As Greta packed her bag for school, her aunt Helen entered with a tired sigh. "Bills and bills and bills, they just keep piling up, don't they?" she asked sarcastically.
Greta zipped up her bag, hesitating as she remembered the extra quantox she had from the money Felix had given her. Though meant for her personal interest, she knew her aunt needed it more.
"Here, take this. It's not much but maybe it'll help" she offered as she placed the money into Helen's hands. Her aunt's eyes widened in surprise.
"Greta, 400 quantox is more than enough. Where'd you get the money from. I hope you're not stealing" she warned frantically.
"Why do you always have to think negatively about me aunt! If you don't need the money, I'll give it to someone who'd appreciate it more" Greta yelled angered by her aunt's line of thinking.
"Greta, I appreciate it but… I just want you to be safe. I know sometimes it may seem like things are too difficult and you'd want to step in and be like the hero…" Helen tried explaining when Greta interjected as she took her aunt's hands firmly in her own, "Things will get better, I promise" determination blazed in her gaze comforting her worried aunt.
With a thankful hug and lingering worries, Helen finally nodded. "I wish your mom where here to see the brave girl you've become. Now get to school before your late" Helen cautioned calmly as Greta ran off.
Greta arrived at school to find Aurelia waiting for her at the gates. She was quite surprised to meet Aurelia intentionally waiting for her but she decided not to make a whole fuss about it. She grinned as they chattered about the game and laughing over experiences. Their rapport came easy as siblings, filling Greta's heart seeing Aurelia smile.
From afar, Catalina watched with quiet interest. Popular Aurelia rarely associated with people like Greta yet she seemed at ease, delighting in Greta's company without her usual airs. As the first bell rang and Greta and Aurelia parted ways, Catalina's curiosity only grew.
****
Alex set the table as mouthwatering aromas wafted from the kitchen. Taking his seat, he watched as his excited young brother Finn bounced on his chair. Soon his mother entered balancing a steaming roast chicken, vegetables. As she sat, Alex grinned "Smells nice." His mother smiled warmly as she received his compliment.
"Okay, Alex is smiling with mom. Nice to see" his sister, Freya commented as they all chuckled.
"Hey Alex, have you heard about the new videogame, Octavius grimoire?" his brother asked in between bites.
"Yeah, what about it?" Alex asked with a smile.
"It's super cool!" he said ecstatically.
"Oh, yeah?" Alex asked.
"Yeah! I listen to the progress report from my friends at school. Player 18inRehab sounds so cool. Can you imagine getting recognition from the game creator himself? All my friends at school are rooting for him" Finn mentioned and immediately, Alex felt like he had a lot of explaining to do. Of course his sister and mother would realize that maybe he was 18inrehab since he was actually 18 in rehabilitation. Fortunately for him, his mother didn't notice, but his sister had a question or two.
"It's okay boys, no talking before you choke on something" Alex's mother warned calmly as her children quietly enjoyed their meal afterwards.
After dinner, Alex climbed the stairs heading up to his room when a voice brought him to a pause.
"Alex, can we talk?" her sage green eyes searched his as he drew near, full of concern. "I looked up your name on the game's leaderboard, you're gaining on the top players"
"There's a public leaderboard?" Alex asked confused. "Wait a minute, I'm not playing the game" Alex lied.
"18inRehab, I'm not that dumb. You're the player Finn and his friends idolize" Freya stated.
"Don't tell mom, and Finn also, don't tell him" Alex begged.
"You're really good, Ally and I know how much this all means to you and Avia. But if you did win, that man that's offering such a reward, it might attract dangerous people. Please be careful" Freya pleaded.
Squeezing back reassuringly, Alex spoke from the heart. "I promise I won't let anyone hurt me or our family because of the game" Freya then sighed hugging him close.
"I know you will"
******
It was long after Avia and her allies had completed the day's scheduled questing when she found herself drawn back to the VR experience. Staring into her helmet's gleaming interior, she traced fingers along the well-worn straps. While her body rested, within a Octavius grimoire was a world of limitless possibility extended far beyond any scheduled boundaries, she thought. Curiosity and wonder got the better of her caution as Avia lifted the helmet and secured it in placed one more.
As familiar codes and sensations welcomed her return to the game, she noticed just how attached she'd grown to this alternative life. As she wandered the mist-shrouded realm outside the usual town hub and scheduled quests, she felt drawn to discover its nooks and history. Upon arriving, a warm voice greeted her, "Welcome and thank you for playing"
She came across so many places that she read of while growing up. In the village square, phantom cries echoed from the supposed sacrifice of the last which of Montague. At the tavern, spectres reenacted Hanbity's massacre in grisly dance.
Yet one humble abode called Avia's soul. As she approached, a maternal energy seemed to invite shelter from the mist. But when her hands rose to knock, an unseen barrier repelled her touch yet welcomed her essence.
"You have reached your limit. Return to the town hub" a soothed voice spoke. Reluctantly, Avia withdrew from the threshold. As form dissolved into sparks after returning to the hub.
She took off her helmet in awe at what she had just witnessed in the game.
"Edward's more than just a game developer, cause how the fuck did he get almost every detail of their home" she thought out loud shocked by Edwards creativity and formidable knowledge.