Chapter 19: My Mentally Unstable Streamer Part 2 (1/2)
Summer was almost here, that's how Zinnia saw it. Two weeks, within two weeks school, would be over and the long-awaited summer break would begin. Like all students, she too was counting down the days before she was temporarily granted back her freedom. For two whole months, she was free to do whatever she wanted that being, of course, hero work. She knew herself streaming was slow. They still hadn't had the lucky break since Pokiero and the viewings were dwindling as they were seemly forgotten again. Zinnia wasn't going to let that faze her. However, she now more than ever was determined to break out. And summer break was going to be that profound game change.
As the day came to an abrupt end, Zinnia found herself shattered. Her spirits broken and mind blank thanks to the end of year exams. She just wanted to get out and let off some steam. She began piling through her locker, taking a long sigh, knowing the next few days were going to feel even longer. Gale and Alton were both too busy to do any streams over the next few days leaving Zinnia on her own. She had brought the streaming kit in case she felt like doing one. Still, it wasn't the fact she was too nervous about holding a stream on her own, truth be told Zinnia knew all too well there was no way she could run a stream solo. She had little to no experience and wouldn't have a single idea on how to keep an audience engaged for long periods.
She forced the streaming drone in her school bag, looking for her water bottle as she overheard students. ”Did you see that phantom streamer's stream last night? It was brutal.”
”I only caught the last ten minutes before it was pulled off the sight again. The admins never seem to be able to ban this guy.”
”The way he killed that thug. It was honestly scary. Not a single drop of blood.”
”It's all probably fake. Some stupid marketing campaign for a stupid horror movie. You honestly think V.I.R.A.L would just let this sort of stunt continue?”
”Maybe you're right… I'm gonna try and find his stream again tonight. Hopefully, it doesn't get banned too quickly.”
Zinnia leaned over nodding to herself. ”That's twice I've heard of this guy… maybe I should tell the others, he could be a target.” Closing her locker Zinnia's sight was met by Percy standing right in front of her. She jumped back startled. ”Jesus, what are you doing sneaking up on me like that?! You could have given me a heart attack.”
”What's this about a new target?”
”You were listening to me? It doesn't matter.”
Percy shrugged his shoulder, moving his backpack around. ”It's what we do? Takedown other streamers. Classy. As long as I improve, I'm game, Vanguard trust me with you guys so I'll go along with it, so, when are we streaming?”
”We're not.” Zinnia hissed snapping her head at the fanboy. ”Didn't you hear, everyone else is unavailable.”
”Oh, yeah. I remember Alton mentioning something about trying to convince his landlord not to kick him out. What about the other dude, Liam?”
”Gale, he's visiting his grandmother's grave.”
Percy spun around slowly coming to grips with the situation. ”Don't see why we can't just pull off a stream?”
”Look, Percy, I don't feel that comfortable doing a stream by myself, let alone with you. Why don't we just all wait a few days until Alton and Gale are ready.”
Percy gave a blank look like he wasn't paying attention to anything said. He smirked playing on his phone. ”Don't be crazy. We're good enough you have Vanguard's chosen sidekick on your side. We'll stream big. But if you're feeling unsure, we can always do a Wonder stream.”
”A Wonder stream?”
”Yeah, haven't you heard of it? Wonder streams are when you are put with a complete random streamer, and you do a joint stream together. Vanguard uses to do them all the time back in his early days. That's how the former number one streamer found him. We could find someone on our level, or we could get someone huge like the Montagues or Ruby.”
”I do not want to work with those crooks.” Whispered Zinnia in a pouting manner. ”I don't know what if we get a dodgy streamer? I don't want to have to deal with that.”
”Don't need to worry. If you aren't happy with the streamer, we can always cancel after. There's no penalty for doing so. See already a match.”
Zinnia snapped, grabbing his phone in confusion. ”What?! You were already looking? How did you get a hold of our account?”
”Alton added me the other day, is there an issue?”
”No, not at all…” She lied already hating the idea of doing a stream with not only the vanguard fanboy but now also a complete stranger. That was until she saw who she was streaming with. The phantom streamer. Her curiosity got the better of her as she accepted. Maybe it was a pure coincidence, she thought. There could be many streamers with that name, it was a very generic name after all. But if this was the infamous phantom streamer, she's heard so much about, she knew she needed to see if the rumours were true. That wasn't the only reason. However, she wanted to prove too she could take down rouge streamers just as quickly as Alton could. A small waymarker appeared showing them the direction where they needed to go and meet the streamer. She threw her back over her shoulder, readying her stream. ”Shall we meet our new friend then?”
****
”Team Rhapsody. Team Rhapsody…” I kept mumbling to myself lost in thought as I had my phone hanging low by my side. The name ticked me off. I knew them. I think? I jumped up on a brick wall kicking my legs as I closed my eyes humming to myself. ”What do you think?”
”They cannot be trusted; they will likely seek to destroy you. They are jealous. Jealous of your success.” The voice echoed in my head.
I held my head in my hands, clicking my tongue. ”Yes, you're right. If I'm going to be the number one streamer, I should eliminate them all.” I jumped off the wall as my phone notified me, they were on their way. ”Four members on this streaming group. Alton Brantley. What can you tell me about him?”
”He's the most dangerous one out of them all. He's unpredictable. Selfish and reckless. His ability to control any sort of liquids shouldn't be looked down on.”
”Alright, he'll be the first one to be taken down. Who's next.”
”Percy Misharp. A boy who like you dreams big. He wants to follow in Vanguard's step and do whatever he can to get the acknowledgement he believes he's owed. His cloning capacity could easily turn the tide in his favour.”
”Take him out before he creates too many clones, understood. Next?”