Once Upon a Story [ SLOW UPDATES ]

Glitched Reality

This was written as part of my amino 2022 advent entries. I did modify it a bit.

Prompt: Internet and Karma
You find yourself in a digital reality, facing the latest items of your search history.

Word count: 2008
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It was another morning spent in my anatomy class. I may sound like I'm complaining, but it's the contrary. I feel refreshed. It's such a wonderful thing; to sit in class half-asleep as I become a sponge and absorb large quantities of information.

We can all agree that it's the single most annoying thing you can ever experience. This morning couldn't get any worse. Of course, I lie when I say that. My friend came up to me after class, begging me to join this study with him. I almost sacked him then and there. But as society would have it, that would get me in trouble. So instead, I kindly asked him to "make like a tree and leaf before I return him to the dirt he rose from."

Least to say, he left me alone that day, that day and that day only. He came back the next day to our shared sociology course. Mind you: I have no qualms about joining a study. The problem lies with my friend. He's an eccentric guy with enough energy to out-growl a black bear. He could probably take him on if you gave him a coffee. Would he kill him? Of course not. That bear would fold him like a lawn chair.

So as I'm trying to keep up with the professor talking +5 words per second, he's whispering about the study. It involves a virtual reality experience personalized to the user. They'll lay you on a bed, connect you to a bunch of wires and strap that thick helmet on; his words, not mine. You come in for a few trials, lasting about an hour each time, and then you're free to go. They want to test the stability of the system. Mostly, they want to see if the AI can generate accurate images of given data.

Yes, I retained all of that, and yes, I haven't been able to listen to the professor because of it. I'm throwing this man out a window the second I get the chance.

"So? Are you up for it now?"

Knowing he won't leave me alone if I don't accept, I do. I would say against better judgment, but this is obviously the wrong thing to do. As an introvert with a battery in need of replacement, the energy I have drains fast. Usually, it's enough to get me to my bed before I inevitably break down, but this lovely cookie loves testing the battery life I don't have.

"By the way, class is over."

"If I fail the midterm, it's on you."

"You should've paid attention then."

Oh, when the public loses sight of us.

***

"When are you available?"

"Actually–"

"Same times as me. We have a similar schedule."

That was a detail you didn't have to mention–I must conserve energy. I'm already on low-power mode.

"We'll see you both tomorrow."

"Thanks! We're excited to be a part of this."

"Oh yes, we are," I laughed. "Now you'll have to excuse my partner and I. We have somewhere to go."

"We do?"

"Oh yes, the cemetery. I heard there's a new plot of land freed up."

"...Do you want food?"