Chapter 2 : Null
Nash's silhouette on the wall seemed to have moved, making Nash's eyes grow extra wide with disbelief. He nearly voiced out his surprise but was able to hold himself back considering that Eileen was present.
If he did, she might think Zebadiah has probably beaten madness into him and so he kept what he noticed to himself.
"Are you okay?" Eileen asked, picking up the brief concern that shone from Nash's eyes.
Nash startled, turning quickly at her and nodding. "Yes! I'm fine. Don't worry," he blurted out fast, almost as though he wanted to discharge her question.
Eileen looked at him with an unconvinced look on her face and shook her head. She won't force him to share anything with her if he didn't want to, but Eileen did well to reassure him before leaving the room.
"Do let me know if you need anything, Nash," she said, heading toward the door.
"Thank you."
Eileen turned and gave Nash a wide grin. "You're welcome."
After Eileen left, the entire room was pindrop silent with Nash massaging his chin in thought.
His shadow did not move once or twice but a few times. However, these movements happened with utmost subtlety but for some reason, he could notice it.
Nash already shook his head and rubbed his eyes to clear them and make sure that he was seeing clearly.
'Did Null return to the past with me?' he wondered, unable to explain what was going on present.
After several minutes of gathering his thoughts into something that made sense to explain his situation, Nash shot his shadow a straight, listless look.
"Null," he called out in a steady voice.
His shadow remained steady on the wall, not before for a few seconds and then suddenly, a set of spotless white teeth was revealed in a grin, showing its response to its master, Nash.
Nash did not know whether to be happy or worried with this but one thing was sure—his shadow has gained its own consciousness.
"Don't come out like that!" Nash scolded his shadow. "What if Senior Eileen had seen you or could sense you?"
The shadow scratched his head that was all black as if sorry for what he had done.
Fortunately, Nash now knew that he was the only one aware of this and that was good. On the other hand, Null was obedient to him like a loyal servant to a master and that was another added advantage.
At least, he didn't have to deal with a rogue shadow.
"Let's be careful from now on," Nash said.
The shadow raised a thumb in a not-so defined thumbs up gesture due to how black its form was.
The day couldn't have started any better for him.
First, he was reborn into the past with his memories intact and now, his shadow is a being with its consciousness and freedom, yet it remained loyal to him.
Nash covered his face and chuckled like an evil villain whose plan of world domination was looking good.
"Zebadiah Gates…" he muttered a single name.
******
Nash was soon done with everything in the hospital and went on his way home.
"Bye. Be careful next time."
Nash chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "Thank you, Senior Eileen. I will."
With that, Nash left the hospital and made his way home.
*Ring* *Ring*
Just as he stepped outside of the hospital, his phone rang. He picked and saw a familiar name on his screen that made his lips curl into a smile.
[William]
That was his roommate, William Cunningham AKA Big Willy, a nickname he had gotten because of his bouncer-type of body stature.
"Hey, man," Nash said as soon as he picked up the call, "...sorted it out yet?"
(Yeah, I have sent it. You should get it soon but don't forget the deal though)
"Haha! I won't. Thanks a lot, Will. I will definitely pay you back."
(Well, it's not a problem. Not when I'm about to establish my supremacy in gaming over you all)
They both laughed and chatted a little bit more before Nash dropped the call.
Nash had returned to the past and one of the most important events that he recalled was the full immersive virtual reality game—Apex Online.
It was already out for some days now and in his past life, Nash joined late into the game and paid for it. This time around he couldn't afford to make the same mistake.
A few days behind won't do any harm as most people were still learning the game but that wouldn't be a problem for him.
However, delaying into weeks or months would put him in the same situation as his past life.
Nash did whatever it took to get himself an Apex Online (AO) Gear today and that was calling his roommate, William Cunningham.
William was also a lover of games like himself and the very person who introduced him into Apex Online in his past life after convincing him for a long time to make a character and join the game.
Nash knew William wanted to get an AO Gear for himself and gave him a call. Nash needed some cash to complete the money he had at the moment, given how costly an AO Gear was.
One gear cost about $6,000.
Not that he was surprised as logging into the game would make one understand why it cost so much.
William, without much consideration, gave him the remaining amount of $1,500 to complete his and make the purchase for the two of them.
Nash took a walk to the nearest electronic store that was not so far from the health centre.
As expected, there was still a queue even after some days of Apex Online's official launch.
Given how the reviews and recommendations skyrocketed since its release, it was not a surprise that people would want to experience it.
After a few hours, Nash was finally able to get his hands on two AO Gears, paying and carrying them out of the store.
A whopping $12,000 gone!
But to Nash, it was worth it. However, only he knew that fact.
With his Apex Online Gear obtained, Nash took the next available taxi back to his place.
The first step of his goal had been taken in preparation of diving back into the world of Apex Online.