‘I hope so – for your sake. You are as good as dead. If you remain here, you will die. If you follow me, I will save you. What is your decision to be?’
‘I will come with you.’
‘Good.’
The messenger lifted Squamato up behind him onto the horse and they rode off. Nick was very sorry he couldn’t hear the music that must be accompanying them on their ride.
What happened next was what always happened. In a cave the messenger laid his cards on the table: Squamato would live and become a Two if he carried out specific orders.
‘Go to the Cavalry Memorial in Hyde Park tonight at 7 p.m. Behind the memorial there are white benches. Underneath the third from the right you will find an envelope with an address and a few words. Go to the address and graffiti the words onto the garage wall. Photograph your work, and Erebos will welcome you back as a Two.’
‘That’s not so easy,’ Nick murmured.
Speedy’s reaction was spot on: he acted surprised.
‘I don’t think I understand. I mean, that doesn’t have anything to do with the game.’
‘Yes it does, Squamato. More than you think.’
‘So you mean the real Hyde Park and the real Cavalry Memorial?’
‘That’s right.’
‘And if I don’t find anything under the bench there? If there’s nothing there?’
‘Then you will return and report that to me. But don’t lie to me. I will know.’
Speedy exchanged a look with Victor, who seemed embarrassed.
‘The orders are not exactly legal,’ Speedy typed. ‘What happens if someone catches me?’
The messenger pulled his hood down over his face; his yellow eyes shone out in the dark.
‘They’ve only caught you once before. Make a good job of it – and don’t give me any sob stories. We will meet again when your orders have been carried out.’
And darkness fell over Erebos.
‘Well that’s a pain,’ Victor declared. He waved Nick and Speedy into the next room, since it seemed Emily had got to a tricky phase of the game. They heard her frantic clicking.
‘What does he mean by “caught you once before”?’ Nick was truly astonished. ‘Caught you doing what?’
‘I had a short career as a graffiti artist years ago,’ Victor said. ‘But how Yellow Eyes knows about that . . . I have no idea. It’s too bad. I’d prefer to be transporting wooden boxes around London as well rather than risking a charge of property damage.’
‘But did you notice?’ Speedy put in. ‘He didn’t realise that I was playing in Victor’s place. He was just annoyed because I did such a bad job at the end.’
‘Yes, yes, that worked all right. But even so we won’t take that risk again. The game is hideously clever. Until we know more, we’ll play it safe. Anyway, soon you’re going to be my novice. You do know that, right?’
Speedy ran his hand through his red hair. ‘I should hope so. Call me when it’s time; I’m off now. Kate’s waiting for me.’
After Speedy had gone, Victor began rummaging round in the cupboards – looking for old stocks of spray cans, Nick guessed. Emily was still sitting in her corner, completely focussed on her game.
Should he go? Should he stay and wait for Emily? Undecided, Nick leafed through one of the computer magazines that were piled on the tables. He hadn’t quite figured Victor out yet. Was this his home? His office? Both? What was his job anyway?
It wasn’t a good time to question him about it, because Victor was battling mountains of paper that were trying to force their way out of the cupboards.
What was Emily battling?
Nick crept closer, very quietly so he didn’t disturb her, and took a look over her shoulder. Hemera was running through some sort of tunnel. For a Three she was already equipped with a good breastplate and a decent sword.
The figures running in front of her and beside her were familiar: Drizzel, Feniel and Nurax. Hemera was moving in the same circles as Sarius had.
Crash! A couple of files had exploded onto the floor. Victor had disturbed the delicate balance of his overflowing cupboard, and the contents were coming straight for him. Empty printer cartridges were raining on his head out of a broken shoebox.
Emily looked up briefly, but focussed back on her game again immediately. She’d got through the tunnel into the light, and was standing under an enormous tree that bore a golden crown in its leaves. Beneath its branches a campfire was burning. A conversation was slowly starting up.
Was there any news? No, the discussion just revolved around the difficulty of finding wish crystals.
