He knew that as long as this issue wasn't resolved, he would be the target of ridicule. So, he chose to stay in the lab, lost in the digital world, as if nothing else mattered.
With the headset blocking half his face, others might have thought Alaric was just focused on playing. But in reality, behind that intense concentration was a heart that was shaken, a mind that was unsettled, and a soul struggling to hold on by the only means it could.
He had no idea what tomorrow would bring. What he did know was this: for now, he just wanted to be alone and put off facing the reality as long as possible.
Alaric's fingers, which had been dancing over the keyboard, started to slow down. His focus on the game had long since faded, leaving only the still image of his character in the corner of the arena. He hadn't moved it in a while. His head felt heavy, as if his heart was being squeezed from all sides.
"What am I supposed to do…?"
