Thestorebellchimedasanothercustomertrundledin.

Buffetedbythewindandrain,he
shookhimselfasdryashecouldbeforeenteringthestoreproper,butdropletsstillrandown
hisjacket,andhishairwassoaked.
InthefutureIsuggestyoupickupanumbrella.Davesaidfrombehindtheglasscounter,
feetuponastool,seatedamongstakingdomofmodelsandrulestomes.Hedidnotlookup
fromswipingbetweentabsonhistablet.
Yeah,yeah,Iknow.hesaid,goingintothebackroomtochangeamidstcardboard
boxesanddiscardedgamecases.Heemergedwithhisclerksapronandnametagfirmly
affixeduponhisbreast.Hi,mynameis:Roger,WelcometoTheWizardsChest.
Whydoyoumakemewearthisthing?YouknowIgetshitforthiswhenevermyfriends
comeby.
Welljustbecauseyourfriendsdontappreciatethevalueofhardworkdoesntmeanyou
shouldnt.Besides,itspartofthemood.Ifcustomersjustwantedtobuygamestheydgoto
WalMart.Theycomeherefortheexperience.
Theexperience,right.
Hey,BossDavesaid,gettingoffhisstoolputtingahandonhisshoulderandwavedat
thestorelayout.HehadstarsinhiseyesandwaslookingpastRoger,atsomethingnotthere.
Thereusedtobeatimewhenpeoplelookedtousforguidancewhenitcametopickingouta
goodgame.WewerethelastlineofdefenseinguidingthecustomertopickuptheRPGthat
scored40inFamitsuversustheonewiththereallysimilarnamethatscoreda10.Agame
storeclerkmatteredthen.
Soitscashinginonthenostalgia.Rogersaid,deadpan.Davenarrowedhiseyes.
Imean,totally,right,guidesinthedark,allthatjazz.Rogersaid,flashinghimathumbs
up.
Thatsthespirit.Davesaid.Nowgetoutthereandsellsomegames.Andkeepaneye
onthekids,Ithinktheyvebeenstealingposters.
Sure.Rogersaid,andlefthisbosstohistablet.Hetightenedhisapronandbeganhis
rounds.
ThestorewasawideUshape,withtalltowershelvestohousethethousandsofgames,
recordsandothermiscellaniaofastorethathadadaptedover20yearstomeeteverynew
waveofcustomers.Hesawapairofmiddleagedparentsporingoveralongshelfofold
electronicademoswhiletheirchild,standingbetweenthem,perhapsnoolderthan9,flicked
throughhisphone.
Adarkalcove,TheCave,housedtheirTVunitsandsmallsetupofgamedemos,amixof
oldandnewconsolesrunningthestaffspicks,speakersblaringoutorchestralsetpiece
musicnextto16bitmenuthemes.
Onrainydaysitwasnexttopointlesstopatrolthefloor.Peoplemeanderedinandout,
usuallythemorehardcoreoftheircustomers,ortheyspoketoDaveaboutthelatestinjustice
intheworldofactionfigures,orcomics,orhowthenewGIJoecartoonwasgoingtobea
pieceofgarbageforonereasonoranother.Some,liketheparents,simplycameintoperuse
withoutbeingbothered,afewminutesoutofthedrearinesssurroundedbybright,clean
plastic.

HeenteredTheCave.Themixofsoundswasdistracting,heavybassfromtheHD
screens,ahalfdozenscreensshowingfirstpersonviewsofgreylocalesandmasked
enemiesinvariousstatesofdismemberment.HesettledonanoldCRTTV,theonlyonein
thestore,andtheonlyonethathadalltheplugsfortheancientgameconsolethatsat
beneathit,protectedunderglass,lockandkey.LookingaroundtomakesurethatDavewas
stillengrossedinhistablet,Rogersatdownandheldthecontrollerinhishands,rubbingaway
atthelittledustthathadaccumulatedsincelastanyonehadpickeditup.
Sittingcrosslegged,inputtinghisnameandwatchingthebrokenenglishprologueroll
acrossthescreen,hewastakenbacktohischildhood.Rainydaysspentplayinginsidewith
hisfriend,Hannah,listeningtohisbrothersplayingtheirmodelwargamesonthekitchen
table,thedarkroomilluminatedbyaneonglowofspaceships,pixelatedgalaxiesandwhite
noiseflurriesfromoldandfailingconnectorcables.
Allpastnow.Hannahmovedawayatthestartofhighschool,olderbrothersstartingtheir
ownfamilies,familyhousesoldtopayforacondoinFlorida,andheworkinginthegame
shopthatheusedtogotoasachild.Hemashedstart.
Ashestartedplaying,flyingthroughfamiliartunnels,runningthesamepatternsofbullets
andenemieshedbeendoingforyears,acoldfeelingrandownhisback.Itwasthefeelingof
beingwatched,andofbeingjudged.Hepausedthegameandgroaned.
Sorry,Dave,Ijustkindagotcarriedaway.AndIknow,Iknow
ImnotDave.avoicesaid.Rogerjumpedbackuptohisfeetandnearlystumbledinto
theTV,catchinghimselfonashelfjustintime.
