Life in the Computer (Old Version)

The Guardian

Victim's POV

From the corner of the screen, I watched Alan play some stupid game with all the other stick figures. A small part of me wanted to join them, but I knew where I belonged. As I sat down, I wrapped my arms around me. Sometimes I wished the others would notice me.

I didn't move a pixel as I watched them have their fun. For the many hours they played and laughed, I felt my heart drop farther. When they finally left for the day, I could see Alan about to leave, until his eyes glanced in my direction. With the flick of his wrist, he opened Paint open and typed something.

"You okay?" I saw Alan type. As I rubbed my face, I could feel wet tears. Was I crying? I shake my head. With the cursor, Alan pulled me out of the corner and into Paint. I could see him turn on the stupid program that he uses to talk to us without text.

"What's wrong? You seem sad. Do you feel lonely?" Alan asked with the tilt of his head. With a nod, I could see him bite his lip trying to think of what to say.

"It's hard to get along with the others, they don't really get me," I explained to him, using my new power to make text appear. Alan found a way to give it to me so I could talk to him easier.

"What do you mean by that?" Alan asked, sounding confused.

"I miss Chosen. He understood me better than the others. He would know what I would need and help me when I get sad." I tell him, feeling my tears run down. Looking down, I expect Alan to get angry at me.

"Do you feel sad often?" Alan asked in a soft tone. I look up in surprise. I nod eagerly. "I think you might have depression. Chosen got diagnosed a few days ago. That might be why you two were close. " Alan explained softly.

"I want Chosen," I cry out. I could see the text glitch a little as if a bit of my grief got lost in them. I sank to the ground and pulled my arms around me. Looking up, I could see Alan gone.

I've seen dark before, but not like this

This is cold, this is empty, this is numb

The life I knew is over, the lights are out

Hello, darkness, I'm ready to succumb

I follow you around, I always have

But you've gone to a place I cannot find

This grief has a gravity, it pulls me down

But a tiny voice whispers in my mind

You are lost, hope is gone

But you must go on

And do the next right thing

Can there be a day beyond this night?

I don't know anymore what is true

I can't find my direction, I'm all alone

The only star that guided me was you

How to rise from the floor?

But it's not you I'm rising for

Just do the next right thing

Take a step, step again

It is all that I can to do

The next right thing

I won't look too far ahead

It's too much for me to take

But break it down to this next breath, this next step

This next choice is one that I can make

So I'll walk through this night

Stumbling blindly toward the light

And do the next right thing

And, with it done, what comes then?

When it's clear that everything will never be the same again

Then I'll make the choice to hear that voice

And do the next right thing

As I finished singing, I could see Alan come down with Chosen in his arms. As he sat down, Chosen gave a tired greeting.

"I miss you," I whimper out to Chosen.

"I miss you two," Chosen started "and I wish I could help you, but I can't. School will be starting soon, and I'll be gone most of the day. I try to figure something out before then. How about we listen to some music on YouTube?" Chosen explained, tearing up a little. I nodded, and he pulls up YouTube and plays the playlist we made for days like this. Within a few songs, I felt myself fall asleep.

~the next day~

I found myself in the corner again, watching Alan animate. For some reason, Second wasn't with him. After a while, I see him smile with pride. I sigh in boredom.

"Victim, I think I have a solution for what we talked about last night." I hear Alan call out to me. Looking up, I see Alan watching me. With a sigh, I walk over to Paint. Hoping up, I see something I did not expect. A light blue stick figure stood in the center while fidgeting.

"This is The Guardian. I figured you could use a friend on the computer. She's slightly different from the others. Dark Lord and Yellow helped me program her to have more than average empathy. I told her of the situation, and she is on board with helping you." Alan explained.

"Hi," Guardian softly spoke and she waled over to me.

"Hey," I state. I quickly glare at the screen. You don't have to be my friend-"

"-No!" Guardian interrupts me. Alan gave me the option. Yes, I have more empathy, but that isn't forcing me to want to be friends with you. Alan told me a lot about you that seemed really cool. How you built a super maze, and how great friends you and Chosen are. I want to be friends with you because you sound awesome." Guardian explained.

I look up at her. Before I could say anything, she grabbed my hand and pulled me to the internet. After pulling up YouTube, she pulled the couch out and put on a playlist with a bunch of cat videos. Slowly, I sat next to her.