Artjem POV

One moment I was inside of the game and had an epic battle that I might or might not have lost, doesn't matter *cough cough * and had the time of my life and then I return to the brutal reality.

I wake up feeling like shit, my eyes hurt, my stomach was in dire need for both something to go in and out and I had horrible headaches. Oh, and my broken body in general.

I lied there on my bed for a few minutes before slowly pushing my body upwards with my last remaining working arm and forcing myself to do the necessities.

Taking care of my needs was a long and excruciating task but hey, I had tools in my whole home to help me with even taking a shit, so that is something...

Suddenly I felt as if I might have forgotten something... Oh, yeah. I should probably call my grandma. I have put that off for long enough and I should at least tell her my thanks. It was her that made me play M n' M after all.

Taking my universal device I pressed one of the two numbers I had on my phone, the only one that was not blocked and was connected to her immediately.

“Artjem? Oh god! How do I get the honor?”

“.. Just thought that letting you know that I am still alive and having fun was a good idea.”

“So you have hmm... I am glad for you then. What now? Want a cookie or something?” Her voice was reeking of sarcasm.

“Ok, calling you was a mistake. Then I am--”

“I am joking sweetheart. Glad you called me... Tell me, have you been visiting their trees lately?”

“No.” My dead parents, only mother actually and sister can stay dead without me visiting them. ( Google Organic burial pots for more info.)

“That is fine. Not like they will scold you for that or anything, this is what I am for after all haha. You do not even visit the still alive relatives, what have I even been expecting... You know, I am really glad you are calling me now.” She laughed sadly.

“A few days ago I actually got an long expected result from an examination... I have around 5 weeks left Artjem. I just wanted to tell you that I prefer an oak tree and having you pay me respect would also be nice of you.” She said in a gentle voice.

I was silent for a few moments and gathered my thoughts, but only shit came out of my mouth. “So your time came hugh? I am envious.”

“haha, normally a grandson was supposed to break down now, not talk like that.” Her voice was sad. “You know Artjem, hopefully when your time comes you will hate it. I want for you to love life to such an extent that you will curse death and cry your eyes out, not be happy. I want you to want to stay alive for you and your loved ones, part of whom I no longer will be. This is just not the way it is supposed to be my sweet poor boy... ”

“..Shall I visit you?”

“Pff, what an unthankful grandson I have... You were supposed to just come and not offer it to me..”

“You know me well. I will come now ok? Hey, how about you make some borsch? Has been ages since I ate that, the supplement just won't do it for me.” I think back on the good old times.

Me, my parents, my fiance, my grandparents, my son...

Fuck, a few tears streamed down my eyes suddenly.

How hard have I and others tried to kill that soft side of me. In the end we failed, in the end I am still the same weak boy and only my shell got harder, inside I got even weaker.

I suppose she noticed it. “Of course honey. Just come here and you will get as much of it as you want.”

“Not as much as I want I guess.” I sobbed and wiped my tears away.”But I will stuff myself as much for the next 5 weeks as I can.”

She laughed suddenly, breaking the sad moment. “Do you really expect me to cook you a soup while I am in a wheelchair and need help to breath?”

It suddenly hit me. The meaning of 5 weeks. “Then you will explain it to me and I will cook, I should at least be capable to do as much.”

She laughed some more. “See, all I had to do for you to care for me is to die. Sadly I can do that only once.”