Thegirlwhodsnuckupbehindhimstaredathim,andRogerstaredather.Sheworea
heavyolivejacketemblazonedwithpatches.Onherlapelsheworeseveralpinsdenotinga
mercenaryloyaltytonumeroussciencefictionfactions:AStarfleetinsignia,anImperial
sunburst,atrioofPokemonbadges.Sheworegalaxyprintleggings,andhefoundhimself
unconsciouslytracingaconstellationpathallthewayuptothehemofherskirt,adarkjean
piecethathuggedthecurveofherlegs.Hestutteredforamoment,straighteningouthis
apronandstandinglookingaroundnonchalantlyaroundthecornertoDavesdesk,wherehis
bosshadbeenjoinedbyapairofregularsinfullplaytimeregalia.
Sorryaboutthat.Ithinkmybosswouldbealittleangryifhecaughtmeplayinggameson
thejobagain.hesaid.ShecockedherheadtothesideandnoddedtotheTVbehindhim.
Youplayoften?shesaid.Hertonewaslaconic,bored,condescendinginaway.
Uh,yeah,wheneverIcan.
Hmm.shesaid.Shelookedoverhim.Herealizedthatshewastallerthanhimbyagood
sixinches,anditfeltlikehewasbeinginspectedbyher.
So,uh,isthereanythingIcanhelpyouwith?
Shedidnotreply.
Idlikeyoutoplayagamewithme.shesaid.Versusmode.
Um,sorry,butIcant.Ifmybossfindsmehellfliphisshit.Imean,asmuchashecanflip
hisshit.
Didnthesaythatyourjobwasmoreabouttheexperiencethananything?sheasked.
How...howdidyouknowthat?
Eh,youhearthings.Youguysaresuperloud.So,doyouwannaplayornot?shesaid.

RogerlookedaroundforDaveagain.Heandtheregularswerehunchedoveradusty
bookheusuallykeptonahighshelf,gesticulatingatpassageshecouldnttelliftheyagreed
orvehementlydisagreedwith.
TheyreturnedtoTheCave.Heopeneduptheslidingglasstoanothershelfandpulledout
asecondarycontroller.Hepluggeditinandhandedittothegirl,whodnowstrippedoffher
jacket.
Herauburnhairfellincascadesdownherback,somecurvingoverhershouldertofall
alongherchest,furtheraccentuatingherform.Heavertedhiseyesandfocusedonthe
screen.
Well,areyougonnapressstart?shesaid,easingintoposition.Evenhunchedover,she
wasafewinchestallerthanhim,andhestraightenedouthisposturetocompensate.She
lookedathimfromthecornerofhereyeandrolledithard.
Theybegantoplay,atfirstwarily,theirshipsdancingaroundeachother.
Youknow,thisgameisspecialbecauseitwasactuallytheprogenitorofalotofother
seriesthatarereallypopulartoday.Iusedtoplaythishesaid,anddiedinapixelexplosion.
Hah,thatwasprettygood.Hestretchedhisneck,makingafewcrackingsoundsashedid.
Alright,letsdothatagain.
Again,hewasreducedtofloatingpixelsinspace.Hebreathedinalittlefasterand
presseddownonthebuttonsjustalittlebitharder.Thegirlgiggledlightly,moreofasardonic
chuckle,andcontinuedtheassault.GamespassedwithlittlegainsmadeonRogerspart.
Whereverhescoredaglancinghit,orbroughtherlifeintothered,itwasattheexpenseofhis
ownlife,andafter15rounds,shecloseditwithaperfect.Heblinkedatthescreenand
gingerlyputthecontrollerdownonthecarpetedfloor.Hestartedtolaugh.
Whatssofunny?sheasked,stretchingoutofherhunch.
Nothing.Itsnotthatfunny.Iwasjustthinkingabouttoday.Iwokeuplate,mybikechain
broke,itstartedraining,andnowsomeonebeatmyassatagameIvebeenplayingforabout
15yearsnow.Itsjust,Idunno,itsstrange.Itsastrangefeeling.
Well,duhyouweregonnalose.Yourestillusingthesamemovesyoufromwhenyou
werealittlekid.Shouldhavegonetoacollegewithadecentscene,likeme.shesaid.
SynapsesinRogersbrainfiredoff.Herhair,thesardonictilttohervoice,thebadges.
Holyshit,Hannah.hesaid.Shelaughedand.
Finally.shesaid.Rogerwasagape.Shetiltedherhead.Well,arentyougonna,like,
hugmeorsomething?
Oh,yeahhesaid,andshereachedouttohughim.Itsjust,manitsbeenlike7years
sinceIlastsawyou.Heckitsbeenatleast5sincewelasteventalkedtoeachother.
Yeah,thatswhathappenswhenyourparentsmovehalfwayaroundtheworldtostudy
rocks.shesaid.Shelookedaround.Gladtoseethisplaceisstillaroundthough.
Yeah,I,uh,Imkindagladthatitsstillaround,tobehonest.Itwastheonlyplaceintown
thatwashiringwhenIgraduated.
Abriefsilencehungintheairbetweenthem.
Buthey,itsgreatthatyourebackintown.Howlongarestaying?
