The Killer Queen

“You’ve been popping out of bed at 2 AM to game every night for a week straight. Every gaming session lasts from two to three hours. You skipped your gaming sesh last Friday night. Did something happen?”

Sexton was freaking out! “Last Friday… I must have hit the hay for real!”

Noella shook her head, brought up Sexton’s gaming account, fired up the hidden program, and tracked the login times straight from the backend data.

All the deleted info was restored in a snap.

“Last Friday, you must have been gaming with my grandpa. His console was running all night long.”

After Marcel realized his console had no secrets from Noella, he sneakily switched to reading

comics.

Palmer was frowning big time, glaring at his grandpa with a mix of worry, helplessness, and a dash of anger.

“Grandpa, Noella busts her butt every time she makes your meds. If you keep acting like a child, she might just wash her hands of you.”

Sexton’s meds weren’t rocket science, but Noella crafted them with her own hands.

Every time Palmer was at the Lunar Lab’s door, he would only catch a glimpse of her late at night.

Seeing those faint shadows under Noella’s eyes always hits him right in the feels.

And yet, Sexton just can’t seem to toe the line!

“Come on; I’ll be good from now on. Darn it, the game’s just too addictive, and I can’t crack this level… The more I think about it, the less I can sleep, and I end up dragging Marcel into it, and there you have it – neither of us gets any shut–eye.”

Noella was speechless.

Making excuses for not sleeping now?

The games Sexton was hooked on were just some casual ones Noella whipped up when she was bored, meant to kill time. Little did she expect them to be snatched up by Ivan, turned into legit gaming apps, going viral, and raking in the dough.

Palmer, not buying it, said, “Grandpa, that’s not an excuse for not behaving. Noella’s a doctor, and even Professor Calvin told you to rest up. And you’re throwing that away for a game?”

Sexton had lived a life of calling the shots, and now, getting a lecture from his grandson, he felt a tad embarrassed.

“What do you know? That game’s tough as nails. Bet you couldn’t beat it either.” Sexton’s eyes darted around as he shoved the console into Palmer’s hands. “If you crack it in half an hour, I’ll promise to quit my midnight gaming sprees!”

Palmer gave him a look.

Grandpa was up to kiddie tricks at his age.

“This is a co–op game. You team up with Noella, and if you two can beat it in 30 minutes. I’ll be all ears from now on.”

Sexton had it all figured out.

The game was a beast. Even a daily grind with the console might not cut it, let alone a measly half– hour.

Palmer was not much of a gamer except when it was about making bank. No chance he could beat it.

And Noella, well, Sexton even roped in some hospital nurses to try the game, and they couldn’t even get past level one. Even if his daughter–in–law was a brainiac, there was no way she would ace it!

Which meant he could game in peace!

Palmer saw right through Sexton’s game. He picked up the console, looking at Noella.

“Up for a round? Really sorry for the hassle my grandpa’s causing you.”

Noella pursed her lips and synced up with Palmer’s console like a pro. “Let’s roll.”

Sexton scrambled to get Marcel, still sneaking peeks at comics, to come watch.

This was a brainy little game, each level a battlefield sim.

One needed razor–sharp logic to beat it, and the levels were all clever as hell.

Noella and Palmer, side by side, each worked their consoles. No chitchat, but their teamwork

was on point.

Palmer was grinning, smoothly moving all the way. It was his first time gaming with Noella, and he was feeling her vibe through the game’s tactics–her sharpness and aggression were rare finds.

From the software she pulled up earlier to check Sexton’s gaming time, she had skills he hadn’t bargained for. Looked like Palmer had struck gold.

Ten minutes later, “Level Complete” lighted up the screen.

Sexton and Marcel, having had a crack at this game, knew just how difficult it was. The completion screen had them bug–eyed in disbelief.

“You beat it in just ten minutes!”

Marcel was all smiles at Noella. “Kiddo, you ever played this before?”

Noella shook her head. “Nope.*

Though she developed the game, Ivan’s team pimped it out, and it was her first time playing the upgraded version.

“Noella’s a sharp one!” Marcel was chuffed. Breezing through the game like that only proved his granddaughter had killer instincts and reflexes.

“That’s my girl!” He thought.

Palmer stowed the console and handed it off to his bodyguard.

“Grandpa gets two hours of game time a day, and only during daylight.”

“Roger that, Mr. Pollack!” Sexton was on the verge of tears!

And to think, he was the one who set up this bet, not knowing they would be such whizzes!

Two hours a day? That was practically a death sentence!

“Noella, when can I get out of this joint? I can leave tomorrow, right?”

All he wanted was to head home and game to his heart’s content. Once he was home, Palmer wouldn’t be able to touch him.

“Next month. But keep up these all–nighters, and it might not be till next year.”

The mere thought of a next–year discharge had Sexton in a tizzy.

“No way, I’ll be good! Just make sure you come to spring me next month!”

Marcel lifted his foot and gave Sexton a boot in the rear. “What are you on about? My granddaughter’s coming to pick me up, not you. What’s an old geezer like you need picking up

for?”

“What’s wrong with picking me up? Cut the sass; if you hadn’t dragged me into gaming at midnight, Noella wouldn’t have caught on.”

Marcel could feel Noella’s gaze burning a hole through him, and he started freaking out, afraid he would be thrown under the bus right then and there. Content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

“Whoa, hold up, don’t talk nonsense. I hit the hay like clockwork every night. Who dragged you into gaming? With your noob skills, playing with you is just a waste of time.”

“Oh? You’ve not been gaming? Right, right, right, you’re up at the witching hour reading comics; you’re gonna go blind at this rate.”

Noella frowned slightly, giving Marcel a stern look. “Grandpa, when I leave later, I’m taking all your comics with me. You better rest up good before you get discharged.”

The moment Marcel heard his precious comics were about to be confiscated, he gave Noella the puppy dog eyes. “Can’t you leave me just one? Just one, please?”