Page 16 of Sinner

He’d disappeared, just like he had the night before.

I slammed my back against the brick façade, taking gasping breaths as I laughed.

Ashley moved in front of me, staring at my face with fear as her expression. “What is going on? You’re scaring me to death.”

I continued laughing, unable to stop. “I don’t… know. I just…”

“Calm down. Do you really think you saw a man in a mask?”

“Oh, yes. Just like last night.”

“What do you mean just like last night?”

“He saved me from a man trying to kill me. Then he killed the jerk himself with a big, fat knife. I was right there. Witnessed theentire thing. Or at least I think I did.” I was still laughing, mostly at myself. Maybe I was losing my mind.

“Okay. Hold on. How often do you play those goddamn video games?”

“Every day and every night and they’re not. Video. Games. They’re virtual reality games.”

“Whatever,” she huffed, blowing a strand of hair from her face. “You need to listen to me. Constantly playing them might be your job, but they’ve consumed your life. You’re living in a fantasy and the single night you allow yourself out of the house, you insist we see a slasher flick. That’s not normal and neither is sequestering yourself away in darkness with a headset on. You need to take a freaking break or you’re going to snap.”

I leaned my head against the wall. Maybe she was right. Maybe what I really needed was a vacation. “Okay. Fine. I’ll stop playing them at night.”

“Good. Jesus Christ. You scared me half to death. Now, come on before we get arrested for shoplifting.”

When I opened my eyes, she pointed to the hanger I still had in my hand. I’d been certain I’d dropped it in the store. “Shit.”

“That’s what I say. Now come on.”

CHAPTER 6

Xander

“As you can see, lady and gentlemen, not only did we have a record quarter, but we also landed three prestigious awards for two different games.”

Wilder’s grin was countered by the darkness in his eyes. Although he was salivating at the numbers, we agreed that money wasn’t everything. Neither was winning glitzy awards that meant nothing to three of the five of us.

Perhaps it was all about the rush of being number one in the world, a distinction we’d fought hard for.

“What about the new game set for release?” I asked as I drummed my fingers on the conference room table. These meetings bored the fuck out of me. Dark Nights would be our crowning glory.

Zachariah slowly tilted his head back until he was able to see me. The same darkness appeared in his eyes. He had his arm on the table, constantly twisting his obsidian stone ring. I foundit almost amusing how much various things had annoyed me lately.

“On track for a soft opening next week on the fourth of June along with the multimillion-dollar advertising campaign. There won’t be a home in the world who hasn’t heard about Dark Nights after news hits the gaming magazines and people turn on their televisions.” Wilder appeared happier than normal. He was generally pushing for additional profits every quarter.

“Perfect timing,” I said and glanced from Zach to Wilder. The game was exceptional, but there would be some who feared the content was too violent and sexual for the norm.

Was there truly anyone normal in the world? Most were deviants hiding their dark secrets. The games we developed allowed them a taste of what they really craved.

Zero consequences.

“The great unveiling coincides with our fifteenth anniversary.” Zach was also drumming his fingers on the table, pleased with himself for remembering.

The development of Dark Nights had been our best kept secret, a game easily capable of turning the industry upside down. With the use of Artificial Intelligence, we were one step ahead of the competition.

Wilder nodded. “Which brings me to the point of reminding you about the gala all five of us are attending.”

There was a collective groan in the room.

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