N o n - e x i s t e n c e

Chapter 2

Because nothing but failure follows.

Aren't you tired of being trapped in this tiny pod?

My heart jumped in my chest. Well, I think it did anyways. I'm not totally sure if it can still do that. What was that? I don't think that was my own thought.

Hello, Subject 27.

Are you a Lab admin?

Haha, no. I don't think your precious Lab admins are advanced enough to be able to communicate with telepathy. That is something that no current science can achieve.

Then what are you?

You'll find out, eventually. Anyways, welcome to the Non-existence. It is a pleasure to meet you.

Are you talking to everyone else as well?

Curious one, aren't you? You can call me Apollo.

Okay, that's creepy. That definitely isn't me talking to myself. Unless cryostasis has actually driven me crazy.

Wait, did they say welcome to the NON-EXISTENCE? You mean, it's real? Of course, they were right! There IS nothing to worry about!

Alright. I am going to open your cryopod. It's a bit early, but you'll survive. It may be painful, but I will help you. Nobody else will be out, though.

Oh. Okay. Why would it hurt, though?

The liquid that they put in your body to keep your organs from freezing and not functioning is still there. You'll need to cough it up. Also, the box in your mouth is going to be yanked out pretty forcefully. That was what prevented you from starving and dehydrating. It continuously pumped food and water into your body. Ice and the box also prevented you from aging. Anyways, the pod will be opening now.

This Apollo freak wasn't lying. I felt the case around my body begin to break. My vision went from black to orange. The stuff that kept my eyes closed was crusty and now began to crack and fall away.

I opened my eyes. Holy shit, it was like staring directly into the sun. I closed them again, then slowly, letting my eyes adjust, opened them again.

I very slowly shifted my arms. Pressed them against the back of the pod and sat up. Oh my fucking god. It felt so GOOD to actually MOVE. Still slowly, I climbed out of the pod, placing my bare feet on the floor.

Look to the right.

I obeyed. Turning my head, I saw thirty lockers. I moved cautiously towards it, and saw tags on each locker. It said who the locker belonged to. I, obviously, went to the twenty seventh locker, where it said "Subject 27." I put in my code, and opened my locker. There was my clothes and belongings, and a piece of paper on the back of the locker door. First of all, I put my clothes back on. It was weird to wear clothes for the first time in forever.

Next, I took a look at the paper. It read:

Hello, Subject 27!

You may be a bit curious as to where you are, and about the spacecraft!
If you don't remember, you're on a mission to enter the Non-existence and find out what happened to a previous team that vanished into this place a few years back.
We have an AI known as Bells here, that you can direct any questions to. Just say "Bells" and then state your question.
As for the layout of the spacecraft. Your level is the second level from the bottom. You have yourself and the first 30 Subjects with you on this floor.
The next three levels also have pods. There is an elevator located next to Subject 1's locker.
Floor 3 contains Subjects 31-60. Floor 4 contains Subjects 61-100.
Finally, the interesting stuff. Floor 5 is basically where all the casual things are. Board games, video games, TV, couches, and the kitchen.
Floor 6 is the control panel, Bells' core, and the meeting room.
Floor 7 is where the beds are. Please don't make too much of a mess. :^)
Floor 8 is the observation room. You can look out into the area around you.
Rules
1. Don't make a mess on Floor 7. If you do, clean it up please.
2. Be respectful to your fellow Subjects.
3. Don't mess with the control panels on Floor 6.
4. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT go on Floor 1 unless absolutely necessary.
5. Act safely on the ship.
Personally, I'd start with asking Bells how long you all have been gone.
The date you left was November 18th, 2068.
Ask her how long it has been since that date. Or alternatively, ask her what the current date it is and do the math.
Safe travels!
-The Lab Staff ♡

I folded the paper and slipped it into my hoodie pocket. I opened the elevator and entered. I first clicked on 5.

The elevator took me up and I stumbled, feeling like I was going to vomit. It stopped and the door opened. I raced over to the couch and sat down.
Remembering Bells, I spoke.
"Bells, how long has it been since November 18th, 2068?"

A red light in the middle of the room lit up, and a feminine voice spoke up.

"Hello, Guest. I am Bells, the AI of the Non-existence Spacecraft 34.
To answer your question, it has been 238 years and 112 days since November 18th, 2068.
To further access the AI, you will have to sign up as a User on Floor 7."

I quickly added up the math. That means that it is January 13th, 2307.
Holy shit. Is humanity still alive?
Have I been asleep for that long?

I'm sorry.

I was surprised to hear Apollo again.
Mom... Dad.
Tears filled my eyes.
All gone... all gone... I'm not able to go back.
What's the point of living if I have nobody to live for?
I immediately pushed that thought away.
Hey, look on the bright side. You knew they were right. You're in the Non-existence.
That's a good thing.
Right? RIGHT?

Author's Note

Whew! That took a while, but this chapter was a lot of fun to write! Here we have a main character, Apollo, being introduced. More will be revealed about him as the story carries on.