A look at the clock told Nick that it was nearly six. He should go now; Victor would also have to set out soon if he was to be at Cavalry Memorial on time.
The last of the daylight gleamed in Emily’s hair. They hadn’t exchanged a single word since Nick had arrived. That was okay, she couldn’t let herself be distracted. But she was so beautiful – Nick couldn’t just leave, he had to take a memory with him. If not words, then a picture. He took his phone out of his pocket and took a photo of Emily at her laptop. She didn’t even notice. Nick stowed his phone away carefully, like a treasure. From now on he would carry her with him.
Victor had finally found his spray cans. ‘I hope they’re not completely gummed up,’ he muttered, and shook one with a green label. ‘I’ll be off now,’ Nick said.
‘All right. Bear in mind that you mustn’t send me or Emily compromising emails. I’m not entirely sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the game could access your messages too. And don’t forget that it understands what we write.’
Nick promised to bear that in mind. Damn it all, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Did the messenger read his email?
On the way home in the Tube he looked at the photo he’d taken of Emily, over and over again. He felt like kissing the screen right there and then, but decided to wait until he was alone.
CHAPTER 26
‘No way. Forget it,’ Greg said. Even though almost two weeks had passed since his fall, the grazes were still clearly visible.
‘Just the orders,’ Nick pleaded for the second time. ‘I don’t need to know who or what you were. It’s what the messenger ordered you to do that’s important.’
‘What for? You’re out anyway. You won’t get back in, no matter what you try, believe me.’
It was enough to make Nick scream. Since the beginning of the week he’d been trying to find former gamers and squeeze them for info – so far with precious little success. And now Greg wanted to abscond again, but Nick was holding him by the sleeve.
‘Please! No-one can see us. I’ll tell you stuff about me too. Come on, talk to me.’
‘Why should I? There are some things I’m not incredibly proud of – no way am I going to tell you about them, Dunmore. Now let go.’ He freed his sleeve and disappeared into one of the classrooms. Nick cursed loudly, turned – and saw Adrian dart off. The picture of a guilty conscience. He sprinted after him.
‘Hey! Stop! Were you eavesdropping on us?’
Adrian turned his pale face towards him. ‘I didn’t hear anything. Only that Greg didn’t want to talk to you.’
It was unfair of Nick to take his frustration out on Adrian, sure, but there was no-one else around.
‘Stop spying on people! Just wait – one of these days you’ll get such a hiding that you won’t know which way is up.’
‘Leave the kid in peace,’ a deep voice behind Nick said.
Helen. Now he was really confused.
‘What’s it got to do with you?’ he snapped at her.
‘I said, leave him in peace. If I find out that you’re threatening him again, you won’t recognise your own face in the mirror.’
Nick looked back and forth between Adrian and Helen, bewildered.
‘I didn’t threaten him,’ he blurted out. ‘You’re the one threatening someone, namely me!’
‘Well spotted. Now get lost.’
You could tell
by looking at Adrian that he was as taken aback about Helen’s intervention as Nick himself. ‘It’s okay, Helen, he didn’t do anything to me.’
‘Well,’ Nick said, ‘you know that, and I know that, but Helen obviously thinks you need a nanny.’ He left them both standing there.
The next class was English again. Nick studied Mr Watson without actually listening to him while he talked about Elizabethan theatre. There hadn’t been any news about Jamie for days – that was better than bad news, at least. But would they even be told bad news?
At the end of the lesson Nick pointedly stood next to Mr Watson’s desk. He didn’t want anyone to think he had something to hide. ‘Do you know how Jamie is?’ Nick’s mouth was dry. ‘I wanted to ring his parents, but I can’t bring myself to do it. That’s why I thought maybe you could tell me . . .’
‘He’s still in an induced coma,’ Mr Watson said. ‘But things aren’t looking too bad. His hip is healing well. The head injury is the main concern; something like that can have a lasting effect, but I’m sure you’re aware of that.’