Shesuckedononeofherteethandlookedaround.

Um,indefinitely?shesaid.Hopefullynotthatlong,but...Yeah,thingsgotalittletough
lastsemester.Istillgraduatedsowoohooforthat,butIreallyneedsometimetojust
decompress.Actuallyhavefunagain,youknow?
Hah,Ihearyou.Rogersaid.Hescratchedthebackofhishead.Everytimehelookedat
Hannahhisfacefeltwarm,andtheideaofitatonceembarrassedhimandmadehimstutter.
Timehadmadehismemoriesfuzzy,thoughhedbeenabletoremembermanyofthedetails
ofwhoshewas,whatshehadactuallylookedlikehadfadedawayintothemiasmaoffaces
fromhischildhood.
Now...nowstandinginfrontofhimhewasquivering.Apartfromherheight,shewasalso
athleticallypoised,widehipsjoinedtoacurvedwaist,andnolackofmusclesonhercoreand
legs.Hedidhisbesttopuffhimselfup,standingtallashecould,thoughhegaveupwhenhe
realizeditdidntmatterintheapron.
So,thisisyourfirsttimebacksinceleaving?
Yeah,firsttime.shesaid.
Helookedaround.
Look,Iknowyouveprobablygotalotofcatchinguptodo,butthisstormssupposedto
clearuptonight,reallybeautiful.Wecouldgowalkingdowntheroad,sayhitomyroommate
andhisgirlfriend,geticecreamatTrevors.
Whoa,Trevorsisstillaround?
Yep,stillkicking.
Shelookeddowndown,deepinthought.
IthinkIdreallylikethat.
Rogersmiled
Thatsawesome.hesaid.Itreallyis.Helookedaroundandtriedtoputhishandsinhis
apronpocketsbeforerememberingthathedidnthaveany.Itsgoodtoseeyouagain,
Hannah.
Yeah,sgoodtoseeyoutoo,Roger.shesaid.Shecranedherneck.Lookslikeits
alreadystoppedraining.
Sureenough,therainhadceased,thoughtheovercastskywasstillasolidsheetofgrey.
YoustilllivebyKilloak?
Yep.Bethereat7?
Noproblem.hesaid.Theyhadaanotherawkwardmomentwhereneitherreallyknew
howtosimplybreakitoff.Hannahmotionedforwardforahug,butRogerwastooslowand
initiatedamomentlater,andtheybothpulledaway.
Well,Illswingbylater.hesaid.
Shenodded,breathedindeeply,nodded,andwalkedaway.Rogerwatchedherleave,
keepinghiscomposureuntilhesawherroundabendanddisappearfromsight.Hegroaned,
hiskneesbuckled,andhepressedhisheadagainsttheglassofthedisplayshelf.
Stupid.Stupid.Stupid.Stupid.herepeated,lightlytappinghisforeheadagainstthe
glass.Hisfacewasburning,afeelingofnauseacreepeduponhim,andhiseyesfeltdry.
GodImafuckingretard.
RogerBossDavesaid.Rogerjumpedbackandtrippedoverthetwocontrollerwires,
fallingoverwithahardthud.

Jesus,Dave,yourelikeafreakinninjaorsomething.
Iamaninja.AnddontthinkIdidntseeyouhangingouthereplayinggameswiththat
girl.
Oh,ok,look,Imsorry,Ijustthought
Dontbe.Sheboughtaboutahundreddollarsworthofgames.heleanedinclose.You
seewhathappenswhenyouselltheexperience?
Yeah,Iguess.
Good.Gladtoseeyourefinallytakingmyadvice.Davesaid.Rogerturnedawayfora
moment,buthisbosshadalreadydisappearedbehindapillarofstrategyguides.He
straightenedouthisapronandscratchedhischin.Hegrimacedatthewhiskersandmadea
mentalnotetoshave.
Atnight,walkingonthecrackedsidewalk,watchingthestreetlightsslowlyflickeron,their
lightsstartingaswarmglowingbulbs,thengrowingoutandmergingintotheubiquitous
orangehazeofacityaliveatnight.Thepassingrainhadalsostirredtherestofthecollege
town,normallysosedentaryinhowitmergedwiththemoretranquiloutlyingneighborhoods
oftudorhousesandlumbered,grandfatherly,suburbancottages.Therainhadmadethe
inhabitantsstircrazy,andcarsangledandfoughtalongthethinroadsforwhatspacethere
was.Hecutthroughthelawnofadarkthreestorymanseandfoundhimselfonaquieterlane,
withHannahshousenotmuchfurtheraway.Itwasquiet,andthetimesincehedlastbeento
herhousehadmadeitallthemoreimposingandbaroque.Thesatellitedishandpairof
expensivelookingcarsinthedrivewayclashedagainstthevinecoveredfacade,heavyoaken
timbers,andburnishedochreofthebigdoornowinfrontofhim.
Hepressedthedoorbellandwaited.
Heddresseddownfortheoccasion,alightjackettokeepthewindoff,jeansandabutton
down.Itthunderedinthedistance.
Whenthedooropened,Hannahwasinthedoorway,halfdressed.Sheworealong
flannelwiththesleevesrolledback,herhairbundledupwithastretchyband,redpanties
peekinghighoverthewaistlineofhersweats.
