Kid Avatar
Chapter 1 – It's All Just A Game
'It's all just a game'. As the instructor always says before these little fights. I run down a long deep hallway checking in rooms. 'No one is the best', as the instructor says. Yeah right. I quickly look behind me and see no one in sight. I keep running down the long hallway. 'It doesn't matter who wins, what matters is, you just have fun'. Well, I like to win and to have fun at the same time! I quickly check my Avatar's strength signal. It's high and very clear. I make sure that I'm locked and loaded. I am and I pop in the double doors. But only to find that I'm surrounded by other Avatar controllers.
Okay, an Avatar is basically a control human body video game. And the whole basic meaning of that line explains itself. We can simply control a human body in these little games that us kids play. The Avatar I'm controlling is dressed up like a Marine soldier on the island I live on. And the other Avatar controllers are dressed up like intruders aiming guns at me. And as I said before, I'm surrounded and out gun.
"Lower your weapon!" Intruder controlled by Kid yells
When you are controlling your Avatar, they do exactly what you do. Since your walking right behind them, they do as you do. Move up, they move up, you run, they run, you shoot, they shoot. So on so fourth.
"Lower it!" Kid yells again
I sigh. I slowly put down my gun. I raise my glasses and see the neck controller is flicking on and off a bit. I think it's alright; otherwise my Avatar would have turned off. I fix my glasses. The thing about controlling the Avatar, it's like you're in their body. These glasses I'm wearing make it helpful to see what I'm seeing through them. I raise my hands and I see the hands of the Avatar.
"Any last words Desmond?" Kid asks ordering everyone to keep their guns aimed at him
I cross my arms, so does my Avatar.
"Ahh, let's see."
It's funny how my voice goes right through his body.
"Ahh…"
As Desmond raises his hands, he puts his hands to his back and reaches for a flash bang grenade. The others see it.
"Catch!" Desmond yells throwing the grenade in the air
The others watch it thrown in the air. Desmond runs away picking up his gun. The grenade goes off and some of the boys feel the affects of it. Screaming, 'Ah my eyes!' or 'I can't see anything!'. Desmond moves his Avatar to a corner and aims around it and shoots down two guys. The bullets aren't exactly real so no killing. They yell screaming 'No!' and 'Come on!'. Desmond laughs and runs away with his Avatar. The others scatter and try to hunt down Desmond. Desmond climbs up some wreckage of the field their playing in. He hides out and waits. Desmond reaches down at himself but actually on his Avatar he picks up his binoculars. He looks through them and sees no one. But a second later, he spots one guy alone and his controller. Desmond smiles, so does his Avatar.
"Here we go. The hunters being the hunted."
Desmond moves out of his hiding spot and runs after the alone walker. The Intruder Avatar controller walks around nervously wondering where Desmond could be. He hears something falls and aims right at it and shoots it. He soon realizes it was nothing and sighs in relief.
"Oh…that was close."
Then suddenly Desmond makes his Avatar take control of the controller.
"Very close."
"Ahh!"
Desmond laughs.
"Stop hitting yourself. Stop hitting yourself."
I make my Avatar take the controllers hand and make himself hit himself. Oh, you got to love this.
"Stop it! I surrender! I surrender!"
I let go of him and put one round in his Avatar's back.
"Oh God…" Kid complains
But then, I add one shot to the controller.
"OW! HEY!"
I shrug my shoulders and the kid watches my Avatar.
"Sorry, I couldn't resist. But now…you're out!"
Desmond laughs and suddenly gets shot at.
"AH!" Desmond yells running away dodging the bullets
The Kid points in the direction where Desmond's going, telling his other teammates where he is going.
"The copter! He's heading to the helicopter!"
The final two teammates chase after Desmond. Desmond hops over some wreckage and looks back. He clears his throat and recalls something.
"Oh man. That's what I forgot. I got to many flash grenades I didn't stock up on hand grenades. I should have also bought that extra armor. Dang it!"
