by Stuart Keane
Cipher
All Tied Up With String #2
By
Stuart Keane
Copyright © Stuart Keane 2017
Published: 10 March 2017
Publisher: Stuart Keane
The right of Stuart Keane to be identified as author of this Work has been asserted by him in accordance the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved.
This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
All Tied Up With String #2 – Cipher is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
For more information about the author, please visit www.stuartkeane.com
Jamie Stow – Come On Down
It’s time for another story, the second entry in the All Tied Up With String (ATUWS) series.
Cipher.
And this one is a doozy.
When I first compiled the contributors for ATUWS, I was hoping that one of the participants would ask me to put a horrific spin on video games. As it turns out, two people requested such a story before someone switched their subject to something more personal. Regardless, I was still left with video games as a core idea, one my mind had been working on for some time. Not only did this make my job a little easier, but it also rooted the concept for Cipher very early on.
For those who don’t know this, I was an avid gamer before I started writing. Many people enjoy TV or film - and I indulge in my fair share of both - but video games were my true passion, a hobby that fast became a second lifestyle. In recent decades, console gaming has become a beautiful beast, with talented designers producing games of increasing quality and magnitude for each generation. Modern games, for want of a better comparison, are quickly becoming a more entertaining alternative to movies. After all, everyone loves watching a film, but only video games offer you the chance to actually partake in the story, to immerse yourself, to choose and dictate the path of your adventure. As a person who grew up with multiple Fighting Fantasy novels, this is one major reason that such games have resonated with me since my youth.
In the past, my interest in gaming existed within the vast online community. To share this passion with someone in my real life - those who mingled with me on a daily basis at work or home - was rare. I knew it would happen eventually, after all, everyone loves to play a bit of Call of Duty now and then, but I’m not talking a casual gaming experience here. I was hardcore for years, dedicated to the pastime, someone who would spend hours on his console and not bat an eyelid. Despite this passion though, I rarely discussed it with people beyond the online world. I kept this to myself for two reasons; one, certain segments of society simply aren’t interested so why waste your breath, and two … well, why share it with someone who clearly isn’t as engaged in the activity as you are?
Which is when I met Jamie Stow.
Early on, and from the other side of my then call centre office, it was clear that Jamie was a unique person. Generous, friendly, outgoing, and passionate, not just about gaming or his hobbies, but about life in general. I never saw the man without a smile on his face, and he never lost the spring in his step. Working in a call centre is sometimes ball-busting, but when you have someone like Jamie around, a smile that never falters despite the many ups and downs, it becomes less of a chore. After getting to know him better, it became clear that he shared a passion for games, one that was on my level of geekdom, but this only solidified my initial impression of the man.
Did I tell him this back then? No, I’m afraid to say. I wish I had, but then again, I have a chance to say it here. Jamie is a unique person, and although our communication has been restricted to Facebook and social media in more recent times, I still remember how he lightened up my day. His impassioned ambition and joy for life is infectious, second to none - his desire to audition for The X-Factor is a great story for another time - and something that makes him a joy to be around. As he is an avid supporter of my work to this day, I was proud when he approached me to feature in ATUWS. I couldn’t think of a better person to write a horror story for.
I just hope I do our passion justice.
Jamie Stow, your time is now.
Cipher
Subject: Video Games
Computer games are amazing. You never know where you’re going to travel to or what you’re going to find and feel when playing them. Each one is different, and I just love the joy of the story at the beginning, middle, and the end.
– Jamie Stow
With a tired gaze, the doctor scanned the battered clipboard in his hand. Flicking his weary eyes across the paperwork, he slipped a pen from his pocket and scribbled. An array of inquisitive thoughts twinkled in those orbs, ideas and realisations that would remain silent to everyone but him. After a long sigh, he forced a smile and glanced up. He approached the empty waiting room. “Mrs Stow?”
Charlotte Napier paused and rose from her seat, her tear-stained face etched with worry. She gently rubbed her forearms and ambled over to the man in the white coat, her mind’s eye filled with a range of horrific scenarios. She smiled and nodded. “Yes?”
“Mrs Stow?”
“No, sorry. I’m Miss Napier. Charlotte. Jamie and I … we aren’t married.”
The doctor’s smile vanished. “Oh. I see.”
She said nothing, her lip bitten between her teeth. She adjusted her glasses and shivered, her arms folded. Her eyes scanned the waiting room, her fractured mind unwilling to receive the impending news. The worst-case scenario terrified her.
The doctor noticed her concern, the stunted body language, and the awkward silence. Fear and terror, the normalcy. If I had a penny, he thought. He scanned the clipboard once more for confirmation - nobody wants a lawsuit - and smiled. “I’m happy to confirm this wasn’t a serious incident. Jamie is fine, if a little shaken up.”
