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The beginning of the story for We-Write by @zeldacroft, and @freewritehouse

An inky air crept through the twilight hours, and now pressed against the windows of the house. Inside, Nathan aimlessly flipped through the TV channels, the living room calmly lit. He was getting impatient.

A thump, thump down the stairs made him jump, but he managed to keep his composure. His mom hurried into the room. Her oversized coat and mittens signaled she was ready for the autumn chill outside.

“Alright, I’m heading out,” she said. “I’ll probably be gone for a few hours, so call me if you need anything. Remember there’s leftovers in the fridge, and try not to just watch TV. You know that book from—”

“Mom,” he interrupted.

“Yes?”

“You’re going to be late.”

“I am, aren’t I?” She agreed, but ran over to kiss his forehead anyway. “I’ll lock up, be sure to stay safe.”

“Yes, Mom.” He rolled his eyes. Their corner of suburbia had always felt like the most boring. Nothing bad could happen here.

As soon as Nathan heard the front door close, he leapt up and looked out the window. The streetlights cast heavy shadows on his mom’s car as she drove away. When she was out of sight, he whipped out his phone and texted his best friend, Mark. “It’s time.”

Mark had gotten his hands on some horror games, including the much coveted Bloodhunter 4, but his family wouldn’t let him play.

Nathan wasn’t allowed to either, so tonight was finally their chance. Impatience turned to excitement as he switched the TV to his Xbox. Mark lived on the same street, so it wouldn’t take long for him to get there. After gathering soda and snacks from the kitchen, he heard a sharp knock on the door.

![writehouse.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRV4fP9JBnbHbsfXgWgktHHEkxwhnwVTY5WSychpYNGAb/writehouse.png)

Nathan rushed to open the door without checking who was there. And as expected it was Mark, his white teeth shining out of his dark face and waving a humongous bright red packet of spicy chips.

"Hey man!" " Hey man." They bumped fists and shoulders. 

 Nathan only then noticed a girl standing on the steps just behind Mark. Her round face, smooth  caramel skin and limpid black eyes had frozen Nathan right there in the doorway. Mark shifted nervously waving the girl forward.

"This is Kynie, my cousin. Kynie this is Nathan."

When Nathan failed to respond he said. "She is cool man. She's Blue Cap in Bloodhunter3." He slapped Nathan's shoulder feigning enthusiasm.

"Huh!" Nathan finally responded tearing his attention away from the girl. Mentally thanking his mother for buying him the refurbished Xbox fro his twelfth  birthday along with a bunch of games. Still unable to speak Nathan mumbled a "Come in." and stepped back in and to the side.

Kynie walked in and turned the corner into the living room. Nathan turned to Mark  "What is that!" he expelled his long held breath.

"Sorry man. But my Mom and Aunt are out till late and I can't leave her alone in my place, she is visiting and all."

"Visiting?" Nathan asked as they entered the living room.

"Yeah. They live down in San Jose. Or did. They are shifting here. Her  father was deported and .."

Kynie called out, interrupting them. "Where is Bloodhunter4? This is ..."

Mark rushed to pick up the game from the bookshelf and hand it to her. 

"I am a Blue Cap in three myself."

"Hum. OK I am booting this up.... Three controllers set. And ... Here we go."  

Kynie plunked onto the couch, controller in hand as the opening video started to play out the now famous ominous drum beat. Nathan went back to lock the door while yelling at Mark to hurry and get the chips unloaded. The game was still loading when both the boys entered the room, Mark holding to huge bowls filled with chips and Nathan holding three cans of cold Thunder Cola. Mark veered to the left " I am sitting this side I need my sword arm free." 

Kynie shifted to the middle of the couch and Nathan sat to the right, suddenly feeling self- conscious- he should have at least washed his face. Too Late he thought handing over the cans, the screen where you could choose your character had just popped up displaying three boxes- one for each controller. He mouthed  a few chips and picked up his controller. The new characters were awesome and even the old ones had some new features. Soon they were speaking about where in the game they wanted to proceed and what type of challenge.

Soon the game was on, all of them too engrossed in the game to notice the spilled chips or the minutes passing. It was only when Mark was ejected from the game that they noticed that nearly  two hours had passed. Mark gamely volunteered to clean up the mess as long as one of the two remaining players had a chance to make a White Cap. Another twenty minutes later they were playing on a bridge  where if they crossed they could reach the White Cap. Nathan had a better chance, he could leap at the wild ogre cloaked in invisibility but at the last moment he saw that if he could distract the ogre, Kynie could get past with her enhanced speed. He took a risk and became visible in the middle of his leap. The ogre was distracted Kynie went speeding past but he ended up mashed under the ogre's shoulder.

"I got the White!" Kynie leapt up, throwing her hands up in triumph. 

Mark looked at Nathan. "Tough man, A last second blow up." 

Nathan waved at him. "Naahh. That Living Castle was a real bitch, what a challenge."

"Oh yes. I sweated like a pig going past that Hall Of Knives. Crazy Good."

Both stopped in their tracks as Kynie spoke. "It was just like the Dungeon of Two only better graphics. The bridge was way tougher."

Mark high fived her. "White Cap. Cool that."

"We should be leaving." Kylie said. "I'll just use the bathroom." 

Nathan waved for her to follow as he led her. Just outside the door Kynie stopped him, squeezing his arm.

"You switched off your cloak at the wrong time."

"Urr Yeah."

"You did that knowingly. "

"Uh..."

"Nathan you and I will rematch fair and square. You dumbass."

Nathan looked at her, surprised at the smile on her face. He smiled and kept on smiling as Kynie went past.


The Contest: https://steemit.com/wewrite/@freewritehouse/we-write-11-home-alone-last-week-s-winners-announced

Picture Credit:  https://www.deviantart.com/kimsuyeong81/art/JURGERNAUT-The-Giant-Grunt-323573373