“Well that’s just not acceptable. A little mindless killing is good for your soul,” Milo mutters.
“I don’t think you’ll find many people who agree with you on that. In fact, I think most people would vehemently disagree with you.”
Milo chuckles then reaches over and taps a button on my remote, bringing it to life.
We’ve only barely made my character, a kick ass chick with bright hair and skintight clothes when Ollie drops down on the other side of me. He places his palms flat on the ground, one behind me, and leans back. I sneak a peek at him from the corner of my eye, wondering why he didn’t sit next to Milo.
“Ignore him. He’s trying to distract us so he’ll get a turn.” Milo sighs while selecting a map, and we’re transported to a wasteland where we have to fight for our lives.
At first, I have a hard time controlling my character. I keep moving the wrong stick so I’m looking all around instead of aiming my gun in different directions.
Before long I’m so engrossed in my half of the screen that I don’t notice when someone comes up behind me and kills me. My death scene replays in slow motion, as I watch a guy stick a knife in my throat.
“He totally cheated. He snuck up behind me.” I’m outraged. That garners a few low chuckles from them.
“That’s all part of the game sweetheart. My turn.” Ollie snatches my remote. He re-spawns as they call it in a completely different area of the map. Within seconds he’s running and shooting everyone with skilled efficiency. He slows, stalking behind someone and pulls the same maneuver that was done to me. “There, got him back for you,” he boasts, and without missing a beat he’s off and running. The screen moves so fast it’s almost dizzying.
I look over my shoulder and spy Dante watching us with a tiny grin tipping his lips.
He crooks his finger, urging me to him. I jostle Oliver a bit when I crawl in front of him, so I don’t block the TV. His eyes drop to me and his hands stop flying over the buttons. I hear the death gurgle I’ve come to recognize from a sniper knife attack.
“Not fair,” he mumbles still watching me. I stand when I’ve cleared the viewing area and move to the opposite side of the sofa, leaving an empty cushion between Dante and me.
This is nice and all; I’ve never really got to just hang out with anyone like this, but I really need to find out what’s going on. Why I feel this bizarre connection to them, and more importantly why I’m craving the feeling they invoke when they touch my skin.
Dante blinks at me slowly, he’s always so quiet. Never saying more than what’s absolutely necessary. Even when we were at the diner, Milo and Ollie did most of the talking.
“It’s getting kind of late,” I utter, hoping they’ll get the hint.
“Where did you move from?” Dante asks, surprising me.
“Michigan,” I respond without thought.
“And before that?”
“Wyoming, why?”
“And before that?”
I take a second to remember. We don’t always change states, sometimes just from one city to the next. ”What does it matter?”
“I’m just trying to figure out some things,” Dante answers innocently.
“Well isn’t that why I’m here? You acted like you knew something about me.”
The noise of the video game cuts off, leaving only the low hum of music behind.
“I’m just trying—” a throat clears interrupting Dante, before he starts again, “We’re just trying to figure how it is you’re here, and seem to be completely in the dark about what we are, and more importantly, what you are.”
I throw my hands in the air. “See, that’s what I’m talking about. How is it you pretend to know me, but apparently you don’t have a clue yourself?” I stand up. Done with this whole thing. The tingles I’ve been feeling can probably be chalked up to regular teenage hormones. There isn’t anything special happening here, just a couple of boys playing with the new girl’s head. “Can you just take me home or drop me off at the diner? I’ll walk from there,” I rush out.
“Laura,” Oliver calls to me.
“What?” My tone should tell him I’m not in the mood to joke around. He takes my hand in his. The strange feeling starts in my palm and moves up my wrist. While I’m looking down at our hands, distracted, Milo comes over and takes my other hand. The