Desmond hits the wall and so does his Avatar.
"Think Desmond think."
Desmond thinks for a second and snaps his fingers.
"Decoy." Desmond whispers
Desmond makes himself take off his Marine jacket and places his gun in plain sight. Seconds later, the Intruder team makes it to the helicopter sight and see Desmond nowhere. One kid sees something and makes his Avatar tap his teammates Avatar. He points and the other kid sees it. A strange looking figure sits behind the brick wall. The two Intruder teammates move closer and shoot at Desmond. They finish off their clips and check.
"Winner…" One kid says
"Loser!" Other kid says
They both check behind the wall and see it was nothing but a jacket.
"Huh?" Kid wonders
And suddenly on top of the helicopter, Desmond makes his Avatar run up along the copters blade and jump in mid air. The two Intruders look up and suddenly Desmond lands right on top of them. Desmond jumps down from the copter and walks up right behind his Avatar. Desmond picks up the Intruders guns and tosses them to the side. The two kids look at each other and see that Desmond wants to play a little fist fighting. Desmond cracks his neck and knuckles. So does his Avatar. The other two get ready and…they fight! One runs up to Desmond and kicks him right back. The other throws a fist at him but Desmond grabs it and throws him right into his partner. Desmond grabs his gun he hides behind his back and aims it at the two Avatars.
"Now…as you once said, winner', Desmond points at himself, 'loser." Desmond says shooting the two
The area suddenly vanishes and the Avatars, or people wake up and see there the last ones standing. Then the announcer speaks over the loud speaker.
"Winner, Desmond Quaid. Winner, Desmond Quaid.."
Desmond laughs and the two kids start complaining at each other how they lost the battle. Desmond rolls his eyes and walks out the arena with his Avatar or friend. He walks along side him.
"Good job Desmond." Avatar body man says
He cracks his neck.
"Thanks Henry. Not a bad team huh?"
"Nope." Henry agreeing
We walk out of the arena and head into the locker room. Henry sits down and looks at his foot. He sighs hard.
"Did you really have to jump off that helicopter?"
Desmond looks back and sees bruises on Henry's foot from that jump.
"Yeah. I had to get those idiots one way or the other."
"Look, all I'm asking is to be careful. I'm not exactly alive when you take control of me."
"Alright, alright. I won't jump off high rises no more." Desmond says nodding his head
"Hey, do you mind?" Henry asks
Desmond looks back at Henry and sees the neck bracelet is still on the back of his neck.
"Oh yeah. Sure."
Desmond grabs the neck bracelet and slides it off. He puts it in his pocket and slides his glasses in his coat pocket.
"Okay. So what is this now…fifty three wins zero losses? I lost count."
"Fifty nine." Henry comments
Desmond turns his head around.
"Huh?"
"It's fifty nine. Fifty nine wins and zero losses."
Desmond snaps his fingers.
"Right."
Desmond smiles and marks it down in his locker.
"Can't wait for next game."
Henry pretends to be excited.
"Oh yeah. Yeepee."
Desmond crosses his arms.
"What's got you down? Your looking at and being controlled by the best Avatar controller on this island, be glad."
"Oh I'm glad alright Desmond. But it's…"
"But what?"
Henry looks around and whispers to Desmond.
"Everyone knows that but you don't have to show off."
Desmond blinks and looks around. He sees the other losers kinda looking at him. Desmond sighs.
"What? I'm just having fun. What's wrong with a little fun?"
"Nothing. But you know the rules about not hitting the controllers of the Avatar's."
Desmond rolls his eyes and closes his locker.
"I've scene other people do it. What's the difference between me?" Desmond asks walking away
Henry puts on his shirt and closes his locker.
"Because you're a show off when you do it."
Desmond walks out of the Avatar Game Center and heads down the street. He looks up and sees lots of Scorpions heading to the far end of the island.
