Sam logged out, disappearing with a poof right in front of my eyes. I noticed that Sam had forgotten to collect the gold dust in his pouch. I gathered the glittering powder in my hand, and marveled at it, thanking it inwardly from the bottom of my heart.

An idea popped in my mind. I can return to the real world! A wave of euphoria washed over me.

If I showed up in my hospital room through a magic portal, completely recovered, whoever was there at the moment would have a heart attack. I decided to produce a portal to my residential house instead. I shut my eyes and imagined my bedroom in vivid detail. I threw the dust. A portal flared into existence. My disorderly bed was right in front of me, a pillow hanging from the edge while a trouser slumbered in the center, partly underneath a blanket.

I let out a small “Yay!” and hopped through the portal.

My worst decision ever.

I realized mere mili-seconds after crossing the portal that I no longer had control over my legs. I fell face first on the floor and remained lying there, wondering what new bones I had broken, as an intensifying agony took over my body. My bubble of glee had been cruelly ruptured.

This was what boundless greed brought. My head throbbed and fresh hot blood leaked out of my nose. I gritted my teeth, tasting dust from a floor that hadn’t seen a broom in ages. The portal was closing. I had to hurry to get back to the game world.

I tried to push myself up with my arms, but they were weak and I thought I would faint from the effort. But I needed to get back to Dharti at all costs.

Somehow I was able to bring myself to a sitting position. I had to unearth an additional reserve of willpower to haul myself through the levitating portal. Once I was back in Dharti, I slumped onto the wooden floor, exhausted of the last ounce of energy and in immense pain. Praying that Sam would return soon, I closed my eyes and fell unconscious.

***

A light tap on my cheek.

“Drink it,” someone said from a kilometer away. I felt something being pushed through my lips. A gooey liquid filled my mouth.

A while later strength returned to my body and I was able to open my eyes. Sam was on his knees, looking at me with a disappointed face.

“Did you try to return to the real world using my gold dust?” he asked.

I nodded and sat up.

“The health potion cannot keep me healed in the real world,” I said. I stood up, grateful to have my legs back.

“Well, forget about the real world for some time,” Sam said, pocketing his pouch, having collected the magic dust.

Outside the window, the afternoon sun was slowly making its descent towards the west. I reckoned I had been lying senseless on the floor for a number of hours before Sam came.

I thought of my future. What did it hold? A long stay in Dharti, perhaps till death? It dawned on me I had just exchanged a smaller prison--my hospital room, for a bigger prison--Dharti. But wasn’t it great enough that I had my legs back? Couldn’t I be thankful for that? I decided that I would make the most of a life in the game world.

A dog started barking. My phone had been brought into Dharti along with my patient cot.

Sam eyed me and shook his head, not wanting anybody to know of the secret gold dust.

I checked my phone. Kiara was calling. This was the twentieth time in the last few hours. I contemplated if I should answer the call.

“Just this once?” I requested Sam.

Sam lifted the edge of his lip in reluctance.

“Fine,” he eventually agreed, “but don’t tell her you are in Dharti.”

I received the call.

“Vicky?” Kiara cried on the other end.

“Yes,” I said, “it’s me.”

“Where are you?!” Kiara asked, “You disappeared from the hospital room. The nurse said that there was someone who wouldn’t let her in. We broke the door open, but the room was empty.”

“Look Kiara,” I said, “I don’t think I can tell you where I am, but just be assured that I am fine. And… and I even have my legs back.” (Sam expelled his breath in an exasperated sigh as I said this.)

“You have your legs back? What are you saying? How?”

“Don’t ask how,” I told her, “because I can’t tell you—”

“Ask her not to inform your office!” Sam whispered urgently.

“Fine,” I told him, and then returned to the call with Kiara, “Um, Kiara, can you do me a favor? Please don’t tell anyone about me, okay?”

“What? Why?” Kiara was neck deep in confusion. “Everyone's searching for you. They think somebody kidnapped you and the police are investigating.”

“Police?... Um… Er, we'll deal with that later. But please don’t tell anyone about me for now, all right?”

Kiara was silent.

“Kiara?” I asked to check if she was there. "Hello?"

“Okay,” she said, “I won’t tell anyone. If that's what you want.”

“Tell her you won’t receive her calls again,” Sam said.

“Why?” I asked.

“Just do it,” Sam said. “Additional safety.”

I exhaled, stress coiling tight around me like an anaconda. I felt horrible not giving even a single proper explanation to the girl who had helped me so much. I told Kiara I wouldn’t be answering future calls, at least for some time. And then I ended the conversation.

"Will we get into trouble for this?" I asked Sam. "I mean the police are searching for me." For whatever reasons I felt like a fugitive.

"Well, you are the 'kidnapped', not the kidnapper. Nothing to worry about. I just hope that girl doesn't open her mouth. Is she your girlfriend?”

“Not really. We just went on one date. I ended up in the hospital.” Kiara and I were not technically in a relationship.

“Well, in that case you can go to the red light district if you want,” Sam's eyes twinkled. “you know, if you are super bored.”

I raised a brow at him.

“You go there?” I asked him.

“Never have,” Sam said, “But…”

“Those aren’t real girls in that place, are they?” I asked.

“Nah, they are all elves, NPCs,” Sam said. “But of course, players can join the brothels too, if they want, but that's very unlikely."

Sam's idea wasn't appeasing at all. 'Unlikely' didn't mean 'impossible'. Imagine a pervy old man in the avatar of a young girl…