Bone Diggers - Chapter Forty Six

Loading... Chapter Forty Six

Owen stood with Andreah for a while as a party went on around them. They were newer on the scene, but had gathered enough attention on the stream to officially be included where the 'big leagues' partied. Owen recognized more and more people every time he went to these things. The easiest to spot was Elliot. He was the real life version of the cardboard cut-out Owen saw in the fnVR lobby. The tuff of brown hair on top of a pastel purple undercut must make it nearly impossible for the graphics department to match him to his avatar. The host of #Rehashed was also here. Owen recognized her voice before he found the group she was standing in.

Instinctively, Owen felt like he should listen from having the show on almost daily. It didn't take long before Andreah shifted away like someone who wanted to flip the channel. "I'm gonna go get a drink, do you want something?" she asked.

Owen shook his head. "No, thanks though."

Andreah turned on her heel and left as Owen watched her for as long as he could. They still hadn't really talked about things or established what their relationship was now. He figured she didn't feel obligated to hang around him all night, and wandered around until someone ended up inviting him over.

"Hi, I'm Asha. I'm a streamer too, and one of Tiansheng's friends." Owen only knew the second name because that was the username of the item hoarder who constantly bested him on the leaderboards. When the small Latina girl saw the name register with him, she perked up. "I've been hoping to run into you. We all would love to chat with you a bit."

Owen wasn't sure who she meant by 'we' but with a shrug, he agreed.

She brought Owen over to a corner that was roped off, even though he didn't quite know why. It wasn't on a higher platform, nor did it appear to be an official VIP section. More like they had just claimed this area and someone let them.

With a username like Tianshena, he assumed the player had an Asian background. Only one person of three fit that bill. Asha soon confirmed his guess with a proper introduction.

"You're that role-player, right?" Tianshena asked, as he sat forward to grab a finger sandwich off the table.

"Yeah." If Owen sounded unsure, it was because the question sounded like a judgment. Perhaps Tianshena was one of those people who 'didn't play for the story.'

"That's pretty cool," replied the other man on the couch. Owen hadn't recognized him until he spoke. This was Hank, the co-host of The Rundown. "We caught your last stream."

That refocused Owen's attention. As much as he wanted to say Daniel was his, and that he didn't care if anyone else knew his story, he still did. He wanted people to care.

"Yeah, but didn't you want more that night?" Hank said. "I would have taken her right then."

"Excuse me?" Owen asked, being formal instead of cursing.

Tianshena slapped his friend on the arm. "He can't do that sort of thing now that she's not an NPC."

Owen blinked hard. "I think you misunderstand. Amilia isn't there to fulfill my, or Daniel's, desires. She's a person. She should have a say in the matter. NPC or not. You can't just discard that because you think your male entitlement is worth more."

Tianshena was taken back enough that he sat up. No one moved, except for Asha who shifted uncomfortably on her heels. "What is this PC bullshit?" Hank blurted.

Tiansheng fixed his eyes on Asha. "You've never complained, so why do you look so uncomfortable?"

"Well...I mean, I don't disagree with what Owen is—"

"Oh, is he your knight in shining armor now?"

"Thief, actually." Owen corrected. He surprised himself. Months ago, he would have said nothing. He actually clearly remembered his co-worker harassing a model, and not saying anything. "Why don't you listen to her? I mean, you could at least let her finish her fucking sentence."

If Asha were any more surprised, her jaw might have dropped to the floor. Owen glanced over. "I'm sorry, you were saying?"

"I, um." Asha shook her head with a quick jerk. "You covered it."

"Boys," a new voice called. The tone was that of a schoolyard teacher. Chris stepped forward, having no trouble crossing the velvet rope as one of the game's developers. "Is there a problem?"

No one spoke, so he went on. "Actually, I'm glad to have caught you. You wouldn't know anything about the price fixing on those ranked items, would you?"

It was a threat that made Tianshena keep his mouth shut while Hank just rolled his eyes. He reported on Age of Shadows, and drama would only boost his ratings no matter the outcome.

"Owen." Chris finally turned to him. "Could you come with me? There are some people I want to introduce you to."

"Yeah, sure."

Chris excused himself from the trio and walked back into the party, and Owen followed. He was about to say thanks when Chris spoke again. "Could you please not harass people that aren't under fnVR contracts? You have a reunion panel tomorrow and I don't want it sidetracked with drama."

"Could you give me a copy of that list?"

Chris cracked a smile and stopped walking. "Please behave."

Owen nodded, and wondered if the scolding was going to go further or not. His boss's attention was soon pulled elsewhere. Owen looked over his shoulder to see where it went and found Sarah again. The expression on Chris's face softened and Owen almost laughed to himself. "I'll let you go."

Behaving, as it turns out, is easy if you simply don't talk to anyone. After playing at this for a while, he began to wonder where Andreah had ended up. It was hours into the party and he hadn't run into her again. The first place he checked was the entrance where all the smokers gathered before heading back inside. Andreah was nowhere, but he took a moment to light his own cigarette.

Once he adjusted to the outside world, he realized there was a blonde girl almost screaming at the bouncer that kept the uninvited out. When he recognized Abigail, he bumped past the person next to him as he moved over to her.

"—she's in there and I can't get a hold of her again. I told her I couldn't make it tonight, and that's why I don't have an invite. But she needs—" Abigail had barely any air in her lungs left before she saw Owen approaching. "Owen! Please get this guy to let me in."

He glanced at the scene in confusion. "What's going on?"

