Page 189 of Soul So Dark

She gazes around at all the video game characters strolling past. Then it finally dawns on her.

“Weareidiots!” she gasps.

“Good, I’m glad I’m not the only one.”

“Of course,he would just be dressed as Ghost. I thought it might be that guy over there.” She nods at a line of tables where a local brewery’s set up shop. “I noticed him looking at us earlier.”

“Which one?”

“The guy who looks like he stepped out of the Hive fromResident Evil,” she snickers. “He’s not looking right now, but he’s the one all in black.”

Peering across the atrium, I can’t get a good look at him; he’s kind of stocky and his hair is covered by a black ball cap that’s turned backward. But as soon as he turns his head, a crowd crosses in front of us, further obscuring my view. And once they pass, he’s gone.

Like a ghost.

Regardless, I still think it’s a reasonable assumption that AJ will show up to a fandom convention wearing the same mask he always wears. But the longer Shelby and I wander through the convention center, stopping at tables and taking pictures, I’m no closer to finding him. It’s getting dark, and I start to wonder if I’m only delaying the inevitable disappointment.

Shelby points to the fountain in the distance. “I see Carter and Tyson, I’m going to ask them when they want to get dinner.”

“OK,” I sigh, sufficiently deflated. “I saw they have the new PlayStation back there and there’s no one in line right now. Come get me when you all decide?”

What better way to console myself than blast a bunch of aliens into gooey pulp? I join the line of other players in front of the screens and zone out, trying to avoid the worst-case-scenario that’s quickly becoming reality. Maybe Austin is right, maybe I do fuck around too much with people I don’t know.

Get a grip. Austin is not right, he’s just acting like a tool and sulking because you won’t givehimanother chance to disappoint you.

“You make a great Lara,” someone says from behind my shoulder.

At first, my heart about skips a beat because I think it’s finally AJ, but I dismiss it quickly. It’s slight, but I can tell this guy’s voice isn’t as deep as AJ’s.

“Thanks,” I regard him, but keep my eyes on the screen as my thumbs dart over the controller. “There are always a lot of Laras, but it’s kind of my thing.”

“You’re definitely the most realistic. Maybe you can come home with me.” He lowers his voice and leans down into my ear. “I like the little ones.”

My chest tightens.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Great, just another perv who’s here to fetishize the nerdy girls. Suddenly, I take a shot to the side and my character crumples to the ground, ending my turn. And I was doing so well until this douche-canoe showed up. I grit my teeth and swivel on my heel, ready for a fight.

“Andmaybeyou can kiss my ass!” I snarl through clenched teeth, coming face to face with the man in black.

“I’d love to,” he grins down at me, his white teeth popping against his russet eyes.

I blink and my mouth slowly falls open. Sounds mute and everything in my periphery melts away as I stare up at the face before me.

“Alex?”

The corner of his mouth curls. “Hey, Mama,” he murmurs, cupping the sides of my face and gently pressing his lips to mine.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Alex

I realize it’s really weird for me to ask you to hold onto some dude’s loose teeth, but this is a package deal, so it comes with the territory. You don’t have to touch them. You can if you want, in which case you’re just as much of a weirdo as me.

Your brother gave me this flash drive and I promised I would guard it with my life. I’ve never seen what’s on it, and neither should you. If you don’t do anything else I tell you, just do me this one favor. It’s not a snuff film. I swear. Just don’t open it.

This key goes to Aiden’s house. It won’t open the front door, but it’s just as important, and it’s already saved one person’s life.