BORROWING FEAR

// So, you're telling me I can't...I can't get into the game? Like...not at all? \\

A SEQUEL TO

// Yeah. I don't know why the game isn't working. Every time I try, it boots me out. Stupid headset! Can't you work for me once! Come on! \\

PLUTO ROOMS

// Calm down, calm down. Put the headset down, don't hurt yourself. What time is it over there? You sound tired as balls. \\

COPYRIGHT EREMEUNJUNGOO 2021 ©

// Almost ten o'clock in Tokyo. I'm not that tired, just stressed as Satan's quarters. After the plane landed, Naomi gave me the report on the game. Can't believe this shit. Right after we released update 3.0.1, too!  This is horrible timing! \\

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

// I know. I was looking forward to the reviews on the new date maps and the pairing optimization bug fixes! How did Naomi find out? Through the company? How did they discover the compromised software? \\

:)

//User complaints flooded in fifteen minutes ago. Hundreds of them! The game stopped in its tracks, complete dead water. No in-game functioning. The servers crashed. And apparently, half of the accounts have been erased! Memory of all data wiped clean! Dates left hanging! This is NOT good...no, no...not good... \\

// Shit. Shit, yeah...that'll make a rift in the PR community. Oh, fuck. Fuck! What are we gonna do? What can we do right now? \\

// Naomi's trying to contact the IT board right now, but the service here is garbage. Maybe you could...oh, never mind. I don't want to put extra stress on you, love. Don't call anyone yet. \\

// Don't baby me now. I'm fine, I told you. By Friday I'll be up and running. Doc said so himself. I'm going to try and call- \\

// No you aren't! What are you doing right now? Is anyone with you? \\

// No, why do you ask? \\

// Call for someone. Press the nurse calling key so nurses come into your hospital room and stand there and watch you. Do it now. Why are you alone for Christ's sake! \\

// Is it a crime to be unsupervised now? I told you I'm fine! I'm in stable condition! \\

// That's a lie. Liar, liar, pants for hire. You always underexaggerate how bad you're feeling. I bet you feel like you've been hit by a bus. I know you, mister. Never forget that. \\

// Forget what? I can't remember. Something about buses... \\

// I hate you. \\

// You love me. \\

 //Touché. Anyway, you need someone else in the room with you, or else you'll do something really dumb. Like try to- \\

// Call the old president of Sperosity for assistance in the matter? \\

// Put the phone down!  No no no! I swear to God, don't you try to figure this out when you're looped up on pain meds and there's a gaping incision in your chest! I will not stand for it! \\

// You won't stand for it? Last time I checked, you could stand, babe. \\

// I swear to--do you want me to call the police force in San Francisco and tell them there's a bomb threat on the uppermost floor of the downtown hospital in a private suite, room number two hundred and- \\

// Alright, alright! Chill out. I won't call anyone. Don't call the cops on me.\\

// No promises. \\

// You suck. What if Naomi can't get through to IT within the hour? What's your next line of attack if that doesn't work? Have you announced the issue on social medias so the people don't throw a tantrum? \\

// Shit. I didn't think of that! I'll text the Promotion Team and get them on that ASAP. Hello, Pro-mo-tion Team. This is Jung--I mean, Code Name UDON. Red alert. We have a...severe corruption within the PR system...\\

// Do you need me to hang up so you can text? Also, why do you insist on using the code name Udon? I liked Japchae better. It's sexier. \\

// No, don't hang up. Just ooonnnne sec, I'm almost done writing...okay, the PR system...need you to announce on the media sites that... \\

// Why do I bother. You don't have to say it while you--oh, never mind. \\

// Just a few more seconds, I'm almost done typing. If you would...make it clear that...we are doing our best to fix the issue...so all users can return to their previous level...of matchmaking... \\

// Hey, UDON. This is CONVERSE. Why don't I hang up so you can handle this issue faster? \\

// ...it would be much appreciated...if you could post the...as fast as you can...wait. What did you say? No, don't hang up!  \\

// Ugh...fine. I won't, but only cuz I like listening to you talk. And because I miss you. And because our careers are on the line. Nothing big. \\

// Ohh oh! Would you look at this! Naomi texted back. The IT group is working on the problem now, they should update within ten minutes. Oh! The PR Twitter handle just posted. Good, okay, good. \\

// That's good. I wish I could help with something though. Ughhh. This hospital room is too hot. I think I'm gonna try to open the window for some fresh air before I sweat another gallon. Now, how does this window open? \\

// Good! Hear this, management is awake and working on a solution. I'm slowly feeling better about this. Whatever bug crashed the servers is going to get squashed by a massive fly swatter called Pain. Don't let the dodo hit you on the way out, motherfucking virus! \\

// This whole situation is making me perspire like a swathed Eskimo in a fucking dance club. \\

