Just A Game

Will jolted awake at the sound of a staticy screech. His hands flew to his ears as he flinched at the painful noise, then immediately realised it had come from his earbud and he was achieving nothing by covering his ears.

He looked around. He was one of the last people in bed. He sighed and sat up, rubbing his eyes. Suddenly, a new fear came to him; what if he'd been given his task while he was asleep and he didn't know? What if there was no way for him to get his task done now? He'd die if that were the case!

Will sprang out of bed and desperately looked around the room for a clock or a window or any way to tell what time it was.

"Fuck." He groaned.

A hand landed on his shoulder. He jerked forward and turned around faster than he meant to. Andrea retracted her hand and blinked at him in surprise.

"Oh, it's you. Sorry..." Will sighed in relief. "Do you know what time it is?"

"No, I'm not sure." Andrea fidgeted nervously. "Listen, Will, can we please talk? This is impor-"

"This isn't a good time, okay? I'm sorry, but I'm freaking out right now. Did you get your task yet?"

"No." 

"Okay, good. Maybe I'm not doomed."

"Will, I know this isn't the best time, but when is a good time?" Asked Andrea. "I'm sick of this. Even before we were brought here, you were avoiding me. Do you think I'm trying to break up with you or something?"

Will wasn't sure how to get out of this situation. He was trying to pretend that night hadn't happened, but it wasn't exactly easy when it was all Andrea wanted to talk about. He felt bad, but he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do.

"We'll talk about it eventually, honey." He promised. "I just...I need time to process what happened. Don't you?"

"I think two weeks is plenty enough time, but go ahead, avoid me to your hearts content. God, I thought you were better than this."

She turned and walked in the opposite direction. Will almost tried to stop her. He wanted to make sure she was okay, part of him did want to hear what she had to say, but he didn't think he'd ever be ready. 

"Eesh. That sounded messy."

Will glanced behind him. He wasn't sure how long Ash had been there and didn't particularly care. He just hoped Ash hadn't heard everything.

"Do you know what time it is?" Asked Will.

"No, but it's still pretty early. I don't think anyone's got their task yet, if that's what you're worried about."

 Will nodded, relieved. 

"Do you want food?" Asked Ash. "You'll need energy; it's your first real day as a game player."

He didn't wait for an answer before pulling an apple out of his hoodie pocket and handing it to Will. 

"Thanks." Mumbled Will. He accepted the offering and walked back to his bed to sit down.

Ash sat on the floor by the bed. "Think you're prepared for today?"

"Not at all." Will flatly answered before biting the apple. After he'd swallowed, he continued, "I wasn't exactly expecting to be kidnapped and dragged here in my sleep, so I'm not really prepared for anything."

"I appreciate the honesty." Ash leaned back against the edge of the bed. "No one's really prepared for anything because no one can know what's coming. We can only hope today won't be so bad. And pretend we've got our shit together."