October 15. 2026.

Darren was running late. 

And perhaps for the first time in his care-free life, he was in a rush to reverse that.

The servers for the most hotly awaited game of the decade were set to go online in just 30 minutes, and yet here he was. Stuck in a traffic jam on the way back home after yet another rough day in the office.

The fucking manager should grow some fucking balls and own up to cheating on his wife... keeping us all in late just so he can delay going home... fucking coward.

It had been the talk of the day at the office, no-one in the office failing to miss the heated argument the manager had had with his wife over the phone in his office as the day had drawn to a close. Thin walls could barely block out a strong light, let alone his panicked and desperate tones.

At first, it had been funny and everyone had had some fun imagining the trouble their normally taciturn manager would be in when he got back home, but it had quickly lost its appeal once the manager insisted everyone stay in for an extra hour and a half to finish the latest project. Basically just delaying the inevitable return home for the disgraced manager.

Keeping his horn one more time Darren's aged Toyota, one of the last models with a steering wheel, before the big auto roll-out, finally rolled into its small, nestled spot outside the worn-out apartment block Darren called home.

Dashing out of the rust-bucker and rushing into the towering building Darren raced into the elevator, which in a stroke of luck was on the bottom floor right when he needed it. The slow journey up to the 96th floor took longer than ever before as with bated breath he pushed through the small opening in the doors and into his won apartment.

Dumping his bag on the small corridor and grabbing a quick bite to eat from his kitchen/living room Darren quickly manoeuvred around his tiny box set and couch before finally arriving at his bedroom. His small single bed sagged sadly, a testament to how long it had serviced its unappreciative owner. But Darren had no eyes for his faithful companion of 5 years, instead electing to look greedily at the sleek black pod which took up almost all the rest of the previous spacious (for his apartment at least) room. 

It looked about as in place as a limousine competing in a drag race, and it had cost about as much too, thought Darren with a grimace.

Quickly wolfing down the rest of his sandwich and checking the time on his Panel, its holographic display providing a sharp blue glow in the dilapidated room, Darren decided he had better rush. It wouldn't do to be late, after all, weekends only last so long.

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Dreading the fact that he might miss the first wave of spawns, which the company had hinted would get a special achievement, he quickly wiggled a picked at his clothes, exposing both his sagging belly and sadly thin muscles.  he rushed into opening the pod doors, now butt naked, and jumped into the soft gel-like interior.Ever since leaving

Ever since leaving high school and failing to get into University Darren had really let himself go, but at least now he had a cushy job at the office to support himself, it really beat doing the rounds in the Garbage Truck for sure.

Shacking those useless thoughts from his head, he rushed into opening the pod doors, now butt naked, and carefully lay himself down in the large pod. It extended about 2 wider and longer than his bed, but the gel pool had been set to his specifications and he barely fit into it while stretched out. The pod was quite high as well, reaching up to his shoulders while standing, but as the doors, like beetle wings, closed down on the occupant, blocking out any other light Darren was left with his thoughts and an uncomfortable feeling of claustrophobia.

Let's see, I made sure to set the alarm for 5 hours, and if what I've read is true the Pod should be able to recognise signals such as external alarms and eject the occupant... hmm what else... Ahh yeah I closed the door, might not have checked the lock but the magnets should still last for another week. The cooker is off... the TV is off...

Letting out a mental sigh Darren relaxed as he felt the machine come to life around him, a low strumming and some flashing lights which seemed to just be on the edge of his vision, but no matter how he turned his head, the gel now rising to above his ears he couldn't quite see what was emitting them. 

Waiting longer Darren suddenly realised he forgot to input the mouthpiece! It had completely slipped his mind at the time, such a minor thing when compared to playing the world's first VRMMO. 

But wait.. how could the doors have closed without me using the mouthpiece?!

Afterall, the Pods had been tested over and over again to ensure safety. Suddenly gripped by fear as the gel continued to pour into the cavity, a first-time nuisance for the Pod's use subsequent users would already have the gel, Darren tried to sit up, subsequently hitting his head roughly on the lid of the Pod, forcing him to sit back down. 

Ouch, I thought the Pod doors were meant to be easy to open from the inside, what the hell is going on?!

Realising that the lights seemed to be growing dimmer and dimmer, while the amount of Gel continued to increase, now reaching well over his chest in this semi-sitting up position. Darren reached up with his arms now.

Hmm, I wonder when it started getting so warm.

However, before he had time to think anything else he summarily shrieked as his hands met the squishy slimy flesh roof of the Pod.

W-w-what the fuck was that the pod doors are plastic, I saw them myself. Hell, I opened them myself.

Horror covered Darren's features as the gel continued to rise, now reaching his neck and mouth, the lights too had completely dimmed, and as though his revelation about the doors set off a chain reaction, he suddenly felt his legs and butt sinking into the now soft floor of what had previously been the uncomfortably hard Pod floor. 

Dull muffled shrieks and quick thuds would have been heard faintly had anyone been present in Darren's apartment. Shrieks and screams for help, which in a matter of seconds had resolved into an even softer gurgle. The banging thuds followed soon after. 

The room was wrapped in peace and tranquillity, as it had been before its owner had returned, so it was again.