Page 68 of Forbidden Game

Deer spots me in the background of Jackson’s camera and begins waving frantically. He flicks his gaze to me briefly and reaches up to maneuver his headset off one of his ears.

“What’s up, Syd.”

“I’m trying to track down Thing One and Thing Two.”

“Ah, they went for a ride.”

I frown. “That wasn’t on the schedule.”

Jackson snorts. “Like that would stop them.”

Fair.

“There’s a bunch of loot out front, Deer.” Jackson turns his attention back to the game. “We just need to find an exit.”

I stand and watch them for a few minutes, drawn in by the creepiness. Jackson’s character is running around on screen in some sort of derelict basement with a bunch of bursting pipes. The screen is dark, so I can barely make much out.

It’s part of my job to always stay up-to-date on whatever new games are coming out and work with the companies on getting early release versions or beta versions for them to play to help increase hype.

The horror game Jackson is obsessed with passed under the radar for a little while before randomly gaining virality. I’ve been doing some digging, and I’m hoping to land him a collab with the developers for a special skin in one of the upcoming updates.

A terrifying, bloody creature suddenly appears on screen, and I stifle a gasp.

“What’s that?” I lean forward to get a better look.

“A Wailing Angel.” His voice is a hushed whisper. “If I stop looking at it, it’ll kill me.”

“Oh. That’s not good.”

“Nope.”

I can see Lee and Deer talking on the monitor, but I can’t hear them. A part of me is a little jealous. There are times when I want to play with them, but I’m really not all that good, and the last thing I want to do is embarrass myself.

Plus, I worry that if I start, it’ll blur those final strings of professionalism I’m trying to keep tethered.

I pad into the kitchen and grab a can of electrolyte-infused seltzer and bring it back to Jackson’s streaming room, placing it on the desk next to him.

He gives me a brief nod.

“Thanks, Syd.” He uses one hand to open it, his middle finger flicking the tab open.

“I’ll catch you later.”

I give the girls a wave in the camera before clicking Jackson’s door closed behind me.

I contemplate just heading back to my place but decide to take advantage of the empty living room and killer surround sound system to watch an episode of my favorite reality show. If they aren’t back when it ends, I will leave.

Except, forty-five minutes pass and there’s still no sign of them.

I check my phone and sigh. I know they’ll have to be back in a few hours for their stream, at least, but I won’t waste my time waiting around. I have emails to write and calls to make.

That damn red Valentino box burns a hole in my peripheral vision.

I lift the lid again, sighing at the beauties within.

Why?

I shut the lid and tuck the box back under my arm as I shuffle my way to the elevator. It takes a while, but finally the doors begin to slide open. I step forward only to almost crash into a leather-clad chest.

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