Chapter 2

There was a silence on the other end of the line as though the woman was suspended in disbelief. She then seemed to find her voice again.

"Miss Willis, you will not regret this decision," she said emphatically.

I gazed heavenward and thought to myself, I sure hope not.

"My name is Amaranthe, by the way. I'll be your liaison until your Game Host takes over. There are a few things I am obligated to tell you before setting up your travel arrangements, however."

Oh boy, here we go. Alarm bells started to jangle in my head. "Go for it," I said, trying not to sound as panicked as I was beginning to feel.

"There's a possibility you'll get injured in the game. We do have healing potions and salves, and we will monitor your health at all times. But you may end up with a few cuts and bruises.

Also, some of our food is... special. It can give you certain abilities. We've been accused of using narcotics, but I can assure you that's not the case. None of our food is detrimental to your health.

Some of the game's content can be rather sexual in nature, too. We won't ask you to get naked or participate in any sexual acts, of course. But don't be surprised if an NPC makes a lewd remark or tries to grab your butt."

At that last statement I couldn't help but snort-snicker. "Let me get this straight," I said, "I'm going to get hurt, get high, and get groped?"

Amaranthe chortled. "While the game can be fun, Miss Willis, it is also very, very realistic. Our tech is unlike anything Microsoft, Google, or Sony have even dreamed of. You will not be merely a player controlling a character. You will be fully immersed within the game."

My stupid grin faded as I let her words sink in. "Why was I chosen?" I asked, somewhat breathlessly.

"Since that directly correlates with the Ultimate Prize," Amaranthe crooned, "I cannot tell you why."

I passed a hand over my face. So the ultimate prize is tailored to each player? Or are the players tailored to the ultimate prize? Clenching my jaw, I said, "Alright. I'm still in. What now?"

I could hear the smile in Amaranthe's voice as she said, "Now we get you enrolled and set up your travel arrangements so we can see you on the twenty-sixth."

* * * * *

Rebecca danced through the door just as I was finishing Jane Eyre (for the umpteenth time). Considering it was almost midnight and Rebecca was wearing a very uncharacteristic shit-eating grin, I surmised that things had gone well.

"So?" I asked.

She winked at me. "It was worth the wait."

I squealed and clapped my hands. "Plop a squat," I said, patting the couch. "Tell me all the gory details."

Rebecca threw herself into the couch cushions and sighed dramatically. "Oh, Kate. I had such an amazing time!" She proceeded to tell me all about the rides and games, the teddy bear Nick had won for her that was so big it couldn't fit in her sports coupe, the cotton candy snafu, and, of course, The Kiss.

When she was done all I could do was sit there and stare dreamily at her. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly envious of my roommate.

"I couldn't have asked for a better night," Rebecca gushed. "He might just be the one, Kate."

I cringed inwardly. I'd heard that before—a few times—over the last three years. She always seemed to fall in love with the one, and fall right back out faster than I could blink.

"We need to find you a man so we can go on double dates," Rebecca said, patting me on the leg.

"Becks," I groaned, "do we have to have this conversation again? I told you, I haven't found anyone that meets my standards."

Rolling her eyes, Rebecca said, "They can't all be Rochesters, Kate."

I glanced down at the book in my lap. "No, they certainly can't," I murmured.

"Besides," she continued, "the kiss is what tells you who a man really is." Suddenly, her eyes narrowed. "Speaking of kisses... Do you owe me one?"

I couldn't help but giggle. "It's a good thing you already got your fill, because you won't be getting any smooches from me. I called right after you left. My flight plans are all in order."

Rebecca squealed and pounced on me in a hug. "My little introvert is going out into the world! How exciting! Ohmygosh, Kate! What are you going to wear?"

I gazed up into the heavens. "Something practical, Becks. I can't fight monsters in a dress and heels, you know."

She cocked an eyebrow at me. "Wait, are you going to be, like, in the game? Kicking and swinging and biting and all that?"

Chuckling, I told her, "Well, I hope there won't be any biting, but Amaranthe said the game was going to be pretty real; pretty intense."

Rebecca shot me a look. "Amaranthe? What kind of name is that? Sounds like an exotic Norwegian princess or something."

I grinned at her. "Maybe she is. Maybe the ultimate prize is her handsome Norwegian prince brother."

At that the two of us dissolved into fits of giggles. Finally catching her breath, Rebecca said, "That would be right up your alley, Kathryn Willis."

I smirked. "Yeah, it certainly would."

My roommate gazed at me fondly. "Two weeks, huh? Well, maybe I can wait that long to find you a novel-worthy boyfriend."

When I tried to swat her with a throw pillow she gracefully avoided the maneuver and heaved herself from the couch, laughing.

"Remember we've got brunch with our folks tomorrow," she said jovially. "Don't stay up too late practicing."

