Game-Lock

Chapter 19: Moving Forward

"So, I guess we take that 8 hour break," I said. "That was – great."

"Yeah, I'm not complaining," Rey said and chuckled. "I mean... can't all the levels be like that?"

"I doubt it will," Austin said. "So, are we going to try level 8 or –"

"I'm going to take a nap," I said. "We agreed, next level." I walked to the living room. I knew that two rooms were technically unlocked, but I would explore once I got some rest. I fell onto the couch and looked up at the ceiling. The fire was crackling on the side. I heard someone walk into the room and fall on the couch, I opened my eyes and noticed it was Rey.

Where was Hayden and Austin? Blake was probably with Austin, but I didn't like the thought of Austin and Hayden being close to each other unsupervised – they didn't get along too well, evidently.

Austin did threaten Hayden. It was a completely different side to him, something I didn't quite expect. He usually had a very calm and quiet demeanor. But he was right about ready to murder Hayden. I closed my eyes, and sighed as I opened them again. I needed to check and see. I stood up and slowly walked through the study. There was no sign of them. I nervously walked through to the kitchen. I frowned as I noticed Austin sitting on the counter, holding the potato in his hands.

"Oh, you're here –" I said.

Austin looked up. "I thought you were resting."

"I was just wondering where you and Hayden were, you two were kind of at each other's throats in the previous level."

Austin raised his brow before staring at the potato again. "Relax, we're both over that."

"What, you just fight and make up?"

"Believe it or not, that's how most of our fights work. But you on the other hand."

"I needed space from you. I just ..."

"Look I get it. I messed up. It's gonna happen. A lot. We're going to have to figure out some way to deal with this that doesn't result in us making reckless decisions."

"You think me driving with Hayden was reckless?"

"Well, you weren't exactly motivated by his charming personality."

I opened my mouth and closed it before shrugging. "True, but he's really good with driving. He managed well enough. So he wasn't actually too cocky."

"He was cocky."

"Ok, so maybe he was, but we've got to trust each other. And I trusted Hayden."

"That's a tough ask."

"Seriously, what's your problem with that guy? You've been having issues with him since the very beginning."

"I don't have issues, it's just –" Austin stopped and shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you."

"Look, I'm not exactly expecting you guys to be buddies. But ... being able to get along, and you know, the two of us getting along would be great as well."

"So are you going to stop avoiding me?"

I grimaced a little and nodded, before I sighed.

Austin climbed off the counter and placed his hand on my shoulder. "I had a long talk with Blake, and he made it crystal clear that he was the one that messed up. You got injured caues of him. It's not right. I'm the one who;s supposed to look after him."

"Look, I will help where I can," I said. "I think I just want you to trust me to make the right decision. You practically berated me even though I did everything I could."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I do trust you. I trust you, and I trust Blake, and Rey I think —"

"You don't trust Hayden?"

Austin slightly shook his head, and I rolled my eyes.

"He's an interesting guy."

"I'm just scared that he might take risky decisions just for the heck of it. We can't afford that, not in a horror game."

"I did talk to him about it."

"Yeah, I'm not convinced that it'll help really."

"It did help, it's the only reason we're not at each other's throats," Hayden slowly walked into the kitchen. He was holding a random red book in his hands, flipping through the pages.

"You read?" I asked.

"Why do you sound so surprised? I like to read. I love to rea–" Hayden froze as Austin snatched the book out of his hand. He showed the empty pages to me.

"I was trying to look civilized ok?" Hayden muttered, and I laughed a little.

"You two are going to have to get along though. I'm not asking you to like each other, but we're pretty much a forced team." I said.

"Well, let's start with something simple then, knock of the threats buddy, ok?" Hayden stared at Austin.

Austin straightened his posture and crossed his arms. "Knock of the cute little nicknames."

"Deal."

"Deal."

"Yah! Progress," I said weakly.

"This is painful to watch," Rey passed through the kitchen.

"I want to puke," Blake muttered following behind him. They both headed towards the lounge.

I smiled and stared at Austin. "Where does he get his charming personality?"

"I would like to take the blame, but it's my sister in law who gave that mouth of his."

"Ah, well, that makes sense," Hayden muttered. "So, now that we're all buddies, when are we tackling level 8?"

I grimaced a little. I wasn't exactly keen to dive into the next level. We were already incredibly lucky that Level 7 had no issues, but each level was going to get considerably worse, if not longer even.

"What was unlocked in the house?"

"Well, we have a study, a lounge, a kitchen, and another corridor and a bathroom," Hayden muttered. "Which reminds me, have you two ever felt like the need to ... well ,go?"

"No," Austin said. "I don't think we're programmed to go."

"Not unless it's tasked in the game I'm sure."

"Wait," Austin turned to look at me and frowned. "You can pee in some horror games?"

I shrugged. "You'd be surprised. And sometimes, it's a mini game."

"A mini– ok that's a little messed up," Hayden said as Austin chuckled.

"I don't know, what exactly is the mini game?"

"Well," I trailed off awkwardly. "Whether or not it misses the toilet. The characters we usually play during it would be men –"

Austin and Hayden both stared at each other then back at me. "Well, here's to hoping we don't encounter that kind of mini-game," Hayden said.

"Why? Cause you'd miss?" Austin said.

"Dude, bro,"

Austin chuckled as he walked out of the kitchen and I laughed a little.

"Can you believe that guy?"

"It's a little funny, ok?" I said and shrugged. "And actually a little awkward too. But I do hope that you two do get along."

"All I can say is that I'm glad you're here with us. I don't think we'd get very well along without the peacemaker."

"I try," I said, pushing my hands in my pocket. "And thanks for the driving by the way. You saved both our hides."

"And I'll gladly do it again." Hayden said softly. "Let's win this thing, shall we?"