"Probably another platoon coming in from the mainland."
Desmond continues on. He looks to the side of all the stores he passes. People happy, smiling, spending time with their families. Yep, looks just like the brochure when my Dad and I came to this island. He's a Major in the military here on the island. Or…Marines I think. He's so uptight in work there's no time for him to be at home. I guess making this island secured is more important but…from what? I don't care. Somehow I pass the time by myself. Desmond stops in front of a TV store with cameras aimed on him. He looks at his reflection in the TVs and fixes his shirt. And then suddenly, a girl jumps against him and pushes.
"Hey!" Desmond yells
"Hey Desmond."
Desmond shakes his head and sees Sarah.
"Sarah, thanks for that push."
Sarah crosses her arms and looks at Desmond funny.
"Really appreciated that. Thank you."
"Stop being such a baby." Sarah says walking to Desmond
Desmond turns around.
"Hey, hey! Wait up!"
Desmond catches up to Sarah.
"So, what did you do this morning?" Sarah asks
Desmond smiles.
"I'll give you three guesses."
Sarah smiles and closes her eyes.
"Avatar Shooting?"
"Bingo."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"I like going there; I'm very good at it."
"Oh I know. I know Desmond."
Desmond sorta laughs.
"Not bad for a seventeen year old huh?"
Sarah turns her head at Desmond whose just smiling trying to make Sarah agree. She laughs and looks straight ahead.
"Oh look its Dennis."
Desmond looks up ahead and sees Dennis running towards them. Desmond waves.
"Dennis!"
He runs up against us and stops. He's out of breath.
"H-Hey….hey guys."
"Why are you out of breath?" Sarah asks
"And what were you running from?" Desmond asks
Suddenly we hear whistling. Sarah and I look up ahead and Dennis turns around. We see a military police officer walking towards us. Desmond bites his tongue.
"What did you do now Dennis?" Desmond asks
"No. It's not like I crossed the fence or anything."
Sarah and Desmond look at each other and back at Dennis.
(Same time)
"You did cross the fence!"
Dennis shrugs.
"I dropped something and it went over."
"You! Don't even think about running!" Military Police Officer orders
Dennis stands perfectly still. Sarah and Desmond stay put too. He stands right up against Dennis. The Officer pulls out a hand pad.
"Place your hand on the pad please." Military Police Officer orders
Dennis gulps and puts his hand slowly on the pad. The pad flashes a green light up and down against Dennis's hand a couple of times and comes across his entire record. The officer looks at it and smiles.
"This would be your fourth time for crossing the fence Mr. Dennis Reed."
Dennis gulps.
"You get one more and your going to the barracks in the military section."
Dennis gulps even harder. Begins to sweat too.
"I swear, I dropped something and it went over. I'm fully aware I have four strikes."
"Then remind yourself of this. One more and it's the military section for you. Have a nice day." Military Police Officer says walking away
Dennis sighs in relief and looks back at the two.
"Was that a lie?" Desmond asks
"No."
"You sure?" Sarah asks
"Kinda."
Desmond throws up his hands.
"Dennis, are you an idiot or just trying to be one?"
Dennis stays quiet for a moment. Desmond snaps his fingers.
"Exactly." Desmond says walking away
Sarah and Dennis catch up to Desmond. Yep. This big island has a huge city in the center of it. And surrounding the city is a thirty foot cemented in wired fence. Keeps people from going out into the dangerous tropical rain forests. And if you get out, all there is are tropical rain forests out there and some wild life. And what's the big threat….NOTHING. From what I've heard, the Military doesn't allow any civilians to enter the forests. Only Military personnel are only aloud to go out and explore. That's a lot of garbage if you ask me. The three cross the street and head to their school. They walk around the corner and suddenly Desmond stops.
"Ah…wait guys. Hold up."
Dennis and Sarah turn around.
"What?" Sarah asks
"What's up?"
Desmond gulps and crosses his arms.