So there was nothing new. Nick thanked him and walked out of the classroom, throwing Emily a quick glance that she didn’t return. She was chatting to Gloria; she waved at Colin and ignored Nick. They hadn’t spoken a word to each other for days, and Victor hadn’t contacted him. Nick checked his phone constantly, hoping for a text inviting him to Cromer Street. But no luck.
He had a free period straight afterwards. The very thing he’d been so pleased about at the beginning of Sixth Form – having lots of free time between lessons – was now making him uncomfortable. There was no-one he could spend them with.
On the other hand, maybe that wasn’t true. There were thousands of things apart from Erebos he could talk to the others about, gamers or not. Jerome for example, who was sitting clutching his can of Red Bull.
‘Hey, Jerome. How’s it going?’
‘Mmph.’
‘Were you at basketball practice? I missed it, but this time I sent Bethune an email so he wouldn’t go ballistic.’
‘Smart of you.’ Jerome shut his eyes and sipped his drink.
‘So were you there?’
‘Yep.’
‘And?’
‘It was okay.’
Nick gave up. Attempting to have a conversation with Jerome hadn’t been a good idea anyway; he never said a great deal. As if he was paying by the word.
‘Well, see you then,’ Nick said and left him to it. He would find some other way to kill time.
On the way to the library Eric stopped him. ‘Have you got a minute?’
Nick couldn’t help himself – just the sight of Eric reawakened his jealousy. His whole manner was so sensible and mature . . .
‘Yes?’ Nick asked.
‘I’m worried about Emily. Is it possible that she’s playing your game now, too?’
Nick smiled. She hadn’t confided in Eric.
‘No idea. I’m not part of it any more.’
‘Oh?’ Eric raised his eyebrows. ‘Good for you.’
There was a stroppy answer on the tip of his tongue. How would you know? He swallowed it, since Eric might be able to help him.
‘Yes, that’s how I feel too. The problem is that I’d like to talk to a few of those who were . . . affected. I know I’m not the only exgamer here, but I can’t seem to get the others to listen.’
Eric pursed his lips. ‘Does that surprise you? Why should they trust you? You can’t even prove that you’re out of Erebos.’
There was some truth in that. But . . .
‘If you told them they could trust me, then they certainly would.’
‘It’s possible. But the thing is, Nick – I hardly know you. I know from Jamie that you’ve changed a lot. I can’t vouch for you just like that.’
Unbelievable. Eric was likeable even when he was snubbing you. Nick had one last go.
‘I want to do something to combat Erebos. I was part of it, I know the mechanisms. Most of them, anyway. But there’s more to this than a game. I have to find out what it is, and that’s why I need more information.’
Eric shrugged regretfully. ‘I can understand that. But I promised the people who’ve spoken to me that I wouldn’t pass anything on. I have to keep my word; I’m sure you can appreciate that.’
Everyone has clammed up like an oyster, no matter what side they’re on, Nick thought. ‘Okay,’ he said. ‘Then it will be every man for himself.’
The idea of having to turn up empty-handed at Victor’s place next time was getting Nick down. Who else could he turn to? To Darleen. She was out of Erebos. Besides, she had mentioned a Mohamed and a Jeremy who had received threatening letters – but that still didn’t prove anything. Aisha had got one as well, and she was probably still playing. Greg was definitely out, but wouldn’t talk.
Nick would stick with Darleen. She hadn’t seemed to be intimidated or withdrawn. After a short search he found her in the canteen. Amid loud giggles from her girlfriends he towed her outside to the corridor, where it was more peaceful and he had a better view of what was happening. No Colin, no Dan, no Jerome.
‘You again,’ she said and grinned. ‘Kelly and Tereza are getting jealous.’
She and Jamie would suit each other, Nick thought.
‘Tell me, Darleen,’ he approached the subject cautiously. ‘You said that you’re not playing any more. Do me a favour: tell me a few things you did when you were still part of it.’
She seemed a little unnerved. ‘But you said yourself that I should act as though the game never existed.’
