It's a game

Chapter 6

Ben's POV
I call everyone to dinner and we start eating. "Mmm. I didn't expect food in games to taste so good." Miniladd said. "Yeah. This game has alot of characteristics from real life and it basically tricks the mind, saying that the food tastes good. But in real life I cook just as good so don't think that I didn't work hard on this." She says. "Does this taste like it does in real life?" Bryce asks with a full mouth. I nod. "Yep." I say. "How have I not eaten this before?" He hums in delight and continues to eat. I smile proudly. This feels like I'm in the family. "So. I've been nice. I gave you a few days to relax, get used to the mechanics. But tomorrow I'll have to put my foot down. I will wake you up tomorrow really early. You'll start with laps on the beach. Then we'll do a practice mission. I'll help you guys find your best weapons to fight with, teach you how to be stealth, and most importantly we'll go job hunting. You guys have bummed off me but this isn't going to be like that all the time. So you need to pay rent. I'll pay for food and everything." I explain. "We just got here though." Miniladd says. "Not you three. You'll get a break tomorrow and will start the day after." I say. They nod. My phone rings and I groan, excusing myself from the table. I walk to the living room and answer. "Hello?" I ask. "Ben." That voice says. I sigh. "What do you want game master?" I ask. "There will be a few more recruitments. So get ready to train alot of people." He says and hangs up. I sigh and put my phone in my pocket. I walk back and eat silently as the others chat. "So what was that about Ben?" Vanoss asks. "Um... game update. Nothing important." I mutter. "Game update? Why weren't we notified than?" Basically pulls up a menu and taps a few things. I get up and wash my dishes silently. They all seem worried but continue to talk. I walk to my room and close the door. I lean against the door, then slide down it and start crying.
Vanoss' POV
I wash my dishes and then walk to Ben's room. I hear her crying on the other side. I lean against it and slide down it. "Ben... what's wrong?" I ask. "Why do you fucking care?!" She snaps. "Because you deserve to be cared about." I say calmly. "Fuck off. I'm hopeless. So leave." She says. My eyes widen.
I was with my little sister, Alice. We were walking home quietly. Today in school I got held back and forced to watch as some douches beat Alice up. We were both sad and soar. We get to the house we share alone. Dad died two years ago and Mom commit suicide a year ago so now the two of us shared a house since I'm 18 and am legally allowed to take care of my 15 year old sister. As soon as we get inside she cries and runs to her room. I run after her and hear her cry on the other side. "Alice let's talk about it. It'll help." I say. "Stop acting like you care!" She screeches. "But I do care!" I shout. "I'M HOPELESS! LEAVE ME ALONE!" She yelled. I pause and look down. "But you aren't Alice...." I say. No response. I walk away. The next morning I go to her room and knock on the door. Nothing. "Alice?" I ask. I open the door and stare at my sister.
I tear up. "You are not hopeless Ben! You are a smart and beautiful young lady who is destined for so much more than what you think! Open the door and let me in! Please..." I whisper the last part. I hear silence. Then she opens the door. I sob and hug her. She hugs back. "V-Vanoss...." She mutters. "Ben never say anything like that please. I care about you. The guys care about you. You have a life and you will live it to the fullest no matter what is thrown at you. I did it. I promise you can do it too." I say. She smiles. "Th-thanks Vanoss." She says. "Evan. Call me Evan." I say. "Ok. Evan." She says.
-The next day-
I groan when I hear stomping and yelling throughout the house. "WAKE UP DICK EATERS! IT'S TIME TO GET TO TRAINING! LAST ONE DOWN DOESN'T GET BREAKFAST!" She yells. My eyes widen at the mention of breakfast and I run down fast only to find I was the last down. I groan. "Sorry Evan. Good luck with lunch." She says and pats my shoulder. She only gave the guys a plate with one sunny side up egg on it and water. "This is breakfast?" Nogla asks. "Yep. And it's all you'll have until you prove to be strong and fit." She cheers happily and eats her own. "Do I actually not get breakfast?" I groan. "Yipyip." She says. I sigh. "Will this be a race every morning?" Delirious asks. "Not only every morning. Every mid day and evening too. Everything is a competition. You could be fast and smart. You could all work as a team. But either way for the next two weeks it'll be survival of the fittest." She says. Our eyes widen. "You were so nice what happened?" Wildcat asks. I glare at him. "I'm helping you. Trust me. I was nice at first because I wanted you to get used to the controls. The menus and learning about your status' and so on. I promise if I continue to baby you guys. You'll die if you ever decide to go back to your apartments." She says. "She's right guys. We need to suck it up. This isn't our old life. This is a world where dying is more inevitable." I say. They go silent. They knew we were right. We finish then we follow her out the door. "The beach is two miles from here. We walk there. Take a water break. Then start running. Afterwards we'll take a water break and race back here for lunch. After that we'll go to the shooting range where we'll see what special move you got. Yes. Special move. You guys can practice in every skill but the game master always programs us all with one awesome move or weapon or skill. Once all of you find your power we'll race home for dinner." She says happily. "That's alot." Ohm says. "Wait. Where are the newbs?" Cartoonz asks. "Asleep. I set a sound proof setting on their doors. It's only 3am so I don't feel like waking them up." Ben explains. "Oh. Ok." We all say quietly. Lucky bastards.