Star Crossed In Time

The old man's grunts have me watching him with a frown. It's just a character Nova... don't worry about it. But after a few more minutes the little old man's grunts were eating away at me. I sigh and say "Would you like some help? I don't mind lending a hand."

The old man slowly straightens himself as he gives me a long look. "By the smell of it, you should be collecting chives right?" I ask stepping closer. The man nods and says "If you don't mind... my back and knees aren't what they use to be." I give him another smile and begin pulling the chives.

Sigh... Nova, you're a sucker for the old and helpless in real life and in video games! After an hour or so the basket on the old man's back is completely full. He cheerfully laughs and says "I haven't been able to collect this much in a long time! Thanks, my boy!" He pats my back with a large smile.

I give him a smile in return and decide to call it a day. The game is so screwy... I think Ted and the others need to make a few new fixes... and take out all the old people! Why make them suffer? I brush my hands off and try to log off.

.....

I frown and try again.

.....

.....

My stomach growls in hunger as I stand frozen. What? I touch my head but all I feel is the top of my head... no headgear. I swallow hard as my stomach grows again. I try to log out over and over but nothing happens. Panic starts to claw its way up my throat as I become more and more confused.

"Would you like to eat dinner with my wife and I? It's not much but it's food... are you from around here?" The old man asks in a cheery voice. I slowly turn to him with wide eyes as I try to understand what's happening.

The old man frowns and says "Are you, okay boy?" I nod to him with wide eyes as I mechanically say "I would love to have dinner with you two..." The old man burst into laughter as he pats me on the back saying "Then follow me! Our house is right on the outskirts of the village."

"Oh, what's your name boy?" He asks as we begin walking back to the small village. I numbly say "Nova..." The old man scrunches up his old wrinkly face as he says "Nova? That's an odd name... Just call me Grandpa Ling!" Again he pats me on the back as we continue walking.

What was happening? Why can't I log out? We reach a small but cute little house with an older lady waiting at the door. She smiles and waves at Grandpa Ling saying "You're back early!" Grandpa Ling chuckles and says "This young lad here helped me out today so I was hoping he could join us for dinner."

The lady smiles at me and nods her head saying "What's your name dear? You can call me Grandma Ling." I smile at the sweet old lady and say "Nova... my name is Nova." The old lady frowns but quickly smiles again saying "You must not be from around here. Where are you from my dear?"

I lick my lips and try to clear my head as I vaguely say "I'm from far, far away..." Grandpa and Grandma Ling share a look but they just continue smiling as she says "Well, Nova, come in and have some food while it's still hot." The smell coming from the house has my stomach growling again.

They both laugh and push me in. The house is small but cozy. "Have a seat you two, I'll be right back!" Grandma ling says as Grandpa Ling leads me to a small table. I slowly sit down and look around the house. Grandma Ling comes back with two large steaming bowls. "Dig in!" She says returning to grab her bowl.

I look at the soup with a watery mouth... I'm so hungry but this isn't real... none of this is. Grandma Ling comes back and sits across from me with a bright smile. "Go ahead, dear." I give her a small unsure smile as I pick up the spoon. I guess I will act like I'm eating so I don't hurt their feelings. Maybe I can't log off because I accidentally opened a mission? Another bug possibly? I take a bite of the soup and immediately spit it out. Holy shit that's hot! "Oh, careful dear! You have to blow on it first, it just came off the fire."