I was early for work, thankfully.
I immediately got to work and cleaned every nook and cranny of the hospital before most of the patients woke up.
I got to a ward and thought I should clean there as well. A woman was laying there and she looked oddly familiar.
*Chris, is it possible that some of the people in the real world are in this game as well?*
*That is possible Harper but most of them are not real*
*Does that mean that they're players just like me?*
*No*
Why do I find this woman familiar? I have definitely seen her somewhere in the real world, but where?
I'm beginning to find somethings strange. First, that symbol and now, this woman.
'Excuse me?'
Someone tapped on my shoulder.
'Who are you?'
I turned to look at the person. It was a young lady and she was smiling sweetly at me.
'Hi, I'm so sorry. I just came to clean this place up'
'It's no problem. I just came to check up on my mom'
So the woman was her mother.
*Warning! That girl is a level two player*
*Level two?! Is she here to eliminate me then?*
*No. Only level five can do that but be careful, we can't trust anyone*
*Got it. I better get out of here*
'Goodbye miss. You can look after your mom now'
'Wait! Please'
*Harper, do not wait!*
It was too late. She already grabbed my hand.
'I know you're a player as well'
'What? What are you talking about?'
'You don't need to be afraid, I'm not here to harm you. All I want now, is for my mother to get well'
The girl looked at her mother fondly.
*Maybe she really is harmless*
*Harper, no!*
'You know you shouldn't get too attached miss'
The young lady sighed heavily.
'Yeah, I know but what can I do? She's really useful'
'Huh? What do you mean?'
Suddenly, her expression changed and before I knew it, she brought out a knife and tried to stab me.
'Give me your life!'
*Run Harper! Run!*
I immediately started running. Strangely, nobody was in the hallways.
*What do I do now Chris? You said she was a level two. Why does she want my life?!*
*I don't know Harper, I must have misread it. I warned you not to trust her!*
*Misread it? What now? there's no one to help me. Where is everybody? *
*This is all an illusion Harper, that's what she wants you to see*
*An illusion? *
*Yeah.....and.....only level six can do that*
*Level six? What are you trying to say?*
*If she gets a hold of you, you're dead meat*
*Not helping!*
I had ran out of the hospital and now, I was in an unknown forest.
*What is this place Chris? How come there's suddenly a forest here?*
*This is not good*
'Talk clearly!'
'You've fallen into her trap'
Oh great! Not only do I have to worry about being killed by criminals but now I have to worry about being killed by a player as well.
'Something's not right though. You're not even a level one so if she succeeds in killing you, it wouldn't be of any use to her'
'What a way to remind me of how useless I am'
'I'm being serious Harper. She shouldn't be focusing on killing a mere beginner but since it's like this, it only mean one thing'
'What?'
'There's something special about you'
'Aww, thanks'
'It's not a compliment Harper. Listen to me if you want to survive or else, you'll be trapped here forever'
'We'll both be trapped here'
'No, I'll fade away or I'll choose to be with another player'
'Then you better fade away!'
'Why didn't I realize how unserious you are before? You're happily cracking jokes even though you're in serious trouble?'
'Alright, tell me how to get out of here'
'Do you have a dagger?'
'Yeah, strangely, I always carry this around'
Who knew it was for this moment.
'Good. wait.....why didn't you use it earlier to defend yourself? Didn't you receive physical training as a secret agent?'
'That's right! I did! Wait, I could've defended myself?'
'Forget it Harper. Cut your palm with the dagger and make a circle on the floor with your blood. That way, this barrier would be weakened and we'll be able to get out'
'That's painful!'
'You either do it or remain here forever '
'Fine'.
I did as chris said and cut my palm but before I could complete the circle, the crazy girl came out of nowhere and started running towards me.
'Chris!'
'Continue! Focus your energy on that spot and get us out of here!'
'I'm trying!'
It was hard to focus when danger was just a few distance from me. I could hear her footsteps getting nearer and just as I thought I'd have to fight for my life,...
*Harper! You did it!*
I looked around and indeed, the forest was gone.
'Really? Oh, I'm so relieved'
'You're safe, for now '
'Huh?'
What did he mean by 'for now'?.
I felt really happy with myself. At least, I didn't die before completing my mission.
'I have a good news Harper and a bad one'
'Tell me the bad news first '
'I think you should hear the good news first, I mean...
'I feel weird Chris, it felt like something just entered me'
I stared feeling warmer and really uncomfortable.
'Yep, congratulations! You're now a level one player!'
'Huh? I haven't even done the task I was given'
'Yeah. Leveling up isn't always about tasks, it can also come from surviving something you shouldn't have. but like I said, you have something special in you and that's why you suddenly became a level one player'
'Was that the good news?'
'Yes, and the bad news is... you might get fired from this job'
'what?'
'Yeah'
'Ugh!'
***
I left for home in the evening feeling very tired. Luckily, I didn't get fired like chris said.
I still had a long way to go in this mission.
I decided to pass another route to get home. I passed by a club. It was very noisy. I decided to keep on moving but....
I didn't expect to see my brother, Elias.
'Elias? What the hell was he doing here?'
He came outside at that moment but he didn't look drunk like others.
He gave me a weird look and was about to head back inside.
'Elias, what are you doing here?'
'What do you think I'm doing here? Of course I'm partying little sister '
That was weird. Elias was very quiet and he never talked back at me like that.
'I see you're all grown up now so you feel like you can talk back at your sister right?'
'Really? I'm older than you though'
That's right. No wonder I felt intimidated.
But then.....
He suddenly came closer to me,....and boy, he was dangerously close.
'What the hell do you think you're doing?'
'Hmm?'
Hmm?! Was he drunk or what?
All the drunkards I've seen were usually very chatty and noisy but I think he's become bolder after drinking.
'I think I should leave. Continue partying '
'Where do you think you're going?'
He suddenly grabbed my hand.
*At this point Harper, you might have to slap him back to his senses*
*You're right Chris*
I was starting to get annoyed but then, I noticed something.
Not only did Elias seem different, he also looks different. The clothes he was wearing was not his style at all and since when did he learn to smile so creepily like that?
'Elias, Since when do you wear an earring?'
Elias blinked, then reached up instinctively, brushing the small, dark stud.
"Oh. That? Found it. Thought it looked... cool."
"You? Wearing jewelry? Since when do you care about looking cool?"
He didn't answer.
"Elias. Where did you really get it?"
"It's not a big deal and none of your business"
"It is when it's not like you. And you didn't even pierce your ear. So how is it staying in?"
"Maybe I'm a vampire."
My eyes were locked on the earring — black stone, etched with a faint symbol.
I've seen that symbol before.
*That's right! Chris, that symbol is the government symbol and the one on those letters*
*Oh my, but how did your brother get it? And what's his connection with the government*
"Elias... Where did you get this?"
He looked away.
'Stop questioning me so much and go home'
Then, he just went back inside. I couldn't follow him inside because the noise was just unbearable.
Why was he acting so weird though. Like a certain someone I know. His lazy eyes and sarcastic tone, this is not the brother I know. I better go home and tell mom about this.
*You know Chris, his attitude reminds me of someone annoying*
*Your real father?*
*No, someone else.*
***
I got home on time to tell mom about Elias but....
'You're back Harper? That's good'
Freaking Elias was sitting on the dining table, drawing like nothing had happened!
*I'm going crazy Chris*