Meredith Jackson spent countless hours plugging into a metaverse, amassing a wealth of cyber properties, businesses, and friendships.


    One day, a network glitch shut everything down.


    Meredith stepped outside to see what was happening, covering her eyes from the bright sunlight.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    She saw her next-door neighbor also step outside in a robe. Both of them appeared disheveled, overweight, and worn.


    "Do you hear the birds singing and tree leaves rustling in the wind?" she asked her neighbor.


    The neighbor nodded, and they both started to cry.


    Worldwide the news reported a growing epidemic of missing persons never to be found.