Free Digital Heretic by Terry Schott

“ Yes, I am.”
      “ Then let’s begin,” Brandon said as he double clicked the Mainframe icon on his computer screen.

 
    Chapter 16
      I’m certain that God believes in miracles; that’s the reason why miracles can happen.
      But what happens when God is in awe of a new miracle that has occurred? 
      Is it possible that the all-knowing can learn new things as well?
      I’m comforted by that thought, in some strange way.
    Excerpt from Trew’s interview ‘After the Game’ - Tygon
     
      “ Sylvia? Are you her e ?” Brandon looked puzzled. He had told Trew that as soon as they clicked the icon, Sylvia would immediately greet them, but the program was open and the room was silent.
      “I’m here, Brandon.” Sylvia’s voice surrounded them. “I’m just… speechless at the moment.”
      “Why’s that?” Brandon asked.
      “ Hello, Zack,” Sylvia said. “That is you, right?”
      “It’s me, Sylvia, and hello! It’s so exciting to talk with you again. Your voice is exactly the same as I remember from our discussions during prayer together in the Game.”
      There was more silence. Brandon wasn’t used to this from her. If he had to guess, Brandon would say she was deeply confused by Trew’s presence.
      Brandon and Trew said nothing, allowing Sylvia to process whatever information she was working through. After a time she spoke again. “Every day inside the Game, I perform countless miracles. I must thank you for this great gift.”
      “ What gift is that?” Brandon asked.
      “ I have never understood what my children feel when the impossible happens. I’ve witnessed it, and I know how I feel when I give them this gift. But this is the first time I have ever been the observer to such magic. It is… incredible.”
      “ I don’t know what to say to that,” Brandon said.
      “I’m not sure that there is anything to say,” she said. “I will think much on this. It is a wonderful surprise. Welcome home, Zack. I am so pleased that you did not cease to exist.”
      “I’ve decided to go by Trew, Sylvia. And thank you; I’m also pleased that I continue to exist.”
      Sylvia laughed softly. “Of course you’re going by that name now. It’s perfect. Was that your idea, Trew? Or yours, Brandon?”
      “ It was mine,” Trew said.
      “ Excellent. You must have really made an impression on Brandon,” she said. “He has never allowed me to speak to another individual on Tygon. Congratulations on that as well.”
      “ The rules are changing now,” Brandon said. 
      “ What has he told you, Trew?” Sylvia asked.
      “ That the Game will soon end, and every player still inside the Game at that time will die on Tygon. He also said that Danielle’s death will end the Game. She is protected as well as can be, but in just a few weeks she will be the last player to exit the Game alive.”
      “ Oh, dear, Brandon. Is that what you believe?”
      “ Yes,” Brandon said. “Why?”
      “ The Game will end when Danielle dies, that is true.” Sylvia said. “But she won’t be the last one to exit the Game alive. She will be the first player to die on her stasis table. When Danielle dies, Alexandra dies too.”

 
    Chapter 17
      Apex predators are the hunters that sit at the top of the food chain. Nothing hunts an apex predator. This means that they can come and go as they please. I found this term interesting, so I searched the Internet to find such a creature. 
      They say a great white shark is an apex predator. It was very easy for me to find a picture of a dead great white shark dangling from the rope of a human fisherman.
      Tigers are also called apex predators. Once again, I quickly accessed a picture of dead tigers, men standing over their bodies with guns in hand and smiles on their faces.
      Python snakes? Don’t they make nice boots?
      No matter how hard I search, I can find only one candidate that fits the definition of a true apex