Chapter 116: Chapter 116: VR-FPS League Log In (Part 2)
Don ended the call with Donald and immediately started preparing to leave. The steady rhythm of the rain tapping against the windows made him reconsider his wardrobe choice. He pulled out a warmer outfit, a dark hoodie, and a pair of jeans.
As he got dressed, he couldn't help but wonder where they kept umbrellas in the house, considering the weather was turning more severe.
After getting dressed, Don stepped out of his room and walked down the hallway to stand in front of Samantha's room. He hesitated for a moment before knocking lightly. "Aunt Amanda, are you there?" he called out.
A moment later, the door opened, and to his surprise, Amanda appeared in the doorway, topless and wearing only a pair of simple cotton panties. Her skin glistened slightly with the remnants of a recent shower, her hair still damp and clinging to her shoulders. Despite her modest figure, her ample breasts swayed slightly as she moved, catching Don's attention more than he would have liked.
"Is something wrong?" Amanda asked, her tone casual, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.
Don froze for a moment, taken aback by her lack of concern about her state of undress. He quickly forced himself to focus, clearing his throat. "Uh, no, nothing's wrong. I just wanted to ask if we have any umbrellas."
Amanda seemed to think for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, we do. But are you really planning on going out in this rain?" She looked a bit puzzled as she folded her arms under her chest, causing a subtle but noticeable lift.
Don averted his eyes, focusing on the floor to keep himself from staring too long. "Yeah, I'm going to see a friend who lives next door," he explained.
Amanda's expression changed to one of understanding. "Oh, silly me. I forgot Samantha mentioned that you're friends with Cassie's son. What's his name again…?" She muttered to herself before snapping her fingers in realization. "Oh right, Dodo."
Don couldn't help but correct her. "It's Donald."
Amanda blinked in confusion. "Really? I could've sworn Cassie called him Dodo."
As she spoke, Amanda's modest yet ample breasts bounced slightly, catching Don's attention once again. He wondered if she was really this comfortable around him or if she was doing it on purpose. It was hard to tell, and he realized that reading people wasn't always as straightforward as he had thought.
Amanda eventually shrugged off the name mix-up. "Well, alright then. The umbrellas are in the storage room near the stairs. You should remember it."
Don smiled, trying to play off his earlier distraction. "I just wanted to be sure."
Amanda didn't seem to think too much of it and accepted his answer with a nod. "Okay, then. Will you be back by lunch? We could watch the semifinals of the pro bikini mud wrestling together. And since you're all grown up now, you don't need to worry about Samantha lecturing you."
Don blinked, a bit thrown by the offer. "Uh, I should be back by lunch, unless something comes up."
Amanda beamed. "Perfect. Have fun, kiddo." With that, she gave him a wink and closed the door.
As the door clicked shut, Don couldn't help but think about how quickly Amanda had seemed to move past the traumatic encounter at the farm. He had hoped she might be a bit more shaken, enough to seek comfort from him as a protector. But it seemed that close brushes with death weren't as uncommon in this world as he had assumed.
Pushing the thoughts aside, he headed downstairs to retrieve an umbrella from the storage room. The rain was still light, but the sky had darkened considerably. With the umbrella in hand, he stepped out of the house and onto the walkway, the cool air brushing against his face.
The short walk to Donald's house felt longer under the looming clouds. As Don approached the gate, he noticed how well-kept the house was. It was a modest, single-story home with a neat garden in the front. The rain had begun to pick up, drumming against the leaves and the roof.
Don opened the gate and let himself in, but as soon as he stepped into the yard, his ears picked up a low, menacing growl. He turned his head and saw a large Doberman standing in the middle of the yard, its sharp eyes locked onto him.
The dog's muscular frame tensed as it bared its teeth, the growl growing louder. Don stopped in his tracks, actually a bit relieved as he had thought that another mutant like creature had appeared for a moment. 'Just great,' he thought. 'Can't catch a break, can I?'
The Doberman slowly advanced, its eyes never leaving Don's.
But then, as if on cue, the front door of the house swung open, and Donald's voice rang out. "Rex, heel!"
The Doberman instantly stopped, its ears perking up as it turned its head toward Donald. The growling ceased, and Donald stepped out onto the porch, looking between Don and the dog with an amused grin. "Sorry about that, Don. Rex can be a bit protective."
Don let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, relaxing his stance. "No problem," he replied, though he couldn't help but feel a bit rattled by the encounter. "He's got a strong uh… presence."
Donald chuckled as he walked over, giving Rex a pat on the head. "Yeah, he's a good boy, just doesn't like strangers. You can come in now."
Don nodded, lowering the umbrella slightly as he followed Donald toward the house. As they walked, Rex kept a close eye on him, but the tension was gone, replaced by a wary curiosity.
Once inside, Don shook off the umbrella and leaned it against the wall by the door. The interior of the house was warm and cozy. Donald led the way into the living room, where a large TV and gaming setup dominated the space.
"Make yourself at home," Donald said, plopping down onto the couch. "We can get started whenever you're ready."