The night hung heavy over Gamer's Paradise, the low hum of old lights buzzing faintly in the corners. At our table, Lola, Tayo, and Jay sat in shadows, faces barely lit by the flickering neon sign nearby. They'd been giving me looks all week, subtle hints that they had something to bring up. I'd been waiting for it.
Lola broke the silence first. "So, the stories," she said, voice barely above a whisper. "They're getting harder to ignore."
Tayo's gaze flickered to me, his brows knit with concern. "We've heard rumors for years, Mike. But now... it feels different. People are talking like they're expecting something to happen."
Jay snorted, shaking his head. "People say a lot of things, Tayo. Some kid probably lifted a crate, and now they're calling him Hercules reincarnated."
Lola gave him a look. "It's more than that, Jay. The people talking aren't just the usual gossips. Traders, scavengers… even some of the tougher folks are whispering about it. When they're spooked, there's usually a reason."
I leaned back, gathering my thoughts. They each had a point, but as usual, it fell to me to strike a balance. "So… are you saying you believe it?"
Lola sighed, her fingers tracing idle patterns on the table. "Not entirely. But we can't pretend these stories don't have weight. They're stirring people up, and that talk can get dangerous."
Jay scoffed, crossing his arms. "Superstitions, rumors… it's just noise, Mike. Why waste time on ghost stories?"
Tayo looked thoughtful, glancing between them. "Whether it's true or not isn't the issue. The problem is people believe it's true. That alone changes things. People will react, and if the corporations catch wind… well, they won't miss an opportunity to sink their teeth in."
I nodded. "Exactly. People believe what they need to believe, especially out there. But here? We can't afford to ignore the effect those stories have."
Jay grunted, clearly unconvinced. "So what? You want us to treat Gamer's Paradise like some haven for supernatural refugees?"
I smiled faintly. "Not exactly. We don't need to buy into every story that walks through the door. But we need to be smart. If there are gifted people out there—if they're real—they're just people trying to survive, like anyone else. If they find their way here, we give them the same respect we'd give anyone. No labels. No spectacle."
Lola leaned forward, her gaze steady. "And what about the corporations? They're bound to start poking around."
"They've already tried," I replied. "But we keep them at arm's length. Independence comes first, no matter what they offer."
Tayo nodded slowly. "Alright, but what's the play, Mike? We can't control what's happening out there. But if more… anomalies show up, it'll bring heat. And not the good kind."
I met each of their eyes in turn. "The plan stays the same. We keep building what we've made here. And if folks with unusual talents come through, we let them blend in. We don't make a big deal out of it. As long as they're here to build something with us, they're welcome."
Jay sighed, but there was understanding in his eyes. "Fine. I still think it's all noise. But… I get it. We keep the peace, no matter what. Just don't expect me to start believing in ghost stories."
Lola's expression softened, a small smile breaking through. "It's not about believing, Jay. It's about being ready for anything. That's how we've survived."
"Exactly," I said. "Stories have power, even if they're just that. And sometimes… they turn out to be true."
A quiet fell over us. Outside, Gamer's Paradise hummed along, unaware of the weight of our conversation. But as I looked around the table, I knew one thing: we were ready.
Then, as if on cue, Lola's expression shifted, concern creasing her brow. "Speaking of strange happenings… anyone seen Chi lately?"
Tayo chuckled, though a hint of worry lingered in his eyes. "Last I saw, he was headed toward the old scrapyard, muttering something about parts he needed."
Jay rolled his eyes. "Probably on another scavenger hunt. That guy's always neck-deep in some broken machine or relic from the past."
Lola raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. "True, but it's been a while, even for him. Usually, he'd pop in, show us some gadget, and disappear again."
I nodded, feeling a twinge of unease. "He's been gone longer than usual. I know he likes his space, but it's unlike him to vanish without a word."
Jay shrugged. "Maybe he's onto something big. You know Chi—if he thinks he's cracked some ancient tech, he won't rest till he's dug it all up."
Tayo glanced at the window, concern deepening. "Yeah, but with all this talk about the 'gifted,' it's risky for him to be wandering alone. What if someone mistakes him for one of these 'anomalies'?"
Lola nodded, her tone serious. "That's exactly it. Chi's different. Out there, people don't know him like we do. They see someone eccentric, digging in places most wouldn't go, and they could assume the worst."
The thought sat heavy. Chi was like family. Sure, he kept to himself, but he was as solid as they came, and he'd built so much of what made Gamer's Paradise function. Outside, people wouldn't see that. They'd just see someone who didn't quite fit.
"Alright," I said, setting my jaw. "We give him another day. If he doesn't check in, I'll go find him. Can't have him out there with this tension brewing."
Jay nodded, his tone unusually serious. "Good. Can't lose Chi. And honestly? I'd feel better knowing he's back. Even if he comes back grumbling about being 'bothered.'"
Lola's gaze softened. "He'd probably lecture us on privacy. But yeah… let's bring him home. He might not say it, but he needs us as much as we need him."
A quiet resolve settled over us. Chi wasn't just a tech scavenger. He was part of our foundation. And we weren't letting him drift without a fight.
There was more I wanted to share with the crew, but some things were best left unsaid. Chi wasn't just tinkering with salvaged parts—he was part of something bigger, a network operating under the radar. The Wayfarers, a group of colleagues bound by loyalty and purpose, were quietly defending our haven. Not enforcers, exactly; that'd draw too much attention. Their approach was subtle, like shadows slipping through the underbelly of the uncivilized lands, neutralizing trouble before it took root.
Lately, though, a new breed of nuisance had set its sights on us. Syndicates, not just looters or traders, but organized groups eyeing what we'd built. They didn't just want a piece—they wanted control. And they were more than willing to bring force into the equation.
But they'd underestimated Chi.
Quietly, Chi and his Wayfarer network had been deflecting these threats before they ever reached our doorstep. He had a way of sensing problems, like catching the scent of smoke before the fire broke. His network worked in whispers, watching, tracking, moving in the shadows.
Just last week, one syndicate had planned to flex its muscle, aiming to strong-arm us into cooperation. I only found out afterward—Chi's briefing was nonexistent, as usual. The Wayfarers intercepted them miles out, positioning themselves strategically. No violence, just the kind of quiet intimidation Chi specialized in, enough to make the syndicate rethink their interest.
Chi knew that maintaining our calm facade was as much a part of Gamer's Paradise's strength as the peace we kept within our walls. To outsiders, it would look like the syndicates simply lost interest, maybe realized we weren't worth the effort. But I knew better.
The fewer who knew, the better. And Chi understood that better than anyone. We were more than just a safe space in a hostile world. We were a fortress—silent, vigilant, and always prepared.