The Game

Chapter Twenty Three - Time

Chapter Twenty Three - Time

 

“Save him! Log him out! SAVE HIM!” Martin continuously yelled at Jeremy, demanding for him to save his brother. “I know you can do it! JUST FUCKING SAVE HIM!”

They were in a vacant bedroom in the In-game Headquarters. Marvin, the dying half of the twins, was lying on a single bed, covering the sheets with digital, yet quite realistic blood. Jeremy didn’t have time to admire it though, as the other twin was there demanding him to do something he couldn’t do.

Jeremy just stood there, lost in his own thoughts, though he was aware of his surroundings, he did not expect what had happened a few moments ago. He didn’t say anything, maybe he couldn’t, because he knew, there was nothing he could do. Whatever Rose had done, couldn’t be undone. Somehow, the weapon she has used had managed to lock the shot twin inside the program, and they were forced to watch him die, slowly and painfully.

‘She wanted this.’ Jeremy thought, but he didn’t inform the desperate twin, for he knew, it would be the opposite of helping him. So he just stood there and did nothing, until finally, that became the only thing anyone could do.

The digital body of Marvin was dead, which meant that in real life, he was also very much in the same situation. Martin embraced the copy of Martin’s lifeless body as long as it could, until his body dissolved into blue pixels as if he was teleporting, or logging out. The program had finally allowed him to log out, except it was a little too late.

Martin fell down on his knees, and weeped. Jeremy could only manage to say “I’m sorry” before heading towards the exit. He stopped for a second as Martin dissolved into blue pixels as well.

Jeremy understood that Martin would need sometime alone, to mourn his brother, and clear his thoughts, he too needed to clear his thoughts, in fact he thought about heading to his room, and getting a good night’s sleep, or maybe even logging out, but he had no such luck, Greg rushed towards him from the end of the hallway.

“Boss!” He exclaimed, half out-of-breath.

“What is it?” Jeremy continued to walk, which forced Greg to walk along if he wanted to have a conversation with him.

“We found one of the hideouts of the NPC rebellion.” Greg did his best to catch up, but Jeremy was walking fast, wishing that he’d get to his room as soon as possible.

“Is that what we are calling it now?” Jeremy asked half-focused. He really didn’t want to deal with this at that moment.

“I think that’s what we’ve always been calling it, sir.”

“Just call me Jeremy would you? I dislike titles, plus, you might just replace the twins now. Or, one half of them at least, and you are more connected to me than they are, or were, so, just call me Jeremy.”

“Okay, ‘Jeremy’, what are we going to do?”

“I don’t know, and at this very moment, I don’t care. I’ll be heading to my room, and I wish not to be disturbed, in the meantime, you’re in charge. Do whatever you want with them. Alright?”

Greg nodded and walked away. Jeremy finally had the silence he wanted.

 

-

 

Neither Claire nor Rose left the room that night. When the door finally opened, it was Claire that came out, and Nate that was waiting at the door. She closed the door and gave Nate a small smile before burying her face against his chest.