Across the city, a number of people watch the digital clocks of their computers and phones, waiting for the minutes to tick by. In particular, one young woman sits in her new room. There had been a bit of a panic earlier as the University of Citropolis Halls’ Wi-Fi had seemed a bit unstable, but thankfully that has been sorted out now. As the clock switches to the new hour, she takes a deep breath and hits ‘enter’ on her message.

[Mod] Ada Oaks (she, 19): Hello everyone, and thank you for joining me for the first meeting of the Alan Hoyne Survivors Network Forum. Today’s just going to be introductions and discussions for the future of the network. I hope this will be a platform for help each other, talk about our experiences, and remember we aren’t alone. Please remember to put your pronouns and age in your name (unless you wish to remain anonymous), and don’t hesitate to ping me or any of the other moderators if you have any questions.

She lets out an exhale. For a few terrifying moments, there are no responses, and disaster scenarios run through her mind; nobody has shown up, the site has crashed, her message failed to send, but then there is a ping from her computer, followed by another, and another.

Clementine Grey (she/her, 26): Hello everyone?

Michael Hughs (they, 32): Hey!

[Mod] Jen Bryum (she/her, 19): Oh hi Clem, remember me?

a.higgins4: Hello everyone. I am sorry I do not know how to change my name? Or ‘ping’ a ‘moderator’?

Anonymous: hey

[Mod] Cass Coeus (21) (They/Them): @a.higgins4 You can change your name in the settings (the gear button in the bottom left corner) and you can use @ to ping anyone – the moderators are the people with [Mod] in their name, we help run the forum

Clementine Grey (she/her, 26): Jen! Yes, I remember you – you’re nineteen now? Man the time passes quickly. Do you remember that time with the chocolate and the ducks?

Anonymous: hi everyone. didnt think id ever touch anything with ‘alan hoyne’ on it with a barge pole but here i am I guess

Alex Higgins (He/Him, 40): @[Mod] Cass Coeus Thank you! I think I have figured it out. Thank you also to @[Mod] Ada Oaks for organising this, it is a lovely idea. It has been a long time since I have spoken to anybody from Alan Hoyne – or anybody at all, ha ha. How is the school? Is Mr. Blavatsky still teaching?

Watching the messages fly in, Ada takes a moment to let the relief wash over her before putting her hands on the keyboard and starting to type.