Syf Waywalker stayed inside one of the rooms of a decrepit-looking building. A man in his early twenties, he was one among countless others coming to the city to earn a living. From the standard of others living in the building, he was considered much younger. People of his age generally went to their dream colleges and grew to accomplish what they wanted with their lives. Syf wasn't like any of them.
Syf Waywalker was busy demolishing the army camp in the game. The movement of his fingers was frantic, and occasional curse words would escape his mouth.
"Come on, you piece of shit."
"Do something."
"Useless General."
These were among the many things that escaped his mouth within a minute, and that was when his whole concentration was deeply engrossed in the game. The fire, the army started coming around his base. Syf tried defending them in one direction, when the other direction of his base breached open. Defending all at the same time was very tough, and lastly, Syf lost.
The big yellow 'Game Over' hung on the screen as Syf kept the mobile on the side. His mobile phone wasn't faring well, cracks had developed across one third of the screen, impeding the vision. While the casing itself was held together with numerous electrical tapes around every corner. Just like his phone, old and held together, his room wasn't any good. Cracks and leaks ran through the walls like a very complex maze; sometimes, sewage pipelines would burst through and stain his walls. It smelled really bad in the few instances it had happened. Fortunately, the one living above him had recently vacated, leaving the room empty, which meant no water usage upstairs and no stinking sewage smell.
Syf chuckled, looking at the message. This would probably be his last game.
"Ironically, I lost even my last one." His face darkened with a hint of resignation. The jolly self of his had already left him. For the last two months, he had dedicated himself to mobile games. From casual games to some story games, toiling hard through his odd breaks, he had strived to play them. He had already decided the past two months of gaming were enough. So today was his last game, a treat for himself.
Syf was wearing his shoes; he had a very important place he needed to be, and for that, he had made sure to look his best. Just then, the phone rang, and looking at the caller ID, it turned out it was his girlfriend Sophie. His phone continued to buzz its ominous tune as he prepared himself.
Steadying himself, he finally picked it up, put it around his ear, and waited for the other person to speak.
"Syf, are you there?"
"…" Syf remained quiet.
"Stop playing around. For once, answer me, goddammit." Her anger screamed through the line. A little bit later, she calmed down, evening out her tone. Syf hadn't spoken in the meantime.
"I know you are there, please answer me."
"Hi Sophie," Syf called out softly. "You wanted something."
"I want something? Please speak straight for a fucking second here." She heaved, catching her breath. It was hard for her to calm down, even to talk politely. It just didn't make any sense to her. How had everything turned against them in just a few months?
"Okay, listen. I got an internship."
"Congrats," Syf said dryly.
"There is something else, Syf. I- I- you know a lot has been happening in my life. Assignments, events, mentors, everything has been a mess these past few months. Even that is okay to me, though it was never easy; your presence gave me the hope and positivity to continue. Syf, you started avoiding me a month ago."
"Hmm." Syf hums but doesn't speak anything else. On the line, he could feel her nostrils flaring with anger, but she was trying very, very hard to keep her voice in line.
"It feels like you aren't even a part of my life anymore." An amusing laugh went along with her voice. However, he knew she was sad as well.
It was his fault after all. He made everyone sad. Maybe if he weren't there anymore, things could be better. Syf didn't want others to suffer because of him. But no, that wasn't the true reason he was avoiding her.
"I know you have lost everything." She continued with a trembling voice. "I could help you if you want."
"No." He immediately said, cutting her off.
"Fine. I told you, Syf, you shouldn't have gone forward investing in that scheme of yours."
Syf felt like he was being stripped naked. Salt was repeatedly put on his wounds to make him suffer. He felt angry; he wanted to shout at her, but he did nothing. It all truly felt amusing to him. Sophie was relentless in her attack.
"Are you even sure about what has been going on in your life? Because I am, and I am very certain, Syf, I don't want to fuck my life up like yours. I don't want a future where I— let's leave it." She gnashed her teeth and continued. This time with finality in her tone, "You know what, I don't want to even know anymore. I am fucking done with everything. Syf, I don't think I have any reason left to return here anymore. I know it probably would have ended even if I didn't say it, but I will say it, Syf Waywalker. I will remember the pain you have given me. I am breaking up with you."
It felt like the world was closing in on him. Everything was fading away at once; he was a failure, he was sure of that. Others, too, had made sure he remembered that. The phone trembled in his hands, and he quietly sat on the bed as every part of his body buzzed within him.
Syf opened his mouth amidst the trembling. It felt difficult to say his words, but he gritted his teeth and said, "Yes."
The call ended. Syf stayed silent and disbelieving of the fact that he had yet again outdone himself. He had been laid off for the last two months. All his money, whatever savings he had, he had put in a scheme. And he had lost them all. He knew it was a gamble, but unlike the other schemes, it felt legit. He saw many success stories of it. And for once, he saw a future where he could fulfill the dreams of his sister and maybe himself.
Alas, the dream had been false, the plot a misgiving. The characters, Syf, felt that it was better if they stayed away from him. A mistake he couldn't redeem.