At 6 am, Marsha waited in line to pick up rations.


    At 8 am, she exercised at a local park.


    At 9 am, she returned home to paint.


    At noon, she ate lunch.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    At 1 pm, she plugged into the ''metaverse.''


    Instead of seeing acquaintances—a man''s face appeared with a gray beard and glasses:


    "This isn''t natural! We''re being herded like sheep by an ‘AI shepherd.’


    "Our ancestors once had freedom ...


    "Yes, it was unpredictable, insecure, and often downright dangerous—but every moment was theirs to own and choose!


    "Damn, it’s tracing me. I’ll return!"


    His image faded.