7

The Silver Cat (an establishment full of Gacha games) and Scriptorium (the public library) were the two places John wanted to visit the most. Because in the library, there was a chance that he might stumble upon a magical book that would give him an ability! Secondly, the books in the library were bound to be engaging in their own right. However, the Silver Cat was an attractive establishment as well, and Ashley appeared enthusiastic to be going there. But on the way to The Silver Cat, John's eyes met the window of a Karaoke bar. Everyone inside seemed to be having a lot of fun. But Silver Cat was the first stop! Looking around, John had no idea of direction, as the Zone was too big to be gauged.

Moreover, all the streets looked different, so it was hard to remember them all. Ashley steered him along, but there were too many street numbers to keep track of. It appeared that Ashley knew Zone Two really well. Finally, they arrived outside of The Silver Cat. Again, they walked. John was torn inside; this was a tough decision to make. He had no idea what to do.

On the one hand, John would end up losing all his points. But on the other side, who knew what he could win? But it was irresponsible to be using up all his Tower currency at once. Giving in, however, he thought about making the purchase. Instantly, the green spirit card materialized into his hand. After making the payment, his green phantom card disappeared again.

The Gacha games earned players mission cards, which led to the acquisition of average abilities. Other than abilities, missions also earned other things like discount coupons, imaginary phones that could turn real, body strength, etc. The winnings were displayed on the points card until they were used or expired.

In the game, John won something small. He was actually disappointed. The risk had not paid off.

"Wow! You will have good fortune for an entire month!" said Ashley.

"Yeah, I was hoping for more. Like a magical ability or something."

"Well, those are pretty rare to get. And believe me, good fortune is something you really need inside The Tower. Also, you will need a lot of draws before acquiring something as amazing as a magical ability. You would also get a mission card that will need to be finished to get the magical ability. Cheer up, it's good this way! Tell you what, I'll take you for an arcade game. I love that place! You know, I hold the record for highest wins in the arcade."

"Are you sleepy? Maybe we can go and find a tent?" said Ashley, with a weird expression.

"No, I think I still have some energy for those arcade games you were talking about. We can go look for a tent afterward."

"Good choice! I must say the arcades are amazing! As I told you before, if you ever want to find me, the arcades are the place to go."

At the arcade, John and Ashley had a lot of fun. It was a delightful experience. They played Pacman, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Street Fighter, and The House of Dead. At the claw machine, John accidentally won a stuffed animal shaped like a dog. Reminded of the dear companion that John had lost, he did not want the stuffed animal; it would always remind him of Jack. Suddenly, a memory flashed in front of his eyes...of when Jack was a pup, sticking out his tongue, very much like the stuffed dog John was holding in his hand. He gave it to Ashley, who was so happy that she jumped high into the air.

"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! You are such a sweetie, John!" she screamed.

Hopping around, she eventually wrapped him in a tight embrace. Then, she planted a kiss on his cheek. John instantly flushed at the contact of Ashley's lips on his skin. The hair on the back of his neck prickled, and a warm, soothing feeling washed over him. The sensation originating on the patch of his cheek where he had been kissed traveled all over his body. It shattered at the very tips of his toes and fingers. This was the second time their bodies had been pressed together, the first time her lips had touched his flesh.

Ashley gave the stuffed doll a good and long look after she let go of John. She laughed in glee. It looked as if their skins were burning. Ashley was smiling and looking at John with great fondness. He, on the other hand, felt really uncomfortable. John fidgeted and looked at his shoes again, trying his best to avoid eye contact. But Ashley stretched out her hand, palm open and facing upwards. John held it, and they both walked to the outside of the arcade.

"Well, I think it's about time I found a tent," said John.

"Yeah, I agree…" Ashley never got to finish her sentence. A hand grabbed her from the scruff of her small belly shirt neck.

"Where the hell have you been, young lady?" screeched a woman.

"Mom! I…I…"

So, it was Ashley's mother. Her blue eyes were popping out of the sockets; her face was lined by pulsating veins. Her countenance contorted and quivered with anger. John noted that Ashley looked a lot like her mother. Although she wasn't slender like her, Ashley's mother had the exact same facial features. Her eyes were blue instead of purple. But except for these minor differences, the mother and daughter looked incredibly alike. Her nose was small and delicate, but without any piercing or nose-ring, her hair was smooth and silky, but black instead of Ashley's glittering golden. Her lips were thin and faded red, and her forehead had creases from too much furrowing. Other than that, she was plump and stocky, but not too much to qualify as obese or fat.

"You were supposed to be meeting us in Zone One many hours ago, you little brat!" said Ashley's mom, giving her a fair bit of shaking. John found it incredible how much mother and daughter resembled each other.

"That's it! We are going immediately! I knew you would be at this wretched arcade! Don't you have anywhere else to go, lazy girl?" she said as she began to drag Ashley away.

The poor girl sobbed her heart out. Thick streams of tears ran down her face. She tried to talk, but she was clearly too upset to say anything. John felt really sorry for her, he wanted to intercede for Ashley, but her mother looked really scary. Before they turned around a corner, Ashley called out to John.

"I will come to meet you tomorrow, John!" He realized how terribly tired he was. But with Ashley gone, he discovered a terrible truth. The knowledge of the fact crept into his mind, making his spine shiver. He was standing in a completely unfamiliar place, with nowhere to go and no points left in his spirit card! John was standing in a strange and geographically unknown Zone…he was lost.