Page 10 of The Glass Unicorn: Part 1
“What’s really going on?” Thornhold asked. “I think it’s something else that you’ve been pushing away for a long time.”
I frowned, not wanting to give voice to the thoughts that sprang up to what he had said. Thornhold was right, but I didn’t want to think about what was stressing me out right now. “Ask me again later, okay? You’re onto something, but I’ve been avoiding thinking about it, and I need to process everything first.”
“Okay, but try to have fun? You love this game.” He reached out and patted me on the arm.
I flashed him a smile. “You’re a good friend, T-H,” I said, using his nickname. He’d been named after his great-grandfather and had never quite gotten over it. “I promise, I’ll get in the spirit.”
At that moment, the door to one of the cottages opened and a woman stepped out. I squinted and watched her for a moment. “Employee, not a Sym,” I said.
“Ahoy, strangers,” she called out, waving. “Where are you going?”
“Into the woods,” I said, waving back. “Say, do you mind if we stop for a drink of water?”
She waved us over. “Please, do. I have fresh apple pie, if you’d like, and cider.”
The smell of cinnamon drifted toward us through the open door, making my stomach rumble.
“Thank you.” I turned to the others. “Why don’t we take her up on the offer? I have a feeling this might be a good thing for us,” I said. Something in my gut told me that we might be on track to the dungeon and maybe this woman could help us.
They agreed, and so we turned toward the cottage, readying ourselves for fresh pie and cold cider. Overhead, the sun shimmered toward late afternoon, and I glanced toward the woods. What would we find in there? And would I be able to find my own peace of mind?
CHAPTER 6: AND THE GAME TAKES A DRASTIC TURN
“Here,”the woman said, leading us to a long table out back of her cottage. It was shaded by a massive oak. A well sat near the tree. Further back was a small pond. Beyond that, a field of corn waved in the breeze and beyond that, stretched the forest.
“You have quite the farm here,” I said. “I’m Erenye, and this is Thornhold, Brynn, Reggie, and Ray. We just got here.”
Technically, of course, the employees weren’t allowed to break the fourth wall, but we’d seen it happen before. Even though this was supposed to be an immersive experience, there were always going to be reminders of the outside world.
“I’m Liesel,” she said. “Let me go get the pie. Please sit and rest yourselves.” As she headed into the house, I turned to the others.
“I wonder what it’s like to work here. How often does she get to leave the game?”
“It wouldn’t be a bad job…In fact, it might be fun,” Reggie said.
“I suppose, but it seems like living in two worlds at once would get confusing after awhile.” Brynn turned around on the bench and leaned back against the table, stretching out her legs.“I have to say, it’s beautiful here. And it’s nice to get away for awhile.”
I decided to ask them how they felt about killing the creatures. “What happened when you had to kill the enemies we’ve faced? Does that…how are you dealing with that?”
“They’re Syms, not real,” Reggie said. “It’s just like being in a video game. You kill trolls and ogres all the time in the game.”
“I know, but that’s like watching a movie. This is reality?—”
“No, it’s not exactly reality,” Ray said. “But I get what you’re saying. It’s one thing when it’s in your head or on the screen. Quite another when we’re standing face to face. But they really areSyms, Erenye. They don’t have pain receptors. Think of them like corporeal holograms. They’re programmed to fight, programmed to interact the way they do, even programmed to shriek or scream. It’s all for show.”
I nodded. “I know you’re right, and I’m trying to distance myself—” I stopped as Liesel returned, carrying a tray with two apple pies on it, along with a stack of dessert plates and forks. A jug of cider sat next to the pies, along with several glasses. Another nod to the outer world—china and metal utensils.
She set the tray on the table and began carving slices of the pie, handing them around to us. “I hope you like it,” she said.
“I’m sure we will,” I said. “It smells wonderful.”
She handed round the dishes and we began to eat. Liesel was anxiously watching out over the vast field next to her house.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
“I’m keeping an eye out for the skeletons. We’ve been under attack for some time from a nearby burial chamber, and nobody’s been able to clear out the creatures who live there.” She stared at us for a moment, then went back to cautiously watching the field.
“Where is it?” Reggie asked.
