Collision Course [+ Additional Levels]

Level Thirteen - New Arcade

Moe lifted his cheek from his palm and looked ahead. "We're here," Andrew stated a little awkwardly, pulling into the parking lot and parking in a row facing the building.

As Andrew proceeded to turn off the headlights and glance at his parking job, Moe examined the building. Wide windows were covered from corner to corner with flashy advertisements. He could see the flashing lights of screens behind some of the papers. A big red sign with big pixelated letters glowed above the entrance:

Aqute Arcaders Arena

Moe cocked a brow as he read the arcade name. "That's quite the play on words," he remarked, amused.

Andrew chuckled. "Isn't it, though?" he replied, turning off the ignition and pulling out the key.

He entertained his friend with a couple seconds of sarcastic laughter. "Ahhh... no. Not really," Moe said flatly with a shake of his head.

Together they unbuckled themselves and opened their doors, stepping out into the chilly air. Outside, feet landing on the pavement and his hand on the passenger door, Moe hesitated. He involuntarily shivered―not because of the temperature, but because of the sour memory of a night not so different from this one. His breath misted in the air in front of him, just like it had before... before....

Moe growled as he shook his head in an effort to drive those thoughts away. He did not need to be reminded of that particular night from the week before―especially not now, as they head off to somewhere that will serve as a much-needed distraction from such things.

After shutting the doors behind them, Andrew locked the truck and pocketed the key as they walked up to the arcade. He held the door open for Moe, bowing a little. "Ladies first," he told him professionally.

Moe grinned cheesily and gave him a short curtsy in return. "Charmed," he replied, not forgetting to add an eye roll to call out on Andrew's nonsense.

He laughed, shaking his head as he followed his friend inside. "Weirdo. It's a good thing that Mira isn't here," he said.

Moe nodded immediately in response. "Oh, definitely. Though, I think that Karan would have gotten a kick out of that and what is that music?" he asked all in one breath, looking around.

To their right was a desk with an elderly gentleman behind it, and to their left were rows of arcades. Being the weekend, it wasn't a surprise to find it pretty busy. Though there were mostly teenagers, there were a couple families playing there. The air was filled with the sounds of chatter, shouts and laughs, along with the various theme songs and sound effects from the machines. What Moe had been referring to was the background music that was playing.

Andrew tilted his head to listen. "It sounds like the Pac-Man theme song in dubstep to me."

Moe lifted his brows at him. "And you know that how?"

Andrew looked at Moe, and pointed at himself. "Old software expert," he pointed at Moe, "hacker. Remember?"

"Ah, right," Moe said, looking away to not meet his gaze.

Andrew frowned at him with concern. "Are you okay?"

He hesitated, and then turned to him. "I thought I told you guys," he said casually. "I just... I had left all that behind me, is all."

Suddenly Andrew realized why Moe had reacted the way that he had yesterday when Karan had called him a hacker. He tilted his head at him. "What's wrong with being a hacker?" he asked curiously.

"There's a bad association that goes along with that name," Moe replied with a shrug, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"A title is only what you make it," Andrew told him wisely.