Trigger-Happy Potioneer

Running from the Inevitable

I tested Tiri's blessing and pulled a refined venom powder that I was sure I had left in the tree house from my inventory. "Why is it that the most obscure and unlikely events and NPCs always carry broken powers?" I wondered. No, actually, I should thank the developers; they believed someone just might possibly choose to follow the "Forest Guardian Path" and actually added some story and reward to following such a hidden path.

As I was thinking about this, Echelon suddenly stopped and I flew off him, crashing into the dusty ground and filling my mouth with dirt. I spat out a glob of soil and turned back to Echelon. "Give me a heads up before stop, man!" I yelled as I stood up and dusted myself off. Echelon only whined and put his paw on one of the bushes. I realized that we had already reached the boundary of Ilidas Forest, and that Echelon stopped so not to cross the barrier. What, forest monsters can't cross it but regular monsters can? What kind of bug is that?

I walked back to Echelon and rubbed his neck lovingly. I put my forehead to the white crest above his eyes and closed my eyes. "I'll be back. Take care of yourself, okay?" Echelon howled and licked my face, then bounded back into the forest. He disappeared from view in two jumps.

I turned away from the forest and began walking towards the large fortress-like compound that was known as "First Town." As I walked, I felt my vision shake. A notification popped up in my vision.

"Forced logout, system requiring maintenance and update. You will return to this spot upon logout. Please forgive the inconvenience."

"What..." My words blurred as my flat, dusty surroundings gave way to a white nothingness. My vision turned black.

. . .

"Well, that sucked."

I'm now sitting in my room, eating instant cup ramen and muttering quietly about the sudden removal. It was three in the afternoon, and the sunlight bore into my eyes like lasers when I got up. It was awful.

"I feel like I should have been notified earlier if something like that was going to happen." I grabbed my phone and dialed Nic. Durrrrr. Durrrrr.

"Hello?" Nic inquired.

"What happened to the servers?" I asked immediately.

"... The servers? They sent out a warning about the maintenance update an hour ago. I logged out when I got it."

"An hour ago?!" I exclaimed. Then what about me?

"Nio, have you been online up to now? Did you not get the notification?" He sounded disbelieving.

"No." Otherwise I would have called earlier.

"Hahaha, I'm sorry, but that's kind of funny." He paused. "Hey, since you're out, do you want to meet up? It's been kind of lonely since we don't get to see you often, IRL and in-game."

He had a point; I had my animal friends in the game, but I'm still pretty much a shut-in right now. With my parents gone and Cortana deactivated, I could totally jump the gun and enjoy the freedom while it lasts. "Sure. Where are you?"

"Delia's house." That's nearby, but...

"Why are you at Delia's house?" I asked.

"We're all here, actually." Meg's voice echoed in the background.

"We all dived from her house since she has the best connection." I heard Nic suddenly yell, and some fumbling on the other end.

"NIO!" Meg's voice shot into my ear and flew out the other. I pulled the phone away from my head, my ears ringing from the sudden attack.

"Holy Dios, Meg, don't scream," I groaned as I rubbed my ears.

"Sorry. Do you have any food left over in your house?"

Wow. I just realized something. I could have had omelet rice instead of ramen. Stupid me!

"No, just uncooked foodstuff." I said.

"Aw...." More fumbling.

"You can cook at my house, then." Delia's voice was warm, but very obvious malice and anger were laced into her words.

"Um, actually, maybe it'll be better if I stay home-"

"NO!" Another yell threw me off balance. "You're coming whether you like it or not. Nic will drive over-"

"No, I won't." Nic rebuffed Meg immediately. Thank you, Nic, for the assist!

"I'll bike then." I heard a door close on their side. My face felt cold; I think the blood just left my face.

Nic's voice rung out after a short silence. "Run."

"I'm going." I said. "See ya."

I hung up, got dressed and ran downstairs with my phone, wallet and earbuds. Delia was angry. She was coming. I may or may not be doomed. I decide not to wait.

I went out the door and locked it. Then, as I rushed to my own bike, which was an ergonomic Cannondale I got from an antique shop sometime ago, I grabbed my helmet (NEVER forget your helmet) and hopped onto the frame. I began to pedal, the chainless design allowing for a quieter start. I slipped out of the driveway and began pedaling out of the neighborhood, using the alternate path in order to avoid Delia's wrath.

Biking is an amazing activity. I'm not trying to endorse for health and well-being purposes (though it does wonders in that aspect) but I love it because I feel so free when I'm on my bike. The wind rushed through my hair and whistled in my ears. I rushed out into the intersection and took a hard left, going the direction opposite of Delia's place. After about a mile or so, I slowed down and looked back. Knowing Delia, she probably knows that I turned left in order to avoid crossing her. Thus two options stand: she's chasing me, or she's waiting for me when I come back. I choose the first option and hope for the best as I take a right and jump onto the detour back to my house. I pedal as quietly as you could with a chainless bicycle, slipping past houses and sleeping dogs as I weaved around the somewhat familiar neighborhood. Suddenly, my bike flipped; I flew off and tumbled, somersaulting to disperse the shock. "My bike!"

"Don't worry, it's not broken yet." A cold voice floated to my ears.

"Delia! I could've died!" I snapped.

"Well, you didn't. Let me help you up, then." She held out a hand. I stupidly reached out and grabbed it. She immediately swung around me, painfully wrenching my arm behind me. My other arm, which was supporting me, was yanked from its place. A clicking sound rang out in my pain. "Move. I will now read your rights."

"Delia, this is a bit overboard for an invitation to-"

"One. You do not have the right to remain silent. Two. Whatever you say can and will be used against you. Three. You are not allowed a lawyer-"

"Those are not the Miranda rights!" I countered.

"Just move." A gruff man grabbed me by the scruff of my shirt and threw me into a nearby car. I recognized him, though; it was Delia's dad, who was also a retired veteran. I could do very little to resist; after all, I'm just a scrawny kid with no life who was just knocked off his bike, handcuffed, and thrown into the trunk of a car by a girl's father. I'm okay with it; it always happens when I try to avoid the inevitable.

Eh, at least I get exercise.