Proza

The streets of the shopping district were as full as ever as people scurried about trying to finish up last minute Christmas shopping. Snow had begun to fall in the early hours and as time ticked by no one took notice of the rising levels in their rush to get everything on their lists. Unnoticed by the frantic shoppers two boys were lining up their freshly packed snow balls at unaware targets. With out a warning one of the boys began to cheer as his snowball struck its target.
A poor man on his cell phone looked around for the culprits spotting the boys, one of them still holding a fresh snowball. He yelled at them causing the boys to turn and run down the block and around the corner disappearing into a crowd of people. "Ha ha did you see the look on his face? wow he looked pissed." The boy who threw the snowball laughed as he clutched his side, out of breath from running. the boy looked at his friend who had long since abandoned his own snowball.
He was holding himself up against a nearby building with a fearful look dancing in his dark gray eyes. "We could have gotten in big trouble if we were caught, I thought we were just chucking them at cars" Brushing his long dusty light brown hair back behind his ear.

"Oh come on Sage, thats grade schooler stuff and we got away so no biggie." With a chuckle the boy straightened up looking around to see where they were. His eyes lit up when he spotted Mrarara the most popular gaming store in town, a crowd of people were outside waiting to get in. Smiling the boy grabbed Sages arm pulling him gleefully across the street narrowly escaping the path of an on coming car. The boy forced his way through the group of people in front of them friend in toe, to the protest of the parents trying to buy their last minute Christmas gifts.

Entering the store the inside appeared larger than the outside with isles upon isles of games of all kinds. The most popular section seemed to be the video game section as parents elbowed each other in an attempt to get what they came for. Looking around like he was trying to remember why he had pulled Sage and himself into this store, the boy glanced at the wall covered with new game releases. Turning back to his friend he said with excitement lacing his voice "I'm your best friend in the whole entire world and you love me." It was something that was a statement not up for discussion. Sage chuckled knowing it usually was followed by his best friend asking for help for something or another.

"Yes Rex you are my bestest friend, so what do want me to do? and why are we here?" Sage said noticing Rex had a look like he had just suffered some kind of betrayal

"I don't want anything, how could you think that." Putting on a fake pout, mischief echoed behind his words.

"Your right I'm sorry so don't get mad, okay?" Sage couldn't help apologizing even if he knew Rex was playing him.

Softening his expression at his friends innocent nature Rex continued his train of thought. "Why are we here you ask, well I will tell you my friend!" The excitement entered back in his voice with a hint of confusion as he began to look around again.

Sage pulled his oblivious friend out of the way of customers who were trying to get into the store. Looking around he knew he could never afford anything in the store, this made him slightly uncomfortable as he waited for Rex to remember why he was so excited to be here in the first place.

Still looking around Rex realized his friend was waiting on him "oh... uh...right I was looking for something." Sage couldn't help but sigh at his friends forgetful nature watching as he started looking at the titles displayed over each rack of new releases. Finally it seemed he had found what he was looking for, grabbing Sage by the arm for the second time he dragged the boy to his ultimate goal.

"It's the holidays and I know you can't afford real presents being your poor and all" Rex said making Sage let out an aggravated huff while restraining himself from punching Rex in the face. He was glad people were to busy to have heard what Rex said as they forced their way through the crowd in the store. Rex still had a grip on his arm as they moved closer to the games displayed, still unaware of his friends anger at his last statement.

"Well I'm going to get you something great" Rex exclaimed having fought their way through the crowd of adults, Rex pointed happily at a game resting in a rack on the wall now bouncing on his heels "here, look!."

"What is it?" Sage looked confused at the thing his friend was so excited about. Rex pouted, he had expected his friend to start kissing his feet for being the most awesome friend in the world. He sprung forward throwing his arm around his friends shoulder excited at the chance to enlighten Sage about the ways of MMORPGs. With a big smile now gracing his lips he began to explain the wonders of what the game was without realizing his friend was not listening to him.