"I will tell you inside, I just need to get to Andreah, please."

Owen looked at the bouncer. "She's with me."

The guy didn't put up a fight. "Fine, go in."

Abigail grabbed his hand and pulled him inside. She glanced around in a panic. "Where are the bathrooms?"

"Uh, somewhere on that wall." Owen pointed, and grew more confused. "Please tell me what's going on."

"Andreah called me almost an hour ago from the bathroom. She said she may have taken too much and is freaking out. She never freaks out." Abigail explained, sort of, before bumping her way through the crowd until they reached the hallway that led to the bathrooms. There was a line that Abigail completely ignored, gaining her some disgusted looks. Owen lagged for a moment before following her in.

One girl at the mirror saw him and quickly left, but Owen's focus went to the row of closed bathroom doors. Abigail was already at the third one down, knocking and calling for Andreah. One door got no response. Abigail glanced down at the handle. It was a simple latch. She pulled a bobby pin from her pocket before sticking it between the door and side to pop the lock. Andreah was sitting with her back against the wall, looking over at them with lazy eyes. She rolled her head back as Owen instinctively rushed to her, with Abigail on her other side.

"Babe, do you need to throw up? How much did you take?" Abigail started, ready with a quiz to figure out how to help. Owen was too much in shock to do much other then check her forehead for a fever. She looked like she was burning up.

Andreah breathed heavily before licking her lips. "Already have. I just...Everything feels too much and I want to sleep."

"You shouldn't sleep here," Abigail said, before looking at Owen. "We need to get her out of here."

"Okay." He leaned down and pulled Andreah into his arms as gently as he could.

"Stay here," Abigail said, at the mouth of the bathroom.

Owen nodded, ready to follow any order she gave right now. He looked down at Andreah, who didn't seem to acknowledge she was in his arms. She'd turned in a bit, fingers pulling on a seam of his shirt, but there seemed to be a disconnect.

Abigail popped back in, wasting no more time. "Okay, I know the best way out of here."

He followed behind Abigail, who led them to a back exit, rushed down an alley, and just about jumped in front of a cab to get them out of there. They squeezed Andreah between them, but ended up with Andreah's head on Owen's lap. She was clearly conscious as she crossed her arms over her chest like she was hugging herself.

"Please, Andreah. Stay awake," Abigail begged. "Owen, can you try?" she said, before turning to tell the driver where to go.

Owen nodded and pursed his lips together. "Andreah," he said weakly, and brushed her hair out of her face. In that second he realized he had been in the same building, yet she had called Abigail for help instead. How disconnected had they become? Andreah barely stirred. He kept trying. "You know that guy who is on The Rundown? You wouldn't imagine how much of a dick he is," Owen began, finding it the only thing he could think to bring up. "If you were there I would have felt bad for the sucker. You probably would have punched him in the throat."

Andreah actually managed a smile, which Owen mirrored. While brushing her hair back, he discovered a small tattoo behind her ear. A tiny heart that he hadn't remembered seeing before. "When did you get this?" he asked even though he knew she wouldn't respond. "I would've sworn you didn't have this one before."

Abigail was staring at him from across the cab. "It's not new."

"Huh," Owen hummed before looking back at Andreah as her breath started racing again. "Anyways." He went on to tell her about how he should have known the person in first forever would be an ass, and by time he finished, Abigail had a new story ready to keep Andreah's focus.

When they finally got to Andreah's place, he carried her up then let Abigail take control of the situation. She made Andreah drink some water, and together they went off to the bathroom. Owen didn't feel comfortable leaving yet, so he ended up sitting on the couch. Once Abigail pulled a slightly more sober Andreah out of the bathroom fitted in pajamas, he helped guide her to the bedroom.

"I can stay with her for the night," Owen offered before Abigail said anything.

She gave him a suspicious look while he was focused on Andreah. Something must have clicked before her expression softened and she gave a slow nod. "Okay. I'll check in the morning, and please call me if you need. I'm only fifteen minutes away so I can be back for anything."

"Okay. I'll update you if something happens."

"Owen?" Andreah called loudly despite the crack in her voice.

"Go. I'll let myself out," Abigail said, even though she paused for a moment to watch him walk back to the side of the bed.

Andreah's eyes were searching for him till he came into view. A hand moved out from the sheets and curled around the pillow next to her. Owen tugged his shoes off, since he was planning to stay, and sat in a small chair near her bed.

"No," she whispered, and patted the bed. "Here." Owen paused, but soon caved. He would have sat on the bed, if she didn't fumble with the sheets, making her intent clear. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Owen whispered. "Wasn't a good party anyway."

Andreah blinked a few times before her hand moved to find his under the sheets. Owen wasn't sure what to say, or how to say anything even if he could think of something. She just seemed pleased with the small contact they had. Andreah licked her lips before speaking again. "May I kiss you?"

Owen took a few seconds to watch her carefully before offering a nod. She closed her eyes slowly before willing herself closer to him as Owen met her halfway. The warmth from her cheeks reminded him of a strong drink, and ranked up there as one of his favorite parts. She was bright and harsh like the sun, filled with fire that threatened to burn everything away. Owen was trying to hold his ground, but as Andreah shifted a hand over his chest, he held her a little closer.

She broke the kiss and smiled. "Thank you."

"You should get some sleep now," Owen suggested.

She nodded, but didn't close her eyes.

"I'll stay here all night, so you don't have to worry, okay?"

Andreah summoned a little more energy to tuck herself into his chest. Somehow they'd never been this close.