"Ah, you guys go ahead, I'll walk around."
Sarah and Dennis look at each other and back at Desmond.
"Why?" Dennis asks
Desmond gulps and looks down the street. He flinches back and the two turn around. They see someone who they recognize and smile. They look back at Desmond.
"Don't tell me it's about Greg." Sarah mentions
Desmond sighs hard. Greg Markus. A real big pain in the ass. Ever since we were little he's done nothing except torment me. Pushing me, calling me names, taking my stuff, blaming me for stuff I didn't do. So on so fourth. Every time I see him I get sick to my stomach. An empty hole forms up and…I can't think. I got nothing smart to say back and I'm…empty headed. I guess weakness grows on me when I see Greg. Dennis looks back and fourth.
"Come on Desmond. Just ignore him and he won't see you." Dennis explains
Desmond shakes his head.
"Won't work. It's like he can sniff me out in a heartbeat. I'm surprised he hasn't found me yet."
"Well, I'm going. Good luck." Dennis says walking away
Desmond watches Dennis walk away. He sighs hard and hides behind the wall.
"Some friend you are…"
Sarah looks back.
"You got me."
Desmond nods.
"Yeah."
Desmond and Sarah look at each other for a second. Desmond takes a deep breath.
"Okay, I think I'm ready."
Sarah smiles.
"Great. Come on."
Desmond walks along side Sarah. Sarah quickly thinks of something funny to say.
"Desmond."
Desmond turns his head.
"If you get scared I'll hold your hand." Sarah explains laughing at the end
Desmond looks hard at Sarah.
"Ha, ha. Very funny."
Desmond and Sarah actually walk past Greg and Desmond smiles.
"Well, look at that. I made it."
But as soon as Desmond thinks he's home free, Greg calls for him.
"Yo Desmond!"
Desmond and Sarah stop walking. Desmond shuts his eyes really hard and turns around.
"Yeah?"
"Come here for a second." Greg orders rolling his fingers
Desmond gulps and walks over to Greg. Sarah crosses her arms and sees them just talking. Then she sees Desmond handing over five bucks to Greg. Greg laughs and walks away. Desmond sighs.
"Well, he didn't take more. Probably robbed other kids as well."
Sarah walks over to Desmond.
"Are you ever going to stand up to him?" Sarah asks crossing her arms
Desmond slowly looks at Sarah and looks like he got shot by a pistol.
"Are you nuts? Stand up to him? I'll be on the ground before he even puts a fist up. No thanks. I rather give up a few bucks then spend a hundred bucks in the E.R."
Sarah rolls her eyes and Desmond walks past her.
"You're such a drama queen."
Sarah follows Desmond inside the school and the bell of the school rings. Inside of one of Desmond's classes, he pops into history first where Dennis is. He grabs a seat right next to him and the teacher walks in.
"Okay, everyone. Class has started." Teacher explains
The kids continue to talk and the teacher presses a button on his desk which makes the tables, which the kids are sitting at to ring a bell really loud. The kids hear them and face forward. The teacher smiles.
"Thank you. Now that I have your attention. Please open your books to chapter three please."
All the kids open their books from the computer screens on the tables. They flip through and bring the chapter up.
"So, can anyone tell me about the chapter were in? Anyone?"
The teacher waits and sees a boy raising his hand.
"Yes."
"Ahh, knight and kings?"
The teacher shuts his eyes hard.
"No."
A girl raises her hand.
"Yes."
"The Trojan War. 1713-1769 A.D."
"Correct. Can anyone tell me anything else about the Trojan War?" Teacher asks looking around the room
Desmond smiles and whispers something to Dennis. He laughs and catches the teacher's eye.
"Yes, what's so funny Dennis?"
Dennis clears his throat.
"Huh?"
"You were laughing just now. What's so funny?"
"Ahh…" Dennis mumbles as he turns his eyes to Desmond
The Teacher sees and looks at Desmond.
