Light Within

New Game?

Starting her morning with a pack of waffle was not her usual style, but for this morning, she had to.  Katherine did want to upset her father this morning, but she demanded an answer. It had been 17 years after she did not hear anything from her mother. True, she never talked with her, cause she was 3-months-old when they last met. Katherine was upset. After all these years, it was always bout her and her father. Though she never had problems with that, still she needed a mother figure in her family. But, Eddie Black was never a disappointment. He has always been there for Katherine, both as a father and as a house-man, and Katherine grateful for that, but still something is missing. Whenever she asked about her mother, her father will wash it away, like it was taboo to mention. "Ugh, why Dad always wanted to hide about mom?” Katherine somehow gets angered with these matters. It was almost like her dad is trying to hide something, like maybe they had a divorce. Or maybe, mom is staying at another house, waiting to surprise them, but whatever the reason, she did not understand why it must be a secret. Or maybe, her dad is telling the truth that he did not know where her mom was. Eddie might be on the same page as Katherine, wondering where Elena could be.  "This is so frustrating, but whatever it is, going to this school aka hell is far worse than that".

            Katherine continues to walk to her school on foot. She prefers this way rather than having to wait for a bus. Plus, she did not have any friends to sit with on the bus and she definitely, oh really, did not want to face Amber Michaela. Amber, yeah, Amber Michaela, the most bee-queen girl in the school. In term of social hierarchy, yes, she is the most popular girl. Like a cliché one, she usually hangs out with her team. Wearing makeup, judging people, buying new clothes, judging people clothes, controlling people, judging people choice, for them, it is all about judging. Fortunately, in term of academics, well, these girls are far more below average. But do not let your guard down, because if they want to make you look miserable, they will always find their way. And they always do. Katherine never wanted to interfere with their life, but sadly, who will not notice a Black family's member? For Amber, Katherine is her laughing stock. There is no single day that Katherine can breathe fresh air without having to listen to Amber's insult. That is one of many reasons why Katherine hates to go to school. And the list will go on later. Everything looks normal on that morning until two boys in front of the game store started to talk aloud, which attracted Katherine's attention. "Do you know that Eternal Quest is going to launch tomorrow? Man, I can't wait! And it said that it was online too!", said the boy with a red beanie to his friend. They both look very excited about it, "Yeah, and it comes with VR. Ohh, I'm going to play it all day long", the boy with glasses continued. They continued as they walked away.

            "An online game in VR? Interesting", Katherine decided to pay a visit to the game store as the boys' chat sounded fun. It has been a while since she did not play any online game. She had to focus on her studies or else, Dad will be going to confiscate all of her games. "Lil Katty, where have you been?". Uncle Jimmy left his counter to pat Katherine in her small head. "Uncle Jimmy, you knew Dad. He will take my games and never let me play if I get too distracted", Katherine knew him when she only 12 as that was the first time she got her online games. She felt comfortable around him because Uncle Jimmy treated her like his daughter. Katherine quickly scanned the store. It looked way too different than her last visit. The floor, been replaced with some techno-looking tiles while the ceiling decorated with a fiery-lighting bulb? Anyways, it looks cool. "Have you changed this place? It looks fancier", Katherine amazed by the new look. "Well kiddo, it was you who hadn't come here for a very long time", Uncle Jimmy replied with a smile while still stocking his newest video games. Finished with his task, Uncle Jimmy asked Katherine what she wanted. "You know, you can search your games at home, right? It is 2078 now", Uncle Jimmy laughed at her, saying she was 'old-school' kind of girl. Katherine remembered about the VR game that the boys had mentioned, so she tried to look around. "You know I came here just to see you, Uncle Jimmy", Katherine be sarcastic. Uncle Jimmy pats her head, "Yeah, and Robozone have feelings", and gone to his pantry. "Eternal Lockdown, Eternal Dragonslayer... Hah! Eternal Quest", Katherine browser though the monitor near the counter. "Eternal Quest, huh?"

            "Uncle Jimmy! Uncle Jimmy! Can I try this game for a while? It looks fun", Katherine, calling out for Uncle Jimmy, who is making his morning latte. Still in his pantry, Uncle Jimmy replied: "Sure, but you have to buy it, kiddo. Nothing is free nowadays". Katherine pouted. She did not get her allowance for this month yet. She wanted to try new games since all she ever did is studying for college. Yeah, college.  Uncle Jimmy walked out of the pantry while stirred his late in the 'Best Uncle Ever' mug, sit back at the counter. He takes a sip and asks Katherine about the new game. "So, have you heard about Eternal Quest? It will be going to launch tomorrow", Uncle Jimmy tries to start a chat with her. Katherine took a small chair, which supposed to be a leg-resting-chair, besides the counter and sit beside him, "Yeah, I heard about it, from the boys outside your store. Why do you ask?". Uncle Jimmy brings out his favourite snack, spicy peanuts behind in his pocket and put it on the table. He takes a sip and continues, "They say the game is about to be a legend. Won't you want to buy one?" Katherine picks up some peanut and shoves in it her mouth, while replies with her mouth full: "You mm know mmm Dad will mm be mm mad right? How can mm I get to buy one? I haven't got my pocket money yet".  "Oh, what a shame, maybe you can help me and I can give you the games later?", Uncle Jimmy negotiates with her, but she refuses. She is willing to buy it rather than works for it. " Oh, I'm going to be late, see you later", Katherine finishes the peanut and rushes to her school.

"Virtual Reality, huh? Eternal Quest...Maybe I will ask Dad for that".