OUTCAST IN A WORLD WHERE NOTHING THRIVES. WILL YOU LIVE? WILL YOU ADAPT? OR WILL YOU LOSE YOURSELF AS EVERYBODY BEFORE.

A. S. DEEKSHA

Copyright © A. S. Deeksha All Rights Reserved. This book has been published with all efforts taken to make the material error-free after the consent of the author. However, the author and the publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. While every effort has been made to avoid any mistake or omission, this publication is being sold on the condition and understanding that neither the author nor the publishers or printers would be liable in any manner to any person by reason of any mistake or omission in this publication or for any action taken or omitted to be taken or advice rendered or accepted on the basis of this work. For any defect in printing or binding the publishers will be liable only to replace the defective copy by another copy of this work then available.

To My Parents

Contents 1. Outcast

1

2. Chapter 2

5

3. Chapter 3

8

4. Chapter 4

12

5. Chapter 5

15

6. Chapter 6

17

7. Chapter 7

23

8. Chapter 8

30

9. Chapter 9

34

10. Chapter 10

38

11. Chapter 11

42

12. Chapter 12

47

13. Chapter 13

51

14. Chapter 14

56

15. Chapter 15

60

16. Chapter 16

62

17. Chapter 17

64

18. Chapter 18

68

19. Chapter 19

73

20. Chapter 20

76

21. Chapter 21

78

22. Chapter 22

85

23. Chapter 23

89

24. Chapter 24

93

●v●

Contents 25. Chapter 25

98

26. Chapter 26

103

27. Chapter 27

108

28. Chapter 28

111

29. Chapter 29

114

Epilogue

123

● vi ●

ONE

OUTCAST 2 years ago, 16 year old Ivana Iris went missing. If you have any information about her disappearance,Please report to the nearest police station. "Is that the girl who went missing?" Brian Davies asked setting his backpack on one of the empty seats of New York University lounge and took a seat. Cody Aborn nodded, munching on a chip from the pack of chips he had gotten from the vending machine. "Two years, what luck does her parents expect?" Cody asked and Brian glanced at him from the TV. "Cmon Cody, a little hope is what they have left" he said and Cody leaned back to look at him. "That doesn’t fit in my vocabulary" the unfazed male said and Brian sighed being used to his behaviour by now. The two met way back in high school. It was a surprise that they got along cause they are polar opposite. Brian being the optimistic bubbly guy while Cody was realistic and straight forward. ●1●

OUTCAST

"Oh right" Brian perked up and grabbed his bag. Cody sat up from laying on the couch and dusted the chip crumbs off his shirt. Brian got out his phone and scooted closer to Cody . "There is this pretty cool game that I found" "Don’t even show it to me if it’s another RPG" Cody said nonchalantly making Brian pout lightly. "Well I haven’t tried it yet " he said and tapped on the game icon. Cody moved closer to him in interest. It didn’t look like those typical Mobile games found online or in the App store. "What is it about?" He asked as the blond male locked his phone and set it. "Not much I know, there are cracks here and there" he said and winked at him. "You should get it" Cody looked at him. "Maybe" he mumbled making Brian grin. Back at the dormitories, the two shared a roomy apartment that had two bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom and a kitchen. Cody yawned lightly. "Tired?" Brian asked and the raven haired male nodded. "I’ll eat later" "That’s what you said last time" "I promise" Brian huffed and leaned on the counter. Cody gave him a small smile that made his anger subside. "Alright, What do you want to eat by the way?" "Anything is alright” Brian nodded and Cody headed to his room. He set his bag on his brown study table and flopped on his bed tiredly.

●2●

A. S. DEEKSHA

He had a long day with assignments and crap. He shut his eyes and almost instantly fell asleep. It’s 11:00PM when Cody woke up in a startle, he breathed lowly and got out his phone from his jean pocket. The light blinded him when he switched it on, he turned to lay on his back and tapped on the App Store. Search: World of our own When the game showed up, he tapped download. He watched at how quickly it downloaded and tapped the game icon. Welcome to World of our own Where fantasy becomes reality Please insert your details below Name: (Typing...) Cody Age: 23 Weapon of choice:(options below) Sniper Bow and arrows Sword More.... Loading... Thank you for choosing a weapon We will set up your profile Please wait... A bright light shone from his phone making him drop it and cover his eyes. His phone screen froze showing Cody’s full private details. Cody rubbed his eyes, cursing under his breath and slid them open only to see his hands disintegrating into codes. "What the!" He said loudly scooting way from his phone in shock. A sudden sharp pain pierced his heart making ●3●

OUTCAST

him gasp and clutch his shirt. He felt like he couldn’t breath and his sight blurred. Cody swayed to his side and vanished from sight. His phone quickly went black then turned on. Character profiles added… Cody Aborn Brian Davies Do you wish to start the game? Yes. No. Loading... Thank you for choosing a weapon We will set up your profile Please wait... Cody yawned and set his phone on his bedside table. He got off the bed and padded out of his room. The dorm was dead silent which was unusual. He usually finds Brian asleep on the couch after binge watching his favourite show this late. "Hey Bri" Cody called after checking the living room. No response, he’s probably at the library. Cody rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but have a bad gut feeling. He shoved that aside and grabbed a slice of pizza from a box of pizza laying on the counter. He lazily padded into his room and sat his bed. His phone beeped and he picked it up. Your profile is ready. He finished up his pizza, wiping some sauce from his fingers on his jeans and returned to his phone. Welcome to World of our own Where fantasy becomes reality I hope you enjoy your stay Cause there is no turning back

