Into the Game

We spent the night in the graveyard.

I didn’t want to, but Mei assured me that it was safe.

Add in that Michael hadn’t come back. I didn’t have much choice but to stay in the graveyard overnight.

I woke up to bright light. The sun was already up. I glanced at my watch, except I wasn’t wearing one. I wasn’t wearing one. I had taken it off before I got in a pod. It was one thing I missed.

I stretched and stood up. The camp was empty. There was no sign of Michael or Mei, physically at least. Michael’s backpack was still on the ground.

I looked around. I needed to get moving, but I didn’t want to leave without him. I opened up my bag and started eating cherries. I could’ve eaten on the road, but I wanted to give Michael some more time to show up.

“Heads up.”

I turned and caught a water bottle. I nodded my thanks to Mei.

“Why are you still here?”

Mei sat down net to the ashes of the bonfire. "You want to find your brother?”

I nodded.

“You’re going to need a group to get through the higher zones.” She took a book out of her backpack.

“Are you offering?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” I spit out a cherry pit. "Why help me?”

“You’re willing to risk your life to protect your brother.” She flipped through the book. "I can relate to that.”

I wanted to ask, but the pain on her face told me it wasn’t the time. "Thank you.” I pointed at the book. "What are you doing?”

She found the page she was looking for. "Spells are applied to the skin as tattoos. Once the tattoo sets it can be triggered by pressing on it.” She held up her palms. Each had a six sided star on her palm with a swirly X shaped rune in the middle.

“How do you put on the tattoos?”

She laid her arm on the book and folded the page over it. She pulled a pen out of the spine of the book and traced the outline of the rune. It glowed while she traced the rune on the page.

She pulled her arm out and showed it to me.

“It’s that easy?” I asked

Mei replaced the pen and closed the book. "I’ve had eight years to practice. It won’t be that simple for you.”

“You don’t want to mess with her kind of magic.” Michael said

I turned around. "You’re back!”

He walked over to his backpack. "I told you I was going to help you find your brother. I meant it.”

“Even if she joins us?” I pointed at Mei.

Michael glared at her. "We’re going to need her.” He admitted. "The roads in the higher zones can’t be traveled safely alone.”

I looked at Mei. "Are you still in?”

She nodded.

“Great!” I got up and slung my bag over my shoulder. "Let’s get moving.”