I rolled my eyes at her. "I make no promises. Goodnight, Becks."

"'Night, Kate."

After Rebecca had made her way up to her bedroom I glanced at my game consoles. Should I be practicing? I waved my hand dismissively. From the way Amaranthe explained things, it sounded like I needed to hit the gym rather than lounge on the couch playing games.

But it wasn't really preparations I was concerned about. What worried me was how I was going to concentrate on anything other than The Game for the next two weeks.

"Kathryn, darling, are you eating enough? You look so frail."

I groaned inwardly. "I'm fine, Mom."

My mother tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "You look so pale. And I would swear you've lost weight."

"I've gained five pounds since I last saw you!" I huffed. "And I'm stuck inside a building, hunched over a computer forty hours a week. I don't see a lot of sun."

"This is California, honey. You should see lots of sun. You need a man to drag you out of the house!"

Rebecca giggled and I kicked her under the table. To divert the topic from men, I asked Mrs. Miller, "How are the renovations going?"

Rebecca's mother beamed. "Splendid! The parlor looks spectacular. That God-awful Parquet is gone. The white marble is much more attractive. And the kitchen! Oh, Sharon," she gushed, turning to my mom, "You really need to give Roberto a try! He's a miracle worker!"

While the two women yammered on about interior decorating and our fathers discussed the latest big Silicon Valley merger, Rebecca and I busied ourselves with our meal. She and I both grew up in affluent families, but we were also both strong, independent women. It made us uncomfortable to be reminded how wealthy—and quite frankly, how snobby—our parents were. Neither of us really wanted to be here.

"Did you tell your parents about the game?" Rebecca asked me quietly.

"What game?" My mother asked, cocking her head at me.

I shot Rebecca a look that could have wilted a dandelion. She shrunk a bit under my gaze and gave me a halfhearted shrug.

"Honey, what game?"

Turning to my mom, I intoned, "I got a new game the other day. It's a first-person shooter set in another galaxy." I knew full well that my answer wouldn't make her happy.

"Ugh. Darling, those video games will rot your brain."

My dad piped up, "Your mother's right, Kathryn. Why don't you go out and find a nice boy to date, instead?"

I rolled my eyes and slumped in my chair. I was getting the boyfriend talk from all sides! Why couldn't anyone understand that no mere mortal could hold my attention? I needed someone otherworldly, someone... mythical.

"You know," Dad continued, "we have a new intern at the office. He's a good kid. Has a great work ethic. I'm fairly sure he's single. Maybe I could set up something for the two of you?"

"Dad, I'm not interested in a blind date." I wasn't really sure whether I was more furious or more embarrassed at my father's proposal.

Just as he opened his mouth to expound all the glorious virtues of his new intern, Rebecca saved me. "Kate and I should probably get going. We're volunteering at the Senior Center today." It was a big fat fib, but I knew it was a fib our parents would buy. More importantly, it was a fib our parents would approve of and let us go.

"You kids really should come out to Beverly Hills more often," Mrs. Miller gushed. "We rarely see you these days!"

Rebecca stood and bent to kiss her mother's cheek. "We're a little busy building our lives, you know," she said, throwing me a wink.

I suppressed a giggle and rose to hug my parents. "I'll call you guys soon," I promised.

Once comfortably seated in the passenger seat of Rebecca's coupe, I told her, "Thanks for saving me. It almost makes up for throwing me under the bus."

She was quick to defend herself. "I didn't think they'd hear me! They were too busy debating over silk flowers versus real flowers!" Starting the car, she steered us toward the 101. "I take it you don't want your parents to know about the game."

"They'd throw a fit," I grumbled. "You know they would. They'd see it as childish and irresponsible."

"Yeah, you're probably right."

"There's no 'probably' about it."

Rebecca drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. "Kate, if the game is really real and really intense, could you get hurt?"

"Amaranthe said I might get scratched or bruised," I said after a moment's hesitation. "But I doubt anything serious could happen to me. Can you imagine the lawsuits they'd have to endure if something bad were to happen to a player?"

"But what if something bad does happen and they have to call your parents?"

"If they ask me for an emergency contact, I'll list you. You're a nurse, after all. You're much better suited to come to my aid."

She threw me a quick grin before returning her eyes to the road. "I still can't believe it's real, you know? And I'm so curious about the prize!"

"Believe me, I know. I'm still kind of expecting the worst." I sighed heavily. "But if it is as amazing as Amaranthe promised..."

"Did she say why you were chosen to participate?" Rebecca asked.

"She said she couldn't tell me because it was related to the prize."

My roommate's eyebrows shot up. "Well, that's interesting."

Personally, I thought "interesting" was a serious understatement. Intriguing, beguiling, mystifying... those words came a little closer, but still weren't quite up to par.

Yes, it was going to be a very long two weeks.