Charlotte breathed out, the sound sailing on the heavy silence. A nervous smile crept across her face. Again, she adjusted her glasses. “Thank you, doctor. I keep telling him to take it easy on those things. We both love to play games but … well, long stints aren’t healthy.”
The doctor nodded. “No, they aren’t. He has to take it easy. Computer games are becoming more sophisticated, and more addictive with every generation of console. The graphics are developing with every month that passes, which is one of the main issues. He said he plays a lot, which can vary in perspective from person to person. It’s easy to lose track of time. He’s not the only one, either.”
Charlotte sighed, her voice weak with exhaustion. “He does love to game.”
The doctor studied his paperwork. “Would you say Jamie has an addiction?”
Charlotte shook her head. “No, he just likes to binge now and then. He’s a pain in the bum, mind my French. He’ll buy the latest games and splurge for hours, but then they’ll sit on the shelf for a while. He keeps normal sleeping hours, goes to work. It doesn’t disrupt his life, so to speak.”
“I see. In that case, he’s fine now. Keep an eye on him, make sure he gets plenty of breaks and drinks plenty of water. It wasn’t serious this time, but
another incident could be.” The doctor smiled. “I’ll go get him.”
Charlotte turned on the spot and sighed, rubbing her forehead with a trembling hand. A mixture of simmering rage and fluttering relief burned in her stomach. A weight lifted from her sagging shoulders as the seriousness of the situation receded. For now, anyway. She breathed out before hearing light footsteps behind her.
She turned to confront Jamie Stow, her partner. She studied his happy-go-lucky face, admired those immersive eyes that held her in such high regard, the lips that uttered the kindest yet cheekiest words anyone had ever directed at her. Words that completed her and issued her with a permanent smile; heart-warming sentences that made her existence a lot more bearable.
It was in that solitary moment that Charlotte realised a damning fact.
Without him, I’m lost.
He’s my world.
My everything.
Jamie stepped forward and smiled. “Alright, babe?”
Charlotte slapped him on the arm before giving him a hug. “You scared the poop out of me.”
“Why? I’m fine.”
“Yes, now! You weren’t fine, not for a moment. I worried. I … I…”
Jamie wrapped his arms around her and cuddled her close. “I’m fine.”
Charlotte said nothing. She enjoyed the warmth, the closeness. Cherished it.
It was nearly gone…
Nonsense. He’s fine.
“What happened?” Charlotte asked, realising the doctor had not revealed the medical issue. She wiped tears from her cheeks and stepped back, composing herself. “Is it … is it serious?”
Jamie chuckled. “No, it was just a minor blackout.”
“That sounds serious.”
“It’s not. Apparently my brain just … shut down for a moment.”
“My previous statement still stands,” Charlotte replied.
Jamie nodded. “It’s never happened before so … well, I’ll just be careful from now on.”
She frowned. “Is it photosensitive epilepsy? Did you have a seizure?”
Jamie took her hand in his. “That’s what I thought, but no, although the doctor said it was probably something to do with the video games flashing, the flicker and spatial patterns. Which sounds exactly like what you just said, but it’s not. Apparently, particular images can be misconstrued by the retinas, and the images on the screen can confuse the brain. In no uncertain terms. Like I said, I never had it before. Maybe it was a fluke.”
Charlotte sighed. “That’s not good.”
“I know. We’ll be careful going forward.” Jamie turned to her and kissed her. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
“That’s okay. I’m just glad you’re alive.”
“I wouldn’t worry. Video games never killed anyone. They’d probably get some extra lives or a continue first,” he chuckled.
Charlotte slapped him again. “Don’t joke about that. Besides, you’re wrong.”
“I am?” Jamie swallowed.
“Yep. There have been deaths related to extensive video gaming.”
Jamie nodded. “I’m hungry,” he said, changing the subject. “Wanna grab some lunch? Then you can tell me about these video game deaths.”
“Riveting dinner conversation, that,” she chided.
“Okay, okay. But, still, it sounds intriguing. You know how much I love to chat.”
Jamie opened the front door and placed his keys in the bowl. Holding his stomach, he eased himself into the living room and lowered his rump onto the sofa, the cushion wheezing beneath him. He glanced up and groaned. “Whatever was in that curry, it wasn’t good.” His stomach gargled, the echoing noise creeping up his throat. “It’s playing hell on my belly.”
Charlotte nodded, and joined him on the sofa. “Hot food never did agree with you.”
He sighed. “It was nice, but sometimes the pain isn’t worth it.”
“Take a tablet. It’ll calm you down.”
“Could you grab me one, please?”
Charlotte nodded, a stoic look on her face. She kissed her partner, stood up, and moved into the kitchen. Jamie removed his coat and looked at the coffee table. A brown box sat atop it, the label torn off. The glass surface surrounding it was peppered with chocolate-coloured fibres.
“Babe? Is this box yours?”
“No, it’s for you. I tore the address label off and put it in the shredder. I kept the delivery note, though. I know how obsessed you can get.”
