Comic Story
Panel 1
The glow of the screen is the only warmth I feel anymore.
Panel 2
Level up. Another achievement. Validation? For what, exactly?
Panel 3
Mom keeps calling. I should probably answer… eventually.
Panel 4
"Just five more minutes," I tell myself. I always do.
Panel 5
The pizza's cold. Again.
Panel 6
A knock? Who could that be?
Panel 7
Liam? What's he doing here?
Panel 8
He says I haven't left the apartment in weeks. I hadn't noticed.
Panel 9
"I brought you this," he says. "Something real."
Panel 10
It's a small succulent. Green and alive.
Panel 11
Maybe… maybe he's right. Maybe I need something real.
Panel 12
One step at a time.