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With his head tilted slightly and a soft smile resting on his lips, Hayden gazes at me. Not at my body or my hair or exploring the planes of my face. Just my eyes, so unwavering that I can't veer from his, held captive by an electric, strange warmth blossoming at my core, like peering into a tranquil lake that whispers secrets just below the surface.
"What is it?" I breathe out, amid a quiet moment between trailers.
"Nothing."
"You sure? You look like you want to ask something."
His smile widens. "It can wait until after the showcase."
Not only does that feeling not dissipate for the next longest five minutes of my life, but it seems to have curbed my anxiety, with the help of Hayden's reassuring hand-squeezing, all the way until the final second.
The lights dim across the convention center, casting a mauve glow over the audience, as an announcer strides across the stage, illuminated by a spotlight. My eyes roam over the massive crowd, spiking my pulse and prompting more squeezes. Hayden and I share one final glance, before the announcer lifts the microphone to her lips.
"Wow, wasn't that something?" her voice booms. "Let's give another round of applause for all the amazing trailers we've seen tonight, huh? Give it up!" She claps, high in the air, winning enthusiasm from the audience, who erupts with whistles and cheers.
When the commotion dies down, she struts in our direction, working the stage. "Thank you, thank you. For all our DreamScape veterans, I'm sure you know what's up next, don't you?" As the crowd sparks up again, she nods, swiveling back in the opposite direction, her heels eating up center stage as her blonde ponytail bobbles. "That's right, it's time for DreamScape's Indie Creator Showcase!"
My soul momentarily leaps from my body at the hollers that follow—louder than any applause earned before. A proud smile spreads across my lips.
"But!" She pauses, letting silence stretch out. "Ohhhh, I got you there, didn't I? Before we dive into appreciation for our most beloved indie devs, we have one more surprise up our sleeves—or should I say, one last loot drop..." She waits again, allowing laughter to spread across the space.
I roll my lips at Hayden's drawn-out groan.
The announcer chuckles into the mic, beaming a radiant smile. "Yes, we're all about surprises here. So, now. Tell me, gamers. Are you prepared for one. Last. Trailer?"—gasps, including mine—"Uhhh huh, you heard that right. Get ready to be blown away by the unveiling of a never-before-seen mobile game. Here's a DreamScape-exclusive preview—let's take a look."
Darkness descends upon the convention center, enough that I can't see the announcer walking our way, until the clicking of her heels grows louder and louder. On her passing, she offers a friendly smirk, as the sounds of beachy waves lap over the audience, providing a calming backdrop for the trailer's voiceover.
"Ever dreamt of escaping to paradise...?"
On the cry of a seagull's call, color fades into the screen, revealing a bird's-eye view of a charming remote island, its sandy shores and swaying palm trees slowly drawing nearer.
"Welcome to Coral Island. Here the sun always shines, the waves dance endlessly, and locals greet you with open arms." The music stops abruptly, mimicking a record scratching. "Well, they would—if it weren't for their claws."
Fun, upbeat music takes over, blending the harmonies of a marimba with the cheerful strumming of a ukulele. Our vantage point snaps to the ground, providing a first-person view of walking past the palm tree line and onto the sand, which crawls with cute, animated crabs. In flocks of three to four, they dance for the audience, snapping their claws to the beat.
I smile at their unnaturally large eyes, thankful for the distraction. Call me childish, but this is my kinda game.
Soft lips tickle my ear, causing a shiver. "I think this one's already got you hooked."
I stand back on my tippy toes. "What can I say? I'm an easy sell."
Hayden snickers, twisting me around and tugging me close. The heat from his body seeps into my back, like a comforting blanket, before he loops his arms around my center. Sinking into him, I let my head fall on his shoulder, catching his toothy grin, as the music intensifies.
"But their peaceful haven is about to face its greatest challenge yet..."
Off the shore, a fleet of wooden ships appear on the horizon, rocking against the current while their crossbone flags flap in the wind.
The screen goes black.
And bold text fades in, emerging from the darkness.
A KINGSTON ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION
My brow furrows. That's odd. I didn't know they... I twist in Hayden's arms, discovering him just as intrigued, only for my entire world to stop spinning once I turn back around.
PIRATE ISLAND DEFENSE
No...
