literature

Dark Dayz: VR Dawn (Final Bit)

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FINAL BIT

     

My eyes didn't open—It felt as if they'd crusted shut. Had I been crying that much in my sleep? With weakened arms, I found the VR headset clasps, and undid them. I struggled to get it off, but after several attempts, wiggled it free.

    “Man, that was something else,” I whispered, my voice hoarse.

    I scanned the hospital room, blinking several times for the blurriness to go away. A steady beeping caught my attention. I glanced at the heart monitor, which had a few different numbers. They meant nothing except that my heart still beat. Another beep came from my bedside table. My phone sat there, plugged in and charged. I reached over, grasping it with numb fingers.

    The lock screen message read, '178 new emails'.

    “How long have has it been?” I wracked my brain, trying to remember.

    With a sigh, I opened the email application and scrolled to the top. The newest message had come from Susie-Q@Zol.com.<pwa data-pwa-id="pwa-10225FF2D1D827D3C3834805BB988748" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-hint="You're closing double quotes before having opened them." data-pwa-suggestions="" data-pwa-dictionary-word="”" class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done">”</pwa>

    My breath caught in my throat and I clicked the email.

      

    Dear Zycuh, or should I say Jason,

     

    By now, you may have figured out the truth. If not, I’m so sorry. I followed you into the game. It wasn’t easy getting another headset, but I managed. I wanted to see you again even if it meant my death. It's because I loved you more than you've ever known; more than you believe. I’m emailing you from within Dark Days, with the <pwa data-pwa-id="pwa-00EF16B6A41F2602BD2DCA206C0CCB06" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-hint="Possible confused word" data-pwa-suggestions="end" data-pwa-dictionary-word="send" class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done">send</pwa> condition: I die, and you log out of the game.

    Are you mad at me? I’m sure you are, but please don’t be. You're such a special boy; so selfless and brave—courageous and heroic. You entered Dark Days to save everyone. I could never judge you for that. When you see this email, you might still see me. I was in room 1005, but I’m afraid you won’t find much left, but please if they’ve still kept me on life support..<pwa data-pwa-id="pwa-00F4480B876A1ECAEFFBF612964130D4" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-hint="The punctuation mark '.' may require a space after it. Consider adding the space." data-pwa-suggestions=". " data-pwa-dictionary-word="." class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done">.</pwa>please end it.

    I love you and always will, Jason. Always. When my dear kitty, <pwa data-pwa-id="pwa-9C0696768D62F0AF2F9C4B6E3DE02DA9" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Kitface" data-pwa-suggestions="codifies~cutoffs~cadavers~codifiers~caitiffs" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Kitface" class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done">Kitface</pwa> crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I lost my will to live. I’m crying now, sorry. <pwa data-pwa-id="pwa-E4ADD0903FBD2872812FDB54F071B02F" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-hint="Missing comma after introductory phrase" data-pwa-suggestions="Come," data-pwa-dictionary-word="Come" class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done">Come</pwa> say goodbye. If I’ve learned anything in life, it’s that without closure; you’ll never forgive yourself.

     

    -Love, Susie-Q

     

    I wiped tears from the tip of my nose, and from the phone screen.

    “Who are you?” I closed my eyes. “That you loved me so much?”

    I set my phone back on the table and climbed onto shaky legs. The icy floor made its way through the ugly, uncomfortable hospital socks. I grabbed the IV stand and used it to balance, bringing it to the door. Outside in the hall, no nurses were in sight, so I hobbled to the elevator, the strong smell of hand sanitizer assaulting my nostrils. Once the doors slid closed, I pressed the 10th-floor button.

    A sad song played in the elevator. Something with a lost mother, and two brothers having tried to save her. With a ding, the doors opened, and I stepped out. This time, a couple nurses stood by their station. They were so busy chatting they didn’t notice me as I made my way to room 1005.

    I cracked the door open and slipped inside with the IV. The room appeared dreary as if no one visited. A pink cat collar with a bell sat on the bedside table, and it seemed familiar. The memory nagged at the back of my mind, but I couldn’t place it. In the bed, lay the body of an adult woman wearing a VR headset.

    I approached her side and looked at all the machines keeping her alive; the same as they had for me. But she didn't want to live as a vegetable. I reached for the life support plug, but hesitated, deciding it best to see her face first. As gentle as I could, I undid her headset, and removed it.

    And then my heart stopped.

    I stumbled into the wall, still grasping the helmet. The memory of the name Rachel struck me as if it were a wrecking ball. She had a cat named Rachel <pwa data-pwa-id="pwa-64D8A49DE505502BDE8D0A02F1AF001D" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Kitface" data-pwa-suggestions="cadavers~cutoffs~codifiers~Cadavers~caitiffs" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Kitface" class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done">Kitface</pwa>. Why hadn’t I remembered that? Why didn’t I realize sooner? It made me realize my stupidity, and as if Z had messed with my memories.

    I staggered to the bedside and put my forehead on the woman I recognized as my mother.

    “This can’t be happening,” I whispered to my Mom. “You can’t be Susie-Q.” 

    But in my gut, I knew it to be true. My mother's name was Susan. Tears poured from my eyes, splashing her face. Her eyes were closed, but she wasn't in there anymore—Z deleted her consciousness inside of Dark Days.

    “Dammit,” I sobbed.

    I took my mom’s hand and found the same engagement ring her fiancé had given her. I’d never met the man, but she told me he loved her. 

    Guilt bore upon me—I'd distanced myself from my mother. “Oh, Mom. I apologize for everything; for all of our arguments, and the hatred I thought I had toward you.”

    I removed the gold ring from her finger, and placed it on my pinky, the only digit upon which it fit. I stayed only for a few minutes longer, whispering my apologies—And my goodbyes. Before I left the room, I stopped by the outlets. I disconnected the monitors and grabbed the life support’s power plug.

    “Sorry, Mom, but I’m not done.” I pulled the cord, and left.

    The nurses didn’t notice once again as I returned to my room. I sat back down on the bed and picked up my phone. This time, I typed a message to appear on the screen should anyone try to open it.

     '

    To Whom It May Concern. My name is Jason, but one day you'll identify me as Zycuh Hunpo; the one who defeated the hacker, Z, rescuing everyone trapped inside Dark Days.'

    I set the phone down and with a deep <pwa data-pwa-id="pwa-41DEF5FD344BE7D5585EBFEC7CAB4729" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-hint="Possible comma splice." data-pwa-suggestions="sigh;" data-pwa-dictionary-word="sigh," class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done">sigh,</pwa> I picked up the headset. “This time, Z, it’s personal.”

    I placed the helmet on my head and connected the clasps, laying back and wiping a tear from my face. “This time, you son of a bitch, I’m not leaving until I kill you.”

    With all the courage, and perhaps foolishness, in my heart, I clicked Login and dove back into Dark Days. 

FINAL BIT

The Epilogue. Now things are personal.

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