Page 96 of Stop and Seek
“I’m playing ring around the—fuck,” Calvin’s voice came through the other end, followed by a short lived laugh. “Dammit, why?”
They’d been playing together for months, and the dumbass always refused to help out with the basic damn tasks.
The game wasn’t serious—no one played for cash—but, really. He’d like positive player stats once in a while.
Theo groaned. “You’re taunting them, no shit. Are you on three?”
“Two.”
“Goddammit.” Theo leaned closer to the screen, grimacing when the distant cry sounded. “If I die getting you, I’ll come hunt you down in real life.”
There was a knock at the door, and Theo’s eyes flicked down to the time:10:45p.m.
Damn. Just ordered that. Talk about quick delivery.
Then came the second knock.
He’d already paid and tipped, fuck you very much. They could leave it there like he asked.
“I’m the delicious bait. No one can resist this. I’m a little worm, you see me wormin’ along’?”
“You’re going—” Theo started, and down went his character. He hadn’t seen the wolf until it was too late, and escaping wouldn't help when none of his teammates would assist.
Groaning, he ripped off the headset when he heard the third knock.
“I can’tpause, you dumb fuck! Justleave it there,” he yelled down the hall.
Back to the laptop—
Match Lost.
His stats were going to shit.
Fantastic.
He ran his hands through his hair, sighed into the microphone.
“I’m gonna what?” Calvin asked, the cackling too loud and obnoxious. “Who’s gonna find me now? You, bitch? We’re dyingtogether.”
Theo shook his head. “Whatever. I have food, so I’m gonna go eat. Have fun queuing alone.”
Game—closed.
Voice call—ended.
He leaned back and stretched.
Afourthgoddamn knock on his front door. More insistent than the last three.
“Holy shit, fine. I’m coming,” he mumbled to himself. Every bone in his body crackled when he got off the bed and trudged to the living room.
Theo slipped on the hoodie and yanked open the front door.
“Do you need me to sign? Do you need my fucking ID too?”
That was not the delivery driver.
Thatwas—a very wet Noah.
