The Abstraction Chronicles: The Abstract

Chapter 4: A Visitor Greets Me In My Mind

Being in a dark forest around Void knows what time it is, isn't a pleasant experience let me tell you. It feels like I'm in a cliché horror movie. Looking around, I'm in a clearing with a full moon above me. This might count as being pretty if it wasn't so dread-inducing. Hearing a sharp *crack* I look over my shoulder.

At first, I can't see anything as I peer into the darkness of the forest. But slowly someone starts to walk out into the moonlight. It's at this moment that if my brain was working it would have stopped completely. Staring back at me was a complete duplicate of myself. "Zane Ackerman?" He asks in my voice.

"Yes? That's me." I reply a bit hesitantly.

"How are you liking the Abstract?" The duplicate asks with a smile.

"Okay, I guess? It's better in a lot of ways from where I grew up. But I still miss my friends. Who are you anyway?"

"Well, I'm you of course, and I'm here to help you get back to Reality. Would you like to know how to do that?"

"Sure," I say not believing what I'm hearing.

"There's the First Key made by the Abstract. It's housed in a vault in the middle of the city. If you retrieve it, you will be able to travel back to Reality. Once, of course, you bring it to the Gate. You may continue your life as normal before these unfortunate series of events."

"What's in it for you?" I ask.

"Freedom. Freedom to do what we want." "Who's we?"

At this my clone winks at me, smiling and saying, "Why, you and I of course!" Looking at his bare wrist he says in a mock tone. "I believe that's all the time we have right now. Why don't you think about it? We will be in contact soon. Good luck today, I'll be watching."

Snapping awake, I turn to the sound of someone banging on my door. Opening the door I'm greeted with a giant hug from Saxley. "Good morning! Are you ready for the scrimmage?" Saxley asks as he crushes the breath out of my lungs.

"Yeah, how did you guys know where I live?" I wheeze as Saxley hugs me even tighter.

"Farin told us to come get you for breakfast beforehand." Cynthia says as she ducks around the hug from Saxley.

"I should have known. Let's head out then." I laugh. As we get to the giant pyramid food hall which I'm still not accustomed to mind you, we find that it's jam-packed full of people talking about the scrimmage. "Seems like a popular event!" I say aloud over the crowd.

"It is." Saxley points out, there's a lot of bragging rights between scouting parties. "Not to mention, if you do well, the higher-ups like Farin will select you to go on missions outside of the City."

"We will do well. Now stop worrying and start eating." Cynthia says, looking mildly annoyed. About thirty minutes later what sounds like a large bell echoes from the top of the pyramid. "I guess it's time for the scrimmage." I say.

"Don't worry, everything will turn out fine." Cynthia smiles as we start toward the drill field. Once we got there Farin was in the middle of a crowd with what looked to be a microphone.

"I wonder how the scrimmage will go down this time, it changes location, and Dweller type each match to keep things interesting." Cynthia excitedly says.

"I can't say I share your enthusiasm at the moment." I say somewhat scared out of my

mind.

"It's your first time so we'll try and protect you." Adds Saxley.