Looking at the box Sage noticed two things, one, that the cover looked like it belonged to a horror movie and two, it was for 18+. He did not like scary things and was shocked his best friend thought this would be a nice thing to buy him. Rex was still talking as Sage watched his mouth go a mile a minute eager to spill his knowledge for the other to soak up. Of course it would help if the person he was explaining things to would pay attention to him. Sage looked back at the box as Rex seemed to just be hitting the good parts, looking at the title didn't help ease his nerves at the prospect of having to login to a game called The Hunt.

Thinking for a way out, Sage quickly turned back to his friend forcing a laugh and rubbing the back of his head. "Ummm... Rex how am I suppose to play this? I don't have a gaming system or a tv." He watched his friend stop mid sentence his mouth hanging open having apparently forgotten that Sage had none of the things he himself had privilege to. Suddenly a look of defeat came over Rexes face as he hung his head, dark brown hair falling over his eyes a sigh escaping him. Sage Put a reassuring hand on his friends shoulder to avoid the fake tears that usually followed these situations.

"Its ok Rex you really don't have to get me anything, I'm happy just having you around." Blushing lightly Sage couldn't help but turn his head away to avoid looking at Rex, not sure how he would take the comment.

To his relief Rex just threw his hands behind his head chuckling at the sheepishness of his best friend when it came to being affectionate "yea I know but I'm still getting you a gift."

Just as they were about to fight their way out of the mob of people the manager approached them with a kind smile gracing her gentle features. "Find anything you like, boys?" she said seeming to love the crowded conditions of Mrarara. Rex looked her up and down smiling as she stood there, he did not even try to hide the fact that he was checking her out. "Well my lovely lady we were looking at this game" Rex pointed "but I forgot my friend doesn't have a gaming system to play it on, so after he is done flirting with me were going to look at the board games." Rex had a smile plastered on his face, his voice holding a sing song tone as he spoke.

Sage turned bright red as he started waving his hands in front of his face, unable to find words he stammered along as Rex began laughing at his embarrassment. Looking at Sage the manager chuckled "your friend forgets a lot doesn't he?" Sage could only nod in response getting a huff from Rex. "Well you are both in luck then, this is played on a new gaming device straight from Japan, everything you need is in the box so no worries." This got Rex bouncing on his heels again, grabbing two boxes from the shelves he turned to Sage rushing his words "hehe lets get outta here." Sage was disappointed at the news, bowing his head he followed his anxious friend through the groups of people browsing the store shelves. Sage had lost Rex as they made their way to the cashier, by the time he made it to his best friends side the games were already in a bag at Rex's side.

"I thought you had to be eighteen or older to buy mature rated games?" Sage looked questioningly at Rex as they left the store.

"Usually, but the man ringing people up knows my dad so he let it slide." Like a four year old on pixie sticks Rex bounced as he walked.

Reaching into the bag hurriedly Rex threw one of the boxes into Sages hand "Well what are you waiting for open it, I want to see whats inside!"

"I hope It's candy" Sage replied sarcastically. As he began to open the box, Rex grabbed his arm and began pulling him god knows where for the third time today.

The snow had stopped as they walked, Rex was searching for some place to eat, finding a nice restaurant which had an outside eating area thinking they could eat outside now. Rex reconsidered noticing as he held his friends arm that Sage was shivering, he changed his mind deciding seats inside would be better for them. They entered the restaurant and were greeted by a young man. "Table for two" Rex said wanting to get warm food into his friend before they took a closer look at the game.

Sage was looking at the box as they were led to their table, Rex saw as Sage read the back of the box a worried expression dancing across his face grew stronger as he continued to read. 'Did I mess up again..' Rex thought almost ripping the box out of the others hand and marching back to the store, his stomach growled distracting him.

Sitting across from Rex, Sage put the box on the table out of the way just as the waiter asked what they wanted to drink. They both ordered hot chocolate glad to have something warm to look forward to, both looked at the menus handed to them. They than located their meal of choice, content on putting the game out of their mind. Eating they talked about everything and nothing, enjoying the warmth of the restaurant and their full stomachs.

