Video Games

Chapter Six

"Kynos, Chibuike and Ryota."

All three of us slowly advance towards the treadmill looking things; my breath is shallow, audible and uncontrolled as I peer into the black cave beyond. We stand in the order we were called in, facing out designated tracks. It only just strikes me now that two of us thirty are gonna die after this run and Kwesi’s run.

Baiyou took the castle by storm; he’s at the top of the leader board placed above the start and finish lines; a timer accompanies the board, reminding the watching of how long they have to make it to the end of the dreading course. Only the top few are shown, so we have no idea where the bottom half of the table stand.

Dexio and Tynoco don’t sit within the top five on the board like Baiyou. However, watching Tynoco run his race, his time must be sixth, considering he was about seven seconds off of fifth place. Not much actually stands between the first six. Dexio, however, wasn’t close to the other two. However, I think he places above the majority of the girls and a couple of guys.

We’ve been informed that we’re on live television; despite the reactions on people’s faces that have seemed to stick in my mind, it’s easy to forget that you’re live on the television, fighting for your life. Who actually knew that being a gamer could be this dangerous?

“Ryota,” my instructor – a female – smiles at me. All of these people are sick. “This is your harness. Allow me to put t on you.” Despite not wanting hands like hers on me, I don’t hesitate and allow her to pull the black straps around me legs and waist. Tightening each strap and checking that the circulation is still in my legs, multiple grunts of approval are heard from me. Do I really have to do this?

She asks if it’s all okay for the tenth time and I grunt a yes. No, it’s super likely that within the few split seconds it took you to blink my entire outfit decided to tighten. It’s not like these people actually care about me properly. As long as I provide the entertainment they require, they still get money and this ordeal carries on for generations to come. It’s a disgusting process, yet this is how some jobs actually work: you’re a rat to them and nothing more.

It seems like the other two are strapped up and as ready to go as they’ll ever be. Something that really surprises me is how strong most of us are. I’m talking physically, by the way. Gamers are often portrayed as overweight and unfit. I doubt those people could do this is the amount of time it took Baiyou. I don’t really think anyone could match Baiyou’s attempt, actually – it’d take some heptathlon athlete to beat him, honestly.

We advance through the black tunnels until the three of us hit some kind of wall – mostly likely a barrier that stops us from walking over the stat line and activating the triggers for our timers. We’re instructed to jump; we all do. You can hear our feet lightly hit the ground as we control ourselves. Then, I let myself go wild, throwing myself off the walls as the harness allows me to jump two feet higher than I usually would.

“Twenty five to twenty seven,” the voice booms; they’re too even lazy to learn our names.”It’s now your turn. Now, as you’ve seen, the holographic monster is set up behind you as I inform about this all. The coins will only be yellow, so you can’t collect double and triple coins. Each coin will help you and the number you collect will be taken into consideration. It could be the difference between life and death.

“Now, as you know, the majority of this course is made from sponge. The mine cart and water stuff isn’t included, seeing as they’re a lot harder to simulate than normal ground activities. The fire is holographic and won’t actually burn you, although you may feel a slight pain if you touch it.

One more thing: you only have three lives. If you fall three times, you’ll be taken to the end. That, my friends, certifies your death. Fortunately, we haven’t seen anyone fall three times yet, but there’s always room for a first time. Good luck.”