Hiding a House in the Apocalypse

Unicorn18.

First, he messages me out of nowhere.

Then, he suddenly asks about Foxgames.

It’s a bit confusing, but I can’t just ignore an old friend reaching out after so long.

I take a deep breath and reply calmly.

SKELTON: (Skelton, confused) I wouldn’t say we’re that close anymore. What’s up?

unicorn18: Weren’t you two tight?

SKELTON: A wise man chooses his friends carefully.

unicorn18: …So, not really close. Got it. I’ll ask someone else.

SKELTON: Even if we’re not close, I still have some connections. What do you need?

Technically, we’re blocked by each other.

But knowing Foxgames, he probably didn’t block me back.

A lot of people underestimate me online—until they meet me in real life.

And nobody who’s met me in person has ever taken me lightly.

"...Hmph."

Tap, tap.

SKELTON: I’ll take care of it.

Maybe it was my confidence, or maybe Unicorn18 still had some respect for me—whatever the reason, he decided to open up.

unicorn18: It’s about Foxgames. That bastard shut down a game I used to play.

SKELTON: That text-based game?

unicorn18: YES! Monster Park! That game was my only source of joy in life! But now Foxgames took the servers down because of his new project! I even texted him, but he just ignored me. Do you think he blocked me?

Now that he mentions it—

I remember logging into Monster Park a while back.

I saw someone wandering around.

Could that have been Unicorn18?

It must have been.

Nobody else played that game.

Literally just one guy.

And that one guy was him.

Unicorn18 is one of the few people I actually treat with respect on our forum.

And he has the information I need most right now.

Even if it means dealing with Foxgames, winning over Unicorn18 is worth it.

SKELTON: I’ll talk to Foxgames.

I said it confidently.

But reality hit fast.

SKELTON: We need to talk.

My years of internet experience whispered in my ear—

Foxgames blocked me.

SKELTON: Foxgames, don’t tell me you blocked me?