Finally grabbing the other game box out of the bag, both now sat holding the boxes in front of them. They realized they could open just the front of the box so they both did revealing an odd device. Rex looked eyes wide and sparkling, a sound that one could associate with a happy infant escaped him. Reading the inside of the cover aloud, Rex knew that Sage would not be able to understand most of the technical stuff that was written.

"umm..." Sage looked at Rex looking for an explanation to what he just heard.

"Well all that text just means we can play in our sleep instead of during the day."

"Oh, is it safe?" Rex laughed at Sages question causing Sage to blush, though he was not sure why. Looking down at the contraption in the box Sage then turned his gaze back up with the look of a lost puppy, his eyes searching Rex waiting for a response to his question.

"It's fine, but if you're worried, you can sleep over and we can figure this out together." Sage smiled at how easily Rex could read him when it really counts and knew just what to say to calm his nerves.

Two discarded boxes laid thrown in the corner of a bedroom, The Hunt printed across the front of them. The sound of the shower down the hall came pouring in through the opened door, Sage was sitting on the edge of his friends bed. he was looked around curiously, it had been some time since they actually had a sleepover. Unable to help himself Sage explored the room with his eyes noticing all the changes, he also realized how much Rex had changed since they were younger.

The most drastic change were the walls which use to be a creamy white but not held the dark blue of the early night, the door to his closet had also been painted most likely to cover up dirt on the white door. Plastered on the walls were posters that had replaced the ones that use to cover his room. When they were younger Sage could remember Pokemon posters and Disney posters arranged sporadically on the walls, now it was zombies and horror movie posters that took there place. Not wanting to look at the scary posters he let his eyes drift to the large tv hanging on the wall just across from the foot of the bed. Underneath the tv was a series of shelves completely filled with movies in no particular order. On top of the shelf two gaming systems stood proud untouched by dust but marred with fingerprints and smudges.

One was a Playstation 3 the other an Xbox 360 both he knew were well used by his friend, though he wondered where the mountain of games his friend has was hiding were stashed. Continuing on his visual journey of Rexes room he located the top of the line gaming computer that sat on a dark wood desk near the door to the room. It's screen saver was shuffling through photos in the My Pictures folder, every now and then Sage caught glimpses of old photos that Rex must have scanned in.

He let his eyes fall to the floor noticing the carpet still was the same as when they were little, colored a light brown that matched Sages hair, he smiled at how it seemed the mess had not changed either. Clothing was discarded on the floor some of it was piled in small bundles around the room. Old snack wrappers seemed to have collected around the bed and desk, while discarded soda bottles sat on Rex's nightstand seemingly forgotten as some were still half full.

Falling back into Rex's bed he noticed how soft it was, the comforter swallowing him up as he laid there. Sage decided to climb farther into the bed grabbing a pillow as he snuggled into the nest of blankets, yawning his eyes drifted close. He didn't even hear the shower stop as he pulled the pillow he was holding closer to his face smelling the scent of his friends conditioner still lingering from his last shower.

Walking down the hall to his room Rex adjusted his towel draped around his waist before entering his bed room to find some clothes. As he made his way into his room and toward his closet he saw Sage sound asleep clutching one of his pillows tightly, his face buried in the white mass. Rex watched as Sage adjusted his position as he slept which freed his face from the pillow, still snuggled up to it as if it were a life line. He watched his friends long hair escape the confines of his ear and come to rest over the boys eyes. Knowing how irritating that could be, Rex remembered his nights dealing with long hair, he bent over his sleeping friend reaching to move the hair away.

Rex was met with a look that made him back away quickly, it was a look of pure fear in Sages eyes. He was aware that Sage had once had problems at home, but seeing that look made his blood boil. Anyone who messed with his friend gets a nice ass kicking as a reward for pissing him off.

Sage sat up turning his gaze toward his towel clad friend, then letting a light pink blush dust his cheeks he looked down at the now very interesting comforter he was on. He hoped that Rex would not ask about that adverse reaction to his approach. Seeming to get the hint Rex went back to the task of finding cloths to put on, glancing at a dirty pile he was tempted to just pull something from there but decided against it. "No sleeping yet" he said as he opened his closet revealing a dark wood dresser that matched his desk, he then grabbed a fresh pair of boxers and pajama pants.

