When she could, she would walk her dog in the virtual park. The physical park was always full of people who gave her anxiety. She managed better if she knew that the people around her just temporary illusions.
She did notice some consistencies, though. There was a quiet man who ate his lunch on a shaded bench. Since there were no consequences, she tried striking up a friendship.
Until one day, the program glitched, and the two of them found themselves standing in an empty room, understanding for the first time that the other was an actual person after all.

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