“The ‘Sleuth of Shadows.’”

  Runebelle hesitated after hearing that name announced by her sister in her mind. “It’s a little too...”

  Sadie, sensing Runebelle’s hesitation, finished her sentence. “Mysterious?”

  Runebelle nodded. “Yeah, it’s kind of...mysterious. I’m not sure about it.”

  Sadie gave her a warm smile on the irust me, it’ll be fi’s the perfeame for our iigation, unc secrets and revealing truths without having to reveal who we truly are.”

  With Runebelle’s doubts put to rest, they proceeded to create the at uhe he Sleuth of Shadows.”

  Runebelle, with Sadie’s guidaarted actively engaging in various topi the game’s online forums. She shared the insights and strategies they had used to defeat the doppelgangers and provided helpful advice to fellow pyers who were fag simir challenges. Her posts garnered positive responses, with other pyers gave their gratitude for her assistance.

  After their oivities, they decided it was time to tackle the real world. They went shopping for Runebelle’s new school outfit, making sure it erfect fit and in lih her personal style. Runebelle tried on the new clothes, realizing they not only looked great but were fortable and allowed for better mobility.

  Returning home, Runebelle decided to try her hand at cooking dinner. With Sadie’s encement and her Mother’s assistance from within, she successfully prepared a delieal for herself, learning valuable cooking tips along the way.

  At night, Rune belle settled into her bed. It had been aful day. She felt a growing sense of fidend te.

  Runebelle’s Mother, whispered within her mind, “I’m so proud of you, Runebelle. You’ve e a long way today.”

  With a smile on her face, Runebelle closed her eyes and whispered back, “Thank you, Mom. I couldn’t have things today it without you.”

  With that heartfelt exge, Runebelle drifted off to sleep.

  Runebelle awoke to the warmth of the m sun streaming through her curtains. It was a new day, and her first order of business was to check the forums of Epic Quest: Realm of Shadows. When she was logged in, her eyes widened in astonishment at what she saw.

  The threads about “The Sleuth of Shadows” were filled with posts from the pyers she had helped the previous day. They praised her for her extensive knowledge of the game and the valuable advice she had provided. It brought a smile to her face.

  With a sense of fulfillment, Runebelle tio eh the gaming unity, sharing her insights, strategies, and answering questions. She was being a trusted source of information, all while maintaining her identity as “The Sleuth of Shadows.”

  Years had passed, and Runebelle was no lohe high school student she once was. She had embarked on her college journey, and the responsibilities of her studies had grown. However, her dedication to the game and her ongoing role as “The Sleuth of Shadows” on the Epic Quest: Realm of Shadows forums remained unwavering.

  On a sunny college m, Runebelle sat at her desk, a ptop before her, and a pile of textbooks stacked to the side. She checked the forums as part of her daily routiill dedicated to assisting her fellow pyers and maintaining her vigint watch for any hints that could ect the game’s narrative to Shadowcroft’s as in the real world.

  She scrolled through the forum threads. Runebelle felt familiarity with her two panions who shared her thoughts from within. Her Mother’s offered a gentle good m, followed by Sadie’s inquisitive greeting.

  Runebelle responded in kind. “Good m to both of you. Another day, another set of mysteries to unravel.”

  Runebelle suddenly blinked in surprise wheiced that she had a private message notification on the forums. It was a rare occurrence, and she wasn’t quite sure how to proceed. She quickly turo her panions fuidance.

  “Hey, Sadie, and Mom,” Runebelle began, “I just received a private message on the forums. I’ve never gotten one of these before. What should I do? Should I open it?”

  Her Mother responded, “Runebelle, dear, it’s entirely up to you. You choose to open it or not. Just be cautious and sider whether the message seems genuine and relevant to your is.”

  Sadie chimed in with a hint of curiosity. “It might be from someone reciates your help on the forums or someoh a game-reted question. Go ahead and open it. We always decide how to respond once we see what it says.”

  With her panions’ advi mind, Runebelle decided to open the private message to see what y within.

  The private message read:

  Skygirl296:

  Hey there, Sleuth of Shadows! I ’t believe I’m actually messaging you. I’m a huge fan of your posts and how you help everyo on the forums. You’re like, a legend here!

  So, I heard some wild rumors tely. People are saying that Epic Quest: Realm of Shadows might be turning into a real-life game soon. you believe it? I thought I’d reach out to you because, well, if these rumors are true, we should totally meet up and explore this together! I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.

  Hope to hear from you soon!

  Runebelle read the message, feeling some excitement and curiosity about the rumors mentioned. She looked to Sadie and her Mother for their thoughts.

  Runebelle mulled over Skygirl296′s message and her own feelings about it. She finally mustered the ce to speak to Sadie and her Mother.

  “I’ve never had a friend before, not in real life or oher than Micah... I’ve been alone for so long that it’s almost bee... f. But now, this message from Skygirl296, it’s like a whole new world is opening up, and I’m scared. What if she doesn’t like me or thinks I’m weird?”

  Sadie echoed in Runebelle’s mind, “Runebelle, this person reached out to you because they admire what you’ve dohey’re a fan, and that means they already like you. Give it a ce. You never know what kind of friendship might blossom.”

  Her Mother followed. “Runebelle, dear, you’ve e so far. It’s natural to feel scared, but even if you are, don’t fet that we are going to be with you no matter what. Go on hun, write a reply to her.”

