Respawn in Reality: Game Over, Player One

The digital clock at the top of the screen ticked down like a bomb.

Fifteen seconds left.

Leo Greyjoy held his breath. His heart was beating so hard it felt like it was going to break his ribs. His hand gripped his computer mouse, perfectly still. His eyes were glued to the glowing monitor in front of him. Inside the game, his character was hiding in the shadows of a broken building, holding a sniper rifle.

This was the final match of the Global Esports Qualifier. The prize was five hundred thousand dollars. For the rest of Team Apex, that money meant new sports cars and expensive watches. 

For Leo, that money meant survival. It meant paying off his massive medical debt. It meant he wouldn't be thrown out of his tiny, freezing apartment tomorrow morning.

Ten seconds left.

The crowd in the live stream chat was going crazy. Words flew by on the side of his screen faster than anyone could read. It was a one-on-one situation.

Only Leo and the enemy team’s captain were left alive. If Leo got this kill, Team Apex would go to the world championship.

"Hold the angle, Leo," Mike whispered through the headset. Mike was Team Apex’s captain. He was sitting right next to Leo in the real world, inside their luxurious team gaming house. "He has to come through the metal door."

Leo did not blink. His crosshairs were aimed perfectly at the metal door on the screen. He knew the game’s timing perfectly. He knew exactly when the enemy would step out.

Five seconds.

There was a shadow under the door in the game. The enemy was moving. Leo’s finger tightened on the mouse button. He was ready. This was his ticket out of poverty. This was the end of his hunger.

Three seconds.

The enemy player stepped out. Leo’s crosshair was right on the target’s head. He pressed the button.

BANG. But it was not Leo’s gun that fired.

Leo’s screen suddenly flashed a blinding, violent red. The loud sound of a gunshot echoed in his headset, but it did not come from the enemy in front of him.

On the screen, Leo’s character violently jerked forward and fell flat on the ground, dead.

The match ended. The word DEFEAT appeared on the screen in massive, ugly gray letters.

Leo sat frozen. His mind could not understand what had just happened. He had the perfect shot. He was hidden. The enemy had not fired.

Then, he looked at the top right corner of his screen. The "kill feed" showed everyone who died and who killed them. The text was clear: “Team_Apex_Mike has killed Team_Apex_Leo.”

Mike had shot him in the back of the head. His own team captain.

The gaming room went completely silent. The only sound was the low hum of the massive, expensive computers and the quiet splashing of rain against the large glass windows of the mansion.

Leo slowly took his headset off. His hands were shaking. He turned his head to look at Mike.

Mike was leaning back in his expensive leather gaming chair. He was a handsome guy, wearing a designer jacket that cost more than Leo made in a year. Mike did not look upset. In fact, he was smiling.

"Oops," Mike said. He picked up a can of energy drink and took a slow sip. "My hand slipped."

"What did you do?" Leo whispered. His voice was hoarse. His throat felt incredibly tight. "Mike, what did you just do?"

"I think it’s pretty obvious, Leo," Mike said, setting his drink down. "You died. We lost."

"You shot me! You shot me on purpose!" Leo yelled, finally finding his voice. He stood up from his chair. His worn-out sneakers squeaked against the clean, hardwood floor. "We were one second away from half a million dollars! We were going to the finals!"

The other three members of Team Apex were sitting at their desks. None of them looked at Leo. They all stared at their screens, completely silent. They knew. They had planned this.

"We are going to the finals," Mike said calmly. He stood up to face Leo. Mike was taller and built like an athlete. "Team Apex is going to the finals. But you are not."

Leo felt a cold weight drop into his stomach. "What are you talking about?"

The heavy double doors of the gaming room opened. A young man walked in. He looked about Leo's age, but that was where the similarities ended. 

The new guy was wearing a bright, clean esports jersey with the Team Apex logo on it. He had a gold chain around his neck and a smug, arrogant smile on his face.

"Leo, meet Julian," Mike said, waving his hand toward the new guy. "Julian is our new sniper."

"Julian?" Leo asked, his voice shaking with anger and confusion. "He’s terrible at the game! He doesn't even know the basic map layouts!"

"Julian’s father is the CEO of Titan Energy Drinks," Mike said, crossing his arms. "Titan Energy is our new main sponsor. They are giving the team two million dollars a year. But, the deal was only good if Julian gets to play on the main stage. So, we had to make a little room on the roster."

"You threw the game," Leo realized, his eyes going wide. "You threw the qualifier just so you could kick me out and bring him in?"

"We didn't throw anything," Mike laughed. "Because Titan Energy bought the tournament organizers, too. We automatically qualify as the host team next month. We didn't need to win today. We just needed a reason to show the fans why we are firing you. And honestly? 'Leo choked under pressure and failed the team' is a great headline."

Leo felt like he could not breathe. He had spent the last two years giving his entire life to this team. He had played fourteen hours a day. He had skipped meals. He had ruined his sleep. He had carried Team Apex through the hardest matches of their lives.

"You can't do this," Leo said. His voice was breaking. "Mike, please. You know my situation. My landlord is evicting me tomorrow. I have fifty dollars to my name. I need my cut of the team salary. I need my back pay for the last three months!"