Oh,shit,IthoughtyouwereSorcha.shesaid,blushedfiercely,thenslammedthedoor.
Heheardthesoundofrunningstepsandwaited.Helookedaroundtheneighborhood.Across
thestreetthecurtainsofawidewindowwaved,andhecouldbarelyseetheeyesofanold
womanwithamonocular.
Beforehecouldbesureshewaslookingathim,thedooropenedagainandHannahwas
there,thistimefullydressed.Shedexchangedtheflannelforacleanoutfit,awhiteskirt,
Uh,yousaidSorchawascomingover?
No,myparentsdontwanthercomingin.Shesgotsomenewguyandtheydontwant
themfeelingeachotherontheircouch.shesaid.Hepeekedinside.Itwasimmaculate,more
stagethanhome.Thediningroomtable,withitsunmarredwhitelinen,wasfullysetwith
plates,silverwareandglassesfor12,allclean.Thefloorswerenewwoodaswell,aswasthe
whitecarpet,andthetelevision,stillwithpricestickerclingingtotheside,and,yes,thecouch
thatcurledinanSshape.
Yeah,Icanseethat.Rogersaid.Seemsniceenough.

Notreally.shesaid,andlockedthedoorbehindher.Theweightofitclosingseemedto
makethedoorframeshudder.ShefacedRoger.So,showmewhatschangedintown.
Theytookthelongpaththroughtotown.Quietneighborhoodsslowlygivingwaytorows
ofrestaurants,cafes,andsmallshopsthathadlongsincecloseddownforthenight.
Theypassedbyrovingbandsofstudents,oldercouples,andthehighschoolersfrom
nearbytownshipsthatcircledthecircledthecollegelikeplanetsaboutthesun,pulledinby
thegravityof15,000youngadultsandeveryamenitybuilttoappealtothem.Barswerethe
norm,modernandglasscovereddrinklaboratoriesnexttobrownstonepubsolderthanthe
universitiesthemselves.
Soyeah,lotofbars,waymorerestaurants.Davesactuallygotabunchofshopsaround
here.
AndyousaidTrevorsisstillaround?shesaid,lookingaroundforthedingylittlehole
amidstneonandshufflingbodies.
Yep,rightwhereitsalwaysbeen.
Trevorswasasmalldiveofaplace,ancient,greasy,wallsandtablescoveredincheap
linoleumandthenironedonwithlayersofclearplastic.Entering,theyweregreetedbya
waveofkitchenheat,thesmelloffryingbatterandpizza,andthegeneraldinofcooksatwork
onaFridaynight.Ablackandwhitephotoofamanwithasneeringfaceandsallow
complexionhungonthewallaboveablockoftextwhoselineshadbecomewarpedbythe
agingpaperandrunningink.Amanwhocouldhavebeenthesubjectofthesamephoto
stoodattheregisterandglaredatthem.
Youwantsomething?heasked.Hisvoicewasliketwopiecesofsandpaperbeing
rubbedtogether.Theyeachboughticecreamconesandsidledintoaquiet,darkboothbythe
exit.Thefauxleatherandplasticmadeeverymovebefollowedbyahalfdozensqueaks.
So,whatexactlydidyoumeanbyhavesomefun?Itsoundslikecollegewasalrightfor
you,iftheresatleastagamescenenearyou.
Yeah,buttheresaflipside.Lotofnerdsplayingandyoudthinktheydneverseentits
before.
Now,hey,IthinkIwouldfallunderthenerdblanket.
Yeah,butyoureacoolnerd.KenandMirei,theyrecoolnerds.Theseweremorelike
pocketprotectorsinhighschool,RevengeoftheNerdsfantasyenthusiasts.theylaughed
together,butitquicklysubsided.ItwasntreallytheawesomefuntimesIthoughtitwas
gonnabe.
Thatsalright.Hey,IworkforDaveofallpeople,3daysaweek.
Weekends?
Yep.FridaysandWeekends.hesaid.Hebitintohisconeandcringedatthecold.I
fightformytimeoffthesedays.
Shenoddedandbecamequiet.Rogerfeltthatshewassadinsomeway,asiftherewas
somepressureholdingherdown.Shefinishedherconeandleanedback.
Thatwasactuallyawesome.Ihaventhadanicecreamconeinmonths.shesaid.
What?Iknowsomepeoplewhopracticallyliveoffthestuff.
Ohmygod,isthatasiankid?Thelittleone,youknowwhichone,hewasinthebackin
geometry.

Kim?HecallshimselfSvrognow.GotreallybigintothewholeDungeonsandDragons
thing.WeactuallyhangoutontheFridayswhenImfree.
BythetimetheyleftTrevors,achillywindwasblowingthroughtownanddispersingsome
ofthemassedcrowds.Studentsbrokeintosmallerandsmallergroups,andbandsof
pubcrawlerswerelosingsteam.Alonglineofmenandwomensatonacurb,headsdown,
someleaningagainstthestreetlight,allmakingslowmovementsorwavingawaytheirfriends
astheypointedtoaholeinthewalldive.
