MHG-V1-2 (Initial Draft)

Chapter 1 - Just do as I say

A.start

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Ken stared out the window at the black void of the tunnel wall, mesmerised by the vertical white stripe that flashed by every 5 seconds and the ticking noise that accompanied it.

People.

The train was full of faceless people.

They had faces, and to each of them there was a world of people that knew them by that face. They had names, jobs, friends, lives. But to Ken they were all the same. They were like npcs in an online game. If they disappeared tomorrow Ken wouldnt even know; nor would he care. For all he knew, they could be void of souls, empty carcasses, driven about by some master artificial intelligence designed to fool him and make him believe this world was full of people.

A voice chirped in his ear lightly, waking him from his sleepy mood.

'Upper East City stop number 52 is next. Please exit on your left.'

Ken stood and made his way past the people standing to the door. As the train slowed he looked out the window. The emptiness of the tunnel faded away as the station entrance came into view. Shops, cafes, people, burst into view, a bustling area built out of the underground space.

Then Ken stepped out and made his way to a bookstore  He had to buy something for school. He reached the door and stopped.

'Turn left. Dont enter the store.'

Ken's eyes widened. Whose voice was that? It was electronic, but it wasnt from any of the  voicebanks in his pc.

'App?' He mouthed quietly.

'Messaging.' Came the stale computerised reply from his pc.

'Source '

'Unknown source.'

Unknown?

"Dont stand there! Hurry up and move! There isnt much time!" The voice busrt out again.

"Who are you?" Ken asked, amazed.

"It doesnt matter right now. But you have to listen to me. You have to get out of the building right now. If you don't..."

The voice cut off suddenly.

"If I dont what?" Ken asked, but no answer came.

Ken felt annoyed, but something within him compelled him to obey. He turned left and started walking down the corridor.

"Its too late!" The voice suddenly blurted out. "I cant get you outside in time but if youre quick I can find you somewhere safe. Turn left here."

Ken turned left down a narrow corridor and followed it to the end. There was a single door on the right.

"Go in "

Ken opened the door and stepped in. It was a cleaning cupboard.

" Shut the door and go the back wall."

He shut the door.

"Now kneel against the wall and put your hands over your head."

"Is this a sick j-"

Suddenly there was a rubbling noise and Ken felt himself thrown against the back wall. He briefly saw what looked like the far wall flying towards him when his eyes closed and he lost consciousness.