Frenley rushed out of his apartment building. A bag on his back. His work shirt and pants on. Today, it took him longer than usual to get ready. Waking up after death has hit the young man quite hard, and it took extra effort to leave his bed. Plus, having to take a shower after waking up ate up his time. So here he was, walking as fast as he could without breaking a sweat to get to his job on time.
Thankfully, his city was walkable, so he didn't have to drive to work. He passed by the usual coffee shop, other stores, and apartment buildings. Along the way, his eyes lingered on the gym that he went by every single day. The same gym he always said he would join every week, and never does. His steps slowed down, and he started to walk towards it. He arrives at the glass doors and opens them. As he started to enter it, he turned around, only to see a small asian woman making her way to the building as well.
Without a second thought, Fren held the door with his feet. Hands to his side, his sudden gesture made the woman smile a bit as she rushed to the open door. Her long black hair was tied up in a ponytail, and her light brown eyes looked at him as she spoke softly.
“Thank you.”
“You are welcome.”
Fren entered the building after her, letting the door close as he made his way to the front counter. The woman walked to the gym proper, wearing gym shorts and a loose shirt. Fren didn't really focus on the girl, even if the tight shorts hugged her plump rear with the strength of a dam holding back a river. He greeted the muscular man behind the counter. Who stood up and smiled as Fren approached him.
“Hey, dude! How can I help you today?”
“Good morning, brother. I just came here to get a gym membership.”
“Haha, morning to you too, sure thing, I can get you a starter. You want our basic pass or the premium?”
“What's the difference?”
“With our premium pass, you get access to our snack bar and smoothies free of charge. In addition to our saunas, we offer special classes and mentorship for premium members. Classic, you just get to use our machines. Can still get a smoothie or a snack, but gonna cost you out of pocket.”
“I will just get the basic one, brother.”
“Alright, let me get the paperwork for you.”
Fren leaned on the counter as he waited for the muscular man to get the paperwork. Fren let his eyes wander, looking at the people who diligently work out this early in the morning. After yesterday's ordeal, Fren read the books' lore as his breakfast cooked. Not all of it, but enough to know that death in the setting was not normal. Someone may die over and over again, but as long as they have the will, they will revive at rest sites.
The only way to really lose a character is by madness, and if the dream follows the same rules as the lore. He had a hunch that when he sleeps today, he would be right back in the rest site. Ready to face the boss one more time.
‘Today is Friday, if I can't beat it today. I will have the weekend to do with no worry. I may need to take some fighting classes. I am sure I was not using my sword correctly, and better control of my body will go well. Maybe I should get the premium after all.’
Fren didn't notice, but his eyes landed on the short asian lady as she ran the treadmill. Her ass was moving up and down as she ran at a comfortable pace. Her hair moved with every step. A soft cough from next to him caused Fren to come back from his thoughts. Noticing he was staring at the woman, he turned to face the smiling, muscular man. His face felt a bit hot as the man gave that all-too-knowing look.
“Risa is quite the hottie, but please do not stare and make her uncomfortable. We have a very serious sexual harassment policy here, and I would happily kick you out and cancel your membership with no second thought.”
“Sorry..was thinking of something and didn't notice I was looking. Hey brother, if it ain't too much to ask, can you get me the premium pass?”
“Oh? What changed your mind?”
“The basic pass won't do what I need; those classes and mentorship may be what I need.”
Fren said with conviction in his voice, causing the man to raise an eyebrow before nodding his head as he understood.
“Ah, got dumped, didn't you? I know that fire, that is how I started too. Don't worry, brother, we'll make you into a Greek god and make that chick regret dumping you.”
The man said, patting Fren's shoulder, who didn't have the strength or will to tell him he was wrong. So he just nodded his head along. After a few more minutes, Fren got his membership and, with a thank-you, to the smiling man. He left the gym and made his way to his work. He arrived at his office right on time, clocked in, and made his way to his desk to check emails, Excel spreadsheets, and to waste time.
Fren got to work like always, answering emails, trying to figure out how these numbers and calculations made sense. The rest of the time was spent doomscrolling when no one was around. Or having to talk to one of his more extroverted coverworkers. It didn't take long for lunch break to arrive, and with a quick step. He signed out of his computer and walked towards the elevator. Clicking the floor where the food court was.
