Game of Fear by Robin Perini Page B

know.
    He hit the SUV’s automatic locks. “You talked to Mylo, right? He knows we’re coming?”
    “Justin was supposed to be here, too.”
    The tension in her voice rose again. Would Ashley’s boyfriend show? That could be good or bad news if he did. But he figured Deb would take Ashley going on a joyride over the alternative any day.
    With a quick, experienced eye, Gabe scanned the surroundings. His gaze paused on the roof. “The house has satellite. These kids are set.”
    “According to Ashley, all of them have impressive computer setups. That’s part of what initially drew them together.”
    They strode up the front steps and knocked on the door.
    A woman about ten years older than them opened it. She gave them the once-over. “I don’t do surveys, I’ve already been saved, and if you’re trying to sell anything, I do my buying on Amazon.”
    She started to shove the door closed.
    Gabe stuck his foot into the crack. “We are here to see Mylo, ma’am. This is Deb Lansing, Ashley’s sister.”
    She didn’t skip a beat. “Tell me he didn’t get her pregnant.” At their startled looks, she sighed. “He has a major crush on her. All those boys do.”
    “Uh, no. Pregnancy is not the problem and Mylo is not in trouble. I’m sorry he didn’t tell you we were coming. Is he home?”
    “He’s on the computer. Where else would he be? He lives on that damned thing.”
    The woman whirled around. “Mylo! Some people here to see you.”
    Footsteps pounded up the stairs. A tall, thin, sandy-haired kid, all elbows and knees, stopped in the doorway. “Oh. Oh, yeah. Mom, they’re coming to talk to me about Ashley. Is it okay if they come in?”
    His mother gave him a look. “This time, but I’ve told you a hundred times to check with me before you invite people over.”
    Mylo blushed. “I know. I just got caught up in the game and forgot.”
    She shook her head in dismay. “Well, don’t do it again.”
    The kid shrugged. “Okay, but Britney’s coming, too. Remember? She’s got red hair. You’ve met her before.”
    The mother huffed. “Fine.” She gestured to Gabe and Deb. “You two might as well come in.”
    “Thank you, ma’am,” Gabe said, stepping over the threshold after Deb.
    “Watch that ma’am crap,” Mylo’s mom snapped. “I’m not much older than you, kiddo.”
    “O-k-a-y,” Gabe drawled. “Consider it retracted.”
    Mylo had already started down the stairs to the basement. Deb and Gabe quickly followed.
    “Sorry about my mom. She’s a little weird sometimes. You can’t pick your parents.”
    An image flashed in Gabe’s mind of his father hugging Whitney at the bus terminal and the edge resurfaced. Amen, brother . He turned to Mylo. “You’re a teenager. It’s your job to feel like that.”
    His gaze was focused on an eighty-inch television that took up almost an entire wall, but a moment later, the screen went red with giant letters that read Game over .
    Mylo glared at the screen. “I wish the others would get here. I can’t do this alone.” He looked up at Deb. “Is Ashley over her big exam phase? We missed her this weekend.”
    Deb stepped forward. “No. She visited me last night, but she didn’t make it back to the dorms. I’ve been trying to find her. I hoped you could help.”
    “She’s, like, missing? For real?” Mylo asked. “No way. We can’t get past Level 88 again without Ashley.”
    “Level 88?” Gabe asked.
    Mylo looked at Gabe like he was stupid. “Level 88? On Point of Entry . Duh. That’s the magic level half the country is trying to get to. Hardly anyone makes it that far. It’s wicked complicated. You have to break into banks and people’s private computers. I hear on the next version, they’re adding foreign governments, spy stuff, terrorist camps. This voice comes on the computer or TV and gives you a timed problem.”
    “A voice comes on?” Deb asked.
    “Yeah, like a big all-knowing avatar. It’s pretty cool. I can’t believe we