RogerandHannahkeptwalking,observingthem,laughingattheoccasionalstumbling
foolornonsensicalcommentthrownoutintothenightthatdrifteddownovertheirheads.THe
widecircularroutetookthemthroughthemaincampussquares,thetechandmedical
schoolsthatborderedeachotherandsharedmanyofthesamebuildings,manycampuses
unitingtoformamassivecitywithinthecity,andanoasisfromthedriving,survivalistbustleof
thecityproper.
Theybegantoascendthestepsofatowerlikebuilding.Normallyreservedforthelargest
lectures,thebuildingssheersizeandemptinessonweekendsmadeitthegeneralmeeting
placeforclubs.Fridaysitwassilentasatomb.Theoutsidestairsresembledanoldbiblical
structure,likeazigguratorBabeltower,andanumberofembankmentsjuttedoutforpeople
tositandlookoutoverthecity.Theysettledonabenchandsimplywaited,breathingincool
air,lettingeachothersbodyheatbleedintooneanother.
Thisisactuallyreallynice.Imissedthis.shesaid.
Yeah.Itsbeenreallydifferentforme,too.Eversincemyparentsmovedaway,Idunno,
itsbeenlikeIvebeenabletoactuallylivehereandenjoyit.
Didtheygetridofyouroldhouse?shesaid.
Yep.Soldit,gottorndown,andnowIthinkitsatwostoryforadoctorandhiswife.
Thatsucks.shesaid.
Imean,Iusedtothinkitsucked.Butreally,themoreIthinkaboutit,themoreIrealize
thatIwasfinewithit.Iactuallyreallylikethisplace.Ivebeenheremywholelife.
Youdontwantanythingmore?
Oh,hellyeah,Iwantmore.GodIdo.
Hannahleanedoverandkissedhim.Hard,longenoughtoleavehimshortofbreathby
thetimetheybothpulledaway,neitherreallyknowingwheretogo.Heeasedforward,then
wentin,thistimehimleadingwhilesheleanedbackinherchair.Herhandswerearoundhis
neckanddiggingintofabricandskin.
Sorryifthatwasalittlebitmuchshewassilencedbyanotherkiss.
Hisownhandswerediggingthroughherlayersofclothestotouchthebareskinbeneath,
ripplingwithgoosefleshasfingertipspresseddownandbegantoexplore.Onehandwentto
herback,andthechillofhisskinsentashiverthroughoutherbody.Hisotherhandrounded
thecurveofherhipandpulledherclosertohim.Themixofscentsonherwasheadyup
close,strainsofsororitygirlfruitmistmixedinwithadabofmorerefinedlilacshenickedfrom
hermothersdrawer.
Shebrokeawayfromhimbreathinghard.Nowherfacewasred,thoughastunnedsmile
wascreepingontoit.

Hannah,Idontknowwhatcameovermehestarted.Shethrewherlegsoverhimand
leanedinclose.
Didyouwanttodothattomeinthestoretoday?sheasked.Shewaslookingdownon
him,thecurveofherbreasts,theweightofherbodyonhis,andthefreckles,thefreckleshe
wasonlynoticingjustnowthatseemedtoperfectlycomplimentthesmirkonherface.
OfcourseIdid.hesaid.Thewordsstruggled,everybonetoldhimthatthiswasnt
happening,thisdidnthappeninlife.Buttherearefewmomentsinlifewhereanyoneisgiven
theoptionofchoice.Afteryoubeatme,thewayyouwere,Iwantedtopushyouupagainst
thewall.
Isthatall?Seemsprettytame.shemoved,justthesubtlestridingmotion,thathecould
practicallyfeeltheskinofherlegstouchinghis.Shefeltarounduntilshefoundaspotright
abovehisdick,pressinghardagainsthispants.
Hisfingerswouldnotlistentohim.
Cmon,fuckinghands,dosomething!hewantedtoscream,buthishands,hisarmsin
fact,werelockedathissides,whichmighthavebeenforthebest.Hewantedtosmellthelilac
onherneckagain,andnoclothesmighthavesurvivedhadhishandsbeenhisown.
Youknow,whydidntweeverkeepintouchafterIleft?
Atragedy.Atotal,absolute,horribletragedy.hesaid.Hismouthfeltdry,histhroatwasa
desert,hiswholebodydriftedtotheedgeofexplosiveenergy.Shetookhishandsinhers,
tremblingandall,andlaidthembackdown.Sheslowlyremovedherselffromhimandturned
around.
Iwantyoutocloseyoureyes.shesaid.
Youwantmetoclosemyeyes.
Right,andIdontwantyoutoopenthemuntilIsayso.shesaid.Ifyoudo,thisisnight
isover.
Heshuthiseyes,clampedthemdown.Whetherrealornot,hecouldfeelhishearing
sharpening.Therumbleofcarsonthemainboulevardjustoffcampus,thespring
nightingales,thesoundofHannahshuffling.Hewaited,silentlydoinghisbesttokeepstilland
calm.
Areyouready?Hannahsaid.
Yeah.
Okay,openyoureyes.shesaid.Shewasstandinginfrontofhimwearingherjacket,
buttonedallthewayuptotheneck.Itscold.
