you die.'' Ragen smiled.


    them against the wall.''


    It is a little annoying, I want to see more of this world, but...''


    Thank you. ''See you later!'' He said as he ran to the academy exit and into Holta on Trine.


    Jumpers! He was all smiles. They must be Jumpers! The smile soon left his face. If only I''d chosen that Job Class. Looking to the ground, Ragen swept up a piece of paper and read the text that was inked across it. A ceremony at the capital? The Red Front? He had heard the name, who hadn''t at this point? But Ragen did not care much, he dropped the paper to the ground and moved on. The tavern where Butler would be waiting was close.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The Lonely Mutt. The youngster looked through the windows, candle and fire light bled out, and people of all kinds sat at round tables with drinks at hand. Butler was standing at a table full of lightly armoured men, while the tables around them seemed charged and tense.


    Lauren? ''What about her?''


    Thank God... ''How can he help?''


    What does this have to do with me? Ragen was perplexed. He backed away from the table, feeling that something was amiss.


    This isn''t what Butler said it''d be. ''Sorry.'' Ragen replied in low tones. ''I''m not interested, if you can''t help me then I''m just going to leave.''


    you want power, not change, just for you to be in charge. I don''t want to help you, and I don''t want your help any more.''


    ''What''re you doing?'' Ragen squeaked. What''s going on?


    Why are they doing this? The hands pulled and pushed against Ragen, he could not escape their strength. It''s just a game, why are they doing this to me? They''ve taken everything. Tears filled his eyes and he wailed like the child that he was. It was a noise that they all recognised, and it startled them. The assault calmed and Ragen was left face down on the hard wood floor, his tears pooling under his face. His sobs were muffled against wood. Crying was the only reaction he had.


    Butler... Ragen pushed himself from the ground, but a heavy foot pushed him back down. An argument ensued inside the tavern, some attempted to aid the boy, others played into the scene. That was the game after all. Ragen lost all thought of logging out. He was angry at Butler now, for putting him in this situation. ''How can you do this?'' Ragen cried. ''Why would you?'' He felt his face flush red hot. ''It''s just a stupid game! It''s not real! Why would you do this?'' Tears welled in his eyes again. The role-play was clearly broken and the players backed away. The confusion between reality and this convincingly realistic game was brought to light, the abuse was real to Ragen, and the realisation that a child was handled badly by their own hands disturbed the mob around him.


    Ragen sobbed violently. His skinny body convulsed and dripped with tears. When he made eye contact with Butler, his heart felt like it had popped and the pain was such that the game could not suppress it. He ran from the tavern on bare feet, out into the streets and to somewhere far away.