Sitting in front of his computer with a full stomach, looked at the big red "PAUSED" on the screen. He couldn't remember what he had been playing, but he did remember that whatever it was it was very immersive, addictive even. As he sat he wanted to play, out of curiosity, but also to fulfill a craving, a need that had been gnawing at him ever since he had finished his salad and diet soda.
He hadn't returned to his bedroom immediately, though. First he had wandered the house a bit, double checking to see if he was along. Each room he explored had been empty just as he had expected. In his parent's bedroom he sat on the bed trying to force himself to remember where everyone had gone, but his memory just couldn't focus. Wondering if a tactile reminder of his family would help, he tried on pair after pair of his mother's shoes, skirt ofter skirt of his sister's, each with the same result. It made him feel alone, exposed.
When the craving to return to the game had overcome him, he gave up on his exploration and returned to the bedroom. His computer was waiting for him, a slight hum emitting from the CPU, the red glow of the letters lighting the room. As he made himself feel more comfortable in his office chair, Jon leaned forward and grabbed the mouse, excited to see what would happen when he started playing. With a click of a button, he began.