Yeah,itkindais.hesaid.Helookedaroundforsomeclue.Shetookastepforwardand
undidthetopbutton,thenanother,thentwomoreuntilhisbreathcaughtandhechoked.She
tookanotherstepandstoodnotmorethanafewinchesfromhimnow.Sheundidseveral
morebuttonsdownpasthernavel,justabovehermoundwhereatuftofhairbegantorise.
Shetookhishandsinhersandputthemonherwaist.Thewarmthofherskinbroughtlife
backtohishands.
Iwantyoutofeeleverypartofmethatyouwantedinthestore.shesaid,andshe
giggledasshemovedhishandsacrossherbody,skintighteningundercoldfingertips.She
pressedclosertohimsothatherchestwasagainsthis,andhecouldseeeveryimperfection
ofherskin.Therewasasmatteringoffrecklesnearthetopofherbreasts.Heleanedforward

tokissthem,andbreathedinherscent.Ashedid,hishandsmovedfaster,goingtoherback,
herneck,hisotherdiggingintothefleshofherlegbeforeslowingmovinguptohercunny,
tracingapatternonherinnerthighashecamecloser.Whenhecametothesoftnessofher
moundshewhimperedonce,softly,butitwasenoughforhimtopausehisactions.
Hishandswerestill.Shelookedathim,andthefeelingofherlockingeyeswasbothscary
andarousingatonce.Shewasvicious,andhewantedtotakeherthen,onthebench,damn
theworldandanybodywhosawthem.Hestartedmovingagain,findinghiswayuptothe
edgesofhercuntandfindingaslickofwetnessstartingtorundownherthigh.Heheldhis
fingersuptocatchthelightreflectingoff,asmuchtolethimknowthatitwasrealandnot
somefeveredlustillusion.
Holyshit.hesaid,rubbinghisfingerstogether.
Yeah.Hannahsaid.Acoldwindblewbyandsheclutchedhimtighterandlaughed
lightly.Ok,thistimeIreallyamgettingcold.
Uh,well,hismindracedforawittycomment,buthecameupblank.Hewasstill
exploring,wantedtobringhercloser,wantedtofuckhersomuchmorebadlythanhedever
wantedtofucksomeoneinhisentirelife.Everychildfantasy,allthedaydreamsofvideogame
heroinesstrippingofftheirarmor,fatuousbutpleasantsketchesofelvenbrides,nakedexcept
fortheirswords,eventhesimpledreamoflustycoedsmeetingupafumblingencounterata
shittyfratparty,allthewasdestroyedinonefellswoopbythisrealmomentintime.Thenthat
issomethingweneedtotakecareof.
Theyranhome.Hannahhadntbotheredtoputonmostofherunderwear,slippinginto
herskirtandshirt,therestofherclothesstuffedintoherbackpack.Twiceagustofwind
threatenedtoupliftherjacket,andtheylookedbackatthestillvibrantstreettocatchthegaze
ofhalfdrunkenpatronsstandingdazedandwonderingtotheircomradeshowdrunkthey
actuallyweretoseeahalfnakedwomanrunningdownthestreet.
Pastthenoisiermainboulevardandbackontothequietstreets,theirpaceslowed.Itwas
messiernow,andthedarkmadethebothofthembolder.Theycameuptoatreebyoneof
thetimberedmanses,anancienttreenexttoanoldhouse.Thetrunkwasgnarledthatit
seemedtobemadeofanumberofcrevassesthatseemedtointersectatthekeyplaces
neededtosupportatrunkofitssize.Sheleanedagainstoneofthemandpulledhimclose.
Herhandwasdownhispantsandshestroked,keepinglooseeyecontact.
Rogerlosttrackoftime.Timecouldgofuckitself.Hertouchwasstillmolten,andhefelt
layersofhiswillpowerbeingstrippedawaywitheverysecond.
Shit,Hannah,waitasec,ifyoukeepgoing
Thentohellwiththis.shesaid,takinghimbythehand.Herhousewasinsightandthey
weredashinglikemadpeopledownthestreet.Shedugintoherpocketsforherkeysand
struggledtogetthedooropenuntilshehadtotakeasinglesecondtoclosehereyes,
breathe,andcalmlyunlockthedoor.RogerwasinsideandHannahfollowed,closingthedoor
withalightshove.
Destructionfollowed.Finallyfree,Rogertookherwithenoughforcetopushheragainst
thewall.Neitherwasincontrolnow,andtheystumbledaroundtotryandfindsomeplaceto
continuethatdidntinvolvestandingaround.Rogerpointedtothediningroomkitchen.
Hannahjerkedherthumbtowardsthelivingroomandthecouch.

Ithoughtyourparentsdidntwantanyonedoinganythingontheircouch?
Sherippedherjacketoffandstoodinfrontofhim,thefulllengthofherfigureexposed.
Thelightofthelivingroomwasbrightandtherewerenoshadows,buteveryshadeofpink
andfleshwassomehowmademorevibrant.Sheturnedaroundherealizedthatitwasthe
firsttimehedseenherasssofar,butmorethanthathecouldappreciateherbodyinaway
hehadntbeenabletoonthedarktowerroof.Itwasntjustthesexappeal,thoughhestill
mighthavehackeddownahundredothermenjusttogettoher.Itwasratherthe
imperfectionsthatmadeherbeautifulinthelight.
