Life's a Game

Chapter 1

Heather sat by the campfire, warming her hands as stars danced across the sky. The wind picked up, causing the woman to pull her jacket tighter. Trees swayed around her. Only the crackling of fire could be heard in that moment. Heather felt a sudden familiar warmth as someone sat down beside her. She smiled as she leaned into her boyfriend's arms. "About time you showed up, my human heater," she joked.

"Always at your service," Dean's deep voice rumbled. Heather could feel it resonate as her head was resting on his chest.

She curled up and closed her eyes. "Are Martin and Kate in the RV?"

She felt Dean nod. "I came out here to give them some space," he said quietly.

Heather frowned a little. "You didn't come out here for me?"

Dean laughed. "I would've come out here even if the others didn't need space." He ran a hand through Heather's hair. "After all, there's no fire inside," he stated simply.

Heather sat up and fake gasped, playfully swatting Dean's shoulder. "How dare!"

Dean smiled and stood up, Heather falling off of him and onto the ground. "Now you've lost you're human heater." He shrugged, still with a grin on his face.

Heather stood up and jumped onto Dean, kissing him. Dean held her tight so she would stay secure. When Heather pulled away, she had a dreamy look in her eyes. "I love you, Dean Williams."

Dean kisses the woman's forehead. "I love you too, Heather Bowman."

Suddenly, a window of the RV shattered. Heather screamed. Dean set his girlfriend down and stood in front of her, prepared to fight. A bloodcurdling scream ripped through the air. For a brief moment, there was silence.

Bang!

A gunshot echoed through the woods. Birds flew out from their trees in terror. Trees rustled as animals began to hide. Heather seemed to shrink behind Dean, eyes closed. She knew who that scream came from.

The RV door creaked open. Martin strolled out, hands coated in blood. His eyes were wide, head tilted. There was a pistol in his hand.

He pointed it at Dean and fired. The bullet went clean through his head. Warm blood splattered onto Heather as she screamed her lover's name. Another shot rang out. Heather's body fell backwards from the force of the bullet. The last thing she saw was red.

. . .

"God dammit!" A keyboard flew across the room, lodging itself into a wall. Kellen was breathing heavily, face red with rage. "That's the fifth time you've made me start at Zero!"

Teka shrugged, his focus more on his monitor. "What did I say? I told you to run if I ever come at you. And what did you do?" He spun his chair towards Kellen, looking him dead in the eyes. "You cowered behind someone and just stood there. Doing nothing!"

"Well at least I don't go on killing rampages every game!" Kellen stomped out of the room, shouting obscenities as he left.

Teka swiveled his chair back to where it was. He could worry about Kellen later. Right now, he had to make sure Martin got out of those woods after framing Jonas. He didn't have much time, so he had to focus. He was not going to lose another human to prison. It was so boring in there, and Teka had already done the Gang Leader route. He leaned back, watching Martin do his thing. This would take a while.

Teka sighed and stood up, calling over a replacement. He was ready for bed and he trusted his Night Bird to take care of Martin. After providing a quick rundown of recent events, Teka left his desk and made his way out of the office. As soon as he was on the street, he flew up into the sky and headed towards his dorm, ready to sleep the night away.