Free Continue Online (Book 1, Memories) by Stephan Morse Page A

eighteen
last year. She had to be of legal age to play Continue, but that said
nothing about her mentality. Moments later I flickered across the
event message then zoomed in on the ARC display using Parental
controls and memory files.
    “ Mh.”
Liz showed reluctance to comment.
    “ She
said it’s the autopilot, I guess it takes over when Beth's out
here.” I tried not to downplay or act panicked. My sister had
more than once suggested I mind my own business over the years.
    “ Beth
explained that to me,” My sister wasn’t stupid, she
didn't know because she didn’t play the game. Liz tended to
stick to television shows and artwork for a hobby. As a result, there
was only one actual ARC in the house.
    “ I
guess the computer takes note of how you play and acts that out while
on autopilot.” I said.
    “ I’ll
keep an eye on it, but it’s probably nothing. Beth’s
killed herself in-game more times than I can count, doing stupid
daredevil moves. It’s probably related to that.” Liz
chewed on the inside of her lip. It was a familiar action that I had
mirrored many times since we were born.
    I
could only shrug.
    “ I’m
only letting you know. If it becomes serious, and you want my help,
I’m only a drive away.” I said.
    “ Okay ,
Grant.”
    “ And
I have…” A tender subject, like all the others relating
to my life a few years ago. “Experience with this stuff.”
    “ I
remember. You forget who was there for the court appointments, who
drove you to the meetings, who had to come over to your house and
clean it up. I was there, Grant, don’t act like I wasn’t.”
She managed not to sound extremely upset. As her twin, the annoyance
was clear to me. Remembering the past made me cringe. My sister had
helped me recover from the lowest point of my life.
    “ You
helped get me back on my feet.” She also helped me find a new
job and suggested a place to live. Somewhere hours away from my old
house and the memories, but close enough that family was near. “And
I love you for it, Liz, but I-”
    Jesus,
I was tearing up.
    “ I
lived it. I don’t want her to ever be there. So if you need
me-” Talking was clearly difficult. My jaw started to clench
almost instantly.
    “S hut
up, Grant. I know.” My sister wasn’t good with these raw
emotions. Dad had taught us to how to clear a yard and dedicated work
ethics. She, we, weren't raised to deal with anything like social
interaction.
    “ Right.”
I tried to wipe my face with the free arm and brush away the forming
mess my face had become. “How about that coffee.”
    “ Come
on.” Liz led the way, giving me time to get my game face back
on. I made my way up the stairs to the kitchen, same floor as her
bedroom and the front room.
    “ One
coffee, sugar, and single creamer. Cool it down a little.” Liz
spoke words into a device on the counter. Further down the line a
machine started up as a whir of liquid poured into a cup. “ Still
going to your meetings?”
    “ I
check in with my sponsor weekly,” I said while nodding along.
    “ And
the counselor?” Her worry was obvious even while we calmly
sipped coffee.
    “ Every
two weeks.”
    “ Think
you’ll be able to do all that, work, and still play a game?”
    “ My
boss suggested I take some vacation time. I guess I’ve been
working too hard. Even Hal Pal voiced his concerns.” An AI
voicing concern about me overworking made her laugh.
    “ But
you don’t actually know if you got this game.” Her tone
turned vaguely questioning at the end.
    “ Not
really. It could be a virtual gopher for all I know. Or maybe a cat.
I could name him Sniffles the Second.” My smirk would be pretty
clear through the coffee's slight steam. “I’ll overfeed
him and load up dresses to claw at.”
    “ God.
I hope it’s not a cat. I hate cats.” She closed her eyes
in mock prayer.
    “ It’s
probably not a cat,” I muttered. “Probably.” A cat
might be amusing. I could link the virtual pet with Beth’s