Schedule

A text from his mom: “Your brother called. Said he’s coming home next week.”

And something else was now holding the controller.

That night, his brother came home. They hugged. Everything was fine.

He closed the game. Opened it again. Same thing.

He looked back at the monitor. The cheat menu was still there. But now, instead of CJ’s face, it showed his own reflection—pixelated, grainy, mouth opening in slow motion.