Kenneth Dekker lives trapped in the hospital undergoing robotic lung treatment. He regularly escapes to the VR world Atlas Quest--his safe haven. There he befriends another player, a girl named Byrd. Over time, he takes comfort in having another human being to talk to as his health takes a turn for the worse. His lungs weaken, but Kenneth knows he can't afford the lung transplant. Still, he refuses to get financial help from his abusive mother. Without anywhere else to turn, he immerses himself in Atlas Quest. He grows close to Byrd and their friendship renews his desire to live life. However, his health issues still loom ahead. No matter what, he can't run from reality forever.

→ finished ← Claustrophobic and agoraphobic, Alaska Gouramie doesn't leave the house much. She whiles her days away nurturing her goldfish, Gordon. Her life is passing her by. Elver Harrison James is scared of fish. He won't go near the pond at the bottom of his garden. He will do anything to stay away from those water-loving freaks. Alaska's mother forces her to leave the house. It's just a trip to the park, no big deal. Until Alaska falls in the pond. And Elver is the only one around. Teen Fiction #118