Dropping his towel he began to dress, pulling up the pair of boxers, which had "Eat me!" written on them with cartoon zombies printed as a pattern. He heard sage throw himself down on the bed and the rustling of the comforters as Sage buried his face pulling them up to affectively cut off his view. Rex laughed knowing his friend was probably as red as a tomato at this point. "Sage go take a shower before we start. It's down the hall on the right. I will find you something to wear so don't worry about that." Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes Sage let out a yawn, he would have gladly drifted off again on the mattress if given the chance and he was sure Rex knew that.

"Rex?" Sage said timidly.

"yes! my pillow stealing friend" Rex had a grin on his face as he watched Sage make his way to the edge of his bed still clutching the pillow tightly.

Confused at what Rex was talking about, he blushed realizing what he was doing and relinquished the pillow. he watched it drop off the edge of the bed and lay on the floor, the spot where he had released the pillow now baring a imprint.

"It's nothing, It's down the hall and to the right?" Sage didn't even wait for a response from Rex as he headed out of the room toward the bathroom.

Rex watched his friend practically run out of the room, unsure of what went unsaid between them he shook his head. Turning to his dresser he opened it up and pick out something for Sage to wear to bed tonight. Finding the perfect set of pajamas he went to the bathroom door and knocked, when Sage didn't respond he placed the clothing outside the door before turning back to his room to clean up.

Rex looked at the clock on his nightstand that was now free from the forest of soda bottles that once stood rooted in front of it. Watching the bright red numbers as they gleamed the time, 8:30 pm, he sighed Sage seemed to be taking forever, it did give him time to tidy up so he pushed his annoyance out of the way. He continued picking up the mess on the floor, not sure why he was cleaning in the first place. Rex reached under his desk picking up the last of his discarded socks just as Sage walked in. Grabbing a can of air freshener Rex sprayed Sage in the face with it not sure why, but found the out come to be worth it.

Sage started hacking up a lung as his throat and eyes stung, he began to death stare where he thought Rex was standing, by the laughing he heard he was probably not even close.

"what made you that think that was a good idea?" Sage forced out while holding his chest with one hand and rubbing his eyes with the other. He turned to Rex who by now was on the floor holding his side trying to catch his breath from laughing so hard.

"I'm sorry I just didn't think..." Interrupting the still giggling Rex, Sage put on his angriest face thrusting his fists down at his sides, now balled into fists.

"Thats right you weren't thinking!"

Rex looked at sage not sure what to do, He had never seen him this angry before, usually he was more reserved. Deciding he needed to cool his pissed friend he searched for something that could distract Sage from his seething anger. Spotting the pillow he had forgotten to pick up from the floor, Rex slowly made his way to the bed. Sage was tainted with the red of anger as neither said a word in the tense atmosphere of the room. Seeing his chance Rex picked up the pillow, disguising it as an attempt to tidy up, he looked at the pillow for a few seconds then chucked it at his friends face. With a thud it hit it target head on, falling to the ground revealing a now beyond pissed Sage. Startled by the sudden sneak attack he blinked at his friend who began to slowly back up attempting to play innocent.

"well,.." Rex said "I thought..."

"Didn't we clear this up!, You don't think, end of discussion!" Sage burst out, his voice raised in pitch and volume.

Putting his hands up defensively Rex moved back against his bed as his ever so pissed friend approached him with the intent to slug him. "I was thin..." Sage gave him the don't go there look. "Well, that look just doesn't suit you, you know being angry and all." Rex was now crawling on his bed, turning his head slightly he located his target just as Sage was about to punch him.

Rex grabbed one of the pillows that were at the head of the bed and quickly smacked Sage in the face. Pulling back for another attack at his pissed friend "Surprise manly pillow fight to the death!" Rex yelled jumping off the bed running around to whack Sage in the back. He got a surprise as the pillow he had chucked at his companion earlier miraculously found its way to his face.