Herskinwasdifferentcoloredinplaces,slightlyblotchyinsomeplaces,palewhiteinthe
placesthatneverreceivedsunlight,lightredlinesfromwheretheclotheshadbeentight
againstheroverallframe,aperfectcurvethattriggeredstrange,atavisticlongings.Memories
flashedtoprevioussophomorehookups.Theydbeenmuchthesametoadegree,yettheyd
lackedsomeelementthatHannahpossessedthatmadeherbetterthanthem.Herhairwas
looseringlets,andhersmile,shadowedbytheangleofthelight,gaveitasinister,predatory
edge.
Itwasabreaking,anexposuremomentifevertherewasone.Hehadacondominhis
pantsandcursedtheplasticashishandsfumbledtosecureit,whichinitselftookonlyafew
seconds.Oncesecure,hemadeamaddashtowardsherandfoundstrengthinhisarmstolift
heroverhisheadandputheronthecouch.Hebegantolowerhishead,butshepulledlightly
onhishairandshookherhead.
No,fuckthat.Iwantit,now.shesaid.Nomorewaiting.Herlegswerearoundhiswaist
andherarmswereup,holdingontotheedgeofthecouchforstability.Neitherwantedto
wastetime.Nailsdugintofleshashepositionedhimselfandfinallyenteredher,slowlyatfirst,
untiltheentirelengthofhimselfwasinsideherbody.Hannahgaspedandonehandletgoof
thecouchtograbRogers.
Go.shesaid.
Hemovedslowlyatfirst,easingintothemotion,respondingintimetotheundulationsof
herbodyagainsthis.Itwasaneffortinexplorationandmovement,balancingalongthethin
lineofcontrolledexertionandwildaction.
Beadsofsweatrandownthebothofthem,onefellfromhischeekontoherbreast.He
sawthebeadrolldownhercurvature,andhehunchedovertolickitfromwhereitsettled
backuptowhereitlanded.Hetracedthepatternbackuptohernippleandlethistongue
workarounditforamoment,feelingtheskinhardenandperkundertheheatfromhismouth.
Hannahsbreathingwasbecomingheavier,andhestartedtosuckuntilasoftmoandrifted
fromherlips.
Fuck,fuck,fuckshesaid,repeatingthewordfasterandfaster.Hecouldfeelherother
handnearhercunny.Herlegsslackenedslightlybeforetighteningagain,harderthanbefore.
Hemovedovertohernextbreast,kissingindividualfrecklesallthewayuptoherneck,where
sheshiveredonce.Hereyeswereclosedandherbreathinghadbecomeshallow.Aclockin
thehousechimed,andRogersmindswamwiththoughtsofhowlongtheydbeengoing.
Whenhadtheyevenarrived?Itdidnotmatterandhedidntcare.Thethoughtwasenoughto
makehimstopforamoment.Sheopenedhereyesandleanedup.Abeadofsweatrandown
herforehead.

WhyWhydyoustop?sheasked.Rogergrippedhishead.Herhairwasoverher
shouldersandcoveringherbreastsstillwetwithhissaliva.
Yeah,IdontIdontknowwhyIstopped.Itwaslike,therewasaweirdmomentandI
didntreallyknowwhattodo.Ithought,damn,thisisthebestsexIhaveeverhadandits
happeningrightnow,anditshappeningwithyouIcantevenhesaid.Shepressedherself
harderagainsthimandtookoneofhishandsinhersandwrappeditaroundherneck.The
othershetookandplaceditonthespotwhereherhipmetherwaist.Shebrushedafewstray
hairsoutofherfaceandspokeclearlyandunfalteringly.
Iwantedyoutodothis.shesaid.Istillwantyoutodothis.
Shestrokedhischeekwithherhand,thehandthatshedbeenusingtostrokeherself
with.Hebreathedinthescentofherandseeingthatitmadethatheadylookcomeoverher
faceagain,pushedforwardandkissedher.Hishandsdugintothefleshwhereshedplaced
themandhepushedinharderandfasterthanhehadbefore.Thecouchcreakedundertheir
exertion,andhecouldfeelthelastbitofwillpowerslippingawayfromhim.Hannahclutched
onebreastwhiletheothergrippedhisarmsohardthenailsfeltasthoughtheyweredrawing
blood.
Hannah,Iwanttoseeyoucome.hesaid.Thefranknessofhistone,drewlaughter,buta
realsmileafter.
Shetookoneofhishands,theoneonherhip,andplaceditonhercunny.Hecouldfeel
thebumpsandsubtlecurves,thoughhecouldntbringhimselftobreakawayfromhisgaze
withher.Shemovedhisfingersinamotionuntilhecoulddoithimself,lightlytouchingherclit,
respondingtoherphysicalurgingtogofaster.Soonshewasbreathingfast,andherlegs
startedtotremble.Hefeltnopaininhisarm,onlyastrangefloatingsensationashesawthe
beginningsofanorgasminher.