The large building he was in housed multiple office floors for different companies and trades. So the food court on the ground floor was quite varied. Frenley went and grabbed the same meal he always gets. It's gotten to the point that he doesn't even have to wait in line. He paid for his meal and thanked the cashier for her hard work. Thankfully, Fren's favorite spot was not taken today; it always felt weird eating in a spot that wasn't his. He sat down and started to open the bag.
He takes out the plastic container that holds his price meal. Shrimp fried rice, with a side of black pepper chicken. He grabbed his plastic fork and started to eat it. Enjoying his meal till someone joins him. Fren looked up at his friend. A dark-skinned man with short black hair and warm brown eyes.
“What is up, brother?”
“All good, brother, how about you?”
“Same shit as always, girl problems.”
“Lucky bitch.”
“Hey, don't hate the player, brother, hate the game. If you stop being stubborn and get a dating app, you would have the same problems as I do.”
“We can't all be as handsome as you, Will.”
The man snorted at that comment. A soft smile on his face as he started to eat his sandwich.
“You don't have to be handsome to get girls, dude, just be funny and approachable.”
He just rolled his eyes at the man. Fren took another bite out of his Chinese food. Will started the conversation again after he swallowed a bite of his meal.
“So, have you found any new system to try next weekend?”
“Not really, how about you?”
Fren lies without a second thought. If knowing about the tabletop system makes people dream about what he dreamt last night, Fren will never acknowledge its existence to his friends.
“I found a couple that look like they could work; they seem like a good thing to try for a one-shot. Nothing really hit me with inspiration for a new campaign.”
“Brother, with that last campaign you ran, you earn yourself some rest from being a GM.”
“Haha, I am happy you guys enjoy it!”
“Enjoy it? The girls were basically bawling their eyes out at the end. And I was close to that as well.”
“Thank god you guys did, I was shaking with anxiety thinking that the ending would not land. Do you think Jess and Aki found something?”
“They haven't posted anything in the group chat, so I don't believe so.”
“You right, you right.”
“If not, I could always run one of my oneshots.”
“And be scared shitless? Nah, dude, last time we played Call of Cthulhu with you, we had a noise complaint from Aki screaming.”
A soft chuckle left Fren's lips as he remembered that scene.
“That was very funny.. yeah, you know what I am gonna run one if y'all got no new system to try by next Saturday.”
In an instant, Will took out his phone and started typing. The next second, Fren got a notification, and seeing where it was from made him chuckle. He opened his phone and then the group chat with his friends. Will warn the girls if they don't find something by next week, that Fren is going to torment them.
Fren laughed as he sent a gift of an evil laugh. This caused the following message from the girls to plead to him not to do so. Laughter emanated from the two friends as they sent memes and messages in the group chat. Enjoying their lunch in peace and quiet. Will was the first to finish eating. Standing up to throw away his trash before coming back to Fren.
He didn't sit down, but stayed standing, looking at Fren as he ate.
“Alright, dude, I shall go know. Got a presentation to do for a meeting, and I want to make sure everything is perfect.”
Will patted Fren's shoulder as the tall man started to walk away. Fren raised his hand as he spoke.
“See you later, brother!”
It didn't take long after Will left for Fren to finish his meal. He stood up and went to throw his trash away. Grabbing a water bottle from a bending machine. He drank its contents as he made his way to the elevator. Sadly, there was already a group of women waiting for it. So he lingered behind them and waited for the metal doors to open.
He tuned out the women's conversation, focusing on his music and phone, and only moved once he noticed the door open and the group entered. One of the women was a tall Latina woman with tan skin. Soft, flowing brown hair and similar-brown eyes. Who looks at him as she presses the button for her floor.
“Floor?”
“Fourth one, please, thank you.”
“You are welcome.”
The elevator started to move as Fren once more focused on his music. He was the first one to get out, turning to the group of women and wishing them a good day. Who, in turn, said the same thing to him. Fren went back to his chair and computer. Sighing as he sat down and looked at the white screen asking for his login. He didn't feel like working at all, but there were only 3 more hours left, so he gathered as much energy as he could and started to work. It didn't take him long to finish his pending work, so the rest of his time was spent on his phone talking to his friends.
Mostly teasing the girls about the horrors of his new once-shot idea. Before he knew it, it was time to go. Frenley turned off his computer and stood up. His bag on his back and his phone in his pocket. Fren started to make his way out of the office, of course, not without saying goodbye to anyone who passed by him. Fren walked out of the office building with determination, an insignificant face in the wave of people. But he knew that once he slept today, a hand of horror would be waiting for him behind the walls of fire. And Fren is itching to carve his name in the flesh of the hideous monster.