1

Emma woke up and squinted toward the cave opening. Orange light filtered down the tunnel. Her stomach grumbled loudly for food. She gazed over her shoulder to see if anyone else was awake. Harper and Miguel were sleeping in each other’s arms. Her head was tucked under his chin. How sweet, she thought. Behind them, the brothers were snoring. Emma turned to glance at Brett, who was sitting at the blazing fire. She decided she’d wake Jordan and they would hunt for food.

“Good morning, Emma!” Brett said enthusiastically. His back was to her, but he was waving his right hand.

How could he know I was awake? Emma thought, startled. “Uh, good morning, Brett,” she replied hesitantly. “Did you have a good night?”

“Oh, sure. I love bonfires!” His hand kept waving robotically.

“Th… that’s good, Brett. Thank you for doing the watch last n—”

“Would you like me to get your armor?” he asked.

She looked to where she had laid the chain mail. It’s gone! she realized. He took it sometime in the night. Emma shuddered at the thought. I have to wake Jordan, she panicked. I don’t want that creep seeing me in my underwear. She swung around to nudge Jordan.

“That’s okay, Emma. I promise I won’t peek,” Brett said, getting up from the fire.

You read my thoughts! But she knew that wasn’t possible. She’d turned her telepathy off. So, how could he have read my mind like that? she wondered. Was it just a coincidence?

Brett squatted. “I have your chain mail right here. Can I bring it to you? Would that be alright with you?”

Emma couldn’t think of a response. “Yes, Brett,” she replied numbly, “that’s okay.” She peered down to make sure her bra was fixed properly. As he swung around to face her, Emma briefly glimpsed his face. His expression scared her. What she saw was the face of a mannequin, lacking any semblance of humanity. A frozen smile stretched across his face. It was the mask of an impostor. Then his smile softened, and she saw genuine warmth in his eyes. He walked over and knelt beside her. She noticed dried blood under his nose and on his chin. “Oh Brett, you have blood on your face.”

He flinched, surprised, and rubbed at his face with his left arm. “Oh, that. The faucets started dripping again overnight,” he replied. As he wiped his face, Emma saw that his left hand was badly burned. “Oh my god, Brett,” she gasped. “What happened to your hand?”

He looked at her blankly for a few seconds, and Emma felt a chill go down her spine. Then his face was normal again. “Yeah, my hand. I’m so clumsy. I was putting wood on the fire, lost my footing and fell in. Been casting healing spells on it all night.” He held his hand up like a figurine. “I guess I’ll be competing with Zack for the ugliest scar,” he joked.

Emma smiled at him sympathetically and placed her hand on his right arm. “You’ve been through so much in a short time, Brett. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

He laughed awkwardly, feeling conflicted with her show of compassion. “Please take your time,” he said. “I’ll go back to the fire.” He laid the armor in front of Emma and touched her shoulder. “Trust me, Emma, please,” he whispered, then returned to the fire, his back to her.

She wondered about the fixed smile she’d glimpsed moments ago. Maybe it’s just the stress of everything he’s been through, she reflected. Emma pulled the mail on under the canopy. She thought about Brett. He still scared her, but she had seen his gentler side now. Maybe he can still be salvaged, she thought. She hoped so and resolved to help him.

Still, she couldn’t get that split second out of her mind. How his face had looked. It reminded her of a ventriloquist’s dummy.

2

Emma joined Brett by the fire, reflecting on how different he appeared and feeling guilty for thinking he was a deviant earlier. “Brett, I am so sorry about the accidents you had last night.”

He smiled at her. “Yeah, that was quite the whopper, but I healed myself overnight. I’m doing better now.”

Emma chuckled. “Well, between doing the watch and keeping my chain mail warm, you’ve been a real gentleman, Brett. Thank you.”

Brett smiled genuinely. “Thank you, Emma.”

They gazed at each other for over a minute, then Emma broke the silence. “Well, I suppose I should wake up my hunting partner.” Emma stood up and turned toward the sleeping area, but stopped. She spun around, knelt beside Brett, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and kissed him on the cheek. For the first time that morning, his face fully relaxed. He gazed at her appreciatively, his eyes wide and glassy.

“Breakfast awaits,” Emma whispered, then went to wake Jordan.

Brett gaped at her, astonished. It was only on the cheek, but that was the first time a woman had kissed him in five years.

3

Emma shook Jordan’s shoulder. He woke instantly, wiped his eyes and peered at her, concerned. “Is everything okay?” he asked as he scanned the area.

“Calm down. Everything’s fine.” She smiled demurely. “I’m going hunting for food. Will you join me?”

Jordan gave a once-over and winked. “Sure,” he said, rubbing the blue hairs along his forearm, “birds of a feather flock together.” He nodded toward Brett. “How’s he been this morning?” he whispered.

Emma considered the question for a moment. “I think he’s a changed man,” she stated. “He’s the one who brought over our dried clothing.” She frowned. “We’ve been unfair to him.”

Jordan didn’t respond. Emma walked back to the fire while Jordan pulled on his mail, which Brett had left laying on the cold rock. When he finished, he joined them. “How was the night, Brett?” he asked.

The nurse regarded him, then exaggerated a military salute. “The night was A-okay, Jordan… A-okay.” Brett grinned.

Jordan peeked at Emma to see if she reacted to the strange response. She didn’t. He thanked Brett for staying up and offered commiseration for his injuries.

Emma stood up and turned to Brett. “We’ll be back in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.” Brett beamed at her. The nurse watched them climb up the cavern toward the daylight outside.

4

Following her nightmare, Harper had slipped back to sleep. Miguel could feel her soft breath feathering the hairs on his chest. He didn’t sleep much, but that was okay with him. He believed they were at the beginning of a long and wonderful road together, and he didn’t want to miss a minute. In the low light that emanated from the fire, he studied her face and her shoulders. He spent the night gently massaging and caressing her.

Miguel had known he was attracted to Harper from the moment he saw her at the briefing. He believed his feelings were real and not a fabrication fueled by the corrupted game world. This is not one of Epiphany’s intensified emotional responses, he thought. I had feelings for you before we transferred. If Harper had been awake, she would have heard his thoughts. The two mages left their telepathy on, knowing they’d need the ability in combat. He kissed her on the forehead. Miguel often wondered why he gravitated to the sappy boy band music, but it made sense to him now. It had prepared him for what Harper needed. He could feel the weight of responsibility bearing down on them both. But for Harper, it was even greater. Somehow, she had become the team’s focal point, its touchstone. That was a heavy burden to carry, and he planned to support her through it all. He was going to be her rock, her greatest defender. She opened her eyes and looked at him.

Did you hear any of that? he thought to her.

Yeah, some, she beamed. It was very sweet, Miguel. She kissed him for the first time. Her lips were like silk and tasted both salty and sweet. He felt intoxicated. Then she pulled back and gazed into his eyes for a long time. Her blue eyes radiated fiercely under the canopy’s shadow. She frowned, noticing that Jordan wasn’t in the bed.

Yes, Emma’s not here either, he telepathed. Maybe they’re getting breakfast.

Harper stared at him with such focus that it made Miguel feel weak. You know, this could be the game messing with our emotions, she thought to him.

He shook his head. I don’t think so. He hesitated. Sure, it may be intensifying our emotions, but those feelings have to be there to start with. Harper continued staring, unsure. Hasta, what we have… it’s real, he telepathed. I wanted you even before we transferred here. You may not feel it as much as I do, but I believe in us.

She smiled, satisfied with his rationale. Harper drew him in and they remained that way for an hour, not wanting to leave the warmth of the canopy or each other.