Breathe in, breathe out. One single motion, without hesitation, I draw and release the string of my bow. The arrow flies forward as I look at my target. The animal that's I've been tracking for hours. It's lone deer, one that strayed away from his herd. It's drinking from the forest pond in the meadow, not knowing that its fate already sealed. The arrow finds its way right through the heart. I see the dead body fall forward into the pond, marring the blue surface red like an overzealous painter. Clean shot. I smile a little, my club-members would hate seeing me use their lessons like this. I carefully measure my steps as I approach the body, keeping my presence as quiet as possible. Before entering the meadow I lower my hood, listening to the ambiance. It's quiet, I hear critters running around, but they are far away. I smirk, no squirrel skin for me. I take my knife out as I walk towards my trophy, but before I could skin it I hear a sound that's become familiar to me. A sound of a bowstring being pulled. On reflex, I try to jump back but the arrow is quicker.

YOU DIED! WANT TO RESPAWN AT PREFERED LOCATION?

Y/N

I see my body fall forward and disappear in red leaves, leaving a small bag behind. Then the status screen opens. Sofa, apprentice-hunter, LVL 5. I hear my heartbeat clearly as I bite my lip, shit, got too cocky again. Lost a level and a trophy for that. No matter, shaking my head I pick no and quit the game. The feeling of soreness is the first thing that greets me as I open my eyes. The old virtual-capsule doesn't include comfort in its functions. Struggling I touch the button and the glass opens. Moving my legs, I sit on the metal surface. I try to stand up but my legs betray me as sudden movement awakens my limbs. Before I could fall I feel someone catch me. "I told you to not play for hours, Sophia," my older brother says, frowning. He lowers his headphones to his neck as I see him put his phone in the pocket of his shirt. "It's nothing, I am okay," I try to brush off his worries and stand by myself but his hands hold me in place. "It's not okay," he looks at me as I freeze in place, not meeting his eyes. He sighs, "I forbid you to play more than two hours, you understand?" "I understand, sorry for worrying you," I try to keep my face blank but seems like my resentment showed. He shakes his head and mutters with teeth clenching, "If mothers saw you like this, she would've thrown that capsule in the garbage immediately. Take care of yourself, please." "I will, sorry," it's all I could say to him. I learned a long time ago that I can't win an argument against my brothers, so all I could do is do their bidding. "Can you stand now?" he removes one of his hands, leaving only his right on my shoulder. My legs feel better now, the blood circulation normalized as I take a step forward, "I can." "Good, it's dinner soon," he says and puts his headphones back on. "At least greet mom when she comes from work instead of staying in your room like a mole," saying that he leaves my room. But not before throwing the last jab, "And take a shower, you are sweating like a pig." ---- After showering and changing clothes I lay on my bed with my phone in hand. I am reading a chat that my former classmates were having, despite finishing school a month ago our social media group is still together. They are talking about enrolling in college, some are eager to join the army, some are talking about marriage. My smile wavers off. I close the phone and stand up. I hear the door open and close, seems like Mom is home. Deciding to greet her I enter the hallway and see my brother help her with groceries. I always wondered how she carried that much with her small figure. "Ah come here Sofa, I bought your favorite ice cream and drink!" she shouts after seeing my figure standing on the doorstep. I reluctantly go to her and take the soda and ice cream from her. I try to smile and say, "Thanks." My weak gratitude seems to not matter as she opens her arms wide and exclaims, "Now come here and hug me." I stiffly hug her as she sniffs my hair and kisses my cheek, her voice is chipper as ever, "Your brother will visit us tomorrow, so please don't spend all night chatting." "Yes, mom." "Did you congratulate your cousin, it's his birthday today," she says still hugging me, her voice drills my brain as I feel all conscious leave me. "Yes, mom." "Good, remember to check our social media group," she releases me from her grasps and opens her phone, "We have another set of birthdays this month. I want you to congratulate them all." "Yes, mom can I go now?" I couldn't hide my frustration but she seems to not notice it. "Oh, of course, you can go," thank god, "Just please don't eat only ice cream at dinner. "Yes, mom." And so ends another day, same as all days in this month.