Cure for the Common Universe by Christian McKay Heidicker

Author:Christian McKay Heidicker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Achievements

Looks like you could use some rest, adventurer,” Fezzik said, back in the Nest.

“Oh, no, I’m fine.” I rolled my shoulder, trying not to wince. “I really”—need points—“don’t want to miss out on therapy.”

Fezzik nodded. “I don’t want you missing out either. Especially considering it might be your last one. Heh. Just promise to head over to the Fairy Fountain when we’re finished.”

I gave him a thumbs-up and joined the guild circle.

“No fair!” Soup said. “Why does Aurora get to sit so close to you?”

Aurora and I glanced at each other, found we were only a few inches apart, and then scooted in opposite directions.

Fezzik shut the blinds and turned on the fluorescents, making us all look sunburned and exhausted.

“Exciting Chocobo race today, everyone!” he said. “Especially for you, Miles. Nothing like a few battle scars to bring home, right?”

I rubbed my shoulder and smiled. I’d finally be able to share real scars with a real lady.

“That was the craziest!” Soup said. “Miles was driving, and he went like rrrrrrrrrrrnnnnnn—rrrrrrtttttttt—”

“Fury Burds mayor?” Fezzik said. “We’re going to talk about some pretty heavy things today. May I have your permission to do that?”

Soup placed his hands together between his knees. “Yes.”

“Thank you.” Fezzik opened to the guild. “Today I want to start by talking about the desire to be important.”

Despite the pain in my shoulder, I was glowing. This could be my last guild therapy. If I participated in every activity, turned in Soup’s cross-stitches, and won just one more gold, I was going to make it. I was going to fucking make it. I felt invincible.

There was only one problem. If and when I won the paintball tournament, I’d have about two hours to get back to Salt Lake. It had taken Command more than an hour to drive us to Video Horizons, which means I’d be cutting it close. I wondered if G-man would need to take me straight to Mandrake’s or if I’d have enough time to run home to clean up a bit.

“We all want to have a place in the world,” Fezzik said. “We want to be acknowledged with good grades, boyfriends, girlfriends, awards, scholarships, and all of the things that make us feel like successful human beings.”

No time for a back and crack wax now. But I definitely needed a change of clothes. I’d look like an idiot if I changed back into the Super Mario shirt I’d been wearing at the car wash. And these white pants hadn’t been flattering before spending four days in the desert. Now I looked like a toasted marshmallow that had been dropped in the sand.

“We feel important when we game,” Fezzik continued. “We feel powerful. The problem is, the more you invest in those other worlds, the more you lose in the world we actually live in. Obviously, for everyone in this circle, the draw to other worlds is strong. It’s easy to get swept up in a fantasy landscape with clear challenges, immersive environments, and an attractive avatar who gets updated graphics .

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