The boys paused looking at each other neither breaking eye contact. Suddenly Rex collapsed to his hands and knees "I've been hit!" he cried in an over dramatic tone "don't worry about me, I'll be fine " he was now on the ground supporting himself with one arm. " I've lived a good life" he clutched at his heart "Tell my wife I love her" he then completely collapsed to the ground giving one last twitch before he stilled. The over dramatic death scene sent Sage into a rolling laughter that caused him to join his friend on the floor.

"So, are you still mad?" Rex asked his eyes holding the apology he was to stubborn to let out.

"yea, I'm okay." Sage rolled onto his back as Rex pulled himself to his knees now hovering over him.

Clutching his ribs from laughing so hard, Sage tilted his head up to glance at the clock. It read 11:18 pm which made him blink as if he was seeing the time wrong or something. He flipped himself over and began to push himself up off the rug into a sitting position, while doing so he noticed Rex had gone to collect the odd gaming devices.

Placing them between him and Sage he turned to speak "Sage if you don't want to play I can return it, Its really no big deal."

Sage was surprised at Rex, it was the second time he had seem him look so sincere. "No its fine, really, you will just need to help me...a lot"

Rexes eyes lit up as he picked up the head set closest to him. "There is a switch on here somewhere..." he mumbled as he turned the device over in search of it, locating it he flicked it turning it on in triumph.

Taking a closer look, Sage realized the devices looked like a cross between welding glasses, earmuffs, and a swim cap. He could see from looking at the object, with out picking it up, that in the head cap raised bumps were placed strategically along its stark white form giving the look of a medical tool. Sage was frightened by the contraption that seemed so confining in how it blocked out your eyesight and hearing while constricting your head in the spandex like cap.

Rex happily slipped the device over his head, struggling against the cap designed to hold tight while you slept, he rested the goggles on his forehead. "Well, now its your turn, just flick the switch and put it on." Staring at his friend Rex shook his head at the boys expression. " Sage, don't worry, I'm right here." Rex gave a small smile, putting a hand on his friends arm rubbing gently in an attempt to calm him. Cautiously Sage picked the device up flicking the switch to turn it on, carefully pulling it over his head trying to avoid getting hair caught in an uncomfortable manner.

Both boys sat with the devices resting against their foreheads. "Shouldn't we read the little booklet that comes with it, I mean better safe then sorry." Sages attempt to stall was obvious as he fidgeted in his spot on the floor.

"No it's fun going in without a clue, we can learn on along the way."

Rex was being oblivious again as he climbed into his bed ready to login only to hear Sage sigh "what! if you don't want to play then don't!" Rex said propping himself up on his elbow.

Sage hung his head to hide a blush at a stray thought, without looking at his friend he said " Where am I sleeping?"

Rex face-palmed "I knew I forgot something."

Climbing out of bed Rex rushed down the hallway to a closet near the stairs, opening it he pulled out blankets and sheets then hurried back to his room. "Sorry, here take these." he handed the blankets and sheets to Sage then with a devious smile said "unless you need me to make your bed?"

Sage blushed lightly. " No I can do it, but I need a pillow...preferably not in my face." Adding the last part to deter his friends mischievous nature.

Rex grabbed the pillow he had rested his head on just moment before he was interrupted. "Here take this one, it has my scent." He plopped the pillow over the edge of the bed grabbing the one next to him so he could get to bed. Shuffling under the covers, Rex could hear sage finishing up his makeshift bed.

" Rex, you will be there, right?" Sages quite voice caught his ears.

"Yea of course, no worries, I know you hate these things, but hey you never know when the end of the world will occur, you need to be prepared."
Sage made himself comfortable on the floor next to Rexes bed, while Rex reached toward the light pulling the chain sending the room into darkness comforted by his friends humor. As they both became overwhelmed by sleep, they pulled the headsets down over their eyes and ears to enter The Hunt.
 

*************************Author Notes**************** This is the first chapter of a story i'm writing if you want to read on its also on fictionpress.com under my pen name Maxis Grey. The only reason i'm not posting the rest is because after this chapter it gets very twisted.
***************************************************