Abella Sterling (Female P.O.V)

October 21, 2074

"We're staying here?" Logan asked, looking up in awe at the beachside villa.

 The Mediterranean-style home was two stories tall, with a large manicured lawn. Several palm trees overlooked the property, gently swaying in the crisp, salty air.

I reached over and ruffled his hair as we walked up the cobblestone path that led to the front door. "It seems that way, buddy."

A statuesque woman wearing a coral-colored dress stood in the doorway, waiting to greet us. Her smooth cocoa bean complexion emitted a natural glow, and the little makeup she wore seemed to enhance her ethereal beauty.

"Hello! I'm Lexi, Mr. Cromwell's assistant." She said with a warm, welcoming smile when we finally reached her.

"Nice to meet you, Lexi. I'm Abella." I laid my hand on Logan's shoulder. "And this is m-"

"Your brother Logan and Saint Botero, right?"

"Yes." My smile slightly wavered, and I resisted the urge to look back at Saint. After everything that's happened lately, I couldn't help but be a little apprehensive.

"Don't be frightened, dear. Detective Sharpe sent over pictures of all the guests." She flipped the silver tablet she held around for us to see the photos.

I nodded, feeling more at ease now that she explained.

"Are the other's here yet?" Saint asked, eyeing the only two vehicles in the driveway.

One was a red smart car, and the other was Saint's black SUV. The only other vehicle near the premises was a police car parked outside the security gate.

"Yes, they are enjoying a few drinks by the pool. After I show you to your rooms, I'll introduce you to everyone."

"Okay."

"Now, if you will follow me." She turned and led us through the foyer without waiting for a response.

Her heels rapidly clicked-clacked across the dark hardwood flooring, making us speedwalk to keep up with her.

I only glimpsed the living and dining room through the open doorways on either side of the entryway before we entered the hallway beside the staircase. On each side of the short passage were white multi-paneled doors. All closed.

My footsteps slowed, falling in line with Saint's. "Are you sure all of us staying in the same place is safe?"

"Quinton and the police think it is an-"

"I want to know what you think, Saint. You're the one here protecting me."

His jaw clenching was the only indication he heard my words as he stared straight ahead. "This place is pretty secluded, and three other officers are helping keep watch."

I rolled my eyes and let out a long sigh, but before I could press for an honest answer, Lexi stopped and turned to us.

"Abella, here's your room." She said, pointing at the third door on the left. "Saint, yours is across from hers."

"Alight." Saint hiked his black duffel bag up higher on his shoulder. "I'll get her settled, then check it out later."

Lexi nodded and pushed open the door to my room. Her big brown eyes made a quick sweep over the space before returning to me. "I'm sorry, Abella. But your room doesn't come equipped with a gaming setup, but there are plenty in the office next door."

"Okay, that's fine."

She beamed. "Alright then. Do you h-"

Her phone beeped, alerting her of an incoming message.

She flashed an apologetic smile as she checked it.

"Is everything alright?" Saint enquired, noticing the frown marring her face.

"Yes...Well, no. I'm a little behind schedule." She sheepishly admitted.

"Is there someth..." Saint's voice trailed off when he saw Lexi's focus shift to something behind us.

I turned to see a young man exit the first door on the right. He seemed almost the same height as me, if not an inch or two shorter. My eyes traveled upward to his perfectly coiffed locks. They were dyed turquoise and matched the wife's beater overhanging his black camo pants.

"Hey, Jin, can you come here?" Lexi shouted.

He quickly complied. The beads of his bracelets clattered as he sprinted over to us.

"Yes, Miss Lexi?" He asked, coming to a stop beside her.

"I wanted to introduce you to the rest of the house guests and... I need a small favor." Her voice dropped to a whisper toward the end, but it still easily carried due to the silence.

He slowly nodded. "What's the favor?"

"I'll get to that. First, let me introduce you." She laid one manicured hand on his bicep and gestured to each of us with the tablet. "Saint, Logan, and Abella, this is Jin Park."

"J.P, please." He softly corrected.

"Yes, right. J.P."

We muttered a quick nice to meet you as his eyes landed on me. "Abella?"

"Yes?"

"Are you by chance, Thorn?"

"I am."

It felt a bit weird meeting another player after only knowing them by their avatar and online identity for so long. The anonymity we once had allowed me to think of them as just competition and focus on my goal. But with us now staying together and the added pressure of a killer made things complicated.

His eyes lit up. "Really?"

I nodded.

"I-I'm Neon Prince."

"Are you the one that saved me in the game?"

"Yes!"

"Thank you for your help."

"It's no problem." He replied with a coy smile. "An-"

"Guys, I hate to interrupt." Lexi glanced at the time on her tablet and winced. "But I need to get back to the office to finalize Mr. Cromwell's plans for his upcoming trip, and J.P, I was wondering if you would finish showing them around?"

He lazily shrugged one shoulder. "Sure."

She thanked him before turning to us. "I apologize for rushing off, but if you need anything, just ask him."

"Okay."

Lexi excused herself before heading back down the hallway. Just as she passed by the room, J.P previously came from a man stepped out. He and Lexi exchanged quick greetings before he joined us.

I extended my hand out to him. "Hello, I'm A-"

He captured my hand in both of his, slightly pulling me closer. "Thorn, right?"

"No... Well, yes. But you can call me Abella. And you are?"

He smiled widely, creating crinkles around his pale green eyes. "I'm the one that shot you during the qualifying round."

I yanked my hand back and rubbed it on my pants leg. The pride with which he spoke those words and the unabashed glee on his face made me want to knee him in the balls. If Cris were here, she wouldn't hesitate to do it and more. Since she wasn't here, I might a...

No, no. Calm down, Abella.

There was no telling how long we would be living together, and we needed to get along until this was over.

"ExterminatorX," I ground out through gritted teeth.

"Yeah, that's me." He tucked his hands in the pockets of his khaki shorts and rocked back and forth on his heels. "Or, if you prefer, you can call me Stu."

I forced a smile. I had plenty of choice words I wanted to call him, but none of them were Stu.

My eyes passed over him. He stood six feet tall with lightly tanned skin and his dirty blond locks hanging messily across his forehead. If not for his crooked nose, he would seem pretty, but instead, he leaned more toward ruggedly handsome.

What?

I may hate him, but I wasn't blind.

"Guys, it was nice to meet you both, but..." Saint spoke up, saving me from answering. "Can you give us a minute to get settled in our rooms? Then we'll come and meet the others."

"Sure," J.P. said.

Saint flashed a smile in gratitude before steering Logan and me into my room.

⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫

Thank you for reading!❤

10-6-22