Our last remaining minutes were spent with the Campbell brothers. We’d discussed the crazy exploits on the bridge, then the baseball stadium, right up to arriving at Lake’s island under the guard of Morticia. I was sorry to have to say goodbye to them. As far as ruthless gangsters went, they were pretty sound guys. Cody had explained to Janice that he was going to disappear and fight for me on different worlds. To my surprise, she hadn’t mocked him.

“Good luck,” she’d replied, giving him a hug this time.

It was no less awkward on her part, but Cody melted into her embrace. I couldn’t blame him. If I ever met my parents, I would likely do the same after I’d harangued them for a few hours. Or days. Maybe a week. Life was too short.

My party gathered in the corner as the final minute ticked away.

“Any preferences for where we go next?” I asked.

“Somewhere that isn’t as fast as this place,” said Sun.

“You mean technological?”

She nodded.

“Does anyone have a problem with that?”

Cris shook her head.

“Zombies, insects, aliens, machines? I think I’d rather go for the slow rotting enemy to be honest,” offered Cody.

“With a powerful lich at the end?”

He shrugged. “Easier to get to the end, though, right?”

“Just not the fairies,” said Cris.

“Why are you so fairyphobic? It’s 2023.”

“Because I can feel how strong I am and if that queen is more powerful, we’ll be in trouble.”

“We’ll be in trouble on every world. That’s kind of the point.”

“Go with your heart, or close your eyes and jab a finger on the tablet,” said Cris.

“Even if it ends up being fairies?”

She grimaced before nodding.

“I’ll see you all soon,” I said as the final seconds ticked down.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

***

The familiar blandness of the selection room was strangely comforting. Bart wasn’t waiting for me. Neither was Imposter Bart, trying to get me to quit. I pulled up the options on the tablet and found the same worlds waiting.

“I guess we’re not strong enough to open up any new ones,” I said, making my choice. None of them were that palatable, but I’d started to view them for what they were – hurdles to get over. Gone was the frantic over analysis and worry about picking the right option. None of them were right, just in the way. We’d beat whatever we needed to.

The tablet vanished at my touch and the room vanished in a white supernova.

***

My bed was not capable of holding all four of us and Cody fell from the side with a yelp of shock. He thudded to the floor, triggering a furious response from Marco. My dark knight charged in, barking furiously. Cody yelped again and jumped up, landing on top of me.

Mrs Atkins grunted as she heaved herself from the chair. “Now what’s all this commotion? Marco! Hush that mouth of yours, boy!”

My Labrador stopped barking and joined Honey in jumping up onto the overcrowded bed. He still wasn’t at ease with the trespasser in his territory and changed to growling at Cody instead.

“Friends?” asked my ranger, offering his hand to sniff.

“Oh, my goodness!” blurted Mrs Atkins from the doorway, throwing her hands up. “You kids! You’re going to catch something from each other that a cream won’t cure. Lord, have mercy.” She shuffled off towards my kitchen. “Drinks? I expect you’re thirsty.”

“Yes, please!” called Cris. “The last coffee was delicious.”

“Thanks, Mrs A! You’re the best!” I added, trying to stop Honey from licking me to death.

“I know,” she replied, switching the kettle on. “Do you need me to walk over to Amir’s and pick you up some protection?”

“Huh?” I asked, gently forcing my dogs from the bed.

“I’d feel so guilty if your carry on led to anything untoward. I can grab you a box or two of condoms. Ribbed or smooth? I think they do flavours too now. What a time to be alive.”

If I’d been taking a drink I’d have spat it all over my party and pets.

Cris, though blushing, was able to answer. “No thanks, Mrs Atkins. It’s really not like that.”

“That’s what all the kids say!” she fired back.

Cody was totally lost. He leaned in close to me and whispered, “Did she think we were having a foursome?”

“When I beat the first world and Sun arrived with me, she thought it was a threesome.”

“What happens after the next world if we pick up another member?”

“I think she’ll probably have a heart attack,” I replied.

“Do you think the group can grow any bigger?” asked Cris, scratching behind Honey’s ear.

“No idea. I didn’t think to ask Bart. There wasn’t a limit warning or anything in the selection screen when Sun and Cody joined.”

“On the subject of picking up more members, where are you taking us to be able to pick up more members?”

I looked between my party and sighed. “You’ll find out in an hour or so.”

To be continued…