Trigger-Happy Potioneer

Surprise!

The dark ceiling of my room re-appeared in my vision. I sat up, then immediately sat back down again. My body was sore all over from the period of inactivity. I took the visor off and hid it away near my bed. I sat up again.

Ugh... I am not used to this VR thing. It's awesome, I admit, but the tax is huge... I'm impressed with their endurance...

I wrote a quick reflection on the verse I read before going into the game, then positioned myself in my seat with textbooks open to hide the fact that I was playing all day. Cortana can't record anything in my room since Anatta sends study feed to it between 8 AM and 3 PM, giving me time to take a break.

The sound of a car rolling into the driveway drew my attention to the window. I stood up and looked down from my window to see my parents rushing out of the car, my father far in front of my mother. I jumped back into my seat as the door downstairs was thrown open and the sound of pounding feet grew louder and louder

My door flew open and crashed into the wall. I'm surprised that door hasn't fallen off its hinges...

"Big news, boy!" my father figure yelled. "God has called to mission in India! We'll be leaving tomorrow!" His hands were on his hips, and his chest was puffed out. He looked like he was trying to break through his shirt with his pectoral muscles.

I blinked. "What can you in India? You can barely read devanagari, let alone speak Hindi."

"God will bless us with tongues!"

My mother's voice called out from behind him. "We'll be gone for at least a month, so take care of yourself and use your time wisely."

I strained myself to look over the Superman shoulder and found my mother's eyes. With a single glance, I could tell what she was trying to say: "Stop studying graduate-level astronomy and go have fun."

I nodded. "Of course, Mom. I will do as you say."

The man posing as Superman turned towards my mother. "Why does this lazy child listen to you more than me?"

I muttered, "She's a much better influence than you will ever be."

He whirled back to me. "What did you say, boy?" he snarled.

"Nothing important." I quickly covered up my comment. I didn't want a fight in my bedroom, but it may be inevitable with my slip.

"Hmph, I thought so. No son of mine would be stupid enough to speak against his brilliant father."

I bit my lip, holding back both my frustration and laughter. "Of course."

"We'll be leaving tomorrow morning. The church has provided us with tickets, provisions, and a team. I suppose you will be able to take care of yourself? After all, all my advice and teaching should be applied to a time like this. And-"

"Honey, I think we've given him enough to think about. Let's start packing, and make sure we don't forget anything. Nio won't be able to send us anything when we need it, so we have to cover all our bases." my mother cooed, placing a hand on my father's shoulder.

"Of course, darling, of course." He immediately softened his expression and pecked my mother on the forehead. "Continue with your studies, then." They went back down the hall, and I closed the door.

I stood motionless for a moment, taking in what had just happened. I don't know if I should laugh or cry.

It was a stroke of luck. No father equals no unnecessary studying, which in turn equals more time to experiment in Third Life. I wouldn't need to cook for more than one person, and I could meet with my friends without having to face the danger of estrangement.

However.

I don't have any way of traveling long distances in a timely manner. Yep, I admit it, I can't drive, and I'm a senior in high school. I don't have a bike either. I mean, I guess I could hitch rides with my friends, but I would feel guilty if I kept asking them to come over and take me to the supermarket. Maybe I can bribe them with food... No, that's worse.

I lay back on my bed and close my eyes, listening to the frantic sounds of two extremely enthusiastic people packing for a who-knows-how-long trip to a place thousands of miles from me. The slam of closet doors and the muffled commands for more clothes formed a strange melody - one of opportunity, but also one of worry and sorrow. I wonder why.

My phone went off, causing me to bounce on my bed in alarm. I grabbed the vibrating device and quickly accepted the call. "Hello, Nidal Kim speaking. How may I help you today?"

"How can you be so polite, even on a phone call?!" Delia's scream went through both ears, rattling my brain.

"Delia, mind your manners and stop trying my brain open over the phone."

"That's beside the point."

"Then what is your point?"

"Why'd you leave? I wanted to see your avatar, Azrael and Melly had so much to say-"

"You know my family situation. I had to hide the evidence before they came back. Anyways, I'll be off schedule starting tomorrow." I interrupted her, which is usually unwise, but she would go on and on if I didn't stop her right then.

"Hmph, I bet you being "off schedule" means you'll be going through spartan hell."

"If you like to see it that way."

"It will be, I'm sure, since you're avoiding a clear answer. When will you be on next?"

"Tomorrow, possibly."

"Hmph. Then see you tomorrow."

She hung up. I put down the phone and stared up at the ceiling.

"Yeah... tomorrow..." I'll go in late tomorrow so that I can avoid them...

I cooked an amazing dinner for my parents in celebration of their immediate mission trip. It was gone before I could finish the dessert.

They deserve some luxury before disappearing, don't they?