Nova Project #1 by Emma Trevayne Read Free Book Online Page B

to dig his way from an underground cave, with a violent, shrieking creature waiting for him on the surface. He’d killed that, and then . . . yes . . . crossed the river, that’s right.
    That’s when things had gone bad, but they could’ve gone worse. He’d needed to know if being splashed by the water would be dangerous. Yes was the answer.
    The way the water had melted his team member into pixels would stay with him for a while, but he felt no emotion over it. She hadn’t been a real person, and sometimes sacrifices have to be made.
    His fingertips go numb from their tapping as he codes,designs. Again, it won’t be polished like Chimera is, smooth and seamless, indistinguishable from reality, but it’ll be enough for him to go over, figure out what the Gamerunners were trying to test. What skills they were looking for when they designed the special level.
    The puzzle, that’s a definite one. The whole game is full of puzzles, but they aren’t often quite that hard. The Gamerunners want the competitors to use their brains. Not surprising.
    The creatures . . . well, a lot of Chimera is about fighting. Choosing the right weapon, the right stance, the right split, flickering second to strike.
    The river.
    Risk and sacrifice.
    How badly do you want this? Will you kill for it?
    For a moment he is even more aware than usual of his heartbeat.
    The front door opens, closes, and a few minutes later Mom calls him for dinner. Miguel can’t actually remember the last time the three of them sat down to eat together; at least one of them is always in a Cube or at school or work. Mom has a thing for shooting in the evening light, something about the way the chemicals and gases burn on the horizon, setting the world on fire.
    Too late he realizes they’ve planned this.
    â€œSo,” says his father. “We wanted to talk to you about this competition.”
    â€œWhat about it?” Miguel asks around a mouthful of powdery mashed potato, as if he can’t guess. If Anna is predictable, his parents are a certainty.
    His mother’s eyes cut to his dad’s. “We weren’t going to stop you from entering,” she says. “There was no harm in playing the testing level, or at least no more than usual.”
    â€œBut you don’t think I should take the medical.”
    â€œWe don’t think you should go through with it if you pass and you’re selected. Seeing one of Chimera’s doctors might not be a bad idea. Maybe they’ll have an idea of something we haven’t tried yet.” Miguel’s father doesn’t look hopeful as he says this. With good reason. Miguel’s mother frowns. They’ve always done their best to tell Miguel the truth about his condition, keep him informed as much as they are, the detail of their honesty increasing with his age and comprehension.
    â€œWhat if this is my only chance, huh? They don’t hand out new hearts like they do eyes or fingers, even in Chimera.”
    â€œYou can still play the regular game,” says his mother.
    â€œRosa—”
    A loudly silent look passes between his parents. Miguel’s mouth drops open. “Are you thinking of stopping me from doing that, too?”
    â€œWe understand why you play so much,” says his father, “but it’s only going to get more dangerous for you. This competition—”
    â€œYou wish they’d waited five years?” Miguel guesses. Optimistically. His father winces. Target achieved. His aim has gotten better, thanks to Chimera.
    â€œSometimes I wish that damned game had never been invented,” his mother mutters. “Then all the good doctors would still be working in normal hospitals.”
    â€œAnd we wouldn’t be able to afford them anyway.” Miguel stands, no longer hungry despite the day’s exertion. Fear blackens his mother’s already dark eyes.
    â€œCalm down,