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“Um yeah, I thought you were getting my check for me?”
“Oh, the guy you were with paid for them both. He said he’d wait for you outside.” The bartender looked at me funny like I was the one imagining things.
“What?” I asked, even though I’d heard him clearly. He started to explain again when I waved him off, turning to walk out. Shielding my eyes from the brightness of the sun, I looked in both directions, but didn’t see anyone.
Why on earth would he pay for my meal? I couldn’t let the thought go, and I thought about it all through the next few hours as I sat at the laundromat waiting for my clothes to dry.
Just who was that guy?
* * *
A few days later,I finally had a response back from Blackhawk, and now indecision and regret sat heavy in my belly. I needed to make sure that I didn’t lose myself in the hunt this time. That I didn’t let my need to be right or prove I was smarter make me lose everything I had waiting back in Utah for me. I refused to think they wouldn’t be there. So for now, I was happy in denial mode, believing everything would work out if I could just show Blackhawk he wasn’t as good as he thought he was.
Blackhawk: So, that job? You interested?
Oblivion: Yep. Where have you been?
Blackhawk: I had something come up. It’s not important.
Oblivion:Because that’s not cryptic.
Blackhawk:Are you wanting to play our game, little hacker? A trade for a trade?
Thoughts of nights spent trading secrets rushed me, and I tried to blink them back, but they filled my mind with teenage angst and longing. Blackhawk was too charming. He had been from the start.
FINLEY, AGE 16
C:/Enter your name
C:/Oblivion
C:/Welcome Oblivion. You will be assigned to a team.
An email popped up with a web address. Clicking on it, I was directed to a closed server on the dark web. My fingers itched to type as I waited for others to populate the chat. Adrenaline pumped through me that I’d made it this far.
I didn’t want to seem too eager, so I sat back as they started to chat, observing their interaction so I could know how to play it.
Mongoose:Hi. Is this our team?
Blackhawk:Hi Goose? Can I call you Goose? Yes, looks like it’s the four of us.
Obsidian: Really? Why must you always be in the same chats as me?
Blackhawk:Because my awesomeness makes up for your boringness.
Obsidian:That doesn’t make sense. You’re the worst.
Obsidian:See, you scared the other member away.
Blackhawk:Nah, that was your lameness.
Blackhawk: Hi. Don’t be scared. He’s mostly harmless.
Oblivion: I’m not scared. I’m just observing you guys like animals in a zoo.
Blackhawk:Oh, what animals are we?
Obsidian:Great, you’re both dumb. Can we get to business and leave the animal talk for another time? Preferably when I’m not there.