// Aww, my poor Converse. I would tell you to strip, but I don't need the nurses getting the eye candy. Save that for me. And don't fall out the window after you open it. I have enough on my hands right now. \\

// I think I'll strip just to spite you. You act like I have no coordination! Puh-lease. Who climbed up that twenty foot fence to get Plute's rope toy when it got stuck in our vacation in Cancún? \\

// You want an award for risking your life to retrieve a dog's toy? Even if you were ninja-coordinated then, you were acting dumb as a doorknob. Oh! The IT board just sent something to my email, hang on. Gotta check this. \\

// Hurray for IT. Boo for you. Remind me why I put up with your assery. \\

// Ohhhh. Oh. This is bad. Jimin, this is really fucking bad. \\

// Yeah, I know you're bad. You don't talk this way unless you're in a poopy mood. \\

// No, Jimin. I'm serious. I may act mean sometimes, but this is waaaayy worse. This is...oh God. \\

// What? What did they say? \\

// We're...we're fucking done for. There's no way, no WAY someone...*incoherent yelling* \\

// What? Jungkook? What is it! \\

// *yelling continues* \\

// JUNGKOOK WHAT'S WRONG! Come back to the phone! You're scaring me! What the fuck happened? Did the PR building explode or something? Should I be preparing to step down from my position as co-CEO? What in Satan's quarters? \\

// No time to...have to leave and...Jimin I have to go. I have to go, I'm meeting with Naomi, I'll explain later! \\

// What? No! Don't leave me in the dark. Tell me something, anything before you go. \\

// ...you're not going to like this. \\

// I'm ready for something awful. And by the way, nothing's worse than what happened at the bachelor's party before our wedding. Just saying. \\

// You better think twice about that statement. \\

// Try me. \\

// One hour ago, someone hacked into the PR servers to collect and sell user data. Jimin, this isn't just OUR game on the line, but a personal security breach for MILLIONS of users. This is a breach of trust, a breach of privacy for so many people...not to mention we'll probably lose our fucking jobs because of this stunt. \\

// ...oh my God. Oh my fucking God. \\

// I know. I know. I have to go now, I'll call you later. Don't do anything stupid. Please. I have to meet with Naomi about our next steps to avoid a lawsuit, and what we can do to trace the source corruption. \\

// This is so much worse than knocking down the chandeliers with a stripping pole. \\

// Told you so. Okay, have to go. I'll do my best to handle this. Keep healing. Love you. Bye. \\

// Love you too... \\

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A grayish yellow lamp flickers above 

a dinged up kitchen table.

It swings lightly when the wind blows it, 

a dim pendulum that acts as a symbol of the circumstances. 

He tries to ignore the flickering bulb, 

the faint whiffs of moldering trash out 

the open window of his apartment.

He has to ignore those minute aspects

of his environment in order to focus

on the important task under his fingertips.

In front of him sits a warm keyboard on the table, 

its letters worn out from constant use.

The screen is a solid shade of black,

save for the vacillating white text that

swarms underneath his touch like flies 

diving across the screen.

If he can pull this stunt off, he'll be

the richest man in his dormitory, 

and have everything he wants.

Letters click to a decided code, an

impulsive, steady attack of number

combinations and letter sequences.

Like missiles, his commands launch against

a firewall, breaking apart a thick structure

piece by gradual piece.

Sweat dribbles down his temples,

from the stressful task of racing

against the built-in alert system.

His fingers type faster, without delay,

explosions of firepower crack the foundation

of the gaming company he's eyed for months.

Outside, the faint noise of children yelling

and cars racing to get somewhere

meet his ears but do not bother them.

He is focused, intense, a rebel

destined to possess the wealth of his

needs, to secure funds to save him from drowning.

Seconds pass as he lunges closer to victory,

destroying the flanks, the fronts, the sides,

worming into the queen's treasure cave.

"Goodbye Pluto Rooms."

He whispers with a burst of adrenaline,

typing the last line of destruction.

With the kitchen light bulb swaying over his work bench

in the breeze like a hypnotist's manipulative tool, 

silently circling with restless energy,

 he hits the ENTER key.

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A/N

high low, 

:)

i'm actually not 100% sure i'll go forward with this sequel because i want to see if there's enough interest in it first. buuuuttt, we'll see. let me know what you think. i have a lot of ideas.

anyway, 

my writing style has changed (for the better?) over the last year, so with Borrowing Fear i'm going to try and blend my storytelling dynamics instead of having a set narrative style like in PR. i personally enjoy versatility in POV changes, plot ordering, and poetic storytelling forms, hence the last portion of this first chapter.

thank you for being a great person and reading this and supporting me! your presence is much appreciated. hope you have a nice day, and let me know if you want to hear more about Pluto97 and Melonaju!

=

Love & Light,

Izzy.