The Game

by Terry Schott

  Chapter 58

  Stephanie (Danielle is 36)

  I can’t remember the last time I spent so much time with one of my Brothers or Sisters on an assignment.

  Raphael was always like a big brother to me when I first became an Eternal. He was so calm and patient, helping me discover the ropes of this job and training me to unlock my specific strengths during the training stage of initiation. I had many instructors during those first few years, but I always remember my time with Raphael fondly.

  Then he tried to kill me.

  I don’t even know why I’m bothering to think about it. Maybe it’s because I know that you’re viewing me from time to time, A. I miss you. You likely don’t recall me from your plays, but I saw you more than once and you were always one of my favourites. I know you understand the ways of both worlds better than most, but Raphael was a valuable lesson for me. Trust as much as you can, knowing that the gift of trust will likely be the thing that ends it all for you someday.

  Okay, I guess there’s no more time to get into the details of almost dying forever. The driver is pulling up to the office and we’re going in to see Danni. She asked Trew to bring me; apparently she has something incredible to show us.

  I look over at Trew and smile. He’s everything I hoped he would grow into when I first met him as a bright-eyed, curious boy. He’s dressed in a casual shirt and dress pants, very calm and self-confident, but not to the point of arrogance. Thousands of people cheer at him when he stands on the stage, chanting his name and applauding his message. He hasn’t let it change him, though. He believes deep in his heart that it’s the message they follow, not the man. It’s not true, they do follow the man, but I’m so glad that he's humble. I’ve seen the Power corrupt some strong people over the centuries, quickly destroying their original ideals and intent more times than I can count. It’s because he has Danielle. I don’t know what he would do without her. I don’t know what she would do without him. Souls like his are the reason I agreed to become an Eternal, to help the best of the best players learn how to become even better, in every way the Game allows.

  We walk into the building and head for the elevator, taking it to the top floor where Danielle’s spiritual centre for gamers is located. She’s hugging a patient at the front door when we arrive. The patient sees Trew and her eyes light up. She whispers something to Danni, who laughs and brings the patient over to meet Trew.

  Trew, always the ambassador, smiles warmly and shakes the patient’s hand. They exchange pleasant words for a few minutes. During the entire conversation Trew focuses intently on the lady, comfortably maintaining eye contact with her and deeply listening to her speak, as if at this moment in time no one else in the world exists. This is one of the most powerful gifts a person can give to another, focused attention. It’s a shame more people can’t do it, but Trew can, and he shows the world how to do it by example.

  And the masses of people are learning. For the first time in a long time, people are becoming more decent and caring towards each other. The common belief that they are all playing a game where everyone shares common struggles, hopes, and goals has been very powerful to society these past few years.

  And the movement is growing.

  The lady leaves and Danni ushers us into her office.

  “I think I’ve done it.” She announces with excitement.

  “Nice!” Trew exclaims.

  “Done what?” I ask.

  “A few years ago we heard about a Reiki master who was able to heal cosmetic wounds,” she says. “We thought it would be worth pursuing, since it’s impossible to deny the existence of something that is visible. It would also be a great way to reinforce our core message.”

  “And you’ve done it?” I ask cautiously.

  Danni nods her head positively. “Look at these pictures. This is Jenna when she first came to me two weeks ago.” Danni shows us pictures of a girl with very severe scarring on her face. “She was a beautiful girl, and then a jealous ex-boyfriend followed her one night, beating her badly. She was lucky to survive, but the doctors could only do so much to help her, and major scarring resulted. Jenna has had three surgeries to help heal her so far but, as you can see from this picture, they still had a long way to go.”

  Trew shakes his head angrily. “Such a sad thing.”

  Danielle nods in agreement. “I met her aunt a few months ago and we got talking. One thing led to another and I soon had Jenna come to the centre. The surgeries were painful and expensive, and she was losing faith that she would ever look normal again. I explained what I believed I could do, if she was willing to let me try. After explaining that it was painless, she agreed.”

  “How’s it going with her?” I ask. “Any improvement at all?”

  Danni smiles. “You tell me.” Danni walks over to the door and opens it. “Jenna, please come in here and meet my friends.”

  Jenna walks in and both Trew and I are stunned. Her face is almost perfect. She turns her head slightly and I can see the light catch the faintest of white scar lines, but she’s the beautiful girl from the original “before” pictures. I walk over to her. “Is it all right if I touch your face, hun?” I ask.

  Jenna is smiling, her eyes moist with tears of joy. She nods her head and I gently touch her skin. No makeup at all, and just the faintest, textured lines. She is beautiful again, and no one would ever know she’d been scarred so badly if they didn’t see the pictures.

  “Wow,” I say, not because I don’t believe it’s possible, but because it’s possible for the most talented of Eternals to accomplish something like this, but only an old, powerful one. A regular human did this? Our little Danni… wow.

  “I think maybe two more sessions and even the faint lines will disappear,” Danni says cheerfully, and I can hear the voice of that same little fearless girl who expected the world to bend to her will, never surprised when it actually did.

  “Danni. Trew.” I say.

  “What, Steph?” Trew knows the tone in my voice. His face is concerned. It should be.

  I look at them both seriously. “We need to discuss how we proceed with this. Until we do, it’s very important that no one knows that you can do this. Do we all agree?”

  Danni’s smile softens. “Okay, Steph. But still, it’s very cool, right?”

  I smile reassuringly, “Yes, sweet girl. It’s very cool.”