Choices

⏸aftermath 3.0

I was struck with pure fear for the entire day.

It was finally afterschool, so I was finally going to check on my dad.

Of course there was the new kid.

Of course Manil wasn't in.

Of course a bunch of bullies chased me afterschool. I took the bus home though.

I expected it all, but in the moments I felt so paranoid, empty and lost.

The game was on my nerves.

After a while, I finally got off the bus, but for a second I couldn't feel my legs. Once I regained my strength and feeling, I strode off up my street to my home, where I'd see what would have happened if I continued the game.

So I wasn't surrounded by mostly silence, I put in my earphones and listened to one song. One song was all I had time for; getting home was only a few minute walk from the bus stop. The aim was to mute out my racing thoughts, but how stupid was I to think that would work?

As if on cue, at the end of the track, I had reached my house's gate. I whipped out my phone to pause the music, opened the creaking, black painted gate, and felt my stomach knot. Why am I so worried though? Surely the game wouldn't make anything go terribly wrong in my life, would it?

I was terribly wrong, but I didn't know it yet.

I turned the key in its hole with slightly trembling fingers and opened the door. A weirdly humid atmosphere surrounded me.
"Dad?" My attempt to call my father confidently failed, as the first part of my speech was muted and my voice cracked. Fuck.

Well, I should check the kitchen.

Oddly, he wasn't there, which allowed me to release my breath that I didn't know I was holding. However, I went upstairs, not knowing how to feel.

I can be relieved because he isn't where he was in the game, but where could he be?

He was in his room.
"Dad!"
His eyes were the only facial feature visible above the rest of his body tucked under the blanket. He seemed to struggle to open them, but did, revealing his deep brown eyes. Once he saw me, he lowered the seemingly toasty blanket and revealed a bright beaming smile. "Never seen you so excited to see me." I almost froze.
"Oh- haha. Why are you in bed? It's 4pm." I questioned.
"You literally left the house without saying bye to me this morning." My dad chuckled, propping himself up against the collection of pillows behind. I was scared. "I fell sick."
"Ah. Do you need anything?"
He took a moment to think thoroughly. "I guess some more ice cream and more medication."
"Ice cream?"
My dad's eyes suddenly darkened as he put on a serious- but playful- expression, lowering his tone in an attempt to sound intimidating. "You know how I am. Get the ice cream." I couldn't help but chuckle whole heartedly, knowing my father wasn't hurt.

This game is so dodgy. What if…