ArcadiA: A Game Space FastRead by Peter Jay Black

Author:Peter Jay Black [Black, Peter Jay]
Language: eng
Format: epub

Thirteen

Even with my eyes closed, Matt’s lifeless body was etched into my mind. My blood ran cold, and tears welled up, ready to burst.

He’s dead.

I couldn’t believe it.

And it was my fault.

How can this be happening? This is a game, an artificial world, not real life. How can Matt be dead? I pictured having to tell our parents. How will Mum and Dad ever understand? I couldn’t begin to explain—

“Kira?” Nix took my hands.

I swallowed, and with extreme reluctance opened my eyes, finding the world around me grey and hollow.

“He’s alive,” Nix said.

I blinked, not comprehending.

Nix let go of my hands and pointed at the screen. “He’s stunned. That’s all. The Kraython hit your brother and the others with stun pulses. They’re non-lethal weapons. Must be how they smuggled them into ArcadiA. Probably in parts, hidden in other things.”

Trembling, trying not to get my hopes up, my gaze moved to the display, and then I let out the biggest, most relieved sigh of my life.

On the screen, Matt and several other park guests got shakily to their feet.

Now I was crying—tears rolled down my cheeks—but I smiled, and my shoulders relaxed. Thank goodness he’s okay.

Then my expression darkened as the masked alien in the long coat herded my groggy brother and the other terrified guests along the path.

“Kraython,” Nix said. “I should have known.” He noticed my puzzled expression. “Kraythons are space pirates who stop at nothing to get their hands on Bluestone artifacts.” He shook his head. “It makes sense now. Only they would be so brazen.”

The Kraython took Matt and the other tourists into the jungle, heading back toward the riverboat ride.

“We have to go there.” I leapt to my feet. “We have to save Matt.”

“I know.” Nix stood up and walked to the cabinet.

My eyebrows rose. I’d expected some resistance, especially after his father had made him promise to stay put and lock the doors.

He noticed my expression. “Yeah, I know, but things have changed.” He gestured at the image of Matt. “Besides, page thirty-six, sub-section C, paragraph three of the ArcadiA employee’s handbook—fourth edition—states: All park cast members must go above and beyond the call of duty at all times, helping guests, and—”

“Putting their needs first,” I finished. “And if you impress your dad, maybe he’ll trust you with a Bluestone of your very own?”

Nix blushed. “We need to get there quickly,” he said. “Because as soon as my father has evacuated Baytopia, they’ll lock down the section with the vault, and move in.” He hesitated as if trying to make his mind up about something. “A jump gate is the quickest way there.” Nix opened a panel in the back of the cabinet, revealing a safe. “This jump gate is extremely powerful; we’ll have to be careful with it. Dad set it up so security personnel can pick any doorway destination in ArcadiA and be there in an instant.” He glanced at me. “But don’t tell him we used it. They’re for emergencies only.”

“This is an emergency,” I pointed out, wanting to get on with it.

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