Controlled- A Video Game-Based Novel

Divison 11

Maven pulls up at a huge mountain after a 30 minute drive to the winter area of the map.

I'm so glad we decided to set up base away from the deep-frying heat of the desert part of the game. I shiver as I grab Maven's jacket from the glove box.

"You cold?" He asks me.

"A little. You're not?" I reply.

"Nah, I've gotten used to this constant weather here. At least we aren't melting from the sun." He remarks.

"Good point."

I stand up on the black leather seat and shout to Capri and Dean; "You guys alright?"

They both give me a thumbs up and place their hands around themselves again.

I wish I had more jackets or even a rug. It was only Maven and me. Never anyone else.

Maven stops Rubble and we all climb out.

"Sooo where's your house at?" Capri asked.

Maven gestured toward the flat rock wall in front of us.

"Huh?" Dean says.

I laugh and press my thumb against the wall. The rock parts like 2 doors that opens for all us to enter.

"Whoa." Capri and Dean say in unison.

I grin at Maven's skill with mechanics and I start the car up then drive it through the entrance. I get out of Rubble as he is lowered underground by a platform to the garage. I chuck the keys onto the table near the door.

Maven pushes past awe-stuck Dean and Capri. They shuffle in after him, mouths still agape.

"Close your mouth you guys. Snow mites will crawl down you throat and eat your stomach from the inside out." I tell them.

They both close their mouths and their eyes widen.

"Snow mites?!" Dean says.

"Eat your stomach?!" Capri Says.

"Yes. Maybe it'll kill you." Maven insults from our bedroom.

I howl in laughter.

Dean and Capri join me as they savour the warmth of our fire place.

"Make yourselves at home guys. There is another bedroom 1 down from ours. Kitchen is to your left and the living room is to your right." I explain with hand gestures.

"Wow thanks Em-Harley. I really didn't expect a mountain to have such a fancy apartment nestled inside it." Dean says.

"How did you even get all these things?" Capri ponders as she takes a white blanket from the couch and wraps it around herself.

"Terrain is a level-based game so the higher your level, the more rewards you get." I exclaim.

Capri nods in understanding.

"Wait. How about Fecits?" Dean asks.

"Well this game is actually closed down. Terrain went bankrupt a few years ago. The game world still lives on though, we still can level up, survive, battle, and build just as if the game was still running." I explain.

"But isn't there still some Fecits that play the game?" Dean wonders.

"Well no, the game server shutdown. Everyone was logged off and wasn't able to reopen it again. The company must've put a block on all the users from playing the game again." I inform him.

"Then how did we make it to this game if it's shutdown?" Capri says from the sofa.

"That's a mystery I haven't pondered yet." I say.