I was in my gaming room, immersed in a highly competitive first-person shooter game. In this game, opponents are quick to trash talk even when they're losing.
I knew it wasn't ideal, especially after coming home from an exhausting eleven-hour shift at work. I should have been resting, but instead, I was playing a game that only heightened my frustration with each passing moment.
Despite my fatigue, I was intensely focused on my monitor. I was the last player alive against three opponents, and the outcome of this round would determine the winner of the entire game.
I couldn't afford to lose to this team, as they had been trash talking the entire time despite their lackluster skills.
When I eliminated one of their players, my teammates cheered me on through my headset. My palms were sweating profusely, and my heart was racing as if I were running a marathon.
To some, this was just a game, but to me, it felt like a matter of life and death. If I lost, I would be subjected to relentless trash talk from the other team. However, if I won, I would hold all the power. The prospect of releasing all my pent-up frustration and anger without consequence was exhilarating.
After eliminating the last two players and seeing the victorious green screen flash on my monitor, I immediately unmuted my mic.
"You guys are ass! Camping every corner with shotguns and still losing! Shitty players!" I shouted into the mic.
The opposing team, who had been incessantly talking throughout the game, fell silent. Not a single word or sound interrupted our session of trash talk.
Feeling immensely proud as I logged off the game, I headed to the shower and retrieved my keys from the kitchen table.
Leaving my modest apartment, I walked to my car, gazing up at the starry night sky as the soft patter of raindrops calmed my nerves.
The drive was a routine twenty minutes, a journey I made every day to visit the most important person in my life.
Arriving at the hospital, I checked in at the front desk and signed the necessary forms before heading up to the third floor. There, I found a small girl resting in a hospital bed, her eyes bright with excitement as she watched TV.
I was taken aback by her enthusiasm, which seemed heightened beyond our usual visits. Knocking gently on the door to announce my arrival, her face lit up even more upon seeing me.
"Hey, bro!" she exclaimed as I hugged her.
"Hey, sis. How have you been?" I asked softly.
This was Lily, my twelve-year-old sister who had been diagnosed with an unknown disease just a week ago. Despite her outward cheerfulness, I knew deep down she was scared.
Just a few months ago, we tragically lost our parents in a car accident caused by a drunk driver on their anniversary. It's moments like these that make me realize how unpredictable life can be—one moment you're alive, and the next, you might not even know it.
Being only nineteen, I faced the daunting prospect of my sister potentially going into foster care because authorities doubted my ability to provide for her without a stable income and other necessities of guardianship. Determined to keep us together, I took on two full-time jobs, one during the day and another at night.
I even rented out our apartment to meet the requirements to become her guardian. After a lengthy and stressful court process, I was finally granted custody of my sister.
"I've been good! I have to tell you about this new game called 'Wizard and Wishes'!" Her face lit up with enthusiasm.
I settled into a chair beside her bed, listening attentively as she excitedly described this fantasy dating game where the protagonist builds a harem of girls to thwart threats.
Despite her enthusiasm, the game didn't pique my interest—it wasn't my usual type.
"Why do you like this game anyway? I thought you didn't care for romance stuff," I asked gently.
She shook her head. "Normally, yes. But this game has magic and it's so diverse! You can make choices that completely change the storyline. There are hundreds of endings, each one unique!"
I still didn't grasp the appeal of the game. While I'd encountered many that offered player choices, they often felt limited.
"I want you to play it for me!" Lily pleaded, holding my hand with both of hers and giving me a beseeching look.
Unable to refuse her, I reluctantly agreed, steering the conversation elsewhere to avoid dwelling on the game.
After spending a few hours chatting with Lily, I bid her goodnight and headed home. Exhausted, I didn't bother changing out of my clothes before collapsing into bed. Fortunately, the next day was my day off, allowing me to sleep in as long as I wanted.
I woke up refreshed ten hours later at 10 am, ready to enjoy my day. After my morning routine of brushing my teeth, eating breakfast, and watching some TV, I decided to visit the game shop to purchase "Wizards and Wishes".
The game's popularity was evident as posters plastered the store, all promoting it. The cover showcased a handsome black-haired boy with red eyes, gripping a sword surrounded by beautiful girls.
I sighed heavily as I picked up the game and walked over to the front counter where an unfamiliar elderly man was stationed.
"What happened to Jake? He's usually here," I asked, curious about the change.
"He called in sick, so I'm filling in for him today," the old man replied casually as he scanned the game. "Your total is seventy dollars."
I handed him a hundred-dollar bill and received thirty dollars in change. Just as I was about to leave, the old man unexpectedly grabbed my arm, his smile unnervingly wide.
"Trust me, young man, you'll love that game. But be warned, it might just consume your life," he said cryptically before releasing my arm.
Feeling uneasy, I quickly exited the store, glancing back every few seconds to find the old man's eerie smile still fixed on me.
"How did that crazy guy even get hired?" I muttered to myself as I sped out of the parking lot.
Arriving home, I couldn't shake the unsettling feeling caused by the old man's expression. Taking a few deep breaths to calm myself, I inserted the game into my console.
As the loading screen appeared, a soothing female voice greeted me, saying, "Welcome to Wizards and Wishes, the game where you make your own choices and live your own life!"