Virtual Reality ✔

"Classic" games?

We were all in the living room, Duncan had in fact made it back safely. He hadn't mentioned his late night adventures but he was the first to hear the envelope being slid under the door. We all walked over and Amberline picked it up. She thought for a moment and asked if Duncan wanted to read it. He said he'd rather not and after a few oppositions from everyone else, they finally got the point. Amberline shrugged and opened the letter. She started reading, "Dear Gamers," as it usually started off with. "You will meet in the lobby today at the usual time. You, again, won't be facing another team directly. You also won't be working with your teammates. The game is called Classic Solo and you will be given a series of classic games. Your score will be combined with your teams, however your individual performance will be remembered. We wish you all good luck."

"What games do you think we'll play?" Asked Parker eagerly. He had brightened when he heard about the game, and we all figured he'd have the best individual score of us all.

We made predictions but none of us were entirely sure. We got around and headed to the lobby, not in a rush. We'd learned our lesson from almost being disqualified at the beginning of the competition. We got to the lobby with a comfortable amount of time remaining, and there were no big events taking place before the people in charge told us it was time to begin. We all walked to our cubicles and the game started. We hadn't been given the choice of weapons or armor and I took that as a good sign.

The first game that appeared seemed to run on pattern and timing. The finish line was illuminated across the yard, a timer waiting just above it. I had just over two minutes to pass through as many levels as I could. Without thinking, I ran. I got about a quarter of the way through before a cow rudely smashed into me, returning me to the starting point. Trying not to think of how weird it was to be ran over by a cow of all things, I kept going. Staying optimistic, I started to run again and made sure to dodge the cow and the other obstacles running my way. When I reached the finish line I was transported to a highway, there were more cars and they were faster. Not to mention the path was longer.

Well aware of the clock counting down, I made note on the speed of which the cars in each row traveled along with the direction. When I thought I had it, I fought the fear of being ran over as I made a run for it. I wouldn't die in real life anyway. I came to a halt halfway across for a large semi to pass, fighting the urge to run away from the approaching car. I was relieved when I made it to the finish line and the timer went off, glad to be away from the reckless drivers. I could have done better, but there was a learning curve I had to go through.

In the next game I appeared to be in a maze, small bulbs of light scattered around. The timer gave me a much greater time and I started following the light. Touching one, there was a slight ding and a number lit above me. I continued walking forward, grabbing the balls of light when I saw a purple gas. I suddenly realized which game this was and ran in the opposite direction, gasping for air as I made sharp turns. I needed to collect all the lights but couldn't touch the gasses. This map was relatively small and I managed to do so without dying.

When I arrived in the next level I made a point of getting the lights quicker. The gasses seemed to instantly know where I was and I found myself being trapped. I ran, grabbing the lights, and saw an open end. Taking my chances, I jumped into the gap hoping that it wasn't a trap to make my death count higher.

I was rewarded yet I still faced the consequence. It felt as if my insides were churning and my body was swung around carelessly as I was transported to the other side of the maze. I was jerked upright and found myself crashing to the ground. Quickly trying to regain myself, I tripped over my own two feet before I found myself able to run properly. Loud hissing noises followed me as the gasses went through the portal as well. I had no idea why they'd go through that so willingly, though if I had to guess I'd say that the people in charge made them immune to the portals' effects. It was totally unfair, but it's what I was dealt.