Whisper of Memory (Whispering Woods Book 2) by Brinda Berry Read Free Book Online Page B

disgust.
    He shoved a headset and some PlayStation game cases to the side of his desk to make room for the soda can. He glanced at the clock widget on his desktop monitor. After midnight. Closing the program on his midterm paper titled, “The Woman Question of the Victorian Age” he grimaced. It would be nice to understand the women of this decade.
    He clicked on the Quest of Zion icon, logged in, and waited. The startup screen tended to annoy him. He wished the programmers would add the skip link he’d requested. He opened a cellophane package of chocolate-covered espresso beans and popped a couple into his mouth.
    Online users filled the right frame of his screen, and he closed the extra frame. Most of his friends played during this time, but he didn’t feel like chatting. He clicked on the link to his private game area that he and some of his hardcore gaming friends used. Tiny was already playing, and Austin moved his character on the screen at a brisk pace through the virtual landscape, joining Tiny on-screen to walk beside him.
    Austin reached to grab the headset he’d moved earlier and cursed as the chocolate espresso beans began rolling out of the package and along his desk. He caught and ate them. Nothing better than a good old caffeine rush to get an edge in the game. He put the headset on and positioned the mic closer to his lips. Opening the communications window, he clicked to open private talk with Tiny.
    “Hey,” Austin said while his on-screen stride never slowed. The character sported long blond dreadlocks that swung from side to side. Bare-chested, it looked nothing like Austin except for matching his tattoos, including the newest one on the right pec.
    The second character did look exactly like his owner. The tousled red mop of curls topped the giant who towered over his companion. At six foot seven offscreen, Tiny looked down at everyone in both worlds. “What’s up, man?” Tiny’s voice came over the headset.
    “The usual load of bull.”
    “Oh yeah? This have anything to do with Mia?”
    “When doesn’t it?” Austin’s character drew an arrow from the quiver across his back. He turned forty-five degrees and shot a zombielike creature that had been following them. It fell limply to the ground with the arrow’s shaft protruding from its chest. Austin’s character pivoted and continued on the previous path.
    Confronted by an unfriendly group and forced into battle, the two warriors retaliated. With Tiny swinging a mace and Austin a katana, they quickly defeated the motley crew while increasing the life force they collected during game play.
    Spattered in blood and ready to continue on to the next checkpoint in the game, Austin was surprised by a hand on his shoulder on the opposite side from Tiny. He twisted, swinging his sword in an arc. The new character sprang nimbly to the side.
    Tiny lurched forward and grabbed the character by the collar, lifting him high enough that his feet were off the ground. The stranger didn’t struggle but held up both hands in surrender.
    “I come in peace.” The voice came over Austin’s headset loud and clear.
    I know that voice . Austin narrowed his eyes and leaned toward the screen. Playing in this private game required being invited by Tiny.
    With his feet still six inches above ground, the stranger said calmly, “Let me down, Tiny.”
    Tiny dropped him.
    “Is that really you, man?” Austin couldn’t stop an almost imperceptible tremor as he spoke. His character pulsed, awaiting direction.
    “Yeah, it’s me,” Pete said.
    “Dude! I didn’t recognize this character. Where have you been? Everybody’s been looking for you. Your dad acts like he’s waiting for the police to show up with a death—”
    “Austin, man, hold up.” Pete chuckled before his seriousness returned. “I only have a few minutes.”
    “Where have you been?” Tiny also wanted to know.
    “Doesn’t matter. What does is that Bleeker isn’t far from you, and he’s at