“And the sellotape seal?”
“You hate those so I got rid,” came the reply.
“You’re a star.” Jamie moved the box, turning it towards him. He lifted the flaps and looked inside. His eyes widened when he saw the contents. Charlotte returned to the room in silence. She placed a can of Cherry Pepsi Max on the table, with two white pills. Jamie nodded, his attention averted. “Thank you.”
Charlotte smiled. She slid her coat off and lowered into the armchair opposite. “What did you order this time?”
He chuckled, his voice giddy. “It’s the new VR headset.”
Charlotte groaned. “More new games? You have enough.”
“No, far from it. I can play current games on it, but in virtual reality.”
She sighed. “So it puts you into the game, surrounds you in their environments?”
“Not just that. It’s supposed to be the most immersive gaming experience on the market. Apparently you can feel the game, sense it, live it.”
Charlotte lifted the delivery note from the table top and scanned it, a frown on her face. “Whatever you say. You realise that you just got back from the doctor’s for playing too many games, right?”
“I know, I know. But I ordered this ages ago. And it’s finally here.”
Charlotte nodded, but said nothing. She flipped the delivery note over, checked both sides. The plastic holder rustled in the silence. “There’s no return address, no manufacturer label. Who sent this?”
Jamie ignored the question and gently lifted the headset from the box. The wireless device resembled a sleek, white motorcycle helmet with a blacked out visor. A black trim ran around the base of the unit, and a silver C was emblazoned on both sides, each surrounding a circular black node that contained the speaker. The top of the device was domed, smooth, and pristine. The whole unit smelled fresh, and glimmered in the bright sunlight beaming through the living room window. It reminded Jamie of a technological marvel from a science fiction movie.
“Cipher,” he uttered. “About time.”
“Cipher?”
Jamie turned the unit in his hands. “Yeah, that’s what it’s called. They’ve been developing this beauty for years.”
“It’s just a virtual reality headset.”
“No, it’s the virtual reality headset. Nothing on the market comes close.”
“Oh. Really?” She studied the mysterious delivery label again. A feeling of dread bubbled deep within. “What makes it so special?”
“Only one way to find out.” Jamie dropped to the carpet and reached for his game controller. Pushing the central button, he turned it on. A tinkling noise filled the room as the console sprang to life. The TV lit up in sync.
Charlotte perched on the arm of the sofa. “You’re playing this now? I thought we were going to the movies. You know, for that Star Wars marathon.”
“I’ll be honest, sweetie. The curry has done me in. I just want to sit indoors and chill.”
Charlotte said nothing. She scratched her forearm, a little sad, lost and alone in that single moment. Her wet eyes scanned the modern technology, the games console, and the boxes of games that rose high on either side of the entertainment system. The TV seemed overly bright, the subtle whirring of the black box irked her, and the streams of black cables that still existed in a wireless world offended her.
Jamie tapped the side of the Cipher unit, not looking up. “You can go on your own, if you want. Don’t let me ruin it for you.”
You already did, she thought.
Three films, just us. This was our day.
A day ruined by video games. As usual.
I should stay. He might black out again.
Fuck him.
I’m pissed. I can’t be around him right now.
Besides, I don’t want to sit here watching … whatever this is.
Charlotte stood up. “Fine. I’ll go.”
“You sure?” he replied, not making eye contact, his eyes firmly on his new toy. The tone of Charlotte’s voice was lost in his indifference. She nodded, a deep sense of sadness coursing through her blood.
Don’t say something you’ll regret. You almost lost him once today.
Which is why you should stay.
No.
He wants to play his games.
There’s no place for me here.
Besides, it was a one off.
Instead, she muttered, “Yes. You have fun.”
She ambled to the front door and exited the house without another word. Jamie didn’t look up. After a moment, the VR headset was linked up and ready. A spinning blue C adorned the widescreen before him. Eyes wide with joy and excitement, Jamie walked into the kitchen and brought back a stash of snacks; three Picnic bars, five Creme Eggs, the remaining five cans of Cherry Pepsi Max, and a six-pack of Skips. As he settled in, he slipped his mobile phone from his pocket and turned it to silent.
Let’s do this.
Cipher - amaze me.
Charlotte sat in the car and wiped her eyes. Sobs wracked her body, shaking the driver seat beneath her. A dribble of clear snot crawled over her quivering lip.
Am I overreacting?
Am I a bad girlfriend?
Maybe.
He should pay you some attention though.
He does … sometimes.
Are you really going to the movies alone?
No. I’ll just sit here for a while and figure out what went wrong.
Figure out why my relationship is becoming a disaster.
Nothing went wrong. All men have their vices, ask any girlfriend or wife.
Video game widows … they exist everywhere.
Charlotte chuckled at the phrase, her sadness momentarily forgotten.
I’ll give him a few hours. He’ll tire of it easily enough.
