“I wish I had a fatal disease,” Fergus said with a slight pout in his voice. The 10-year-old boy arrived at Grey’s house to play with his best friend. They were in Grey’s room, though it looked like a deep, dark stone cavern when Fergus walked in. Fergus made the comment seconds after seeing Grey’s altered room. Grey held a flaming torch that illuminated his pointy elf ears; he smiled at Fergus.
“You don’t need one!” Grey said. He had been eager to share the news with Fergus as soon as he heard it. “Ms. Sharp asked me to keep it mostly a secret, but she said I could invite friends into the AlterNet too!”
“Really?” Fergus asked. Playing in the room was one thing, but he was going to get the chance to change his body like Grey. “When!?”
“Uh..,” Grey pulled a small glassy rectangle out of his burlap robe and tapped at it. The cavern disappeared from around them leaving Grey’s normal room. He walked to the nightstand and grabbed a red clipboard with some forms on it. “…as soon as your parents sign this,” he said.
“Okay!” Fergus grabbed the clipboard. “I’ll be right back!” He returned an hour later to find Grey bored and waiting in his room.
“My parents won’t sign it,” he said sadly and handed the blank forms back to Grey. “They said they won’t trust any company that asks its clients to sign away their souls.” Grey started laughing.
“Did you tell them I’m only here because I signed my soul over? My parents say Sharp Development is a good company.” Grey said. Fergus nodded. “I told them. They still said no.”
“Well..,” Grey started tapping the glass node again. “…we can play safe games too,” he said. At his words his bedroom changed again. This time it became a blacktop basketball court. Then, his and Grey’s favorite players started appearing also. “Besides, I’m stuck in the AlterNet forever,” Fergus grinned. “You can sign the forms yourself in eight years.”
