Cyber Mortality

Chapter 10:

"Thank you so much for taking care of those bandits!" Mayor Vant bows excitedly. "I only wish you could have been here when they attacked. They harmed my poor wife and made off with much of our town folks treasures."

"Well, we brought it back," Rocky replies and reaches out to touch his menu and send the items we found back.

"Thank you," the man grins. "Please take this money for your trouble."

"Thank you," Rocky shakes the mayor's hand before motioning for us to leave.

"Wow, I never realized that people got married in this game," I glance around at the families around town.

"Yeah, pretty much anything you can do in real life you can do here," DeNyle shrugs. Some people get married to a teammate so that if they die their items get automatically sent to them and they don't lose them.

"Huh," I nod. "Well, that's a good idea. As long as you don't both die."

"You can also buy a house and stuff," he explains. "Though we haven't really bought a house. We typically just keep moving. We do own a chunk of property though."

"Where is it at?" I question.

"It's on Cliffton," Flint says.

"Yeah," DeNyle nods. "Lots of mountains and stuff. Really good deer there. Hey, now that I think about it you've never eaten in the game before have you?" I raise an eyebrow in surprise.

"No?"

"We've gotta take her to Pappy's!" DeNyle exclaims. "Come on bro! We just got paid let's celebrate!"

"Fine," Flint scowls. "But you don't get to have more drinks than I do."

"But you might drink none," DeNyle pouts.

"Then I guess that is just too bad for you," Flint smirks and holds out his fist. DeNyle and I pile on and after a moment we are standing in a parking lot. Music blares from inside the large bar and people mill about.

"Come on," DeNyle grasps my hand and while he is leading me I quickly change out of my armor. Once inside Rocky and DeNyle do the same. Rocky changes into black jeans and a sweater and DeNyle put on white pants and a blue button-up shirt.

"This is a good place to meet the ladies," DeNyle licks his hand and smooths back his hair.

"You mean where the ladies run away from you," Rocky smirks but I see he is also fluffing himself.

"Want a drink?" DeNyle leads me to the long wooden bar with a grin and I nod.

"Why not?" I grin. It's only a game after all.

"I need a drink for the lady," DeNyle taps the counter and a bartender comes our way.

"What would you like?" a handsome young man smiles at me.

"I'm not really sure," I purse my lips. "What do you suggest?"

"I've got just the thing," the man winks and goes to work. I watch the process as he mixes together different liquids until he holds out an iced glass with yellow liquid in it. I take a sip and feel my lips pucker.

"Pretty sour right?" the bartender chuckles. "But it tastes really good."

"That it does," I take another sip and enjoy the sour lemon flavor. "It's amazing that I can even taste in this place."

"Cool right?" DeNyle nods. "Plus if you drink alcohol when you leave the game you aren't hung over!"

"I suppose that is a good thing," I nod and finish my glass. "Could I have another please?" I ask the bartender and he flashes me a dazzling smile.

"Of course," after another minute a new iced glass rests in my hands and I sip down the amazing drink. Warmth starts to grow in my belly which spreads along my limbs.

"Wanna dance?" DeNyle laughs after downing his own drink. I nod and quickly down my drink before following him out onto the dance. Music from one hundred years ago pounds through the speakers and the band, Journey, struts around the stage.

"I can't believe they have Journey live here!" I shout over the music and DeNyle grins and grasps my hips.

"They can have any band here," he replies and we both jump up and down and twirl to the music.

"Where did Rocky go?" I question when I realize I have not seen him in a while.

"Don't worry about him," DeNyle shakes his head. "He's probably off playing cards or something. Let's just have fun!" He twirls me around and pulls me toward him so my back is pressed against his chest.

"I've never had this much fun!" I exclaim as he twirls me away and back again. His blue eyes glimmer with joy as we dance until our legs feel like they will fall off if we remain on the dance floor for another song.

"Wanna check out the balcony?" I nod and he leads me through the crowd. As we pass by people I start to notice a slight fuzziness in my vision and realize how much I am relying on DeNyle to lead. His arm circles my waist when we reach a staircase and I rest my hand on his shoulder.

"I think fresh air would be good," I tell him and he nods. He pushes open a door and we emerge onto a dimly lit balcony with wildflowers growing along the deck. The crazy thing is though the wildflowers are glowing and casting a soft warm light around the balcony.

"Isn't this amazing?" DeNyle grins and leads me to the edge of the balcony so we can look out across the town.

"It is," I muse and rest my arms on the railing.

"So beautiful," he whispers and when I look at him I find his eyes are on me. His mesmerizing blue eyes swirl and I can't help being drawn in.

"Nyle?" I rest my head on his shoulder and his grip tightens around my waist.

"Yeah?"

"You have really pretty eyes," I gaze up at him and he grins.

"So do you, May," he whispers and I feel his breath on my cheek. His chin brushes against my forehead and my lips part slightly from the sensation. He looms closer and then his lips brush over mine gentle as a butterfly. His eyes gaze at me full of hope and questions. I lean into his kiss and taste the whiskey he drank earlier on his lips. His arm tightens around my waist and his hand caresses my cheek. I close my eyes and let his kiss consume me.