Love of a Thousand Colors

Chapter 9

The catchy background music rang in my ears as the three-lane battlefield opens for the two 5-team players. My enemy clicked her tongue and set to work, giving orders to her teammates without apprehension, considering the opposing team's player is just across the table. 

Without extensive initial knowledge of the game, I was able to make sense of the map and the icons in front of me. My teammates left the base to meet the enemies at the center-most point of each lane. My mind is reeling with information and the tips and tricks Israel was able to impart to me during our brief coaching session. 

One of the hyenas slightly took a peek of my screen and she displayed a hint of dismay. I stared at her for a moment and she panicked and set her eyes somewhere else. My teammates gave me a shout-out online not to ruin their chances of winning and ordered me to stay in my lane. I was about to send something rude and obscene but Israel halted me and whispered to my ear that trash-talking is disallowed and might cause the opposing team to win by default. 'That's rubbish,' I thought.

My hero is about to come in contact with a character holding an enormous staff in her hands. I was about to evade but her attack, a very simple and basic one at that, reached me and cut my HP by 10%. The enemy gave a thumbs-up sign and a smiley. I knew I could've avoided that! How did that happen?

The entire world snickered because of my mistake. "Oh, ladies you got yourself some bp (bad player). Hang in their guys!" The leader of the pack faked a concern in front of the camera.

I sought refuge beside my tower as the enemy player massacred every unit spawn in my lane. I heard grunts and angry screams from my fellow players. What should I do? 

Being a camper won't help and I decided to give it a try. With great confidence, the enemy hero lunged back at me and attempted to execute a repeat of what happened earlier. I didn't avoid it, instead, I made a long-range attack of my own. Again, I suffered a hit but my target quickly evaded and quickly countered. Now my life gauge is nearly halved.

Another ring of outrage screamed in my ears, nearly rupturing my eardrums. In my anger, I took off my headphones so I could focus on how to defeat my enemies instead. The hyenas took this as a chance to take videos and pictures of me, probably to post online how a sore loser I am.

"Take it easy." Israel said, "Win or lose, this fight has no bearing. We can stop this right now." His tone calming the storm brewing inside me. But I know he's lying, Esahardon would suffer great indignity if I stopped and much more if I lose. But how can I turn the tables around?

We are greatly behind the number of kills and we've lost a tower in each lane already. Defeat is looming and my teammates are giving up. I just died too many times that it's becoming normal for me to be eliminated very quickly. I jumped to their bait and now I'm going to be disgraced like this. And my sister... Now that she's seen by the world, she'll be a laughingstock because of my incompetence and stupidity.

I slammed my fists on the table, the girls in front of me are celebrating and exchanging high-fives. I closed my eyes, preventing the tears to flow. Then the image of the rainbow-colored robe flashed in my mind.

I exited the game and downloaded software. Israel must've figured out what I'm doing as he took his phone out and started filming.

One of the girls tried to stop what I'm doing and grabbed my hands. "That's cheating!" She grabbed me till I fell flat on my face on the garden's immaculate Bermuda grass. Lucky tried to help me and she got her fingers bruised and bleeding. Their leader immediately left her seat and stared at my screen, finally able to figure out what I'm about to do. 

"Are you that desperate?!" She was about to stop the download but it's finally completed since it's only a relatively small-sized app. She frantically opened the download folder to delete the file but I pushed her away and opened the installer immediately. The evil woman stood in shock and her friends gave her the camera and headphones."This woman is cheating!" She cried online and she briskly walked towards me. 

Lucky maneuvered the wheelchair and sat between me and my adversary. "Stay away from my sister!" 

"Out of my way!" The girl is furious and raised her hand to strike my sister. But good thing, Israel stopped her and squeezed her arm tightly. The rest of team Esahardon arrived at the scene and shook their heads disapprovingly on the monitor. I installed the recent patch too for a clean finish.

"Good job! She might have tampered with the gaming app on your PC. You can never be too careful." The redhead said, "This is a violation of the rules. I can't believe a pro-player like you would resort to a dirty and unprofessional tactic just to spite a romantic rival and win some brownie points."

The enemy group shook their heads, "We didn't. The unit is clean!"

I resumed playing, this time the keys are smooth and my skills are executed perfectly. Like magic, me and my team got the upper hand while the leader of the hyenas scrambled to regain her mojo and protect her base. She repeatedly cried over the mic how I cheated in the middle of the game, but I've sent proofs and Israel filmed her unruly behavior and the result of the malware scan on her PC.

Now our situation took a 180-degree turn, my teammates online were ecstatic. The only primary crystal tower is left and I took care of the enemy players. But my co-players decided to give me the honors of crushing it and downing the enemy base for good.

'VICTORY' flashed on the screen but I wasn't the top player of my team though, yet they voted me as best support. I finally have the guts to talk to them online. I took the headphones and congratulated them. They apologized for making their judgment and requested that I accept their friend requests on the game. I happily said yes and told them I have to go and fend for my sister. They felt sorry for that, too and asked me what my in-game name is.

Oh, I haven't thought about it. 

"How about 'Erela'?" One of Esahardon's members said the one who handed me chips the other day. "Sorry to sound like a creep or a stalker, but I can't help but notice your fascination with angel wings." I smiled warmly, happy that he noticed it and put it into consideration.

"What does it mean? It sounds very feminine." I said. I'm a girl but I'm not off to give off some girly vibes, you know.

"It's a Hebrew word for angel," Israel said, sounding a bit annoyed. "How about Barratiel? It's the name of an angel who supports." His face lits up a bit, looking a bit hopeful. I told him I'll think about it. 

