Disgusted and horrified at the ugly, pale, emaciated face, Astrid screams and jumps away from the device. The head stares at her with hollow and unblinking eyes.
She catches her breath back. She is almost crying, with fear and frustration and confusion.
"Who are you?" She demands loudly. There is no reply from the head. "What are you?" She asks again. No reply.
She walks slowly and apprehensively closer to the device on the wall. She notices how the lights on the keyboard are flashing. She nervously moves her hand closer and begins to type.
"W-H-O-A-R-E-Y-O-U"
Astrid doesn't seem to know if this would do anything, but it seems to trigger some kind of reaction. Some lights on the keyboard light up in sequence.
"I-C-A-N-H-E-L-P-Y-O-U"
It isn't exactly a direct answer to the question, but Astrid is grateful all the same. Finally, something that could help! She types again, this time asking how to remove the final screw. The following keys lit up in order:
"T-E-L-L-M-E-W-H-O-Y-O-U-K-N-O-W"
Who I know? Astrid thinks. Who exactly does she know? She doesn't know anyone very well except the woman with the gold gun, and the man with the silver necklace. There was one more, wasn't there? Of course, the person who knows the password.
As she types this information into the device, she ponders over the risks of giving away this information. Could it be used against her? Or them? But what use would it be to a computer in the wall?
After she finishes typing, the screen on the device goes black. The lights in the room go dark. Oh great, Astrid thinks. The power's gone out. If the device was the only way to get out of here, now what?
But, as she thinks that she'll be stuck in here forever, a small and familiar tinkling noise is heard behind her. The sound of a screw falling.
A screw? The final screw? All of them had fallen! She is overjoyed to notice this, but I am metaphorically stamping my foot in annoyance. As well as frustration, I also feel fear. I fear for this girl's future. If she gets out, a dangerous world is waiting out her. A horribly real world. I don't want her to get out.
The flap of the trapdoor falls open, followed by shouts of 'Jax! Come here, it's open!' and 'Coming, Milla.' A ladder is dropped down to her by two people, presumably Jax and Milla. 'Grab on and climb up!' Milla shouts through the hole in the ceiling. Astrid does as she is told.
Astrid has no idea who these people are. Why are they helping her? Did she once know them but forgot them? She is so confused and just wants to get out of this place, wherever she is.
Then she notices. The gun in Milla's pocket. And the necklace round Jax's neck. Gold and silver.
YOU ARE READING
This Reality
Mystery / ThrillerA psychological story told by the voice in the head of the main character. In a world where fictional works are forbidden, they wake up in the room. They don't know where, or who, or what they are. They meet some people. Some mysterious people. As t...
