(Mari' POV)
The day after I couldn't take my mind of the incident with KnightGates and Dean. Anthony and Ian got annoyed that I wasn't answering them at first, but I couldn't say what was happening. I just couldn't bring myself to tell them.
"So, you didn't answer 'cause you had music playing?" Ian asked. I nodded, agreeing with Sam's lie.
"Okay, that's good," Anthony said with a smile. "We just came to check on ya."
"Yeah," Ian said. "We were kinda ordered to."
"Yep, Joven and the others told us to make sure you're safe from these two," Anthony shrugged. "But it doesn't seem like there's any danger here. And we don't have that much time to stay here again."
"You two really don't care for Mari, do you?" Dean asked while giving them a death glare.
"Hey! We do!" They yelled in sync.
"They do, really," I told. "Just that I get their reason not to stay, but it's hard to explain."
"Fine," Dean growled. "Go back like yesterday if ya want."
"Hey, we only logged off yesterday 'cause you lot weren't answering!" Ian yelled.
"Plus Sohinki and the others are gonna be here in a bit." Anthony said. He rubbed the back of his head and sighed. "It's doesn't feel like three days."
It got silent for a moment. "Yeah, it feels like a week," I sighed.
"Enough of the gloomy talk," Dean smiled nervously while patting me on the back. "After all, Sohinki wouldn't want you to be sad, would he?"
"Guess not," I muttered. "Let's have a normal day, with no shenanigans"
"Yeah," they all agreed. I got tapped on the shoulder and ran to my bedroom.
"A day with no shenanigans hey?" KnightGates asked. I nodded, not knowing what he'd do or say. "Sure, let's do that."
"R-Really?" I asked shocked.
"Yeah, all the stuff I've done to ya, it'll be nice to have a relaxing day," I can't see him, but I'm sure he's smiling.
"Yeah," I smiled. "Is that all?"
"Yep," he said. I took the headset off and ran into the living room.
"What did he say?" Sam asked while everyone turned to look at me.
"He said that it'll be good," I smiled. They all smiled back.
There was a buzz at the door. "Hey Mari! Let us in!" Sohinki yelled.
I skipped towards the door and let them in. It's weird seeing them as themselves and not their characters from GTA Online. It's funny how the Nerve Gear works.
"They didn't do anything to you did they?" Sohinki asked. I looked at them, and they looked at the man hugging me.
"No, they looked after me," I smiled as I hugged him back.
"Good," he sighed as he pulled away from the hug.
"Why does Sohinki always get a hug first," Joven pouted.
"He always comes over to me first. Jealous are we?" I laughed. "Come here."
He smiled and hugged me. "Do I get a hug?" Lasercorn asked. I nodded and hugged him too.
"So, what should we do?" I asked looking at everyone.
"Sorry Mari, but Ian and I have to go," Anthony stated.
"Okay. Come by any time," I smiled. "Don't worry, I understand."
"Thanks," they smiled as they logged off.
"Dean a word," Sohinki said as he signalled for Dean to follow him into the kitchen.
"Wonder what their talking about," Lasercorn said as he sat down on the sofa.
After a while of awkwardness the others explained that they had to go, so I was alone in my apartment. Well, technically...
"It's a good thing you keep a spare headset in your living room. Hey Mari?" KnightGates stated with a question.
"Yeah, suppose so," I muttered.
"Yeah, so why do you think they abandoned you?" He chuckled.
"They haven't, just got things to do," I told. My stomach rumbled and I heard KnightGates chuckle. "I'm going to get food."
"I'll meet you outside, don't want to die out there," then he appeared outside the building. "Come out."
When I walked out I saw him standing there with a big grin on his face, he held his hand out and I reached for it. "I'll pay," he told as he dragged me so we ran down the street.
"I've got money," I shrugged, he just smiled.
"Nah, I wanna," he said. "My treat."
I just gave up and let him pay. Once we got to the shop I walked to the back at the drinks, and KnightGates followed me.
"Going to shops never really worked out for ya, has it?" He asked.
"Oh yeah," I said as I picked up a cola and examined it. "Every time I go to a shop they seem to get robbed."
"Yeah, good thing you haven't died though," he laughed.
"Yeah, but this is all your fault. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you obsessing over this game," I shrugged as I picked up a packet of crisp and a chocolate bar.
"I'll be back in a bit," KnightGates said as he paused it. He just stood there like a statue.
I walked over to the till and got the food and drink. "Is that all?" The guy asked. I wanted to say 'does it look like I have anything else?' But I couldn't, I didn't know really.
"I don't know, I'll come back if it isn't," I shrugged as I walked around the shop. It feels so real here, but it isn't, just virtual. A game, no more.
I got a drink from the vending machine, didn't think of that at first. Once I drank a bit, I felt dizzy. Sick almost, like I was going to collapse of a bug or something. I coughed and gagged a bit, and dropped the bottle of coke. Weakness, is all I felt. I could barely stand, I had to lean on a shelf of magazines to keep balance. But in the end I collapsed to the floor, the darkness covering my eye sight. Darkness is all I saw.
