Danger zones

Day 19.

Issac placed the food down on the table and sat across from Quin: "Aren't you a bit too young for that? Not afraid of getting addicted?"

"First of all, I'm practically immortal, remember? These things can't do anything to me but ease my stress a little. As for getting addicted, better one of these than getting high on pain medicine."

Issac: "I suppose a unique problem requires a unique fix."

Quin pressed out the cigarette as Issac started unpacking the food: "Besides, I don't exactly condone this sort of thing. It's only because I barely count as being human."

"I told you that you were a pessimist."

"I'm pretty sure I called you that."

"Maybe but you're internally negative which to me seems worse."

"How so?"

"While your inside feelings and outside actions seem to be working in unison. You're actually very disconnected from your emotions. I doubt that you snapping would be easy to deal with." Issac explained.

"So you think I'm bound to snap one day?"

"Maybe you already have and this is the crazy outcome."

"Oh god you're doing it again."

"I'm not doing anything. Just answering your questions."

Quin tried to laugh: "You must've been bored these few days if you're this quick to mess with my head the second I get up."

"Not really. Besides, you're not exactly better are you?" Issac put out the cigarette bud once more and threw it out: "Still no glasses huh?"

"No freaking way. It hurts." Quin grumbled just thinking about it.

"Your eyes?"

"My everything."

"Just eat would you?"

"I'll eat when I'm dead."

"You can't eat when you're dead."

"Well then I'll sleep when I'm dead and eat until I die." Quin compromised.

"Okay you are bugging out. Just shut up and eat."

Quin had a grumpy look on his face as he poked at his food. He slowly ate his fill. As he progressed through his meal his head began to spin more and more. Eventually he had enough of it and tossed his fork on the table.

He sat with his head in his hand for a while then turned to Issac. He wanted to say something but he was moody and didn't want to mistakenly get Issac mad. Instead he sighed and quietly cleaned up his area. He internally patted himself on the back for the perfect example of thinking before you speak.

Issac witnessed the multiple expression changes: "If this is you normally you probably should stay away from pain meds."

Quin didn't know whether to laugh or cry. So much for thinking before I speak. This guy must crave disharmony. You'd think he'd at least not clash with me when I'm down.

Issac: "I would do no such thing."

"Hmm??"

"Sleep."

Quin slept the rest of the day off.

______

Day 20.

Issac didn't need to worry about Quin being down for too long. There he was standing before his door, clearly energetic and ready for the day: "I think you should go back to being sick."

"Terrible thing to say so I'm going to pretend it's because you're hangry."

"I'm not hungry or angry. I'm disappointed. I shouldn't have taken the time off for granted. My poor decision is to blame. And now I suffer once more."

"So freaking dramatic. We still have points to win. Also I feel like I haven't eaten in days. So let's go do that."

"So what, you're just better now? Suddenly?"

"We can discuss it over food."

Although Quin said he would explain over food he really left no room for discussion. He continued to stuff his face for practically an hour. Issac wondered if he even needed to breathe anymore. He was a vacuum sucking in more food than oxygen.

___________

After eating Quin and Issac roamed the town looking for any remaining tasks and symbols. They adjusted the map as they walked, adding in the new marks that Issac completed the last few days. As they moved they discussed the questions that plagued Issac's mind.

Issac: "Explain it properly or I'll misplace the gadget for a day."

"That's a more dangerous threat than one might think but sure. It's a headache."

"Obviously."

"It stems from my wounded eyes."

"You need glasses. It's not exactly a wound, just bad vision."

"Yeah but it wasn't always this bad. I had a little bit of a portal accident a long time ago and now my eyes suck and my head aches occasionally. It doesn't happen often but when it does it's really bad."

"Care to explain the portal accident?"

"Not really but I will say that it's why the gadget doesn't work. You'd think an all healing gadget could fix bad eyesight."

"So you were in a gadget related accident leaving you a wound that a gadget can't fix?"

"Bingo."

"And you knew what was happening to you?"

"I figured it out when I fell that day. That's why I suggested a few days off, remember? I didn't expect you to stick around honestly."

"Well if I had more information I wouldn't have had to!"

"Oi don't get mad at me. People can have sick days!"

"But if you knew it was going to happen you should have said something ahead of time. Not exactly the kind of thing you leave me in the dark about."

Quin sighed: "I get it. But you should understand that there is a lot about each other we just don't know yet. And maybe we never will.

Truth is I didn't tell you because you aren't exactly happy getting to know me. You just want Intel. With all the new bits of information we share, your pride and curiosity are bound to constantly be at odds. You can't expect me to figure out what I should and shouldn't say to you everytime. That's up to you. You ask and I'll answer."

Issac understood what he was referring to. During this time he hated not knowing but before this he refused to get to know Quin in any aspect.

The last twenty days Quin rambled endlessly but he never gave specific details on his past. Issac took it as him being cautious about giving too much information. But in truth he was leaving the sharing up to Issac.

He was right about one thing. If Quin had started info dumping to build trust between them he would have hated every second of it. He probably would have been even more suspicious than before.

All Quin could do was be his unapologetic self and wait for Issac to figure out what would and wouldn't piss him off. It was easier than you'd think. Quin was used to making acquaintances while being cautious not to let his guard down. He acted like an open book but not many could confidently share details on his life.

