The moment we passed through the threshold, Alan slowed to a brisk walk, crossing the floor with long strides. The System loomed intimidatingly as we drew closer, a vast tower of shining light.

It looked like...

The most expensive thing...

I had ever seen...

In my entire life.

And I was about to destroy it.

Sure...Some part of me, deep down inside, knew that Dr Floid didn't have insurance. That at the end of the day, her life's work was about to be ruined...

That part of me was...ecstatic.

Really, Karma is a genius....this is going to be the height of my delinquency career!

It was nearly enough to make me cry.

My eyes had even begun to water, just a little.

The only thing that kept me composed was the reality that I was surrounded by sadists.

Not to mention sharing a brain with one...

It shouldn't have been that big a deal really... but thanks to Jack, what was meant to be a simple trip down the stairs had become significantly more troublesome...Which...

I sent a glance up at Alan's cheerful smile.

...seemed to concern some people more than others...

Not that I recommend using his expressions to judge anything, but the King of the Hill certainly didn't give the impression that his plans had been delayed.... or even altered...

Once again, I didn't know what Alan was up too... which meant I had to blindly trust him... Like always...

I'm sure it will pay off... one of these days

It was only when he reached the computer's complicated-looking console that Alan deemed it safe to put Vain and I down.

Then again, I wouldn't put it past the redhead to prolong anything that made Vain's face screw up in distaste.

Even once the albino was free to stand on his own feet, Alan kept a firm hand on the shorter boys shoulder.

...the way I couldn't help but scowl every time he got a little too handsy...probably also played a part.

"If the worse happens, I'm leaving Peri in charge," Alan said, calmly holding Vain's gaze as he pulled out his phone and set it in front of the complicated looking keyboard.

"Do as he says, and nothing else."

The King's seriousness was more than a little daunting... As were his words.

...implying that Vain might do something reckless...

Vain's glare narrowed, his expression pinched with irritation.

"I'll do what I have to."

... Of course, he would. He already has.

Alan smiled, but it was in no way happy.

"I was afraid you would say that."

My hands clenched against Vain's palm, but I said nothing.

There was nothing I could say that wasn't selfish.

This is why I find punching people to be the best argument...

But that wasn't really an option here...

Alan's phone lit up with small vibration. The redhead answered it before it could even begin to ring.

"Sorry to cut things short, but if we don't do this now the worse case really is going to happen."

Peri's voice sounded strained over the loudspeaker. Worried.

Alan just nodded, neutral smile in place.

"Maddison, I need you to watch the screen for me." At this, Vain moved to set me down beside the giant phone.

I slid out of his hand, leaving the warmth behind to sit on the cold metal of the console.

"Don't look away if you can help it," Peri added, rightfully assuming how easily distracted I can be.

He didn't have to worry. It would have to take someone dying for me to...

...Okay, he could worry a little.

The monitor shone blue with some sort of program. Numbers and letters and incomprehensible code flickering across the screen, leaving me none the wiser as to what needed to be done here.

I wasn't good with technology, but if there was one thing I knew for sure.... it was that watching this shiny bullshit was going strain my eyes like Hell.

The damage could even be permanent...

No. Even if I had to stare through my tears as my retinas fried, I wouldn't look away.

Cause I'm a hero.

In my peripheral, I watched gaint hands settled on the keyboard before me.

I could do this...and as a bonus to everyone involved, I wouldn't add asinine commentary to the situation...

... It's not like it's impossible for me to keep my mouth shut...

"...You're bracing yourself." I observed, keeping gaze on the screen. "We must be seconds away from game over, huh?"

Alan wasn't exactly my closest buddy, but I could still tell when he was worried...

The absence of blatant sexual harassment being the obvious clue.

If the King wasn't teasing at least one person in the room for the sole purpose of causing humiliation wherever he went, then the situation had to be bad.

"There's no such thing as Game Over Maddison," Alan replied softly, his fingers beginning to tap against the keys. "I may lose progress...maybe even have to start over from the beginning... But so long as I keep playing, I'll win eventually."

I watched as the screen changed, coming up with some sort of menu. Alan flickered through the options, changing the screen once more so that it was filled with code.

Super important computer. Not even password protected.

...I might have to ask Cassandra where exactly she got her degree from.

All I understood about the sea of information on the screen was that it was supposed to be important.

Also, I could sort of see a cat face in lines of numbers... But it was missing an ear... so I doubted it was essential to cracking the code.

I'll keep in mind though, just in case.

"That seems like a careless way to play," I said to Alan, continuing the conversation mostly to stall off the impending boredom.

The fingers in front of me hesitated for an instant, before resuming their typing at a blurring pace.

"...You may have a point..."

... Seriously? I'm like, the last person he should be listening to when it comes to gaming. Even pac-man hates me...

"... Don't tell Alex I said this..." Alan's voice lowered secretively. "... But I probably play too many videogames..."

"About time, you admitted it," Alex spoke dryly...

... from what sounded like right behind us.

Alan's fingers spasmed guilty on the keyboard...

...but when he spoke, his voice was oddly calm.

"Alexander. I told you to stay with Nigel. "

"I did."

Though I couldn't turn around to see, his words were confirmed by the sound Nigel fighting to catch his breath.

"It's dangerous to push him." Alan began to reprimand. "He won't notice-"

"I know." Alex cut his brother off. "Trust me, that isn't a problem we have to worry about right now."

Alan's fingers froze on the keyboard.

... Why would he...?

"... it hurts," Nigel said between gasping breaths.

Oh.

Nigel.....

Could.

Feel.

Pain.

"Aww, Alex. " Cassandra's voice echoed loudly in the room around us, her pout almost audible through the unseen speakers.

"Why did you have to go and spoil the surprise? "