The housekeepers brought gauze and bandages for my sister. We entered a decorated room with fancy chandeliers and a soft feathery bed. I carried my sister to the nice bed and all the boys left and discussed how to punish and ban QueenSlayer from participating in all online tournaments forever.

Lucky lies on her back on the bed, her legs crossed due to the severity of her condition. Even with her injuries, Lucky finds it in herself to smile. She might not say it, but she's happy with how things turned out today. 

I sang her a lullaby while changing her bandages and her eyes wandered around the room, letting its exquisiteness sink into her memory. For others who don't know my sister, they mock her as a terrifying, disfigured form. However, in my eyes, she's the most beautiful child I have ever seen.

"I hope she won't get to play forever." Lucky said as I put her clothes back on again. "She's like a witch." She added.

I laughed at her remark, "She's a sea monster! She's the epitome of evil." My younger sister agreed and told me she's going to visit her dreams every night to scare her off. Sometimes my sister's humor is scary.

One of the boys knocked and they went inside. They brought stuffed toys with them and some candies for my sister to eat. I told them that she can eat a few since they cause some adverse reactions on her skin. The kindest member of the group showed me a picture of a doctor in Europe who might be able to help my sister's condition. His treatments are still under trial though, he said. 

I shrugged, unsure. I don't want my sister being experimented upon. We'll be asked to sign a waiver and merely accept whatever sort of treatment they might administer without suffering from legal repercussions if things take a downturn.

He said he understands my worries. He shared that since it's a skin condition, we might concede to letting a portion of her body be on a clinical trial. On the contrary, he said not all doctors will agree to that kind of arrangement though. He already sent an email to them and he awaits their reply. He told me that he'll forward their response as soon as he gets them. I shook his hand and thanked him. What a nice chap!

Israel cleared his throat and made a comment that Lucky should be first sent to a specialist before considering off-shore treatments. I agree with his suggestion as well. Lucky smiled shyly, looking down at her hands. Even if my sister dotes on my affection, she's uncomfortable when strangers talk about her in her presence. Israel noticed her self-consciousness and offered her to watch cartoons on the flatscreen smart TV. She cheerily said yes and waited expectantly for the TV to be turned on.

We just sat there enjoying a kid's TV show. For the first time in my life, I felt I belong somewhere. My sister laughed and snickered at every whimsical joke on the show. Israel typed busily on his phone. The redhead watched some videos on Youtube while the rest of the gang joined me and Lucky. 

The day passed by so quickly and Israel sent us home in his truck. He asked what we thought about today's events. We told him it was a very fun day and I told him to send my regards to his grandmother. Lucky said she's always ready to defend me so Israel has to make it a point to let her know of the bullies I encounter in school. The guy made a salute and replied, "Yes, ma'am."

We arrived home and the place is a mess as always. Israel wanted to say something before he leaves but decided not to. He said he'll save it for some other time. 

Lucky isn't sleepy yet so she asked me if she can go outside. Honestly, I'm very exhausted, but knowing she rarely makes a request, I obliged. I carried her until we reached the end of the street. The lottery store is about to close and the clerk noticed us as he's about to put down the rolling steel curtain. He asked us if we're about to buy one and I said yes. Lucky's face turned to me in shock, considering we're still minors.

I only have a small amount of money to bet in and the clerk punched the paper and thanked us. I used our birthdays, even Franny's, only due to Lucky's insistence. We went on our way and the clerk reminded us the draw would be in 3 hours tonight so we better watch out if our numbers win. I chuckled and appreciated his reminder. 

Lucky and I set ourselves for tonight and went to sleep. The night is a bit chilly so I doubled her covers. I looked up at the night sky and thanked for today's events. That our stomachs are full and my family has found friends, real ones. I tucked the lotto ticket under my pillow and slept soundly as I have never done before.

The morning people chit and chat outside the house. I'm meaning to sleep more soundly but their unbearable noise barrage woke me from my deep slumber. Franny and Tootch are already awake. But I bet they didn't sleep at all. They look stoned and pale. 

Then a loud sound came from the door. An angry neighbor kept shouting outside and throwing us things. I hurriedly opened the door and a newspaper almost hit me on the face. "Hey! What the hell!" I exclaimed. A woman in her pink robe complained that my sister and her GF made a mess in front of her porch by vomiting and breaking beer glasses around. I stepped down from the wooden steps outside our house and stretched my neck to see what the problem is about. And the foul, rancid smell filled my nose, I almost threw up. "How can you be so sure it was them?" I asked, needlessly. I know there is a high chance they really did it.

The pink lady showed me the motor parked in front of her house. She pointed at it and waved her arm as if I didn't notice that one thing that was too obvious from the beginning. It's Tootch's bike. 

I apologized and told her I'll clean up the mess. Yet, she insisted I pay for the damages. I begged that cleaning is the only thing I can offer. Money is something I don't have right now. She went back to her house, threatening to call the police. 'Oh oh'.

In my anger, I picked up my neighbor's newspaper and swatted the living daylights out of my sister. She groaned and stared at me, but she didn't respond any further. "You barely do anything to help and you have the nerve to keep adding more problems!" I shouted. 

I entered my room and sobbed. Why does she always ruin everything?! How can she be like this knowing that we're already miserable and impoverished? 

My tears nearly ruined the newspaper. I put it on my bed, noticing it's today's newspaper. It's already opened on the page for the lottery results. I blinked my eyes many times and even rubbed it harshly for fear of hallucinating things.

I immediately pulled out the ticket under my pillow and compared the numbers. I got one correct, two, three, four... I got every number right!

I won the BuckBall worth $494,060! I can't believe it!