Press Start [Under Rework]

Chapter Two: Dragged from Reality

The hallways flooded with students as soon as the bell rung for the last class. I tried to get through the mob quickly before I got trampled. As I headed to Biology, I started drifting off for a bit.

I tried to think about what game I should play when I got to the Scarlet Cove Arcade, then it hit me. Literally. I crashed into the door and spooked myself. Once I caught my breath (and made sure I didn't have a heart attack), I opened the door and sat down in my desk between Lilly and Shaden.

***
Mr. Alexwood took up our work and told us to pack up since it was only five minutes until the buses were called. I held my head not because of how loud the other students were talking to each other, I just didn't get enough sleep; I was honestly going to sleep in if not for the clock.

Shouldn't of stood up all night playing Oddworld, I scolded myself. Lilly and Shaden were trying to get my attention but my headache was just too much...

Finally, the buses were called and my headache went away. I grabbed my stuff and headed to 365. I tried to get to the back but someone was already sitting in it. I sighed and sat in the next set, putting my bag near the wall of the bus.

***
"So, how was your last day?" Opal asked as we walked back home. I sighed, "Boring... As usual." We arrived at the front door and Opal unlocked it for us. "Well, at least we get a whole three weeks off to goof around." I chuckled, "I guess you're right."

We waked inside and dropped our backpacks down and sighed almost simultaneously. Jason came out of the kitchen and greeted us both, "So, girls, how was school?"

We both sighed and told him how our day went. Jason is more like a friend then a dad. Yes, he takes care of us, but I respect him as a pal. Opal seems to like him though, and that's fine by me.

Jason gave me twenty dollars and let me go to the arcade, I just had to be back by 10:30. I decided to just walk there since it isn't that far, only a few blocks. As I walked, I took the time to look around, admiring the scenery.

The cool air hitting my skin and giving me goosebumps, the beautiful color of the evening sky, the birds singing..

"Tout simplement magnifique..." I whispered to myself.

***
The arcade looked about the same. The up-beat music playing, the flashing lights from the games, and the employees that managed everything.

Even the fucking kids that bring their PSPs and Laptops here just the use them instead of playing the games here. I mean, what's the point of bringing a hand-held device to the fucking arcade?! But I digress...

I started to look around and notice some of the games that were marked with the "Out of Order" signs: Cat Dash, Fluky Bolt, and Frozen Slash. I looked at the screen of Cat Dash closely, a person seemed to be staring back at me.

It was glitched, of course, so it must of been tricks played by my mind. I was about to play Dizzy Diner until I heard a humming noise in the back. I ignored it and continued to play. The humming kept getting louder, making lose focus.

"Merde," I cursed under my breath. I looked around, everyone was gone. Expect the employee at the counter, who was asleep. So, I followed the buzzing, which came from behind the "Employees Only" door.

***
It was dark and cluttered, like nobody used this room anymore. I took out my phone for a light source and went through another room. It was filled with old and broken video arcade cabinets.

Some with glitched screens, others with wires sprouting out everywhere like vines. Some were still working, others were screeching to try to work. It sent shivers down my spine, but I continued.

I reach the machine the admitted the loud buzz, its screen was a bit glitched, but still looked playable. I inserted a coin and pressed the start button to see what would happen. The screen started up with bright colors then shut off.

"I knew this was a waste of time," I grumbled. I started to walk away until I heard a spark go off. I turned to see green sparks coming from the game, trying to... grab me? What the hell kind of game tries to grab people?! WITH SPARKS!?

Losing track of what was going on, I was tripped, grabbed, and pulled in, knocking the air out of me. I tried to scream for someone, anyone, ANYTHING at this point, but there was no avail. I screamed again. Nothing.

The only thing I could do at this point was latch onto the ground and pray. I started to feel fant, my arms felt weak and my breathing was shallow. It felt like the strength in me was being sucked out.

Finally, I blacked out...