Nick took another look around. ‘I only want you to talk about it, just this once. To me.’ He heard people coming, took Darleen by the hand and led her into an empty classroom. He closed the door behind them and leaned against it.
‘What do you want to know?’
‘What orders you carried out, for example. Was there anything special about them?’
She thought about it, studying Nick out of the corner of her eye as if she wasn’t sure it was safe to tell him such things.
‘Do you remember the stolen computers – the laptops?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘I was in on that. I kept a lookout. If someone came, I was supposed to raise the alarm by text message. But don’t tell anyone about it, I’ll deny it.’
Nick tried hard to see where this information fitted in. ‘Do you know what happened to the laptops?’
‘No. But I can guess. They were meant for the people who couldn’t start playing the game because they didn’t have their own computer. I think Aisha got one of them.’
That made sense, but it was a piece of the puzzle that wouldn’t actually help Victor.
‘Anything else?’
‘God you’re nosy.’ She sighed. ‘Yes, I copied some documents that I fished out of a waste paper bin in Kensington Gardens. But don’t ask me what it was exactly. Legal stuff, a whole stack of paper. I didn’t understand a word of it.’
Nick would have given a lot to get a look at the ‘legal stuff’.
‘Anything else? Did you threaten anyone at any time, or . . . break anything?’
Now her gaze slid away. ‘No. But I know what you mean. No, I didn’t. The rest of my orders were harmless. Writing an assignment for someone, buying a SIM card and leaving it in a specific place, that sort of thing.’
‘And why did you get kicked out?’
‘Because my idiotic mother blocked my internet access for three days. After that the messenger said I was of no further value to him. Isn’t that a cheek? I could still howl with rage. As if that was my fault!’
‘Okay. Thanks,’ said Nick. ‘You’ve been a big help, but I think you’d better go before one of the watchdogs sees us.’
She nodded. ‘Pretty crazy stuff, huh? Do you think we ever met each other in the game?’
Nick smiled. ‘I don’t know. What was your name?’
At first she hesitated, then she shrugged her shoulders. ‘Samira.’<
br />
‘Hey, then we do know each other! You were a cat woman, right? And you were there when I first started.’
‘Honest? So who were you?’
Some distant part of him ached when he thought of his other self in the past tense.
‘Sarius,’ he answered. ‘I was Sarius.’
CHAPTER 27
The weekend had finally arrived. Along with an invitation from Victor. They were all going to stay the night in his studio, as he called it. ‘Gaming, chatting, drinking tea,’ he said on the phone. ‘You have to come over. I’ve found out some amazing things!’
‘It’s nice that you’re getting out again,’ Mum said, when he told her about his plans. ‘You’ve hardly moved from your desk lately.’
Nick set off with his sleeping bag and mat and an enormous supply of nibbles. He must have made a strange sight, looking around several times at each corner, each crossroad, to check that no-one was following him. He went an incredibly round-about way again on the Tube to shake off any unseen pursuers.
‘Welcome, my friend!’ Victor opened the door to him and relieved him of his things. ‘I haven’t had a pyjama party in ages! You’ll say yes to a cup of tea, I hope, and hi to Emily?’
Emily was sitting in the same spot as last time. She looked up briefly as Nick came in, pointed apologetically to her laptop and turned back to the game. A red hiking pack was leant against the wall behind her. Was she going to stay the night too?
Next door, Speedy was sprawled on one of the lairy sofas with a girl whose hair was died jet black and shaved on one side.
‘Kate,’ Speedy introduced her. ‘My woman.’
‘Nice to meet you.’
Kate smiled, revealing eyeteeth embellished with diamantes.
‘Your turn, Speedy,’ Victor said. ‘And try not to flaunt your skills, okay?’
‘I’m not stupid, you know,’ Speedy grumbled, and sat down at a different computer than last time.
‘It’s necessary,’ Victor explained, noticing Nick’s look. ‘The first thing the program will definitely check is the IP address. If it recognises that, it won’t even show you the teensiest fir tree from the opening sequence.’