He had a good read on Issac. He was happy to close the distance between them at any moment. But he refused to do anything that would make this space any wider.

Issac realized that Quin was better at decision making than he seems. If they were to last until the truth was revealed he would have to keep his own ideas in check.

Issac sighed in annoyance: "Jeez. Making me do all the work right."

"Whatever keeps you from strangling me."

"Well what about the accident? Something you wouldn't tell me even if I asked?"

Quin shook his head: "No, I'd tell you. But that would be a whole nother question regarding my far off past and I honestly don't think you'd want to hear that. At least not now."

"That's true."

"But if you ever find yourself curious, all you have to do is ask."

"Right."

"Anything else?"

"Nothing to deal with now."

"Alright then. If you aren't fuming anymore."

"Don't push it."

"I say we do some in town tasks and do the rest of the obstacle course tomorrow."

"We still have about ten days left to score points."

"True. I still want to pick up the pace though. The most difficult tasks are in the town's surrounding areas. I want enough time to scout them and create a plan of attack."

"You're still on that?"

"Absolutely. We might be on the board but beating those will put us at the top."

"Whatever."

"Alright then it's set."

___________

The two completed every town task they found. It was mostly minigames and hidden symbols around the buildings.

The next day they jumped back into the obstacle courses in full force. Quin was back to his athletic self and even seemed to be faster than before. He really wanted to complete the courses within three days.

_____

Days 23 and 24 were spent scouting all difficult tasks in the danger zones. Mr. Weston was right about the abandoned tasks. At least two-thirds of them were taken over by snobby teenagers and young adults. Obviously lacking all game spirit and etiquette.

Not only did they take over and block entrances but they trashed the places too. There were no longer any hints or guides for participants to follow. Even if you made it in you'd have to search the entire place to find the symbols.

Quin and Issac first completed all of the empty ones. They then made rough estimates on the numbers in each building. These buildings were spread out along the outskirts of town. Each with one path leading up to them.

Supposedly the buildings each had their own themes and obstacles to work your way through. Somewhere in the middle was the room with the symbol similar to the haunted house in the main park. The difference was the way the game was played. Apparently it was a team game.

Multiple groups would go in and the one who made it to the center first got the points. If your team lost you'd have to try again against another one. There were also ways to knock out the team members. Things like airsoft, dodgeball, laser tag and similar games were used. Once you were knocked out you couldn't reach the symbol.

Nowadays those tools are play toys for the troublemakers. Some still work but most have lost their power source and no longer worked the way they should. The kids now just use excessive force to block people from even making it into the arena.

___________

Day 25.

Quin and Issac sorted the difficulty of each building. One stood out when compared to the rest.

Quin: "This must be the one they all meet up at."

"You think?"

This was the biggest of all the buildings. It had a large multi-level airsoft arena. Now it was covered in teenagers lazing about with stolen weapons from the other game sites. All non lethal of course but enough to leave a bruise or two if you're not wearing the designated protective gear. This was one of the ways they scared off other participants.

Quin: "We should save this one for last."

"Makes sense."

Quin started sneaking around to a back unguarded window. Issac stopped him: "What happened to leaving this for last?"

"We are. I'm just scouting."

"We've been scouting."

"I want an inside idea of the situation."

"And how exactly do you plan on reaching that?"

The window was too high to reach even if he jumped. After checking that no one was coming around the corner Quin ran up and turned to Issac. He gestured for him to come over. Issac shook his head as he walked over: "No."

Quin whispered: "What do you mean no? Are we not a team here?"

Issac whispered back: "Nah, you can help yourself."

"What?"

As they quietly fought a couple voices sounded from around the corner. They both hid up against the wall and froze.

"Frick hurry up, it's now or never!"

"Ugh fine! Just climb!" Issac stood with his back against the wall as Quin stood on his shoulders. He peeked into the window: "Alright it's clear I just need to get this thing open."

"Was it not open?"

"Only a small bit and they put some stupid cage lock on it."

"What?"

"Pass me that kit of yours."

"My fragile items in your hands? Why not just break it?"

"And then what? Have those guys follow the sound and find us breaking in?!"

"Okay relax! Stop moving around. Here."

"Thank you. I can barely get my arms through but I think I got it."

Issac scoffed: "Should have known you'd know how to pick a lock. Classic criminal tactics."

"Says the one who doesn't seem to require a key to my room."

"In my case it's just a trade skill."

"Trade being what? Being moody? There! I got it open!"

Just then the voices sounded from around the corner: "Hey did you hear something?"

"Hear what?"

"Uh oh." Quin whispered. "Climb! Climb!"

Quin opened the window and pulled himself through. Once in he reached out the window for Issac. Issac took a running start and grabbed Quin's arm. Once in Issac quickly shut the window leaving just a small opening as before. They both froze and listened to the voices outside.

"Is someone over there?"

"Nah no one I must have been hearing things."

"Probably just forest noises man."

"Yeah probably. Hey, have you seen the point rankings yet?"

Quin and Issac waited for the voices to disappear back around the building: "Jeez. Close one."

"Maybe keep your voice down from now on."

"You got it boss. Now then. Let's explore!"