though Darryl and the rest of my team had already begun engaging the opposite team. Then, in a sudden moment of clarity, it hit me.

"MARYLAND!"

I said it so loudly that Darryl almost jumped off the couch like a sissy girl.

"Dude! You okay? And why the fuck are you just standing there? Go and frag the opposite team! Are you-"