The basement door burst open. Static screamed. And Kai pulled the headset back on, ready to wage a war between the living and the digital dead—with his best friend’s ghost at his side.

Now, Kai logged in for the first time since the funeral. The game loaded: Ghost Hunt: Infiltration . His character, a scrawny paranormal investigator named Dex, stood in the dim lobby. The server list showed only one option: Ping: 0ms.

Tears blurred Kai’s vision. “I miss you, man.”

Not a zombie. Not a monster. Leo in his favorite hoodie, the one with the frayed cuff. He was translucent, rendered in shimmering wireframes and particle effects, but his face was painfully clear. He smiled.