Chapter Text
Most people want to be circled by safety, not by the unexpected. The unexpected can take you out. But the unexpected can also take you over and change your life. Put a heart in your body where a stone used to be – Ron Hall
“Yes mom, I know…” I muttered into my phone as it was wedged between my shoulder and my ear. My hip leaned into the kitchen counter as I idly flipped through a magazine, my mother currently going on about new neighbors that had moved in across the street from her. “Marlee he’s single and young! And he’s just graduating business school!” I rolled my eyes but there was a knock at the door. As I glanced back I said quickly, “Mom I gotta go. I think the guys are here to set up the fridge.” “Alright, dear! I love you! Be sure to talk the-” I clicked off and slid my phone into my back pocket, jogging over to the front door. On my tiptoes, I could see two men in dark navy jumpsuits through the peephole. I quickly unlocked two locks and then pulled the door back, as one of the men asked, “Marlee Callahan?” I nodded and he extended a clipboard to me, and I noted a highlighted section at the bottom requiring a signature. I signed it with a flourish and handed it back, and I stepped back as the two men slowly carried a refrigerator in on a dolly. I stood idly by, but I felt a vibration in my back pocket. I pulled my phone out and glanced at the screen to see a notification.
New Chat room Open (We are on our way)
I perked for a moment, my eyes flicking up towards the men as they continued to slowly move into the kitchen. Unlocking my phone and pressing the notification, watched as graphics loaded across the screen. Soon I was in this new chat room with Zen.
[Zen:] Marlee!
[Zen:] I’m so glad you’re back!
Two white bubbles appeared with predetermined answers, and my eyes furrowed as I glanced at them both. You see, this isn’t a normal chat room with real people. These people were fictional. These people were in a game. A game called Mystic Messenger. Chatting with people for eleven days, falling in love with one, and after that, it’s over. I felt a slight twinge in my chest as I thought about this. I was way too into this game.
[Marlee:] Yes…we had a moment to spare.
[Zen:] Good!
[Zen:] You got out!?
|Yoosung has entered the chatroom|
[Yoosung:] Gahh…
[Yoosung:] Marlee!!!
[Yoosung:] Are you okay?
[Marlee:] We’re safe. We are still locked in…
[Zen:] What?
[Yoosung:] I’m so glad you’re safe though!!! T0T
[Zen:] But why can’t you get out?
[Zen:] I thought he could hack into anything…
I rolled my eyes. Of course, Seven could hack into anything. The lack of faith coming from Zen rustled me the wrong way, but after a moment I took a breath as I noticed…
|707 has entered the chatroom|
[707:] Zen
[707:] Yoosung
[Zen:] Oh!
[Yoosung:] Seven
[Yoosung:] I’m glad that Marlee came here first
[Yoosung:] But I was so worried!
[Zen:] How’s everything going?
[707:] It’s being delayed a bit, but the door will open soon.
[Yoosung:] Thank god…
[Zen:] You’re with Marlee right?
[707:] Of course.
[707:] She’s right beside me, and she’s not hurt.
There went my mind again, fluttering away at the thought of sitting next to Seven. I finished the chat, promising the boys we would find a safe location to continue the search for Saeran. I suddenly realized I was holding my breath, but my head jerked up as I heard, “Ma’am.” I was staring wide-eyed at the delivery man as he was watching me dully, but he said quickly, “Everything is finished and running smoothly. I gave a slight nod as they made their way out, and I shut the door behind them. I turned and focused my attention back to my phone as the chat room was over.
That night I lay in bed, glancing over a book in my lap. My eyes were heavy, but I was determined to finish a chapter. Suddenly I heard my phone vibrate on the side table, and I glanced over. A new email had come over, and I quickly grabbed it up to read. The name of my lawyer flashed and I held my breath. Did I need to read this right now? I stared at the screen for the longest time, until I swallowed down a knot and opened the email.
Dear Marlee, I hope this email finds you well. I am giving you an update for the weekend. Lewis has his court date set but he is out on probation.
My eyes skimmed the rest, but I was numb to the information. Probation? So he’s free right now… My hand started to shake as my eyes glazed over and before I could stop myself with rational thinking, I tossed my phone to the side and threw the covers back from my bed. I ran to the front door and ran my fingers over the locks, making sure they were correctly placed. My heart was still beating in my throat, but I gave a slight nod and started to walk back to my bedroom. As I entered the door, I glanced around before I shut the door and pushed the lock button in the knob. I stared at the door for the longest time, and slowly I talked myself down from this paranoia. Okay, …that should be good right? I backed myself into the bed and sat on the edge, staring off. My phone buzzed again, and I turned to see a notification from Mystic Messenger. There was a text from Seven, and I furrowed my brow. All the chats were done for the day, and there weren’t any more calls or texts that I knew of. Maybe there was an update for new interactions? I slowly pulled the covers over my legs as I pressed the screen for the notification.
The game loaded and I was presented with the message. Marlee, I just wanted to be sure you were okay after today…I know it’s been eventful. I perked an eyebrow but pressed reply. Instead of predetermined messages though, there was a text box with a blinking cursor. I stared at the screen as my thumb hovered over the keyboard, but I muttered, “Some update…” I thought for a moment as I put myself in the mindset of the game. Quickly I responded, I’m alright. Today was stressful, but nothing a good sleep can’t fix…you get some sleep too. Reminding myself of his nonexistent sleep schedule, I gave a smile and pressed send. I waited patiently, keeping my eyes on the messages before another appeared after my response. You’re so cute. I’ll sleep after I check this data…I’m always here for you Marlee, just remember that. Goodnight angel. After that, the response bar was blacked out, and I only smiled as a nervous flight of butterflies fluttered in the pit of my stomach. Gah, why couldn’t Seven be real? I fell back onto the pillow as I stared up at the ceiling fan, watching it spin slowly. It was probably a poor representation of my mental state to be this attached to a video game character, but I didn’t care. At least at this point right now, his words offered a bit of light in my dull and gray days. I felt my eyes water a bit but I rubbed them idly and turned towards my side table, plugging my phone up and then shutting off the light. I set my book on the table and snuggled in the sheets. My mind replayed his words as I drifted to sleep.