I'm in a forest full of trees and plants; it's 3 in the morning on a Monday because that's what Strive tells me.

Strive gives you the time every hour; it's a thing the game does to get players to log out and go outside. The developers thought if you knew the time and how long you had been playing that you would turn it off and do something else, but the funny thing is it didn't give me my game time when it displayed the time and date.

Wait, did I go to bed with my VR on? I don't even remember logging in. I fall asleep with Strive on, but that's for Boss events, or I fall asleep.

I remember logging out this time; I'm sure of it, But that's the last thing I remember. I don't know what I saw when I logged out or even closed my eyes and went to bed. What's going on? Why can't I remember?

I say log out, and nothing happens.

The game AI comes back and says that it is impossible.

Why? I ask, puzzled as I tilt my head curtly to the side

you logged out, and that is all I know.

Okay, how long ago did I log and how am I speaking to you if I'm not in-game.

I do not have that information; the only thing I know is that you logged out already. Attempting to do it again will just lead to failure.

Okay, contact a Game master.

Contacting contact failed. Should I try again?

Hell yea!!! I say, screaming it as loud as I can.

The AI comes back and says Failed; what should I do next?

Just send a message to them then, I say, spitting it out like a rabid dog

What would you like it to say?

Just say stuck in the game, can't log out, and need help. Please send someone here now.

She comes back once again. The message failed.

Screw it. I'll get out myself. I need to get out of here and back to the real world. I can't breathe; I take one breath, then the next, Suzuna; then it clicks, you have a backup plan. Game override Suzuna Read Account name Trippenontheedge45863 password 74628@%RTAG. I should have thought about it in the first place.

Access denied User Name and password rejected user already logged out.

Dammit, that's not true. I'm still here in the game.

What should I do now? Am I stuck here, but why does the system say I logged out already? my eyes water, and tears start to fall down my cheeks. I'm not crying. I'm just frustrated.

Are you going to be okay?

I'm fine. I say with spite.

Where are the GMs, and How could it fail to get one? Is it me, or did someone hack the game? I have no way of getting out, even with the override code I created for this occasion. "but see, I didn't realize something at that time." So, I guess I'm stuck here until the game is back up and running the way it's supposed to. I set out on my quest, a quest to find answers. I run off but think, where am i. I smile from ear to ear; being stuck in an MMO might be fun.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

~

Realizing where I am, I yell What the? Then I turn my head, touch my finger to my chin, and roll it to the side; this planet is the one I started on? The one I Began on as a newbie. It is known as the planet Cat'tasterfy. Yea, the devs thought it was funny to have a planet of cat people on a world called Cat'tasterfy, the born place of the Nakita. At least I can see the city from here. But I get a terrible feeling in the pit of my gut, Wait; it can't be, Can it? I look down to see that my armor has changed. I'm in plain clothes, a black and white checkered shirt that says Strive on it, and baggy black pants with pockets. I need to check something; I look to see if anything else has changed.

I Say hud, and it pops up.

A list of things appears from nowhere like magic. The hud is a square black box that shows you your options. You can check them like settings, what you look like, armor, level, how tall you are, stats, name it, and the hud can bring it up. It's the best interface an MMO can have. It all displays on one giant screen in front of you.

As I am looking, I see something that makes My mouth open. I try to speak, but nothing comes out. Then finally, I get out what I'm trying to say.

No, no, no, no, it can't be; it's not true. My face turns crimson. I'm level one. I go through the hud to see that my armor is the same level. The game is screwing with me, right. This whole situation isn't good. What's going on? I yell.

I have to find out how this happened. I mean, I'm stuck in the game. I'm level one. It takes forever to level in this game. It took me four years to get to level 77, and I lost all the armor that took me ages to get. I'm not asking anymore. I'm telling you!!! I'll find out soon enough; I will get to the truth one way or another. Or so help the gods of the 42 realms. I will see them fall. I fall over with a sinister smile and a maniacal laugh that would scare a small child. I can't catch my breath as I roll on the grass beneath me.

I started walking to town because Teleportation wasn't working. I asked the AI why and the only thing I got from her was I Don't Know. I'm just a dumb AI that makes this game work. I finally get to town somehow. But I don't remember getting there. I was walking then, aw, it doesn't matter, I'm here.

Man, I hate this place, I say with malice. How did I get here anyway, pondering it? I thought I was on a spaceship just cruising the cosmos, but no, I am on this planet again. I need to find my starship and get out of here. Wait, do I even have one? I am level one, and it was a quest item. Man, I had a lot of upgrades on that starship.

I only like this place because of me. Well, the Character me anyway, I say with a chuckle. All the NPCs are like teenagers. They're all about attitudes and sleep.

I mean, I dare you to find a shopkeeper around here without them opening their mouths as wide as possible and saying, why did you wake me? I was taking a nap.

This place was alright back when I first started. Parties all night and day, all players and NPCs dancing, just having the time of their lives, but now all these NPCs are nothing but cliches. It is self-learning AI technology, so it could have been different before I played the game. I remember that this place had very few buildings. There were trees everywhere and not many shops, but now it is more modern-day, primarily buildings and shops and many houses. There are people all around. I wonder how many Players there are. Hud, I say out loud, and it pops up. Scan area for players.

Yes, scanning, all people in the vicinity are players.

Now that I'm paying attention. I see nothing but people screaming and kids are crying. Most of them are saying what I was saying. What do you mean by access denied? I'm still here in-game, and kids are running around their faces in tears, saying I want my mommy.

My name is Suzuna Read, I yell. "Okay, that's weird; I can't seem to say my real name." Please, everyone, listen to me.

Everyone is in a panic. I decided to run through the crowd of people, getting their attention along the way.

There is a stage in the middle of town, so players can form a band and play gigs.

The stage is wood, and there is nothing on it. There are a few houses around it in a triangular configuration. It's a prominent place to get the player's attention. I jump up there, turn to the masses, and give a thunderous roar. Everyone, please listen!!!

They stop and look at me, and Then someone yells Are you a GM.

I Smile a broad smile, then try to hide it like it never happens. I give my people a look of regret. No, I am not; I'm sad to say; I'm just a regular joe like you. It has been hell being in here and downright scary at first for me; hell still is, but before we go on, May I ask a question of you, the people of Cat'tasterfy, my fellow Nakita.

People start facing one another in confusion, but some speak out and say ask away.

Who here are Players from the Real-world? as I gaze across a sea of faces, I can't help but show the surprise on my face as they all raise Their hands at once.