The Last Player: the unknown dimension

THE LAST PLAYER: THE UNKNOWN DIMENSION

Chapter 1: The Boy Who Never Stayed

Adrien Cross was six years old when his father left.

There was no warning.

No goodbye.

No explanation.

One day, Damian Cross was there...

And the next day, he wasn’t.

At that age, Adrien didn’t understand what disappearing really meant.

He thought his father would come back the next morning.

Then the day after.

Then maybe the next week.

But the days kept passing.

And Damian never returned.

"Mom?"

Young Adrien sat beside Elena on the couch, holding onto his favorite toy.

"Where did Dad go?"

Elena Cross looked at him.

For a moment, she didn’t answer.

She was a kind woman, with gentle eyes and a warm smile, but that night Adrien noticed something different.

She looked sad.

"Your father had his reasons."

Adrien frowned.

"What reasons?"

Elena looked away.

"Some things are complicated."

That answer never made sense to him.

But it was the answer he always got.

---

Nine years later...

Adrien Cross was fifteen years old, almost sixteen, standing outside another new home.

Another city.

Another beginning.

New York City.

The city was bigger than any place he had lived before.

Tall buildings stretched toward the sky.

Cars filled the streets.

People walked quickly, each one busy with their own lives.

Adrien looked around their new neighborhood.

Brookhaven Heights was a lively place.

There were small stores along the streets, quiet parks between buildings, and neighbors who actually seemed to know each other.

It wasn’t bad.

Actually...

It was kind of nice.

But Adrien still couldn’t stop the thought that always came whenever they moved.

How long will we stay this time?

"Adrien!"

He turned around.

His mother stood near the doorway carrying a box.

Elena.

She had dark brown hair, warm brown eyes, and a calm personality that made people feel comfortable around her.

Even when life was difficult, she always tried to smile.

"Are you helping with the boxes?"

Adrien looked at the box.

Then at her.

"I was supervising."

Elena raised an eyebrow.

"Supervising?"

"Yes."

"By standing there?"

Adrien nodded seriously.

"Very important job."

She tried not to laugh.

"You are unbelievable."

"But you still love me."

"Unfortunately."

Adrien smiled.

---

Adrien loved his mother.

He knew she had done everything she could for him.

After his father left, she was the one who stayed.

She worked hard.

She protected him.

She made sure he was okay.

That was why Adrien stopped asking about Damian.

Not because he stopped caring.

But because every time he asked...

His mother looked like she was carrying a memory she didn’t want to share.

So he learned to stop.

Adrien was never like most kids.

While other people his age enjoyed normal hobbies, Adrien was always searching for something new.

Technology.

Machines.

Games.

Inventions.

Anything that made him wonder:

How does this work?

He loved discovering things.

His father had been the same way.

At least, that was what Elena had once told him.

But she never understood why Adrien was so interested.

"You're still working on that?"

Elena looked at the small device on his desk.

Adrien quickly covered it.

"It's nothing."

Elena smiled.

"Whenever you say that, it usually means it's something."

Adrien laughed.

"Maybe."

"Adrien."

"Okay, definitely."

She shook her head.

---

A year passed.

And for the first time in a long time...

Adrien felt like he had finally found a place where he belonged.

He wasn’t just the new kid anymore.

He had friends.

Real friends.

The first was Blake Morgan.

Blake had messy dark hair, a confident smile, and enough energy for three people.

He was funny, curious, and always ready for an adventure.

Which usually meant trouble wasn’t far behind.

"Adrien, I have an idea."

Adrien immediately looked suspicious.

"Is it a good idea?"

Blake smiled.

"Of course."

"That means it’s probably terrible."

"Wow. You know me so well."

Then there was Maya Brooks.

Maya was calmer than both of them.

She had long dark hair, thoughtful eyes, and a personality that balanced their chaos.

She was smart, observant, and often noticed things before anyone else.

Especially when it came to Adrien.

"You know you don't always have to act like everything is fine."

Adrien looked confused.

"What?"

Maya quickly smiled.

"Nothing."

Blake looked between them.

"That was definitely something."

Maya gave him a look.

"Don’t start."

Adrien just laughed.

He had no idea what they were talking about.

---

Of course, Adrien still kept some things from his mother.

Small things.

Like saying he was going to practice...

when he was actually spending time at a gaming center.

Or saying he was studying...

when he was really testing new technology.

He wasn’t trying to disappoint her.

He just wanted to enjoy the things he loved.

And he didn’t want her worrying.

For once...

Adrien thought maybe things were finally normal.

A new city.

New friends.

A new chapter.

Maybe this time...

he could finally stay.

TO BE CONTINUED... Is in