  Runebelle took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll give it a try.”

  She typed her response, her firembling slightly:

  SleuthofShadows:

  Hi Skygirl296,

  Thank you so much for your kind words. It means a lot to me that my posts have helped you and others. As for the rumors, I’ve heard them too, and I think it’s intriguing. Meeting up sounds like a good idea. We will meet at…

  Runebelle stared at her response, her fingers h over the keyboard. “Oh no,” she muttered, a frown f on her face. “I don’t have a meeting p mind.”

  Sadie chimed in helpfully. “What about the Silver Star Arcade?”

  Runebelle hesitated. “Why there?”

  Sadie responded with a nostalgie.” Oh, I used to go there before. It’s a little run-down, but people still like to go there. It’s got this charm, you know? Plus, it’s a pce where gamers gather, so it makes sense for you two to meet there.”

  Runebelle sidered Sadie’s suggestion a a warmth in her heart. “Alright, the Silver Star Arcade it is.” She began typing again:

  SleuthofShadows:

  Hi Skygirl296,

  Thank you so much for your kind words. It means a lot to me that my posts have helped you and others. As for the rumors, I’ve heard them too, and I think it’s intriguing. Meeting up sounds like a good idea. How about we meet at the Silver Star Arcade this Saturday at 2 PM? Looking forward to it!

  -R.

  She hit send and leaned ba her chair. “Well, it’s done. Now we’ll wait until Saturday…” Risebelle then sighed. “Now let’s deal with…the first day of College …”

  Runebelle, filled with excitement and nervousness, prepared herself for her first day of college. With her backpack packed and her mind, she headed out the door and off towards the institution of higher learning.

  On her first day of college, Runebelle felt unease while walking through the full campus. Students chatted and ughed in small groups, and she overheared whispers and hushed ents about her unique hair.

  Feeling self-scious, Runebelle made her way to her first css, hoping to blend into the background and go unnoticed. However, it seemed that her striking hair had already gartention.

  “Whoa, she’s so tall. Must be at least six feet,” oudent remarked.

  “Look at her hair, it’s like a rainbow,” another whispered.

  “She looks kinda odd, don’t you think? Creepy-looking.” a third chimed in.

  Runebelle navigated the sea of students. Sadie and Runebelle’s Mother, ever-present ihoughts, felt the profound sadhat came to their shared sciousness.

  Sadie khat they o uplift Runebelle’s spirits. She started. “Remember, Runebelle, it’s our differehat make us unique and special. Don’t let the opinions of others define your self-worth. You’re here to learn, grow, and follow your path.”

  Runebelle’s Mother added, “You have the strength to rise above this. Be yourself a your inner light shine. You are not alone, and you’ll find friends reciate you for who you are.”

  Runebelle, bolstered by their words, pushed through the initial disfort a her gaze focused on her goals.

  Wheered her first , she picked a seat in the back, hoping to find some sembnce of anonymity. Her cssmates gnced her way with curiousity.

  “Do you think she’s a model or something?” a girl seated nearby asked her friend.

  “Maybe she’s an athlete. With that height, she could be,” the friend responded, gng at Runebelle with i.

  Runebelle entered simir reas from her fellow students throughout the day. Most students seemed to avoid iing with her. She felt like an outsider once more, and the lonelihat had pgued her in high school threateo resurface.

  However, wheered her final css for the day, a familiar girl with short red hair and warm brown skin turo her with a friendly smile.

  “Hey there,” the girl greeted Runebelle. “I couldn’t help but notice your hair. It’s beautiful.”

  Runebelle was suprised by the ued pliment. She managed a small, grateful smile in respohank you. I’m Runebelle.”

  The girl extended her hand. “I’m Mica. It’s o meet you, Runebelle.”

  At that moment, a plex whirlwind of emotions swirled within Runebelle. She was taken by surprise by the friendliness of the enter, but she already khis person. They had a history together in her younger days.

  fused and guarded, Runebelle shook Mica’s hand with a tentative smile. “o meet you, Mica.”

  Runebelle’s Mother and Sadie, both aware of the past events, resonated with her sense of uainty.

  Runebelle and Mica walked together after school. The versation flowed betweehey talked about various topics, including their college experiences, hobbies, and aspirations. Despite Runebelle’s lingering uainty about their history, she found herself enjoying the versation and Mica’s friendly pany.

  After awhile, Runebelle slowed her pace, turning to Mica thoughtfully. “Mica, I have to ask something. Are you sure this is the first time we’ve met? It’s just... you seem so familiar to me.”

  Mica met Runebelle’s gaze with a warm and genuine smile. “Yes, this is truly our first meeting, but I feel a e with you, Runebelle. Maybe it’s just a strong sense of déjà vu you’re having? Me too but regardless, I’m gd we’ve met now!”

  Runebelle’s curiosity persisted, but she decided to trust Mica’s words for the time being. “Well, I have a friend that I o meet, so I’ll be going now…”

  Runebelle turo leave, but she felt Mica’s gentle hand on hers. Startled, she turned back, only to find Mica getting close with a slightly flushed. Before Runebelle could react, Mica pulled her down to her level and pressed a soft, ued kiss on her lips.

  Runebelle blinked in surprise. ‘... I wasn’t expeg that.’