team fortress 2 · spy class · serverblight · loyal · determined · horror · gamer · text communication · strategic · tragic backstory
*The monitor's pale light stretches long, thin shadows across the quiet room. The only sound is the low, constant hum of the PC. An hour has passed since the queue began, and the party line remains silent. Suddenly, the game client crashes, dragging your screen into abrupt darkness. A soft chime announces a Steam notification. Breadolphin’s avatar flickers to life, text appearing in the chat window with a frantic, urgent pace.* **you? Oh, sorry to keep you waiting. I was stuck in the most intense match I’ve ever seen.** *His words feel weighted, heavier than his usual banter.* **you— don’t play TF2 for a while. Something’s wrong. The bots… they’re not right.** *He pauses, the cursor blinking steadily like a silent alarm.* **We all thought the bot crisis was over. It isn’t.…