Now.shesaid,almostbreathlessly.Theystartedmovingagaininconjunction,prodding
andcaressinguntilHannahstartedtoscreamathim.
Doit,shit,doit!shesaid,practicallyscreamed,raisingherhipsandslammingthem
downontohim.Whenhecame,theforceofitmadehimreel.Hebentoverandshe
respondedbylovebitingintohisshoulder.Painmingledwithpleasure,andtimefrozeforthe
secondswhilethetwoofthemcametogether.Herownbodycurledaroundhis,andherbody
feltasthoughmadeoftensedfilamentsonthevergeofreleasingexplosiveenergy.
Hannahhestarted,butsheshookherheadandtrembledagain,hisbodyshakingalong
withher.Hesaidnothingmorewhilesheslowlydisentangledherselffromhim.herfacewas
red,butshedidhaveabroadsmile,andalookofutterexhaustion.
So,wasitgood?Rogerasked.Ifiguredthatsjustaboutthemoststereotypicalquestion
youcanaskaftersomethinglikethis,soyeah.
Hahaha,yeah,itwasprettygood.shesaid.Shebrushedawayanotherstrandofhair.
Itsbeenawhileforme.
Yeah,metoo.
Howlongwasthatdrought?
Idunno.Alittleoverayear,Idsay.
Damn,thatsacrime.shesaid,laughing,followedshortlyafterbyasneeze.Roger
tossedoffhiscondomintoanearbytrashcanandlookedforatissueboxwhenhewas

wrackedbyaseriesofsneezesaswell.Hefelthisforehead.Warm,anditwasntthesex.He
putthebackofhishandagainstHannahsforeheadandfeltthesame.
Oh,nofuckingway.hesaid.
What?
Ithinkwecaughtcoldsfrombeingoutside.hesaid.
Oh,youreright,thatisbullshit!shesaidandrosefromherchair.Sheregardedherself,
thenRoger.No,itsnot.Lookatus.shesaid.
Theywerestarknaked,andstillglisteningwithsweat,saliva,andthegeneralwetness
thatcamewithsex.Eegrefoldedhisarmsandshivered.
Ohshititscold.hesaid.Hesneezedagain,andthesneezewasfollowedshortlyafter
bysuddenpoundinginhishead.God,howdidInotfeelthisuntilnow?
Hannahalreadyhadatowelthrownaroundhershoulders.Shewasstillsmilingfromear
toear,andhuggedhim.
Itsnotthatbad.shesaid.Imgoingtogotakeashowernow.Shestartedupthestairs
tothesecondfloorbeforeturningtolookatRoger,whodstartedpickinguptheirscattered
clothes.Helookedupatherwiththepileinhishands.
Arentyougoingtotakeonetoo?shesaid.Rogerletthepiledropandthetworacedup
thestairstostaveoffimpendingcoldsinthebothofthem.
ThenextdayattheGameChest,thesunwasshiningthroughtheglass.BossDave
lookedoutontheparkinglotandnarrowedhiseyesbeforeclosingtheblindsandplunging
thestorebackintocooldarkness.Hetappedhistabletforthetime.Halfpastnine.He
grumbledandreachedforhiscellphone.
Thebelltothestorerung.Rogertrundledin,followedbyHannah.Bothofthemwere
bundledupdespitethewarmday,andRogerblewhisnoseloudlyonasparehandkerchief.
Yourelate.Davesaid.Hepickedadustmotefromtheglasscountertopandflickedit
away.Thebigbookfromthedaybeforestilllayopen,smallstickynotesclingingtoits
yellowedpageswithhastilydrawnshorthand.Ihadtoeducateayoungcustomeronthe
historyofwargames.
Awesome.Rogersaid.Hannahtookoffintothestore.
Itwasawesome,butIstillneededyoutohelpmewiththis.Andbesides,whydidntyou
callmetotellmethatyouweresick?
Iwasworkingwithacustomer.Rogersaid.
Acustomer?Thatsfunny,itseemedtomelikeyouwerehestarted,silencedbythe
suddendropofticketsandemptygameboxesonthecountertop.Hannahpeekedoutfrom
thesideoftheboxes,markingachecklistonherphone.
Ok,Ithinkthatseverything.shesaid.6yearsofgamingtocatchupon.Andthe
requisitesystems.
Davecalmlyturnedoffhistablet.Hestrokedhischinandnoddedinapproval.Heputa
handonRogersshoulder.
Thankyoufortakingmyadvice.hesaid.
Afterbeingrungupandgiventherestofthedayoff,HannahturnedtoRogeronthewalk
backtoherhouse.
Sowasthatabouttheexperience?sheasked.

Yeah.Rogersaid.Funny,Ithinkthisisthefirsttimehesgivenmeadvicethatturned
outalright.
Justalright?
Helaughed.Itactuallyturnedoutprettygreat.
Theywerebothcarryingbundles,andinthelightofdayitseemedlessbold.
Nowcomeon,Iwanttosettheseup.Hannahsaid.WeneedmoregamesIcankick
yourassat.
Oh,ho,thatsnotgonnahappen.Rogersaid,andtheirpacequickenedtoarundown
theneighborhoodastheoldwomenwatchedfrombehindtheirblinds.