Gemotions

Daniel stared at the half-eaten pizza on his desk, the crust growing cold and hard. He hadn't touched it since yesterday. He hadn't touched anything that required effort. He had been staying inside for weeks. His only companion was his online friend, "PixelPusher," a fellow gamer who shared his love of strategy games and his utter lack of interest in the outside world.

PixelPusher, however, had recently become insistent on a real-life meeting. "I think it'd be cool to finally meet up, dude," a message read. Daniel felt a cold sweat break out. He knew the coffee shop. It was near the university he once attended. The idea of leaving his apartment, of facing the world, filled him with a potent mixture of fear and dread.

He hadn't showered in days. His apartment was a mess. His face was pale and drawn. He didn't even have the energy to argue. He slowly typed, "Okay." Then he wished he hadn't.