The Last of Us (20)

The man in the bed sighed loudly and kept his eyes closed. It didn’t matter he could hear his brother getting ready. It didn’t matter he could hear how happy and energetic his brother was, because he was always energetic. It was pretty annoying.

No. Instead, the man in the bed kept his eyes closed and he thought of more pleasant things. He thought of eating some deep dish pizza. He thought of drinking some chocolate milk. Soon… his mind was wandering to a far off land. A place where those with charisma, passion and talent shined at the brightest of stages.

A wrestling world, he dreamed of. A wrestling world called DEFIANCE.

Where heroes like Cayle Murray stood in the middle of the ring with the FIST.

Where heroes like Scott Douglas overcame numerous odds and became the SoHER Champion.

Where heroes like ‘Twists and Turns’ Oscar Burns beat cheaters and scumbags such as Danny Diggs, banishing them back to the BRAZEN independent circuit and the dreaded Non Playable Character role. Emphasis on the Non.

Soon, he pictured himself standing in the same ring with his brother, the two of them raising their arms in the air, to cheers from the Gamers and Developers in attendance. His brother would run around the ring, screaming at the top of his lungs while emotions poured out of him and The Faithful joined in, turning the Wrestle-Plex into a bedlam.

“Your winners, and the NEEEEEEEEEWWWWW Tag Team Champions…”

The announcers voice trailed off. For the first time in a while, the man with the dream smiled. He achieved the top of the mountain with his best friend and brother. They had achieved it together.

The infected were gone. They overcame all odds.

They had completed 100% DEFIANCE.

And then…

And then there was The Princess.

She walked to the ring, Tag Team Achievements in hand. She smiled and held the trophy belts forward. He took one and so did his brother. The three of them embraced and then the man looked into The Princess’ long lost eyes and genuinely smiled. He moved in to kiss her…

BUZZZZZ.

BUZZZZZ.

BUZZZZZ.

Back to reality.

The man dumb-foundingly sat up. He looked outside his window and a storm was looming. He was caught off-guard as he glanced at his bedroom doorway, where his brother stood once again, though this time angry and disappointed.

He took a deep breath and swallowed. He looked at the alarm clock.

It was 2:30pm.

“We missed it.” His brother said, a tear forming in his eye. “We aren’t playing anymore.”

The man in the bed looked down at his pillow. A tear also formed in his eye. He couldn’t believe he was overcome with emotion. It was over before it even started.

YOU FAILED TO GET TO WHATEVER IT IS YOUR BROTHER WAS TALKING ABOUT. BUT, HEY, SERVES HIM RIGHT FOR TRYING TO WAKE YOU UP.

DO NOT ADVANCE. DO NOT COLLECT $200.

GAME OVER.

Play again?