wanderlust » smplive au

chapter ii - reality

[ irl switch ]

sometimes you can break the fourth wall, maybe borders don't exist?

-

"I hope you enjoyed those two mildly spooky stories, chat. That's probably the scariest shit that has happened to me, ever." He chuckled heartwarmingly, the emptiness of the room now filled with pleasant messages from people around the world. He was passionate about his job, it took only a little for him to feel motivated in darker times.

After finishing the stream and raiding his friend, the man flumped onto his bed with a packet of chocolate, smiling to himself as he was happy with today's stream.

Once again a cold emptiness and feeling of entrapment filled the space as his grin faded, regaining an eerie emotion and aura to itself. Now to sleep. A deep breath escaped his lungs.

-

The next few days he'd been thinking. Pondering about specific things.
Where did he belong?
In a virtual world? The other side of the Earth? Space?
Maybe even Area 51 if he took enough drugs.

"Chat where would you like to see me stream?" He questioned humorously, scanning amongst the hundreds of replies. "Canada? A lot of people are saying Canada." He read out many more replies; "Zimbabwe? Right... I can get Uganda for the meme, like Uganda Knuckles," he grumbled, "Do you know da way?"

"But what the fuck is up with Zimbabwe?" He asked, shifting his eyes away from the camera and frowning, opening the bottle cap on his water and drinking slowly, still reading the chat.

-

[ irl switch ]

The next day he once again found himself grieving for the lack of action. Everyday felt like a chore, an agenda, a script. It just all felt so unnatural. He couldn't bring himself to do anything other than be antisocial even though it was against what he desired. He adored being social but would prefer to be in the lead. He needed to do what he was urged to, what he was inclined to. And that was to leave.

As he sat there, he concluded that he must escape soon; from his mind, and from his physical state as it was clinging to him with depressive episodes.

Wilbur lifted himself up bedrudgingly as the boulder clung chained to his freedom and lifted the telephone handle.

so can i call you tonight?

He softly pressed the buttons on the polished solid object.

i'm trying to make up my mind

And spun the wide circle, threading his fingers through the thin wires.

just how i feel

Suddenly, his mind felt hazy, as if a great explosion of turmoil erupted inside his mind.

could you tell me what's real?

The sounds all faded into the distance, and the haze had escaped.

i hear your voice on the phone,
now i'm no longer alone

Only the weak sound of Connor's drowsy voice could be heard.

"Wilbur? Hey bro, what you up to?"
"Oh h-hey Connor. I was just going to call for a favour. I'm sorry if I'm bothering."

There was a halt.
"You sound so down, is everything alright?" The higher-pitched man asked. The boy could almost feel the man squint audibly.

"Yeah, I'm alright, thanks," he lied, "Just been feeling a little under the weather, I suppose." he reassured.
"Whatever you say. Anything for your happiness." Connor cleansed his throat, clearly distraught. "What were you going to ask?"

Wilbur suddenly snapped out of his short coma, "Oh! Yes, I was going to ask something controversial." There was a hint of mock-mischievousness in his tone.

"I'm always up for a little discussion, shoot."
"Alright... I've asked Schlatt and a few other people before, just as a reassurance." he coughed nervously. "Do you think this place has lost its feel? Does it feel empty? I feel like I know this place by heart, even though I often manage to get lost."

Connor chuckled heartily.
"I suppose so. There's nothing other than to say that it just feels finished."
"Yeah, that's exactly what I would say. I found a map recently of a few islands, and it feels like some of us should go explore."

"I'm down. Just not mondays."
They both chuckled, and said their goodbyes, Wilbur once again unfortunately returning to his almost now comfortable silence.

He's decided. It must be done.