Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Shadows of the Abyss

Elliot arrived at the small café where he and Alex usually met, a cozy spot with old leather couches and the smell of fresh coffee lingering in the air. Outside, rain drizzled over the city, giving the streets a dull sheen under the gray morning light. He checked his phone for the time—12:58 p.m. Alex was rarely late, yet there was no sign of him.

He settled into a corner booth, absently stirring his coffee as his mind drifted back to Victorian Abyss. The events of the previous night hadn't left him; they'd only intensified, haunting him even as he tried to focus on everyday tasks. The Whispering Shard he'd found—it still felt real somehow, as if its presence had crossed over with him. It was almost like the game had bled into reality, filling his mind with images of fog-laden streets and haunting echoes. He shook his head, trying to clear it.

Finally, the door creaked open, and Alex stepped in, his usually confident stride replaced with a cautious, almost paranoid glance over his shoulder. He wore a hooded jacket despite the mild weather, and his eyes darted around the room before he spotted Elliot and approached, sliding into the seat across from him.

"Hey, you good?" Elliot asked, studying his friend. "You look… tense."

Alex gave a short, humorless laugh, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Yeah, I know. Just had a rough night. The game's… I don't know, Elliot. I think it's messing with us."

Elliot frowned. "Messing with us? Isn't that kind of the point? It's meant to be immersive."

Alex leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Not like this, man. This is different. Ever since the latest update, things have changed. The NPCs—they aren't just scripted responses anymore. They're reacting to me, responding in ways they shouldn't. It's like they're… aware."

Elliot felt a chill. He'd noticed similar things but had brushed them off as part of the game's design, something to make the experience richer. But hearing Alex confirm it made it feel more unsettling.

"You're saying they're, what, alive?" Elliot asked, half-joking, trying to ease the tension.

"I don't know, but it feels like it sometimes. Like, remember that item you found—the Whispering Shard? There's been talk on the forums that it's cursed or something. People who've interacted with it have started experiencing… things."

Elliot raised an eyebrow. "Things?"

"Yeah. Nightmares, hearing voices, feeling like they're being watched even when they're not in the game." Alex's voice was barely above a whisper now. "It sounds crazy, I know, but there's something off about it. The devs haven't said anything, but a lot of players think this update was rushed. And some think it's more than that."

Elliot shifted in his seat, the unease settling deeper. "You think the devs put something in there, like some experimental AI?"

"Maybe. Or maybe it's worse. Some players on the forum say they can't even log out sometimes, like the game doesn't want to let them go. I thought it was all just rumors, you know? But it's happening too often."

Elliot tried to laugh it off, but the sound came out hollow. "Sounds like we're in some horror movie, man. Maybe we're just… overthinking it. It's a game. A really good, realistic game. But just a game."

Alex's expression darkened. "Then why are you looking over your shoulder every five seconds? Because I feel it too. This isn't just immersion—it's like the game is watching us, keeping tabs."

Elliot didn't have an answer to that. The truth was, he couldn't shake the feeling of the game following him, its shadows lingering around him even when he'd logged off. That sense of Victorian Abyss haunting him hadn't faded, and it left him feeling vulnerable in a way he didn't want to admit.

Alex leaned back, folding his arms. "I don't know what's going on, but I think we need to be careful. You know about the relics, right?"

"Yeah, they're powerful items scattered throughout the game," Elliot replied. "I thought they were just there to keep us invested in exploring."

"They are… but players are saying each relic seems to carry a 'curse' of some kind. Like the Whispering Shard you found. People say it drives them to madness, and once you have it, the game… doesn't let go of you easily."

Elliot's stomach twisted as he recalled the eerie whispers from the shard, the sense that something was lurking just beyond his sight in the game. It felt wrong, yes, but he'd pushed those thoughts aside. "What are you saying? That it's dangerous?"

"Maybe. Or maybe I'm just losing my mind," Alex muttered, his gaze fixed on the table. "Look, just… be careful with what you pick up in the game. Don't just grab relics or powerful items. Some things aren't worth it."

Elliot looked down at his coffee, his mind swirling with questions. For as much as Victorian Abyss intrigued him, it also left him uneasy in a way he couldn't shake. And if Alex was feeling the same… maybe there was something more to all of this.

"Let's say you're right," Elliot began, hesitating. "What do we do? Quit the game?"

Alex shook his head. "I don't think it's that simple. I've tried to go without logging in, but the pull… it's like the game's in my head, whispering at the edges of my mind. Just… tread carefully, alright?"

Elliot nodded slowly. He didn't know if he believed in curses or if Victorian Abyss was something more sinister than a mere game, but he respected Alex's advice. Maybe he'd be more cautious next time he logged in.

Alex glanced at his watch, his expression shifting. "I've got to go, but let's meet again soon. Keep an eye on the forums—there's more chatter every day about strange encounters and 'haunted' items. And if you feel anything… off, don't brush it aside."

With that, Alex stood up, his gaze lingering on Elliot as if trying to convey something more. Then, he left, vanishing into the gray drizzle outside. Elliot watched him go, a heaviness settling in his chest. He was alone in the café now, the world outside muffled by the rain, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Victorian Abyss was still with him.

He finished his coffee, mulling over Alex's words, then glanced at his phone. He almost wanted to check the forums, but some part of him was reluctant, wary of what he might find. Instead, he headed home, the walk through the rainy streets feeling strangely surreal, like he hadn't fully left the game world behind.

Back in his apartment, he sat at his desk, staring at the VR headset resting there. It seemed innocuous, just a piece of technology. But as he looked at it, a cold shiver ran down his spine. He couldn't tell if it was his imagination or something else, but it felt like the game was watching him, waiting for him to return.

That night, as he lay in bed, the shadows in his room seemed deeper, more ominous. The silence was oppressive, pressing down on him like a weight. And though he knew it was impossible, he swore he could hear faint whispers echoing at the edge of his mind—the same whispers he'd heard when he held the Whispering Shard.