Question

No Escape

1

Davon studied the shiny, black virtual reality headset in his hands. The company name, Krytical, was stamped in gold letters on both sides. The game host, a young game designer, droned on and on about Krytical's history, but Davon wasn't interested. Krytical had recruited a group of players to test its new virtual reality (VR) system. Any test player who beat the game would win a headset and free game play, and that was what mattered to Davon.

2

Davon's parents operated a popular Jamaican restaurant. "We're lucky," his dad often said. "We get to introduce Jamaican food to so many different people." Davon supposed that his dad was right, even though he would rather have pizza or burgers. He helped out at the restaurant, but he loved gaming better than anything. Having the coolest gear—like the headset in his hands—would be his idea of lucky!

3

The host held up a headset, catching Davon's attention. "Defeating Wrong Exit is simple. Just find your exit and walk through it. But don't open the wrong door because the results will be . . . unfortunate." The host smiled, but he didn't look encouraging. Davon understood that this man expected the players to lose. Determined to prove him wrong, Davon put on his headset, and the game began.

4

Davon found himself in a door-filled city shrouded in endless night, and he had a single goal—to avoid the Chasers and escape through the "Right Exit." He wasn't sure where to look, or even what to look for, and it didn't take long for him to feel like he had been running and searching forever. He explored one doorway after another, looking for his personal exit from the game. Hearing a noise approach, he dashed into an alley to hide, pressing himself against the brick wall. Trash lay at his feet, and a torn travel poster hung crookedly on an alley door. It all seemed so real. The stakes certainly were, and he had already seen the Chasers catch a player who'd opened the wrong door. That was not how Davon planned to exit the game.

5

Davon jumped with fright when another player rounded the corner and pressed into the wall beside him. A snarling pack of Chasers ran past the alley. "That was close," Davon whispered.

6

"Look!" The player pointed at the poster taped to the alley door. "That's Osaka Castle in Japan. My grandfather lives near there. I visited last year with my family." She nodded to herself as the answer formed in her mind, and then she darted over and opened the door. Davon flinched, expecting Chasers to emerge, but she walked through unharmed.

7

Now Davon, too, understood the game. He needed to find something meaningful to him, to his family, and to their culture. He scanned the area looking for something familiar, and soon his eyes landed on a boarded-up restaurant across the street. A faded poster for ackee and saltfish—the national dish of Jamaica and his dad's favorite—sparked a connection in his mind. Davon had always preferred cheeseburgers, but right now, ackee and saltfish looked almost irresistible.

8

He sprinted across the street, jerked open the door, and walked through. The screen blackened, and he pulled off his headset.

9

The host grudgingly acknowledged his success. "You won."

10

Davon nodded, smiling. "I got a little help from my dad."

1Question 1
According to the text, what is Davon's initial attitude toward the game?
A.
He believes the game is going to be too difficult for him.
B.
He believes he will win the game easily.
C.
He feels up to the challenge of the game.
D.
He feels intimidated by the newness of the game.

Answer 1

C. He feels up to the challenge of the game. The text says he was "determined to prove [the host] wrong" before starting.