Read Online Gamers' Challenge by George Ivanoff - Free Book Online

waitress continued around the counter and walked straight towards Zyra and Hope’s table. She took an order booklet from her apron pocket as she stopped at their table.
    Zyra and Hope glanced at each other and then back at the waitress. She tore a page out of the booklet and placed it on the table between Zyra and Hope. Then she put the booklet away, turned around and walked off.
    ‘Hey!’ shouted Zyra, after her. ‘Can you see us?’
    The waitress gave no sign of having heard her as she made her way behind the counter and through the door.
    Zyra looked back at Hope and then at the paper face down on the table. She reached forward and turned it over, then snatched her hand back.
    I’ll fin d you.
    The two of them stared at the paper and the words, written in bold red, looking almost like blood. There was something ominous about the simple statement. Zyra shivered and looked over at Hope.
    ‘So,’ said Zyra, breaking the silence. ‘We just sit here and wait for this Ultimate Gamer to show up.’
    ‘No,’ said Hope, alarm in her voice as she pointed out the window.
    Zyra looked out to see a VI heading down the street. She reached for the crossbow on her belt.
    ‘No,’ Hope said again. ‘It might not have seen us.
    It could just be looking for us. Best if we just quietly
    J.ump agam. . ‘
    ‘Back to the Temple of Paths?’ asked Zyra.
    ‘No,’ said Hope. ‘Try another environment.’
    ‘Suburbia is where Tark and I always came. It’s the only one I can picture in my mind.’
    ‘You never went anywhere else?’ asked Hope.
    ‘We were forced into a space battle once,’ she explained. ‘And there was the Maintainers’ Control Centre. Other than that, we only ever went into another environment one time.’
    ‘Take us there,’ demanded Hope.
    ‘It was a long time ago,’ said Zyra. ‘I can’t really picture it very well.’
    ‘Well, you’d better try,’ said Hope. ‘I think we’vebeen spotted.’
    Zyra glanced out the window again. The VI was speeding towards them, another two VIs in the distance coming to join the first.
    Zyra took hold of Hope’s face and closed her eyes.
    The man in the shabby suit looked up. And they were gone.

11: Left Behind  
    The red-robed monk strode back through the doorway, the rest of the monks streaming in after him. He approached the altar, put his robe back on and knelt down.
    ‘Let us pray,’ his voice boomed through the
    Temple. ‘And give praise to the Designers.’
    The monks all knelt in their places and resumed chanting as if nothing had happened.
    Tark tentatively approached the doorway and peered out. The vestry was completely gone. He stepped out. There wasn’t a VI in sight.
    ‘Wot’s ‘appened?’ he asked.
    ‘They’re gone,’ said Tee, following Tark outside.
    ‘We’re obviously not important.’
    ‘So where has they gone?’ Tark looked at Tee with worried eyes, fearing the answer.
    ‘They’re probably after Zyra and Hope,’ said Tee.
    ‘Which means we’re on the right track. Zyra and
    Hope, and their ability to travel, must be a threat.’
    ‘Zyra! Ya’ve puts her in danger! We’ve gotta do sumthin’,’ demanded Tark, a hint of desperation in his voice. ‘Can we gets her back?’
    Tee looked steadily at Tark. ‘Where she and Hope go is up to them. We have no way of contacting them or getting them back. They’ll return once they complete their mission.’
    ‘They has a mission?’ Tark’s eyes widened. ‘Wot mission?’ He took a step towards Tee, eyes narrowing.
    ‘Why didn’t ya tells us?’
    ‘Well, I haven’t really had the time to fill you in on everything,’ explained Tee. ‘Things have been moving pretty quickly. I had intended to explain everything to you and Zyra bit by bit, so as not to overload you with information. I suppose I should just tell you everything, now.’
    ‘No,’ said Tark. ‘Ya can tells me later. Right now, we needs ta gets ‘em static balls back ‘ere.’ He paced back and forth in