Gun Game (Discontinued)

Chapter 2: The Quiet Night

As I slowly put my phone down I started to look at my computer. I wonder if he has been watching me the whole time but there is no way for me to know. I look back at my phone and look at the newly installed app. This can’t be real...a secret group. What could they be after and more importantly what do they need me for? Before, I’m able to process everything I’m thinking about I hear a knock on my door. 

 “Y-yes?” I said quietly.

“I heard you yelling is everything okay?” my brother said on the other side of the door.

I look at the door and start to think of something. I don’t know if I can tell him what just happened. Obviously, not telling him will get me into more trouble.

“Um...yeah everything’s fine Colton.”

“Look, I’m sorry I just don’t want you to do something that would harm you. Mom left you in my care before she…before she died.” Colton said sadly.

“Can you promise me that you won’t do anything like that ever again?” Colton asked.

I continued looking at the door but we both knew that I won't, no I can’t stop doing this. I really want him to understand why I’m doing this but he’s too consumed into Gun Game to understand what I’m going through.

“We both know my answer, Colton...I’m sorry but I can’t promise you that.”

I hear Colton sigh and open my door. He was hesitant to walk into my room at first but he eventually walked in and sat on my bed with me. He sat there for a while not saying anything and things started to get awkward when we started to sit there in silence for a long period of time. Finally, Colton does something unexpected and gives back my Holoscape.

“I know you won’t stop. Just try and stay safe whenever you are doing this. A lot of bad things can happen if you pursue whatever you’re doing.” Colton said while putting my holoscape into my hands.

“Try not to get us arrested,” Colton said jokingly.

“Yeah that would be bad,” I said smiling at his tiny joke.

“Oh Colton, If you got recruited into a secret gun game team would you accept their offer?” 

“Did you get invited into one?” Colton said.

“no, I didn’t but I was wondering what you would do. I overheard some friends say something about it and I got curious if someone like you would accept something like this.”

As much as it hurts me, it sucks that I have to lie to my own brother to help me come to a decision about this group. Unfortunately, I need his help even if he doesn’t know what he’s helping with.

“Well, it’s hard to say. If the secret group has good intentions then I’ll hear them out but if I don’t like what they say then I’ll tell them that I wouldn’t be able to do what they are doing.” Colton said looking at the ceiling.

“So you’re saying if it’s legal then you’ll do and if it’s illegal then you won’t? ”

“haha, I never said that,” Colton said laughing a little.

“I’m sorry Colton,” I said looking away from him.

“I know Allison, that’s why I’m giving you your Holoscape back.” my brother said smiling.

 After a few more minutes of awkward silence, Colton got up and started to walk back to his room to make important phone calls and when he was halfway down the hallway he yelled at me to not hack into the government. Trust me I didn’t plan on hacking into the government, Colton would literally kill me, bring me back to life, then kill me again. After a few minutes of figuring out my thoughts, I put on my Holoscape and try and turn it on. At first, it wasn’t turning on but after waiting almost 15 minutes it came online along with Icarus’ voice greeting me with my new name, Eclipse.

“Hello Eclipse, it is so nice to talk to you again!” Icarus said ecstatically. 

“Icarus,” I growled.

“Yes?” He answered questions.

“If you were a real person I would kill you for pulling that stunt! Do you even realize how much trouble I got in!” I said quietly yelling at him.

“I believe you are being sarcastic by saying you’d kill me but, I am very sorry for sending you into that game without processing everything that could happen. I’m still very new at this.” Icarus said calmly.

“What do you mean your new at this?”

“As you know I’m an artificial intelligence, but it doesn’t mean that I am born or rather made to be all-knowing about the things I'm programmed to know. I have to learn things before I can understand them.” Icarus stated.

“ I guess I can let you off the hook this time but please think about things before acting upon those things,” I said laying down. 

“I will but unfortunately, I am going to have to go. As you know I have a very busy job but I will be back. I love our talks. Farewell for now Eclipse.” Icarus said.

Once Icarus disappeared, I started to relax in my bed and somehow I fell asleep without realizing it. A few hours passed by and I felt my phone was ringing, so I slowly grabbed my phone and answered it.

"Hello?" I said tiredly.

"Hey Alli, how are you doing?" My friend said silently.

"Oh, you know waking up to a phone call that was answered literally 5 seconds ago. How about you?" I said sarcastically.

"Okay, I can do without the sarcasm Alli. Anyways, I called to tell you that I made the team. somehow." Kayla said.

"Well I'm happy for you but um did anything happen after I hacked myself into the game," I asked shyly.

"After, your brother took you home he called in and told Jay to look after everything. I don't think anyone really knows it was you because of that new username of yours." Kayla explained.

"New username? What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"Yeah, you're new username is Eclipse right? Your player model is different too but I could tell it was you and I'm guessing your brother could as well." Kayla stated.

"Well, I guess I can say that I officially did the impossible by hacking into my own Holoscape," I said slightly proud of myself.

"So what are you planning to do next?" Kayla asked.

"Well, improve the Holoscape of course, but that's gonna take time. After that, I have no idea." I said partially lying to her.

"Okay well, once you figure out something notify me. I want to join you for the ride." Kayla said semi-jokingly.

"Will do"

"Anyways, I have to get going now. It's very late and I most definitely don't want to be late for the first practice. I'm also guessing I'll see you there since your most likely in trouble." Kayla said.

"Yeah, I'll be there. Good night Kayla." 

"Night Alli," Kayla said hanging up.

Once our conversation came to an end, I found myself on the verge of sleep again so instead of forcing myself awake I invited the darkness of my eyelids closing along with the dreams that follow.