Small hidden things

Once I was off the subway car it was easy to explore down here. The big flat concrete surfaces everywhere were easy to navigate. I crossed the room, and pulled my flashlight out from under an old wooden bench that had been half crushed by another chunk of ceiling. I clicked my flashlight on so I could look around the platform, or at least that's what I think they were called. Subways had become more of a novelty method of travel when the first rift opened.

Hover cars, and buses were faster so people only took the subway to experience the the way people lived in the twentieth century. The subway train down here was a museum piece that parents could bring there kids down to see when they were bored with the park. I headed down three subway cars, and slipped through to the other side of the subway. There were game booths and little abandoned shops on this side. I ducked into the half collapsed entrance to the subway train souvenir shop, and went straight to what used to be the backroom.

From there it was easy to cross into the window of the Archaic building. From what I could tell falling through the rift had somehow flipped the building upside down. This side had managed to say mostly intact while the other had been practically obliterated. I looked up at the tables that now hung from the roof, and wondered who could make such a building from stone like this. It was almost as if the whole building was formed from one piece of stone.

I'd never seen stone like this on earth before. I looked around my feet for any trinkets I could keep as a souvenir, but just like every other time I'd been down here I found nothing. The military had completely cleared the whole place out years ago. Looks like I won't be keeping a piece of my favorite place when I leave. I checked the time quickly.

Lights out was in an hour and a half. I'd be in trouble if I wasn't back in my room by then. Once the lights were out they locked the doors, and that meant I would be sleeping outside. I picked up a chuck of rock, and chucked it at one of the tables hanging from the roof. It clacked off the corner of the table landing with a solid thud not far from where I was standing.

"Time to go," I sighed as I went to climb back out the window.

A big solid crash behind me made me flinch, and whip around to see what had fallen. The table I had hit with the rock had come crashing down. I shined my flashlight at it, and saw just more rubble that had settled on the underside of the table, but I had to get a closer look. I mean really. Maybe I'd find a cool piece of rubble that I could keep.

I started sifting through the chunks of rock, but nothing really caught my eye until I saw something reflective tucked into a tiny notch up against one of the far table legs. I passed my light over it once again, and saw the red reflection of something small. I reached into the little crack, and fished out a little red marble. I rolled it in my fingers as I looked at it carefully. Perfect souvenir.

I smiled as I went to the window to leave. That was when I noticed the marble was starting to get warm. I tried to drop it, but it was stuck to my hand. I started freaking out, and tried to wave my hand around hard enough for it to pop off. Then it got hot, and I grabbed at it trying to pull it off my hand as it started to glow.

Now it wasn't marble shaped anymore. It was melting into my hand slowly as it grew hotter, and hotter. It was beginning to feel like my hand was on a hot burner when the stone finished sinking into my hand it stopped glowing, and all that was left was the feel of skin. No more marble. I picked my flashlight back up, and shined it at my hand.

Just smooth skin remained. I shook my head.

"Just breathed in some other dimensional stone dust," I climbed out the window quickly as I rushed to get out of there, "I'm probably seeing things."

I rushed through the shop. Through the subway car, and was halfway up the ladder when symbols started flashing before my eyes. It spooked me enough that I leaned back to far, and the ladder fell back with me still on it. The symbols moved faster, and faster until they stopped. Then before my eyes was a single line of text.

Compatible user found. System to finish installing in 44:35. 44:34. 44:33.

The countdown continued at a steady pace as the words seemed to vanish. Leaving behind just the countdown. Which minimized itself, and moved to the lower corner of my vision. I stared at that countdown for a few seconds.

"What the hell is it counting down for?" I almost yelled.

System installation will render user immobile for six hours. System recommends user move to safe location.

The words flashed before my eyes. This thing in my head had answered my question.

"Safe location?" I looked around quickly before glancing at the time, "Shit it's almost lights out."

I hauled myself up the ladder, and rushed over to the rebar. I jumped to get a hold of the rebar above my head, and the roof of the subway car collapsed beneath the strain, but luckily I'd gotten a good grip on the rebar before it did. I pulled myself up like I'd done so many times before, and made my way out of the hole. Once I was out of the hole, and back on solid ground I ran. I kept myself going a fast pace, but I didn't sprint.

No, I needed to save that for the last quarter mile. I focused on running. Blocking out all other thoughts. My breaths came quickly, and my legs burned, but I'd rather relieve my burning legs in the comfort of my space. I would call it my home, but that just didn't feel right.

I passed the shop that marked the last quarter mile, and poured everything into this last desperate sprint. I skidded into the front door of the housing unit, and pulled. Locked. I looked through the glass, and saw the manager stop in front of the elevator. Turning towards the door.

He must've heard me slam into the door.

"COME ON," I yelled, "PLEASE!!!"

The manager saw me, and shook his head. He stood there for an agonizingly long time before grabbing the keys, and stomping his way towards me. He unlocked the door, and yanked it open as I rushed through so he could lock it back up.

"Thank you," the words tumbled out of my mouth as I slammed my hands together as if I was praying, "thank you, thank you, thank you."

The manager grimaced as he looked at me, "Kid. You're patch."

My hand flew up to my left socket, and found the gauze had flapped to the side. I secured it back into place with the tape.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

59. 58. 57.

The countdown reminded me. I forgot about all formality, and rushed to the stairs. They were faster then the elevator since I was only on the third floor. My legs had stopped burning, but were now lighting on fire each time my feet rose another step as I ran up the stairs. I slammed into the door bursting out into the third floor hallway.

5. 4. 3.

I slammed into my door, and swiped my key card. I rushed in, and slammed the door. Dropping my key card in the rush. I reached down to grab it, and pain flared through my whole body.

System beginning installation.

6 hours remaining.

New quest activated.

Survive.

1xp for every 3.6 minutes survived.

I didn't care what the system was saying as the countdown started. I felt like I was being burned alive, and the countdown said I was supposed to survive for six hours of this.