“We’re almost out of food,” Kai sighs adding the last of the potatoes to the stew.

“Who would have thought we’d be hunting and preparing food in a game,” Daamin responds. “I can’t believe there are actually people who grow it in this world. Glad we can get it from NPCs too. Players wouldn’t know how to grow enough.”

“I mean, they were optional skills, but nobody ever used them unless they wanted to open a restaurant or something. If I had known all this would happen, I would have put more into non-combat stats. They’re easy to level up, but having a few points is a great head start.”

“So with you being a femboy now, how do your stats work?”

“Please, do not call me a femboy. It’s been weeks and you keep doing it,” Kai gets annoyed at Daamin.

The two argue back and forth for a while before Kai explains he’s got some stats from both characters. I don’t really care. They haven’t noticed but stats aren’t super important if you can do something like cook, you can pull it off. I don’t have any stats for hunting, but I can shoot stuff pretty well. We’ve been out in the badlands for two weeks, just having pointless arguments and never figuring out what to do. We don’t even have a place to stay because so many people fled to the badlands. We’ve been sleeping in our cars since we got out here. Every now and then we’ll head further and further away from the city to some place Daamin knows hoping that there’ll be somewhere we can stay. I’m starting to think we’ll reach the end of the map, but there’s always more sand.

Daamin would never admit it but he’s loving every second of this. It’s one his fantasies to be stuck in a video game. We already knew he had more time in the game than Kai and I, we knew he preferred to live out here as a nomad. Still, it never ends with how much he has to show or tell us about the places. He’s like an encyclopedia of game knowledge. I’m almost ready to put a bullet in my head and see if I really die. Kai is just, Kai. Easily annoyed by everything, but never really letting anyone know what’s going on in his head. I’ve known Kai for over a decade now, and it bothers me that I can never tell what he’s thinking. Lately, it’s bothered me even more. I don’t think being on the run is good for any of us, but the thing is, we’re not really running from anyone specifically. We’re just afraid of dying, which is a good thing, I guess.

I open up one of the forums players visit just to get some news on what’s going on. The city is still in chaos, player gangs and corporations are literally at war with NPC gangs and corporations attempting to wipe them out and take control of portions of the servers. Some people are doing it because they believe we can get free by taking it back. Others just want to be in charge of it all. The more interesting thing to me is that there are cults that have popped up. Cults praying to the game creator to set us free or make life better. Others are worshipping an AI that supposedly trapped us here to be better people. Most people are just living, trying to survive. It’s a real cyberpunk world now. Scams promising to let people speak to the outside world are running rampant. A ring of slave runners got busted a few days ago. They were forcing low level players to get implants that would allow them to be controlled. It’s crazy how fast players dove headfirst into the stuff that was basically a backdrop for a massive sandbox game.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

I feel a pain in my side only to look up and see Kai standing over me, and really glad he’s wearing underwear, “why did you kick me,” I ask.

“Because I’ve been trying to get you to eat for ten minutes and you’ve just been scrolling the web.”

“Sorry, just thinking about our next move,” I sit up.

“Sorry Dre, there’s no next move. This is life now,” Kai hands me a bowl of stew and takes a seat beside me.

“What’s in it?”

“Mutant rabbits.”

“The white ones that walk on two feet?”

“Yeah, the only thing we can catch out here,” Kai rolls his eyes and looks to Daamin.

“Hey,” Daamin interjects with a mouth full of food. “My contacts say the city is still crazy right now. You should be glad I’m keeping you guys safe out here.”

“Oh, thank you, our precious savior,” I respond.

“Hey, be quiet,” Kai holds up a hand. “Do you guys hear that?”

I listen closely. There’s nothing but the sound of wind and the occasional animal or car passing through out here. Today, right now, the wind sounds faster, almost angry. Every now and then there’s the sound of thunder mixing with the wind off in the distance.

“We should get in our cars,” Daamin quickly gulps down his bowl of stew and starts heading towards his van.

“Is there something wrong,” I ask.

“Yeah, you need to tell us what’s happening,” Kai argues.

“You need to get your ass to cover because the sand screamers are coming,” Daamin closes the door of his van on us.

“What are sand screamers,” Kai asks as the sounds grow closer.

I quickly search the web for answers, “sand storm with hallucinogenic powder of a rare mountain flower.”

I’ve been driving a modified El Camino with a 4x4 kit and some modifications out here, I rush over and slam the door. Another door slams behind me, Kai has taken a seat next to me.

“What are you doing?”

“You do hallucinogenic with friends,” he shrugs. “Keep each other balanced.”

“We’re not doing hallucinogenic.”

“Oh, we’re going to get high. You can roll up the windows all you want, but pollen gets everywhere. Better to be with me than alone or with the giant crocodile man.”

“He’s a caiman.”

“Whatever.”

“Get out,” I unlock the door as wind and sand slam against the window in an instant.

“You want me to die,” Kai asks.

I close my eyes as sand keeps pounding the truck from all angles. Hoping not to get high enough that I start seeing ghosts like the internet said. Kai hums a song trying to pretend he isn’t afraid. Lightning lights up the storm and thunder makes the glass vibrate. Kai grips my arm with his arms tightly closed.

“What are you doing,” I try to pull away.

“I’m afraid of thunderstorms, there I said it,” he shouts.

“This isn’t a thunderstorm.”

“There’s thunder and lightning,” he doesn’t stop shouting.

“C’mon man, you’re an adult.”

“I had a bad accident when I was a kid, that stuff stays with you.”

I look at Kai’s face and there’s real terror there. I stop fighting and let him hold onto my arm as I stare through the window. A trio of old women walk in a line, pausing briefly to stare back at me. I know these are the sand screamers but I’ve been expecting them. I don’t scream, and I don’t make Kai look. I just stare back at their unmoving, unflinching faces. I close my eyes and lean my head back, hoping to fall asleep before this is over.