The engine turns off; Kyle slides the key out of the ignition, looking out his window at the big grey stone building that was his home away from home a while ago. I say was, because before everything changed, the last days that I was with Kyle he had been out of work with his contract being up. His employers have been in contact with him throughout this entire time, and if the accident had not happened, Kyle would have returned to work weeks before now.


    “Kyle!” He jumps at the sound of the voice calling his name, startled by his friend Kevin. Kyle opens his car door and steps out “Hey man how have you been? We have all been thinking about you.”


    “I’m okay.” Kyle manages to say. He has been used to being on his own for the past little while with his parents having returned to their home.


    Kevin smiles encouragingly, “Well that’s good man. You know if you want to hang out you are always welcome to give me a call.”


    “Thanks” Kyle appreciates the company, but having been alone, the company of another feels a little foreign now.


    They walk into the office together. Kyle goes through the motions of getting a new office pass and meeting his boss after. He returns to a new desk at a window cubicle, which is a thankful bonus from the windowless cubicle he used to have. His morning goes by fast, in a good way. So many of his friends and colleagues stop in and welcome him back.


    Noon arrives and he finds his way down to the cafeteria, seeing Kevin and a group of others at the table. “Hey man, I have a spot here for you.” Kevin says in a loud booming voice. He waves Kyle over after grabbing his attention, as well as the attention of the entire cafeteria. “So, how’s it going? Did you see those retarded test cases that they have us working on?”Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Kyle chuckles, “Yah, I asked Steve about them, but couldn’t get a straightforward answer. I may just go to Diane after lunch to find out what they want me to do.”


    Kevin agrees, “Yah Diane knows what she is talking about. Say, I haven’t seen you online for a while; how about we make plans to do some online gaming together, you know, stalk up on energy drinks, junk food, and do some quests and dungeon’s together, how about it?”


    Kyle pauses not sure how he feels about it, Robin used to be his main partner when it came to playing video games. “Um well, ah yah we can play sometime.”


    Kevin smiles, “That’s great man, how about this Friday night and I can maybe crash at your place?”


    Kyle knows that he is not there yet, he needs to get used to the idea. “Not this weekend. I have other plans.” Kevin senses that Kyle is feeding him a lie, but does not push it, instead gives an uncertain smile and nod. Kyle sees the effect that his let down has on his friend and uncomfortably he continues, “Give me this weekend to get some work done and by next weekend I will have enough time to pick up a game card and reactivate my online account.”


    Kevin’s ears perk up to the confirmation, “It will be fun, and I heard they have this crazy new expansion.” The conversation carries on and before long lunch is over and eventually, the workday is done, and Kyle finds himself back home in an empty house with only Smarty to keep him company.


    For the first time in a while, he is happy to be at home from having worked a full day and spending time with his colleagues. He is starting to feel like himself and not some empty shell. He settles down with our loyal little dog Smarty on the couch. The phone rings.


    “Hello?”


    “Hey Kyle, how was your first day back? The caller asks.


    “Oh, hey Dad, it was good.”