●4●

TWO Character name: Cody Aborn Entry Fee: Life and Memories Lives: 3 I opened my eyes in panic, gasping for air. My vision was blurry, I couldn’t tell where I was and it was dark. I turned to my side rubbing my eyes tiredly before sitting up I was in a dark brown painted room that had a old brown piano in the corner with planks underneath. A single sofa stood out settled on the other side of the wall. I pushed myself to my feet and walked to the piano. Why is this so familiar? I hesitantly pressed a key and the sound echoed in the room. I gulped and breathed out, I started to play a short song I made a while back.

●5●

OUTCAST

I heard shifting and paused, my finger on the last note. I sensed someone being in the room with me. I pressed the last key and it echoed beautifully in the air. Just in time, I jumped away from the piano as it caught on fire. The wood cracking and falling apart. I looked around the place yet there was no one in sight. I heard whispers here and there. Someone is in here with me. "I know you are there" I spoke up despite the fear crawling inside me. The whispers loudened and the bulb swung side to side flickering on and off. My breathing came out laboured. ‘Cody you can not panic like this’ I told myself. Suddenly everything went silent. No whispers, no flickering lights or the bulb swinging. The fire was still blazing fierce. How does it feel? My whole body tensed when I felt a strong grip around my neck. A hot breath fanned on it making the back of my hairs stand. The voice came out mixed male and female. To hide behind a tough exterior yet deep inside.. "Shut up!" I yelled clawing at the hand. I felt a rush and my back hit the wall. I gasped in pain, falling on my front and struggled to sit up. The room was quiet with only me in it. What the hell is this place? I noticed the fire spread and I grew afraid. I looked around the room frantically searching for a way out and my eyes landed on a hole blocked with planks. I stumbled to my feet and darted to the hole. I quickly knelt down and started to pull at the planks. One came undone and I tossed it aside. I felt heat radiating and it was getting harder to breath. I breathed slowly and continued to pull at the planks, this can’t be happening! ●6●

A. S. DEEKSHA

I pulled back in pain and stared at my hands. They were littered with deep cuts and had started bleeding. When did I get the cuts? I drew back and stepped hard on the planks. I heard cracking and continued stumping on them with all my power. My foot broke through, relief rushed through my body. I quickly shoved the planks aside, wincing when splinters sank into my cuts and quickly crawled into the hole which was actually a dim lit vent. I turned around to see the fire cut off right at the entrance of the vent. Like there was some barrier. I cradled my hands and let out a shaky breath. I heard faint whispers, startling me again. I quickly went on all fours, drawing in short breaths and wincing at the contact of my wounds on the cold floor. I started crawling to God knows where. I didn’t care, I just want to get the hell out of here. Isn’t it sad...to forget who you were...before..

●7●

THREE Character name: Brian Davies Entry fee: Life and Friendship Lives: 3 I groaned opening my eyes to my reflection. Confused I sat up, finally understanding. I was in front a long large dance mirror that had blue and yellow spray paint smudges. I turned my head to the side and looked around. It was a big dimly lit old blue painted room with pipe lines above and on the sides of the wall. An opening was high up close to the lights with a sink a few feet from me. I could hear water dripping from it. I sighed and got up to my feet, running one hand through my hair. I turned to the mirror, staring at myself. I have so many questions that are making my heart hurt and my head throb. My hair is disheveled and I had on a black outfit. I heard faint whispers and turned around yet no one was there. ‘You would have seen them through the mirror, ●8●

A. S. DEEKSHA

stupid’ I facepalmed myself and returned to the mirror. I leaned my forehead on the glass, the coldness cooled my warm skin. How does it feel? I tensed up and slowly opened my eyes. There was no one except me. I breathed out slowly and leaned away from the mirror. Maybe I am hallucinating. I suddenly felt a grip around my neck and gasped, My eyes widened in shock and fear. No one was reflecting on the mirror which freaked me the hell out. How does it feel to lose someone you love this easy? The grip around my neck tightened. It was getting harder to breath, I gripped the mirror poles. "W..who are you?" I gasped out and there was a melodious chuckle, a mixed voice. I gasped when my back hit the wall, I landed on all fours gasping for air. I lifted my head to see nothing but an odd presence standing before me. Don’t be so weak Brian No one will come save you this time. I felt my body being lifted up from the cold floor into mid-air. I shivered in fear, I can’t move. Do you think there will be a next time? I screamed out in pain when my body hit the mirror, cracking it as I landed on my front. Broken pieces fell on me, it hurts. I struggled to sit up, my body trembled and felt sore. There was silence: no whispers, only the sound of water dripping coming from the sink. I groaned when something pierced my palm and turned it over to see cuts caused by the glass. I breathed out shakily and got up to my feet, holding on to the pole to keep me ●9●