Video Games

Chapter Eight

The hovercraft lands swiftly as the twenty eight of us hold our breaths and glance at each other anxiously. Three more leave us today; I’m petrified that one of my friends could be the ones to go. It all depends on the game and the equipment we get. If we have to play more physically intense than Temple Run, I’ll have one of the worst scores going. The hours of sleep that I did get last night were reckless and unpleasant; I’m drained of all my energy.

Catching Baiyou’s eye, I notice the hideous bags under his chocolate coloured eyes. He’s just as deprived of sleep as I am. He looks as if he wants to tell me something, but he can’t get the words out amongst the depressing silence that has fallen on us.

We’re all thinking the same thing: what game is it and who’s going to die? We now know who the physically fit ones are and the ones at risk of elimination.  I wonder how those lower players feel; if I was them, I’d probably be in tears right now, knowing that if I mess up this game, I’m dead.

It doesn’t matter who you are – if you mess up any game, you’re at risk of facing the consequence: death.

As the grumbling of the low engine subsides, we all remove our seatbelts and stand up. The synchronised sound of legs clicking as we stretch upwards is appalling, sickening. As we begin to walk, I step in time with Tynoco so I can stay close to his side. His breath is rough, but under control, unlike my own. Trying to pace my shallow breathing rate, I walk onwards into the room ahead of us.

That screen, the one used last time to show the shadow of the leader of this disastrous mess, is set up at the top of the room, and chairs are placed facing the screen. Below, three white walls are placed, along with a pair of large goggles – they look like the third generation Oculus Rift goggles – that have been placed on a tiny side table in the very corner of the room. Oculus Rift games are usually humorous; I have not a clue what we’re doing.

As the latter of the competitors filter into the room, we’re instructed to sit in our numerical order; I whisper goodbye to Tynoco and head over to seat twenty seven. Chibuike and Kwesi sit there, looking intimidated by the minimalist room ahead. Honestly, I’m intrigued to see what challenge has been set up for us today. If it’s Oculus Rift, it can’t be too physical, right?

“Good morning, competitors,” the voice of the VGHQ booms. “As you can see, there are three walls, a pair of goggles and nothing else. This may not be clear at first; however, it’ll become apparent when I let you know what’s going on.”

Catching Dexio’s eye, I feel this strange feeling in the pit of my stomach. It may not be a torture chamber, but something about the whole wall-thing makes me feel uncomfortable. It’s as if the minimal design is going to enhance everything else. Part of me wants to throw up, but I manage to swallow the feeling and tune into what the man is saying. Did he ever introduce his name? I can’t remember...

“Today, you’ll be playing Fruit Ninja: Interactive Style,” he laughs. He’s right – it’s all so apparent now. “The goggles will show the fruit that you have to slice; your hands will be picked up by the sensors built into the walls. We have a monitor that tracks the slices you make; three of you will die after this, so you better have strong wrists. Good luck, and see twenty five of you on the other side.”

Number one – Tainai – stands up and places the overly large goggles onto his head. In front of us, we’ll see a boy randomly karate chop the air. To him, this is an entirely different experience; virtual fruit will pop up in front of him and he’ll have to slice them all – and miss any sneaky bombs tossed up into the mix – to guarantee living. If you miss a fruit, you’re at risk of being killed. There is no room for error in a game like what we’re playing now.