The unexpected meeting

A dark room filled with a large screen and split visuals. A man with limp platinum hair sat on top of his computer chair instead of in the seat.

"You are gonna fall off if you keep doing that!" A voice chimed.

"Leave me alone…" He muffled.

Bringing a newly unwrapped chocolate bar to his mouth. Staring and clicking the cordless mouse by rubbing it against his torn jeans.

"I am going to Coral's house after this."

"These two idiots…" The man grunted.

"You plan to erase their memories again?"

"Of course I will, Missy." He smirked.

"I see…Holden has shown signs of promise in this project."

"He will face Maverick in the tournament." The man mumbled.

Missy strolled over to pour a cup of coffee. Taking it to the desk afterwards flicking on her table light. Jotting down several notes she listened to the hum of the large processor on both sides of the huge monitor.

"She most likely has fainted already, Missy."

"Going now then…"

"You need to make friends with the family's, Missy please!" He begged.

"Understood,"

Finishing the treat he watched Holden finish the fight ripping the beast in half. Maverick was physically exhausted from using is abilities relentlessly.

The man pulled out his cellphone. Gawking through the list he pushed the speed dial.

"Hey, Colton…I have a request."

Back at the dungeon Fae collapsed into Maverick's arms. She had lost consciousness being released from her temporary prison.

Her hands trembling lightly. Maverick panicked quickly gazing at Holden from the sidelines only checking his loots from the creature.

"Idiot! I need to come over here!" Maverick argued.

"I thought you didn't want me to touch her." Holden replied.

"I need to go to her house and check on her, but I need you to sit with her." He explained.

"Fine…but are you saying you trust me?" Holden asked.

"My name is Maverick! I will send you my number." He snapped.

"Gotcha, but call me soon as you get there."

Maverick goes offline. Holden felt a pang of jealousy realizing these two know each other in reality as her game body instantly disappeared in front of his eyes.

"Idiot, she passed out and there is a nurse here." Maverick shouted.

"Okay so I can leave now?" Holden questioned.

"Yeah, but meet me later okay?"

"Gotcha, take care." Holden replied.

The signal cut out. He turned the other way to find someone he had seen in front of him. The man carried a familiar eerie aura about himself.

"You are here! You are here! You are here!" He shouted.

"I am here?" Holden answered.

"Do you not remember me?" He asked.

The earlier fight where Holden had almost fought. Miles had been injured. Why was he in the game?

"I was told you aren't fully working how expected." He laughed.

"Oh good does that mean I can leave?" Holden questioned.

"Not exactly…"

[We will be transported to a new area…incoming]

The abandoned town in which he had met Ivor. Holden brought the screen up to find he could not even leave even if he wished.

"Your greatest problem is kindness…" The man howled.

Holden stood with his head hanging low. Looking at his reflection from the mans fingers felt weird to him.

"What is wrong with being kind?" Holden pondered.

"You are a reaper act like it!" He shouted.

"But I am not a reaper! I was picked to be this…"

"But you are…I am being paid a lot so I need you to see things my way." The man stated.

"Why do I wish to see it your way?"

Holden knew he was stuck here. Nothing could be worse than being around someone who assualted your friend.

"How about we meet in real life!"

Holden was not impressed. The whole talk only made him more upset about the first time he met the psychotic man.

"Hell no!" Holden roared.

His anger magnified acknowledging the fact he was even here. Creeping closer to Holden he inched back further to stop.

"You won't find resolution here it seems." Ivor explained.

"Resolution?" Holden replied.

"Holden, there is never justice…" He smiled.

Appalled it never hit him. You see people arrested and taken to jail, but often times than naught they are let off super easily.

"The proof is in front of you." The man grinned.

"Why are telling me this now?" Holden inquired.

"Because now you can become justice…" Ivor said.

"I am even more confused."

"You know it's okay Holden because you are going to forget everything!" Ivor said happily.

Before he could say anything let alone time to struggle. Holden became instantly limp in Ivors hands. His eyes slightly opened dizzily to the room spinning around him.

Everything felt like dream like. He couldn't fight his slumbering state being driven into his system.

"Is Missy there?" Ivor questioned.

Holden's manifested body vanished. The stabber became nervous hobbling toward Ivor.

"If you are curious your payment is coming." Ivor stated.

"Even though I failed to get it into him?" He questioned.

"Who said you are done?" Ivor chimed.

"Not done?"

"He needs guidance later." Ivor snickers.

"So what does that mean?"

"Are you that STUPID? You will be given shelter and food to take care of Holden!" He yelled.

The man was so shocked he couldn't speak. He was stealing electricity to live now he is being given it for free to take care of a kid.

"Why me?" He inquired.

"Welcome to the project Markus."

Feeling his eyes widening and tearing up. Everything had been a good hard strive to survive. Ivor motioned to press the button to turn the device off.

"I will see you on the otherside?" Markus said.

Taking the helmet off he slid off the small medical table. Going into the next he is greeted by the nurse who shows him out.

"Ivor wants to greet you." She smiled.

"Thank you?" Markus said.

"He will inform you what to do next."

"Understood." Markus replied.

"Have a good day."