Page 102 of Forbidden Game

“Might want to un-distract yourself before the run.”

“What a brilliant idea. Hadn’t considered that.” I deadpan him, but he can’t exactly see my expression with the mask on. “Plus, you’re one to talk. I merked you eight times that last round.”

Celery rolls his eyes. “I still won. These matches are just for show, anyway.”

I pat him on the back. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

“All right, hotshot. Team battle next week, your guys versus mine.”

“You’re on. We’ll bring in Lee and Wylder as our fourth and fifth.” FrozeLine is a 5V5 game, and as much as Deer is becoming one of our crew, this game is not her strong suit. Wylder, on the other hand, is a pro gamer and good friend of ours. “Prepare for failure.”

“You really think you’re going to beat the Streamer of the Year?” He grabs an energy drink from the fridge and tosses it at me. I catch it and frown.

“You’ve been insufferable ever since you won that award.” I toss the yellow can back to him, and he barely manages to grab it before it hits him in the face. “I like the blue flavor.”

“Of course, you do.” He throws a new one at me with more force this time.

I catch it gracefully and crack it open with the same hand, grinning at him as I go to take a drink.

The can knocks against my mask. He laughs, and I sigh at my rookie mistake.

I pull the mask down and take a sip. The blueberry flavor doesn’t really taste like blueberry. It’s more just…blue. But it’s still better than the medicine flavor the red one has.

Celery has a point. I’m distracted.

I need to be back on stage for my run in ten minutes, and I have to be at my best if I’m going to put Creep in his place. I can’t lose to him today, or he’ll make my life hell at the championship.

My phone buzzes and I pull it from my pocket.

SYD: Don’t worry about the match. Things happen. Just stay focused. You’ll crush the run. I know you will :)

SYD: But also, don’t crush it too hard. Remember, we’re still keeping our cards close.

My fingers hover over the keyboard. I don’t think she knows Creep is here. But I also don’t want to be the one to inform her. She’ll just worry, and she’s supposed to be enjoying her time in Napa.

Hell, she shouldn’t even be texting me right now. The girls promised me that they’d give her a taste of her own medicine and put her in tech isolation. Hence, the reason why I think she has no clue Creep is here. He showed up this morning and was added to the roster, knocking some rookie speedrunner from the run.

ME: thanks love ??

ME: now put ur phone away

SYD: good luck ??

I sigh and chug the rest of my drink, feeling bad that I’m keeping her in the dark. I crush the can and shoot it into the nearest rubbish bin. It bounces off the rim, and I grimace. The fizzy drink settles uncomfortably in my stomach.

“Mr. English.” I turn to see a security guard hovering on the other side of the roped-off area. “I’m here to escort you backstage.”

“All right, sounds good.” I pick up the can and dump it in the bin before sliding my mask back up my face.

My world once again turns blue, and I breathe a little easier. I roll my shoulders and remind myself that I’m EnglishCoffee. That I’ve got this.

I follow the black-suited man through the crowds and down the back hallways until we get to the second main stage. I immediately clock the other five gamers. None of them pose much of a threat other than Creep and Van.

OnlyVan is another speedrunner whom I always end up pitted against for awards. I knew he’d be here, though, along with his sister, so I’m prepared. Plus, the only time Van’s gotten close to my times is when he found a new skip, which I respect him for.

The announcer begins calling us on stage, and as each gamer walks up the stairs, it leaves less and less people as a buffer between Creep and myself.

“Glad to see you finally came out to play with the grown-ups,” Creep says in his stupid Australian accent.

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