When Fran asked Julian to stay over, he made a huge mistake.
He didn't realise the game had already fused with the real world. If normal. The NPCs wouldn't have desires. Instead, they would follow a digital script apart from basic needs like food and water.
He should have paid more attention when Fran's gaze lingered too long or when her hand stayed on his shoulder a few seconds longer than it needed to.
But he brushed it all off with the same convenient logic.
"Oh, she's just coded like that."
He thought this was still a game.
And that was his mistake.
***
The room became dark. There was no light—only a shining pair of pink spheres remained in Julian's sight before his eyes adjusted to the darkness.
"Fran, what're you doing?" He asked, noticing her strange action.
"Hmm? I am going to bed. Why do you ask?" Before he could respond, she pushed his chest, forcing him onto the bed. His body sank into the soft, comfortable mattress filled with feathers and hay.
