I stared into her eyes for what felt like forever.A promise?It sounded simple. Ordinary. But in my world, a promise could get someone killed. A promise could expose you to truths you weren’t ready for. A promise could trap you in a reality you no longer understood.“I…” The word hung in the air between us like smoke from a fire I wasn’t ready to put out. “I can’t promise that.”Her expression faltered. Just a flicker. But it was enough to feel like a slap. Mrs Tracy could barely believe what I just said. I was sure she would have given me a spank if I were her real child, but something in her eyes felt calm. Maybe she was being understanding about what I said, or maybe she had finally given up. There was a limit to everything a person can take. Maybe she had reached her limit this time around. “I’m sorry,” I added quickly, trying to soften the blow. “It’s not because I don’t trust you. It’s because—because the things I’m dealing with, the stuff that’s happening—it’s not normal,

Maybe it was for the best. If I was not inputted into the system anymore, then maybe I was let go. I still don't know what it meant for me, and it was nerve-wracking. I could feel a thousand eyes on me each time I turned around the school corridors. I don't need to be told who the gamers were anymore. I had seen enough of them back in my past to know who was who and who was now in the gaming system. Olivia. Zara.They still pretended I was invisible, like I didn't matter to them. And the likes of Zack and Elliot's brother were back to taunt me again. The life I thought I had left behind was slowly catching up to me yet again. It's been days, no weeks. No message from the system, no mission, and no upgrades.It was like I was let go each time I thought about it. I don't know if I should be thankful or sad. The fact remains that I don't need to look over my shoulders anymore. I was not scared of anyone coming for my head except Elliott's brother, who still gives me the chills.

Love?Looking at her everyday, staring into her face was making me forget I have ever fallen in love before. Sandra was everything that I had hoped for. She was compassionate, kind, caring and loving and she does things without me asking for it. Mrs Tracy noticed the closeness between us and I am sure she is happy with it. I was slightly distracted from my phone and was mainly concentrating on my studies. The nightmare was consistent. I barely sleep at night. The system still haunts me. As the thunder crackled, My eyes snapped open only to see Sandra seated right in front of me. " What are you doing?" I asked her, trying to get to the switch. Sandra's gaze locked on mine as the light illuminated the darkness casting a gentle glow inside the room. " I came to wake you up for super but you were.." She paused " I was what?" I said immediately grabbing a towel to clean my sweaty face. " You were mumbling some words in your dream. And also you called Thomas's name." Sandra added "

Maybe telling her the truth would help her understand why I had to take the devil's hand. I shake my head slightly. I was just going to be dragging her into my world. The system worked, and that was the last thing I had on my mind. I remembered the resistance group that was trying to fight the system. I know I really want to stop the system, and then I need to find them. I don't need to be told what would happen to me if the system caught me snitching. Maybe I just need to stay alive. Win the prize and stop playing stupidly. But what was the prize?The system had never brought any prize, not that I know of. I scratched my head gently as I stared at my phone. I still wonder how it got the connection to my laptop, but then, I was not worried. It has access to my phone, and since every electronic gadget is on IP, then it should be able to connect to my laptop. I heard a gentle knock on the door. "Food is ready." Sandra always walked in with a tray for me. She was sweet, and somet

Blood trickled from my lip as I staggered back up, tasting the metallic bitterness that only fueled the anger I had buried deep. I don't need to know what the punch was for but I knew I was back in the system and they warrant my former enemies to be back or maybe new ones. “Derek,” I muttered, wiping the blood with the back of my hand, my eyes narrowing on him. “Still acting like the clown you’ve always been?” He didn’t laugh. His jaw clenched, and his eyes were burning like coals. Students had already started whispering, circling around us, their phones out, recording. I hated attention, but this wasn’t the kind you could escape. “You bastard!” Derek barked, grabbing the front of my shirt and shoving me into the desk behind. “ What the hell is this?!" My face went pale as I stared at the phone he was holding. The woman in the picture was my mother but then who was the man standing beside her. He was looking more like the bastard staring back at me. " Isn't that your