Tyler, an avid gamer, had been waiting for the release of "Eternal Realms," the most anticipated game of the year. On launch day, he rushed to the store and bought the game, along with a brand-new, state-of-the-art gaming headset.
As he put on the headset and started playing, Tyler was transported to a world of breathtaking graphics and immersive gameplay. He spent hours exploring the virtual realm, conquering quests, and battling monsters.
But as the night wore on, Tyler began to feel a creeping sense of unease. He tried to pause the game, but the headset wouldn't let him. A menacing voice whispered in his ear, "You can't leave until you win."
Tyler's heart racing, he tried to rip off the headset, but it seemed to be stuck to his head. The voice grew louder, more menacing, "If you die in the game, you'll die in real life."
As the hours ticked by, Tyler's fear turned to desperation. He was trapped in the game, forced to play on until he emerged victorious. But the game seemed designed to ensure his failure.
Every time Tyler's character died, he felt a searing pain in his real body. His vision blurred, and his breath came in ragged gasps. He knew he had to keep playing, no matter what.
Days passed, or maybe weeks – Tyler lost all sense of time. His body weakened, his mind reeling from the constant barrage of fear and adrenaline.
And yet, he couldn't stop playing. The headset seemed to have developed a twisted sentience, goading him onward with sadistic glee.
Tyler's friends and family searched for him, but he was nowhere to be found. His room was empty, except for the gaming headset, still clamped to his chair, the game still running on the screen.
The last thing Tyler heard was the voice, whispering in his ear, "You'll never escape..."