The Forbidden Code

The Bar Tender (Kate's POV.)

Alarm clock ringing nine a clock in the morning. A yell from downstairs can be heard "Katelyn! breakfast is ready!" Kate sits up on her bed dreading having to wake up and going to school having to deal with the harsh reality of life. "I'll be down after I shower!" Kate yells back getting up and heading across the hall to the bathroom passing her younger brother who's already awake and dressed. "Hey, little guy are you ready for your first day of middle school?" Kate says with a tired dreadful tone from just waking up. "Yeah! I saved some hot water for you since you like it" Kates little brother replies with a cheerful and energetic voice as he rushes downstairs yelling "Bacon!" Kate giggles not being surprised by her little brother's energy as she takes a hot shower to help her wake up and clean herself. Standing in the hot water of the shower she thinks about how her first day of 12th grade is going to go especially in a new school, good thing her best friend will be there.

Kate heading downstairs sees her little brother mason eating all of the bacon as usual. "Mason, did you save me any?" Kate says with a stern voice.

"Oh sorry, mom said it was all for me."

Kate sighs deeply "of course she did, and as usual, she's already gone leaving me to take you to school."

Mason looks up at Kate with a big smile on his face "It's okay! I like it more when you take me. You're more fun."

Kate giggles "come on goofball let's get you to school."

Kate and Mason arriving at the school gate Kate kneels next to Mason "Hey little guy, I know this is your first day of middle school and we are at a new school but just remember if you need anything, anything at all I'm one floor above you. Ok?"

Mason smiling at Kate "I know. And if you need anything I will be one floor below you."

Kate smiles with relief "That's right. Remember the emergency?"

Mason looks over to the street. "Three blocks straight one left and two rights to get to the park. Safety meet point."

Kate seeing her best friend wave at the entrance. "Good job, now get to class goofball."

Mason running off waving to Kate as Kate meets up with her best friend. "Hey girl, you still parenting that brat?"

Kate looking at her friend "Alexis just because you're younger brother is a jerk doesn't mean mine is a brat."

Alexis giggles. "They are all brats yours is just clever, obviously" She begins to walk to class.

Kate following Alexis "Find any friend groups?"

Alexis looks surprised "Yeah obviously I've gotten tight with the cheerleaders and gossipers, how about you?"

Kate looks down. "I only know you.."

Alexis laughs "Your best friend doesn't count as a friend group." She walks into her class.

The school ending bell rings. Kate walking out to the entrance gate sees Mason and 3 other boys. She watches the tall blonde boy say something and push Mason to the ground walking away laughing. Kate rushes to Mason kneeling next to him. "Hey, are you ok? I saw those boys pick on you."

Mason stands up. "Yea I'm ok don't worry about it."

Kate gives a stern motherly look. "Well, of course, I'm going to worry! You're my little brother and I care for you. What did the boys say?"

Mason looks up at Kate with tears in his eyes.

"They made fun of me because I don't have a father. Why did dad leave us?"

Kate wipes a tear from his cheek "Oh mason honey." She hugs him tightly "Dad left to serve his country, He's overseas fighting for mother you and I." Kate trying to hide the truth that their father left because of mom. "Let's head home mom should of made you supper by now.

Getting home Mason can smell his favorite meal grilled chicken. Kate and Mason walking into the kitchen see grilled chicken on the counter obviously store-bought and enough for one. " Yum! My favorite!" Mason grabs it with joy as Kate looks him in the eyes "Alright when you're done eating do your homework and be in bed at 10 we have school tomorrow ok?" Mason running upstairs "Yes ma'am!"

Kate grabs herself a quick hot pocket to eat when her phone rings. Looking down she sees a text message from Alexis.

Alex❤: Check your headsets inbox i sent you a gift. Log in and meet me on social.

Kate goes to her room and grabs the Virtual Reality Headset from her bed and sends a text message to Mason:

"Going into VR if you're not in bed at ten you're in big trouble."

Kate logged into VR meets Alexis in the social lobby. "Hey, so what is this game."

Alexis grinning "it's an MMO Looter and Shooter mixed in with RPG alongside realism."

Kate looking down. "Land Of Psychos? What is it?"

Alexis locks eyes with Kate "That right there is the last black market copy, the game was banned from market because it was deemed too dangerous to play and even made people Psychotic."

Kate looks at Alexis with worry "What makes it so dangerous?"

Alexis grinning "You'll see, besides that's part of the adventure."

They both log into the game and meet in the social area Kate instantly being shocked by Alexis's avatar "You made your avatar look like you?"

"Actually no that's the thing" she pulls out a mirror "The game does that to you and you can never change it, I suggest covering up."

Kate looking shy while putting on a pink hoodie "Seems a little dangerous, should we really play this?"

"It's fine they have an honor code installed by the mafia overlords since the game is used by criminals. And if you ever need anything.." Alexis points at the bar in the middle of the social area. "Just go in there you can hire mercenaries, assassins, hitmen, etc."

Kate begins to speak not getting to get a word out when a van quickly pulls in and in a flash, Alexis was pulled in and the van was gone. Kate taking in what just happened had no idea how to react until it hits her. "If you ever need anything just go in there." She looks at the bar taking a deep sign and steps in. A silent void fills the room as all eyes point at her as if the tension was breathing down her neck looking up she caught his eye. A man standing at the bar his greens eye glow as his black hair flows in the air like electricity, above him a sign "P-Kais Bar".