Draconia Offline vol. 1

6.2. Am I Growing Wings?! - Part 2

"Is it that bad?" I ask. "Can you take a photo and show me?"

I'm astonished how calm he seems about it. I guess he must be used to much weirder shit at his work. Still, it takes him three attempts to unlock his phone because he keeps missing. Is he nervous because it's me?

"Kurva," I swear in Czech and my head spins when I see it. I'm glad my stomach is empty because I'd probably throw up again. "Is it... a tumour?"

The swelling got even bigger, it's really huge now. I can see that my back is swollen in two distinct places, right under my shoulder-blades.

"Tumours don't grow in a matter of days," Liana assures me but her tone is anything but sure.

"Will someone explain to me what the hell is going on?" Erik demands.

"We don't know either," Liana sits on a chair in front of my 3D projector. "We all play Draconia Online—I'm sure you at least heard of it—and two days ago weird things started happening. First, there was unnatural tiredness, then physical symptoms."

"How can some fucking game do THIS?" Erik dramatically points at my back.

"Let me take a look," Fefnir offers. "I study physiotherapy so I might discover something."

"You're not touching my boyfriend!" Erik acts defensive.

Oh, I see why he doesn't want Fefnir to touch me. He's concerned that I might project my emotions to anyone who would touch me. He's so cutely protective. I just love him.

"Oh, come on now," Fefnir grows impatient. "First, just for your information, I'm 100% heterosexual. Second, I do professional massages. Third, I have basic medical training."

"SO-DO-I," Erik cuts every single word and to prove his point, he touches my back.

The pain is so intense that I scream and collapse—luckily on my soft bed. Erik winces, startled.

"He needs to go to hospital!" he insists. "Why didn't take you him there in the first place? Do all gamers lack common sense or what?"

"Because he's scared... we all are," Ingri gulps.

"Erik," I pull him by his sleeve when the shock of pain mitigates. "Let Fefnir do it. He might be able to find something out."

Plus, I can't go to hospital, they could find out about me, I tell him telepathically. He finally realises why I'm so against it and bites his lip. Don't worry, I'm in control now, I add.

"I should be able to tell if it's just a normal swelling," Fefnir says, confident. "So far we think that our symptoms are purely psychosomatic. The brain is confused from VR and does funny things. If it's just a rash, however ugly, it should be okay in a few days of rest."

After a short consideration, Erik finally allows him to sit next to me on the bed. But he keeps holding my left hand. Now that I can also enter one's mind, not only 'feel and listen,' I'm afraid I might project some of my pain into him. I want him to let go but he clutches me even tighter.

"Don't worry, I can take it," he whispers into my ear. From my friends' points of view, it probably looks like he gives me words of encouragement.

"Do you have some cream, Aefener?" Fefnir asks. "Any lotion will do."

"In the bathroom locker."

Fefnir runs off. Erik cleverly uses that brief time to kiss me, not caring that ladies are watching. I feel a surge of excited enthusiasm from Ingri. Once a fangirl, always a fangirl—I'd actually laugh if I didn't feel so miserable and scared.