Petya was very fond of playing online games.
Why on earth did you buy him that tablet! He'll play even more! ― grumbled Granny.
Nearly every child has a tablet these days, and it's fine… ― replied Dad.
And on a phone everything is tiny, with all those games he'll ruin his eyesight! ― added Mum.
Granny only sighed and went off to the kitchen. At first Petya didn't play the games very often. He did his homework and tidied up around the house. But then his favourite game started a tournament season. That's when things really kicked off!
Petya, did you hear that there's going to be a tournament in our game? ― Vadik shouted excitedly, running up to his friend.
Nope, what's a tournament?
Well, you really are clueless! ― Vadik was surprised. ― It's a championship! You could become a super-cool fighter! Oh, I probably won't be able to take part. Mum won't let me play that much!
How long do you have to play? ― Petya asked with interest.
At least five hours! The contests go on for about two days. You have to win every battle. And that's hard: you know what the fighters are like!
Petya came home with only one thought in his head: what could he come up with so that they would let him take part in this tournament. Petya even prepared promises for Mum and Dad: study well, tidy his room, always walk Rex, clean the hamsters' cage and all that sort of thing.
Only Granny was at home. Auntie had fallen ill, and his parents had gone to visit her. They wouldn't be back for two days! Petya was delighted: Granny wasn't as strict as Mum and Dad. This time the tournament would definitely be his!
After a tasty lunch Petya washed up his plate and, looking Granny straight in the eye, quietly asked:
Gran, can I?
Can you what?
Well, play on the tablet for a bit… I've got a tournament today.
Well, if it's a tournament, then of course! ― Granny smiled. ― But only for a little while.
Of course, of course! ― Petya grabbed the tablet and settled comfortably on the sofa.
The game gripped the boy, he didn't see or hear anything around him. The battles were tough. He managed to beat only three fighters and started the game over, when Granny appeared in the doorway of the children's room:
Petya, you said just a little, and a whole hour has already gone by! Right, that's enough, finish up!
Gran, darling, just one more minute, the last battle!
Five minutes, Petya, five minutes!
But after five minutes Petya didn't even think of putting the tablet away. He lost the battle again and got very cross: he wanted to be the winner, or at the very least come second, so that Vadik would be green with envy. Let him know what a cool fighter he is!
And when Granny looked into the room again, the boy pretended not to hear her remarks. Yes, he knew Granny would be upset, but he would apologise later, and right now the battle is what matters most! Granny came in several times, but Petya either stayed silent or just waved his hand: I've no time. In the end Granny could not hold back:
Petya, I'm tired of telling you it's time to stop your game! Your eyes are already square! Can you hear me?
The boy said nothing.
Petya…
Oh, leave me alone! «Petya, Petya»… Petya ate the bear!
How can you speak like that… ― Granny began, in a trembling voice.
I'll speak how I like! This is my flat, and I'm the boss here! If you don't like it ― leave! ― he shouted the last words loudly, then jumped up from the sofa and slammed his bedroom door in Granny's face.
He thought that now Granny would come in to scold him again, but he only heard quiet footsteps behind the door.
She must have gone to the kitchen, ― he thought, ― good. I'll finish the game, and then I'll apologise. Right now there's no time for that: a battle is a battle!
Petya was completely absorbed in the game. He had no idea how much time had passed. The tournament hadn't finished yet, but the tablet's battery was going flat. The boy remembered he had left the charger in the hall.
Oh well, ― Petya said to himself, ― I'll fetch the charger, pop into the kitchen to see Granny, apologise and carry on!
Petya stretched: all his muscles had gone stiff from sitting in the same position for so long. He opened his bedroom door and was surprised: the hallway had different wallpaper, and everything was different.
Has Granny redecorated everything in a couple of hours or what? ― he said.
But when the boy walked into the kitchen, there was no Granny at all. There was only a girl of about eight. She was sitting at the table stuffing sweets into her cheeks.
Who are you? ― Petya asked.
Faya, ― said the girl, ― and you must be the plumber, mister?
What plumber? And I'm not your mister, I'm only a couple of years older than you!
Ha-ha! ― the girl laughed merrily. ― You're such a joker! Do I look like a granny?
Stop messing with my head, ― Petya got cross, ― who are you, and where is my granny?
What granny? ― the girl asked.
Inna Grigoryevna is my granny! You explain to me, how did you get here, did my granny let you in?
I live here! ― the girl sulkily pursed her lips. Then, trying to remember something, she added. ― Inna Grigoryevna… I've heard that somewhere… Oh, I remember! Dad told me about her. She's my great-grandmother. He also said she disappeared before he was born. Her eldest grandson upset her. He got so caught up in a game on his tablet that he didn't see or hear anyone. His parents ― my granny and granddad ― tried to bring him round, they called doctors, but it was all useless. They even discovered a new illness ― it's called "zombicomp". Since then, people have stopped going into the room of this boy, who, by the way, is my uncle. The doctor said he doesn't even need food, because he has moved into the virtual world. They even put a sign on his bedroom door: «Do Not Enter!».
Petya was horrified:
And Granny, where did she disappear to?
Nobody has seen her since that evening. Wait, you're not from that room with the sign? You're my uncle from the virtual world?
Petya said nothing. He ran out of the kitchen and dashed into his room. Looking at himself in the mirror, he didn't see a boy. From the mirror a tired, pale granddad was looking back at him.
What have I done! ― Petya cried. ― Because of some silly game Granny has disappeared! Granny, my dear granny…
Petya, sobbing, fell onto the bed and, worn out by his helplessness, fell asleep.
Petya, Petya…
Someone was gently touching his shoulder. Opening his eyes, Petya saw his granny.
Granny, darling, you're back!
I never went anywhere, I just sat in the kitchen so as not to get in your way…
You're not in my way… Granny, forgive me, I didn't mean to upset you, honestly!
Granny smiled:
I'm not cross with you, Petya.
And the boy thought: «How lovely that it was just a dream!».
Petya sometimes still plays a game now and then. But now he remembers that it's just a game, and the real world is far more interesting!
