Intermission // Van McCann

18. Please Don't Die

We pulled away to catch our breath and my cheeks instantly turned red knowing that Iván and Professor Hayes were watching. I could hear sniffling behind me and I turned around to see Iván crying.

"I'm sorry! T-This is so much better than the telenovelas I watch!" Iván sobbed, dabbing at his eyes. "Oh my God. Please don't die, Ren."

I was already terrified and his words didn't help at all. "I'll try not to if I can help it," I replied, trying to crack a smile but I'm pretty sure it was a grimace.

I felt my jeans pocket to make sure I had my phone on me. I'll be needing it as a timer and for texting. I grabbed the lamp and stepped onto the time machine. Van was staring at me, not moving an inch until Professor Hayes reminded them to get ready.

"Are you ready, Ren?" Professor Hayes asked.

"I'm ready," I replied. I could hear the nerves in my voice.

"In 3...2...1...." Professor Hayes pressed the button and the familiar feeling engulfed me as the scene before me blurred until I was stood in front of the lab. I waited a few seconds for my body to get its bearing before taking a step forward.

I looked around and could see one lone student sitting on the floor leaning against the wall. She was reading a book with headphones in so she didn't notice me. I looked at the time and figured I just wasted a minute settling into my new environment so I quickly walked down the hall away from her so she wouldn't see me disappear. I wasn't sure what to expect as I've never had the power go out on me. How does it feel? I waited and waited, anticipating the time to run out and that's when I felt it. I doubled down and hit the floor, suddenly feeling unstable. I felt as if I was being split in two so I curled up onto the ground and shut my eyes tight until the feeling stopped.

It was quiet. Too quiet. All I could hear was my own breathing. I opened my eyes to darkness and sat up, knocking the lamp down. I blindly reached for where I thought the lamp was but couldn't see anything until I felt it. My hands touched every imaginable surface on the lamp before I found the switch and turned it on. Warm light bathed my face and I held the lamp up, looking around.

Suddenly remembering to set my timer, I set it for 28 minutes since I probably lost a few minutes trying to figure out what was happening. Once finished, I stood up and began walking forward. Although I had a lamp with me, it didn't help that much. I could only see a couple feet in front of me and when I strained my eyes to try to see further, I couldn't see anything but black. I turned 90 degrees to my left and shined the light. Then another 90 degrees, and then another until I think I made a full circle. It didn't matter what direction I went—everything looked the same. I don't even know where I started and it terrified me. I suddenly remembered to use my voice.

"Bondy?" I asked.

Even though my voice was low, my voice echoed as if I was talking at normal volume. My voice echoed longer than usual. It sounded like someone else was in the room mimicking my voice so I turned around constantly, expecting to spot a demon or monster. I put my hand over my heart to try to steady my pounding heart and began walking in a random direction.

Watching the video the spider collected is nothing compared to experiencing The Void, if this is what it is. The spider is unable to feel which is something I wish I wasn't capable of at the moment. Every little sound scared me. I had to get used to the sounds I was making being louder than usual.

"Bondy!" I shouted. "Is anyone here?" I listened to my echoes. I almost didn't hear it amongst the echoes but I swear I heard my name. I stopped moving and strained my ears to listen for my name again and I heard it. The voice was low but unmistakable. It was my name being called.