It Was Fun (April)

That Friday, after school, Vanessa headed straight for the stadium. Her parents already knew she was devoting more of her time to the game. It was something that disappointed them. They were more eager to hear that she had found her ideal college. If only that was where her mind was at.

Instead, thought of the movie Gladiator and Wonder Woman played in her head for this month's gladiator theme. Though it meant she would need to find new weapons. Nothing in her arsenal was allowed for this theme. Perhaps Logan was able to help in the game.

Reaching the stadium, it was clear that there was a celebrity of some sort there. There were security watching over a sectioned off limo. This must clearly have been a pro player or a manga writer.

That didn't sidetrack her from the stadium. She went inside and got her gear and room number. Oddly enough, nobody was allowed to start off with a weapon. In fact, the players were to go in groups without weapons.

Sure this theme was an individual community theme. But to be placed with random people without any weapons seemed a little extra. Flashbacks of acid melting away her skin and being dragged around in a coffin played through Vanessa's head.

As Vanessa reached her designated door, a squeaky voice called out to her. Miyu was waving, ecstatic to see her. Likewise, Vanessa was happy to see that Miyu decided to actually play the game.

It was confusing at first, but after Miyu explained that the reason she hadn't gone in yet was due to being scared. A little encouragement from Vanessa and the two walked in the door, somewhat ready to face its challenges.

Only, it wasn't a challenge. Carter, Leira, Nami, Jaivva, Miyu, Bruce, and Jeff all sat in hay and dirt inside of a prison cell. The door to the stadium hallway, closed, disguised as a wall.

Miyu's smile froze, "So if I want to leave... Do I knock on a random wall or"?

"No worries," answered Vanessa, "They have guards and cameras everywhere watching us. If you want to leave, just ask or call a reality check".

Miyu froze whereas Bruce was curious, "G shit? They got cameras and guards everywhere"?

Right when Vanessa nodded, she had to stop Miyu from running into the wall. Miyu stopped, but couldn't stop apologizing for being camera shy.

Jaivva laughed, "The cameras is what bothers you. Not the enslaved part".

Miyu's eyes widened, "I'm a slave"

After noticing her ragged clothing, she finally believed that she was in fact a slave. Meanwhile Bruce was complaining nonstop about being stuck in a dirty cell as a slave.

"It's actually not bad," said Carter, "There's other themes where they will literally work or torture you like a real slave".

"Really?" asked Jaivva, "How do they get away with that".

Carter smirked, "Remember one time, me, Logan, and Mike kept jumping the guards that watched us to run for the exit. But everytime we got close to escaping, we got caught. That was middle school. The theme was literally being enslaved on a field that we had to work non-stop for two and a half days straight".

Leira shook her head, "I just have to know, why would you keep playing this if that's what they did to you while you were still in middle school"?

Carter stared back at all of the puzzled faces, judging him, "It was fun. I hate Mike and Logan to this and hated them more back then. But those were some good times. Besides, I was in for the money back then. I helped so many teams break free that theme. None of them beat the theme. But I was able to make a few grand back then".

Jaivva smirked, "Jesus. Ya'll just in here playing this game at that young of an age making all that money".

"For real," added Leira, "I feel like there was an entire generation of you all that did just that".

Carter nodded, "Yeah. It's part of the reason Logan hates new players. Most of ya'll just walk in and expect to have it easy and do whatever you want. Our generation had to put up with a lot of crap to do a lot of work, just to get by. It was terrible. But we loved it".

Jaivva couldn't get over how much she wished she was here during that time. Being a girl that grew up in poverty, she could've benefitted greatly from playing this game. Something Carter was proud to say he had in common.

Vanessa saw the genuine smile on his face as he expressed that it was by playing this game that he got himself and his mother out of the shelter and into a mobile home.

While everyone spoke to Carter about his youth experience, Nami was looking out the steal bars for a way to escape. Had done her research, she already knew there had to be a way for them to get out and defeat their oppressors.

Hearing that Carter was able to make thousands of dollars in a weekend at her age, made her even more hungry to beat this theme. It was only a matter of time before she began asking what were everyone's plans to escape.

Leira waved her hands, "Try not to say that too loud. If the guards hear you, they will know that we are trying to-".

"We should be fine," said Jaivva, "The theme hasn't started yet. But when it does, you do need to be careful with that".

Nami smacked her butt, "Well, I'm trying to figure this out. If the hay was real, I could try to make a key".

Many were confused, especially Bruce who saw no possible way to do so. Carter clarified that she actually can. But she won't have clay in her hands. Instead she would have to use digital hay and couldn't start until the theme started.

Nami was confused, "Don't I have to do a class and pass a test to use my crafting skills in this game"?

Vanessa looked over, "I thought so too".

Jaivva laughed, "No. Believe me, Logan never does his classes nor tests. He's always getting angry in missions when he has to state the knowledge to perform something. It's hilarious".

Nami exhaled, "Fine. I will make a key as soon as the game starts".