Part 30 (1/2)

Kids at school had started calling her the All-School Ghostbuster.

Now, as she lay in the darkness of her room, she could feel her gift at work again. The old, familiar dread surrounded her - but it wasn't dread for herself. It was dread for Krissi.

Prayer wasn't something Becka was great at. Truth was, she knew she should be doing a lot more of it than she did. But with schoolwork, friends, TV, and the fast-paced life of high school, it was usually pretty hard to find time. Still, she tried.

Especially tonight. She had to. When she felt this kind of dread, she knew she had no option. It was the only way she could battle ... whatever was going on. And, at least for tonight, it was the only thing she could do for Krissi, the only way she could help.

So Becka started to pray.

Scott stared intently at the computer screen. Ttocs, the mystical holy man he had created, was locked in mortal combat with a blood-drinking banshee. According to Hubert, the Crypt Master, the ghoul had been lying in wait for just such an attack. Now the monster leaped onto Ttocs's neck, dug her fangs into his arteries, and sucked with all her might. Not only was she drawing Ttocs's blood, but his brains were also being sucked through the hollow, needlelike fangs.

Scott hit the Alt, s.h.i.+ft, and R keys on his keyboard and watched numbers flash across his screen. This was the computer's version of throwing dice.

The numbers appeared: 11, 4, and 3. Scott groaned. The 11 meant he got away, but not without losing most of his mental abilities. The two low numbers meant he had lost his armor and long sword. In short, Ttocs had survived. Barely.

Scott thumped his desk in frustration.

Darryl, who was sitting in the station beside him, gave a loud sniff. ”So, it's just a game, huh?” He grinned.

Scott ignored him. ”What good is it being a holy man when there are goons like that who can destroy you in one round?”

”You shouldn't have used your sword.”

”What do you mean?”

”You're a mystic, right? A holy man?”

”So ...”

”So, use your telekinesis powers - your magic. Instead of fighting them with swords, use your spells.” Suddenly Scott's screen began to flash. One of the other players was challenging him to combat. He'd obviously smelled blood and was close enough to go in for the kill.

Again Scott rolled the dice. Again the numbers were too low.

And thanks to the attack of a common, everyday flesh eater, the great Ttocs suddenly died. His internal organs had been devoured and the rest of his brain sucked out. Scott slapped the desk again. He was out of the game.

”And another thing,” Darryl sniffed while pus.h.i.+ng up his gla.s.ses, ”you were only playing halfway.”

”What do you mean?”

”To really win at this thing, you have to play body, mind, and soul.”

”I was.”

”No way. Your character was too nice. Next time make up somebody ruthless and bloodthirsty. Save the nice-guy act for reality.”

Scott gave him a look, then turned back to his screen and watched as his name and location were bleeped from the map.

His face flushed with anger. He knew it was only a game, but still ... part of him had been up on that screen. Part of him had just been destroyed.

He folded his arms and leaned back. So Darryl thinks I'm holding back, does he? That I was too nice? Okay, fine. Next time I'll create a better character. Next time I'll play with everything I have. They want bloodthirsty and ruthless, they'll get bloodthirsty and ruthless. He smiled grimly. The new and improved Ttocs will be unstoppable.

As he waited for Darryl and the others to finish for the evening, Scott grabbed a paper and pencil, rose to his feet, and crossed to the Game Book on the center table. This was a book that listed various types of characters, explaining their abilities, weapons, powers, personalities, and so forth. He flipped the book open. He would need all the help and hints he could get.

He would still keep the name Ttocs. But this new version would be the best player they had ever seen.

Chapter 3.

Krissi!”

Philip threw open the car door and staggered into the blind-ing blue light. She was his life, his reason for living. If she had to meet some awful fate, he would meet it with her. If he had to give up his life to save hers, he would.

But once he stepped outside, the light was no longer blue. It was orangish white, like the sun. And it no longer hovered above him. It was rising over the mountains in the east, right where the sun would rise.

Philip shook his head and blinked. It was the sun. He was staring at the rising sun!

He rubbed his eyes and took half a step back. But instead of gra.s.s under his feet, he heard the crunch of gravel. His mouth opened in surprise as he saw he was no longer standing in gra.s.s, but on asphalt.

What was going on?

He looked around. He wasn't in the field anymore. He was standing next to his dad's Jeep on Highway 72!

”What are you doing out there?”

He spun around to see Krissi sitting up in the pa.s.senger's seat. Her eyes were puffy from sleep, but other than that she looked perfectly fine.

”What ... ?” He swallowed. ”Are you okay?” She gave a long stretch. ”Yeah.”

He looked back into the sky. It was blue and gorgeous and clear. Not a flying saucer in sight.

”Why didn't you wake me?” she asked. ”What time is it?” Before he could check his watch, she squinted at the dash clock.

”Six twenty-five! My folks are going to kill me. Hurry up, we have to get home.”

Philip nodded numbly and crossed to his side of the Jeep. As he climbed inside, Krissi scolded him again. ”You should have woke me.”

He reached for the ignition. ”I, uh, I didn't know you were asleep.”

”Yeah, right,” she scoffed. She pulled down the vanity mirror to check her hair and makeup. ”I must have really zonked out.” Philip fired up the Jeep. It started on the first try. ”What, uh, what was the last thing you remember? Last night, I mean.” She scowled, trying to think. ”I was getting out to look for that stupid cow.”

Philip took a deep breath to steady himself. ”You don't remember seeing those lights? You don't remember getting sucked into the air?”

Krissi gave him a look. ”What's that supposed to mean?” He could find no answer.