Gaming - Another Realm - My Anti-Drug

A story for all those who use Gaming as their Anti-Drug.

     After a long day of what feels like meaningless labor I turn the key in the lock and finally I'm home. I throw my coat on the couch and head for the bathroom. I look in the mirror at the grime stained face that is supposed to be mine but all I see is a familiar stranger. Someone I'm supposed to know but just can't seem to place.

     Once I've made my peace with the familiar stranger I shed my sweaty clothes and step into the shower. I pull the curtain shut and turn on the water. It's cold at first but soon steam fills the bathroom. I stand under the water letting it roll over me. Taking with it my grime, sweat and annoyance. I can feel my muscles loosening as the blood begins to flow. I give a harsh sigh as if I'm breathing out a poisonous cloud of contempt. I stand under the water a few moments longer before turning the water off and stepping out.

     I run my hand along the mirror clearing it of steam and now I see something new in the mirror. The familiar stranger has been replaced with a fresh face with wide sky blue eyes and a mischevious grin. I know this person for sure. He is a good friend of mine. A fighter and a lover. With the strength to go through Hell each night and have it wiped away with just a little hot water.

     Finally after finding some fresh clothes from my room I join my coat on the couch and grab my controller. I turn on the TV and cross into another realm. A realm of monsters and demons that quake in my presence. Sure the real world is great but this realm offers me an escape. I meet up with a few friends of mine and head out for a good days questing. At the end of the day my pockets will be filled with digital treasures that will aid me in future quests.

     Some people say that my adventures into this other realm serve no purpose but to cripple my hold on reality. They say I should do something more productive with my time. I ask them why they think they have the right to tell me what is productive! Who are they to decide what serves purpose and what doesn't?

     These same people doing smack and getting hammered on a daily basis! They are not better than I. It makes me laugh to hear them slur their words as they call me a freak. I may be a freak but at least my lungs and liver won't let me down when things get tough. At least I don't have to hide my hobby away from the authorities. At least I don't live my life in the shadows.

      So next time people take it upon themselves to tell you being a Gamer is a waste of time. Just laugh and say at least I'm not blowing my brain-cells away with drugs and alchohal. At least I'm not burning my life away at both ends. At least I'm not dabbling in evil. Look at them with a smile and tell them all the evil you've slain. Tell them all the friends you've made and all the foes you've put in their place. Tell them that that other realm is your Anti-Drug! Game on people! Game on!

Reviews

[Popble]

Not to mention being a gamer can make for an honest living! Anyone who says video games are a waste of time doesn't know what they're talking about. It not only offers a better way to escape, it also, well, depending on what game, can build your intellect and whatnot. Drugs and alcohol and all that, they do nothing for them. I never heard of a gamer skipping work because they played a great game the previous day. I've never heard of a gamer who went and beat someone because they were in the middle of a good game. There's probably those cases, but those peiople already have problems. This is a great story, very relateable, good work.