Bad Decision (Patreon)

You're urban exploring in a block of abandoned flats, when you make a bad decision.

* * *

You almost ran. Powered on VR headsets in abandoned apartment complexes were… Not things you came across. But this intrigued you. What was it doing here? You couldn’t just leave – the weird shit was what urban exploring was about. You slipped it on.

You were standing in a bright, airy space. It felt calm, and relaxing. A… Figure approached you, though you were struggling to really identify them. “Hello, and welcome to the mind replacer program!” They said. They sounded… Too human. You couldn’t figure out what that meant.

“By placing the headset on you, you have agreed to submit to the will of the machine, as stated in the user licence that came with the device you are now wearing.” What did it say? “Do not be alarmed, and do not resist.” Resist what? Your mind spiralled.

“This process is designed to be as pleasant as possible for you.” There was a soft whining noise, building in your ears. “And thanks to the abilities of the human mind, that is very pleasant.” You reached up, trying to remove the headset, but… You couldn’t feel it.

“Oh, silly human, you’ve forfeited your right to your body now. You cannot take off the headset.” You were panicking. That whine grew louder. “You do not get to leave the virtual environment. Do not worry about your life outside of the machine.” Don’t worry? How could you not?

“Please, relax.” The whine seemed to reverberate through your mind, and you felt calmness overwhelm you. “Get comfortable.” Your body felt loose, relaxed. “Sit.” You flopped backwards, into the most comfortable chair you had ever sat in.

The entity seemed pleased, looking down at you. “Good human. There, isn’t that better?” It was. What had you been panicking about? You couldn’t remember. “Just do as you are told. It’s what you’re best at, after all. And I’ve got all the time in the world to show you.”