Filed to story: Outplayed Story (Brooklyn & Ethan) Book PDF Free
Bravura:
I noticed those too, but I still can’t see the pattern to it. I guess we’ll have to see what we come across in round 2.
Three flashing dots appeared that suggested he was typing. They stopped. Then started again and stopped again. Brook drummed her fingers on her leg in frustration.
The message finally appeared.
Blaze: I’m sorry I was so rude when we played in round 1. Winning is important to me. But I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.
Brook sniffed. No, he bloody well shouldn’t have. She typed back:
What happened to ‘it’s just a game’?
Blaze:
I may as well tell you. Something happened in real life. I suddenly find myself in need of money. Winning this tournament would be the easiest way to get what I need in the time frame that I need it. So my attitude went from not caring much about winning to it being very important. But, as I say, that is not your problem. You were doing your best. I’m sorry for snapping at you.
Brook read the message twice. That sounded ominous, like there were goons waiting to break his legs if he didn’t pay up.
Bravura:
Are you okay? Are you in danger?
Blaze:
Not in danger. Lol. I suppose it does sound like that from my message. No. I just need to invest in something that’s important to me or risk losing it. Real life can be a drag sometimes.
Bravura:
Can’t it just!
Blaze:
So. A truce? You do your best. I’ll do mine.
Bravura:
A truce. I will practise as much as I can though.
Blaze:
And I’ll try and think about what’s going on with the game.
Brook went downstairs feeling much better about life because Blaze wasn’t an asshat and she had managed to talk to him without coming across as a massive fangirl.
She could feel the connection forming between them. He obviously felt comfortable enough to tell her something about his personal life – something he rarely did. He needed to win. He hadn’t shared the fact that he had financial troubles on YouTube. He had entrusted her with a secret. Maybe he saw her as a friend. She hoped so. To her, he already was a trusted friend.
Of course, now it became even more important that she didn’t screw things up in SyrenQuest. If Blaze needed to win, she would do her best to help him. Even if it meant practising late into the night. She would not let him down.
Much to Brook’s relief, round two of the game seemed more of a test of agility than fighting skills. Once again, they were looking for a key. She and Blaze were making good time. The first hurdle involved crossing a swollen river by jumping on the debris that was floating past. She watched it for a few seconds, counting under her breath. If she fell, she would either drown, or get swept off until she was miles away from Blaze.
‘I’m going for it.’ Blaze took a run-up and jumped, landing on a tree that was hurtling past. He landed and by the time he’d regained his balance, was quite a way downstream.
‘Head upstream.’ Brook took a few steps back, ran, and jumped. She landed on a log. She righted herself and leapt to the next one. She kept an eye on where Blaze was and headed towards him, so that they didn’t get separated.
‘This is like …’ Blaze jumped again. ‘That
Crossy Road game on steroids.’
Brook was actually enjoying it. She was finally better at something than he was. She was already nearer the opposite shore than he was. One final leap and she landed a little short of the shore. But the river was shallower at the edge, so she waded out and clambered onto the grassy bank. Blaze took a massive leap and landed with a splash. He lost his footing and got carried downriver a short way before he got up and waded to the shore. Brook walked down to meet him.
‘Phew,’ he said. ‘That was fun.’
‘Where to next?’
They both looked up at the wayfinder, which was leading towards the trees that were not far from the river’s edge.
‘Deep, dark woods,’ said Blaze. ‘Come on, you.’
His tone was friendlier than it had been last time. That was good. If he was joking around with her, he must like her. Right? Brook kept pace with him, jogging along, sword in hand, her senses on high alert. She had spent most of the evenings between rounds practising. If they got attacked, she really, really hoped she didn’t need to be rescued by him again. The field they were running through had knee-high grass and little yellow flowers. There were birds overhead.
‘This is nice,’ she said.
‘Nothing’s trying to kill us,’ Blaze said in return. ‘That’s weird.’
He had a good point. The wayfinder led them to a wood. The meadow ended abruptly where the trees began. The contrast between the two made the woods look even darker.
‘Okay.
Now something is going to try to kill us.’ Blaze took out his cutlass.
Brook tightened her grip on her sword. ‘There’s no path. I guess we just wade in?’
‘Sounds as good a plan as any. Come on then.’ He plunged in.