"Desmond."
Desmond looks up at the Teacher.
"Yes."
"Can you tell me anything about the Trojan War?"
Desmond thinks for a second and looks back up.
"Wasn't it that old movie with Brad Pitt in it? Troy or something?"
The students laugh and the Teacher gets a little mad.
"Stand up Mr. Quaid." Teacher orders
Desmond shrugs and stands up.
"Follow me."
Desmond nods and follows the Teacher to his desk.
"Stand here the class period. You might learn something that's not actually from a movie were talking about." Teacher explains walking away
Desmond throws up his hands.
"But it is! It's three hours long!"
The students laugh again and the Teacher presses the button. The kids stay quiet. The Teacher looks back at Desmond.
"Oh it is?"
Desmond shakes his head and smiles.
"Yeah it is."
"Okay. Then tell me some things about it then."
"Uhh, I can't exactly."
"And why's that?" Teacher asks with a funny look on his face
Desmond scratches his nose and looks back at the Teacher.
"Because the movie is three hours long and over a hundred and fifty years old."
Dennis laughs and shakes his head.
"Over a hundred and fifty years old?"
"Yeah. Check for yourself."
"Oh I don't have to. I know because before today, I watched a little bit of it myself."
"The whole thing?"
"Yes."
Desmond rolls his eyes.
"Wow," Desmond whistles, "I'm surprised you made it that far. I watched ten minutes of it and passed out before I could see any real action."
Kids laugh again.
"Action? You're calling the Trojan War action?"
Desmond thinks for a second.
"Well yeah. From what Kimberly over there said, that war lasted almost…fifty years."
"A little bit more then that."
"Yeah, yeah, no one's precise. But the thing is I don't get it."
"Get what?"
"How can they fight with swords and knives? Weren't there anything else they could use? Like a machine gun or something?"
"Or an A.M.P Suit?" Dennis asks
Desmond points at Dennis.
"Exactly!"
Some kids laugh once again. Teacher sighs.
"Well, I'm sorry Desmond. But nothing like that far advance existed in those times."
Desmond shakes his head and crosses his arms.
"Then what? They had to have something better then bows an arrows, right?"
"Well, I'm glad you asked that Desmond."
Desmond narrows his eyebrows.
"Why's that?"
"Because, you've brought up an interesting subject about the kinda weaponry they used back in their time."
"What?"
"I'll show you all."
The Teacher brings up a screen on the board and shows off an old wooden catapult.
"Can anyone tell me what this is?"
Everyone looks at it and only one person knows.
"It's a catapult." Kimberly says
"That's correct. These first in design machined were used to throw heavy objects at walls or people." Teacher explains
"What would they throw?" Desmond asks
"Anything. Boulders, rocks, and a little later on they came up with the fire ball."
Desmond looks around and back at the Teacher.
"Fire ball?"
"They rolled up haystack or anything that would catch on fire and light them up. Creating a fire ball."
"Wow." Desmond says sounding impressed
"Here, are other designs as well." Teacher says clicking on his remote
The screen shows a Mangonel and an Onager. Desmond narrows his eyes.
"Wow. Those are cool Teach. I'll admit that."
The Teacher looks back at Desmond.
"But they had to have something better then that!"
The Teacher sighs hard.
"There wasn't much of anything else Desmond."
Desmond grows a serious face.
"Then what? All they had were swords and bows an arrows? That's it?"
"No, that's not all they just had."
"What then?"
"Their minds. They had their minds to fight with whatever they could make." Teacher explains
Desmond blinks and looks around.
"Well…then I'm glad I wasn't born in those times because I would have seriously lost my mind."
The Teacher blinks.
"Can I sit back down now?"
The Teacher thinks for a moment and nods.
"Yes, you can sit back down."
Desmond nods and sits back down in his seat. Seriously. I can't possible think of how people survived like that back in those times. Swords? Knives? Bows an arrows? You have got to be kidding me.