It had only been a few seconds since I clicked the link.

Nothing happened. The room was as silent as always, filled only with the familiar sounds of birds chirping outside, dogs barking in the distance, people chatting peacefully as they walked by, and the soft rustling of the wind against the window. The serenity of the evening was almost comforting, a stark contrast to the anxiety that was beginning to creep over me. The light from my computer screen cast a faint, bluish glow that mingled with the twilight, creating an almost surreal atmosphere.

Then, faintly, I heard something. It was an ominous noise, barely discernible at first, but it sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn't tell where it was coming from. The noise was dim at first, a distant murmur that could have easily been my imagination, but it grew louder with each passing second. It started as a low hum, like the distant roar of a faraway engine or the murmur of a thousand indistinct voices.

My anxiety mounted with the increasing volume of the noise. It felt like it was closing in on me, a creeping dread that I couldn't shake. I turned around, scanning the room for any sign of what might be causing the sound. There was nothing there, nothing visible at least, but the noise felt almost tangible. It wasn’t just a sound; it was a presence, an unsettling vibration that seemed to penetrate my very being. The air around me felt charged, as if a thunderstorm was about to break.

Can you actually feel sound? It was more than just a vibration—it was something much darker, something that seemed to seep into my soul. It was as if the very fabric of reality was being distorted by this malevolent force. The sound seemed to resonate within me, amplifying my heartbeat, making my breaths come shorter and faster.

Then, my phone buzzed. The same person who had sent me the link earlier had messaged me again.

[Congratulations! Your life will be changed now. By clicking on the link, you have consented to join the program. You will be teleported to the waiting room shortly.]

Wait, what?

What is this?

‘Join the program’? This must be some kind of prank or elaborate roleplay, right? Teleportation? That only happens in fiction. My rational mind struggled to make sense of the message, but a deeper, instinctual part of me was gripped by fear.

The room grew darker as the sun set, casting long shadows that seemed to twist and writhe like living things. The only light came from the computer screen, bathing the room in an eerie, pale glow. Shadows stretched across the walls, creating grotesque shapes that danced and flickered as if mocking my fear. I felt trapped, like a mouse caught in a labyrinth with no way out.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

The noise had now reached a steady, menacing hum. It neither grew louder nor subsided, but its persistence was unnerving. It was as if the noise had become a living entity, pulsating with a life of its own. I sensed something behind me again, a presence that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Slowly, I turned around, my heart pounding in my chest.

What I saw defied all logic. A tiny black hole, about the size of my head, hovered right behind me. It emitted tiny black rays and was surrounded by a halo of something golden, like ethereal electricity. The black rays seemed to reach out to me, almost beckoning, as if they wanted me to touch them. Fear gripped me, a primal terror that I couldn’t deny. The black hole pulsed with a rhythmic energy, a dark heartbeat that seemed to sync with my own.

I took a deep breath and slowly turned my chair around, raising my hand towards the rays emitted by the black hole. As my hand approached, the rays latched onto my palm, starting with my index finger. They felt cold and electric, a strange sensation that sent a jolt through my body. It was as if my very essence was being drawn into this dark void.

Then, without warning, I was sucked into it.

The world around me twisted and distorted, a kaleidoscope of colors and lights that overwhelmed my senses. I felt my body stretching and compressing, as if I were being pulled through a tunnel of infinite length. The sensation was both exhilarating and terrifying, an experience that words could barely capture. Time lost its meaning as I tumbled through the void, my thoughts a chaotic whirl.

When I finally emerged on the other side, I found myself in a vast, white room. It was empty, devoid of any furniture or decoration, yet it felt overwhelmingly vast and cold. The walls seemed to extend infinitely in every direction, and the light was harsh and unrelenting. The stark whiteness of the room was blinding, making it difficult to focus. I was alone, or so I thought.

[Welcome to the waiting room.] A disembodied voice announced, echoing through the sterile space. [Your journey has just begun.]

The voice was cold and mechanical, devoid of any warmth or empathy. It sent a chill down my spine. I looked around, trying to find the source of the voice, but there was nothing—just the endless expanse of white.

Panic began to set in. My heart raced as I struggled to comprehend my situation. Where was I? What was this place? Questions swirled in my mind, each one more desperate than the last. The reality of my predicament was starting to sink in, and with it came a crushing sense of helplessness.

I took a tentative step forward, my footsteps echoing eerily in the vast emptiness. The floor felt smooth and cold beneath my feet, almost like polished marble. I walked further, hoping to find something—anything—that would give me a clue about what was happening. But the room seemed endless, with no discernible features or landmarks.

Just as I was beginning to lose hope, a door materialized in front of me. It was a simple, unadorned door, starkly contrasting with the sterile white environment. My pulse quickened. A way out? Or just another part of this strange ordeal?

I approached the door cautiously. My hand trembled as I reached for the doorknob, the cool metal sending a shiver through my body. I hesitated, my mind racing with possibilities. What lay beyond this door? Was it a way back to my reality, or would it lead me deeper into this bizarre, otherworldly program?

Summoning all my courage, I turned the knob and pushed the door open. A bright light flooded through, temporarily blinding me. I shielded my eyes.

I stepped outside the white space and immediately lost consciousness. But 'regained my consciousness' fitted better in this case.