By All Means

{if Edge < 200}{else}This story is only intended to be experienced in game mode. Game Over chapters loop back to the first chapter for Game+ bonus content. Leave me a note if anything seems to not be working correctly.{endif}

Part 1

“Victoria fucking did it again!” I fume, skipping the formalities of greeting Lewis as I let myself into his apartment. He knew I was coming and I have the spare key.

“No shit? Alright. You know where the beer is.” Lewis always had beer in the fridge. For all of his faults, he could be relied on for that.

“That’s what I came for,” I say ruefully.

“And to bitch about your boss, I'm guessing.”

I pop the refrigerator open and grab the first bottle I see, popping it open and taking a swig. I glance around the room while deciding where to start my rant, noticing Lewis is pulling a series of paper-wrapped conical objects out of a box and laying them out on a cheap dining table. He has been renting this apartment a few months now, but after moving the first few pieces of essential furniture, clothes, and video games out of his mom’s house, he has been dragging his heels.

“Damn right. I’ve worked under her for what? Three years now? Doing every stupid thing she asks. I get an occasional pat on the head, but if anything goes wrong I’m thrown under the bus and scolded like a...”

“Redheaded stepchild?“ Lewis offers.

I shrug. “Something like that... One that she can kick whenever she needs a quick pick-me-up.”

Lewis clears loose tissue paper from the table for me, balling it up and tossing it over his shoulder, missing the black garbage bag currently serving as a trash can by a mile. I slide one of the folding chairs out and plop myself on it.

“I mean... my job isn’t glamorous, but I took it because it was at a new startup and I thought... well... I thought I’d find a way up from the inside, you know?”

Lewis grunts in tacit agreement. That, or the smudge he was trying to rub off of a beer glass was taking some extra effort.

“But my ambitions won't get me anywhere if she ruins my reputation. Getting a good review from her, let alone a promotion, feels impossible. Not at that company, with her there.” I pause for another swig. “Fuck her, I quit.”

Lewis stops unwrapping and looks up and grins. “No shit? You? That’s my move, bro!” He grabs his beer bottle and extends it over the table and we clink them together.

“Yes it is,” I admit.

Lewis had suffered through a rocky couple years after his father abandoned the family, fell for a younger woman, and had a kid with her—I’m not sure in which order. Lewis and his sister each held a grudge for years. Lewis was already a notorious partier, but after his dad left, he upgraded from beer binges to straight liquor. He dropped out of school, then proceeded to get fired from or quit a succession of jobs. At his worst, he got into a few blind-drunk fistfights. Things have settled since then. He has managed to keep his head down at his current warehouse job and get this apartment. Now he sticks to beer.

“Warren, you are her secretary, right? Can’t you fuck with her calendar or something first? Make her pay for your suffering a little at least.”

“Assistant,” I correct. But his words got my mind running. “I... could. Maybe worse...” As the thought expands I get my first honest grin of the day. A cold purpose starts to manifest in my heart. I feel a little calmer. “Maybe... a lot worse.”

“Well, you are smiling now. Did I help?”

“Yeah, I think you did.”

“Hey, since I helped you, can you help me haul more stuff Saturday? My mom is getting on my case.”

“Sure. I can meet you there after the gym,” I agree, not having good excuse to do otherwise. Shortly after that, I drive home, mulling over the idea of .