Bold – Movements / Actions

[Bold] – Information / Abilities

Italic – 1st / 3rd Person Narration

"Quotations" – Talking

Normal – Thoughts

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[Venancio]

Sitting on the bench, in the park at 11:34pm, it was your typical cold nights in the city... I inhale from my cigarette, then blew a puff of smoke, as I'm idly scrolling through my smartphone... I was wearing my favorite dark-gray zip-up hoodie for the cold weather, then suddenly I felt a vibration inside my pocket. I took my burner phone out.

It's a text from a random number, saying "The person should be coming, dark-green jacket with white fur lining; the code is 'Do you have a spare glove?' Don't' fuck it up.".

"Welp should be an easy run, I suppose" I said to myself, then threw my cigarette on the ground, stomping on it, while I blew a puff of smoke. – I've done this a couple of times before, but still, I hope nothing bad happens.

Suddenly a lady approached the bench I was sitting on. I looked at her; she had a straight and long black hair and was wearing a mask and a beanie. I couldn't make up her face... but she was wearing a dark-green jacket with a fur lining on the neck, and a pair of gloves... I couldn't really get a proper description of her. but after she sat down, she stared off the distance for a few seconds, then said.

"A bit chilly tonight, eh?" The lady asked, while looking at me, then rubs her hands together.

"Sure" I said, while staring off in the distance, trying to avoid eye contact. – I hope she's not new to this.

The lady spent a few seconds staring at the distance.

The fuck... this is getting a bit awkward, please say something! – After a few seconds have passed, she finally decided to say something.

"Do you have a spare glove, Sir?" She said, while looking at me, even though she's wearing one.

"Yeah, I have one right here" I said to the lady, then took a small box from the inside of my hoodie, then handed it to her.

"Thank you." She said, then gave me an envelope while she took the small box... then walked away. – I don't really know what was in the box, ha-ha... nor care enough to know.

I stayed on the bench for a minute, then suddenly my burner phone vibrates and a text that says, 'Job's done, you can pick up your end.'... I read the message, then decided to leave the park, heading towards the subway.

I went through the subway's routine, scan the card, walk to the loading station, wait for the train to arrive, get on it, then arrived at my destination.

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Leaving the subway, I was now in the downtown part of the city and walking through the streets... This part of the city always feels so alive... I love it.

At day it's a busy street with people going to work or going on with their day, but the nightlife of this part of town is the best and the most sought after. All sorts of clubs, and bars be it; live music, lounges, karaoke bars, restaurants, and the red-light district too is a good place to wind up and kick back... whatever your itch is to forget about your stressful day, this part of the city has it.

And even for me, nightlife has always been one of my favorite activities to do, meeting new people and doing whatever to take my mind off any responsibilities, especially my programming job at a company that pays jack shit, and is borderline like a black company. But to be honest... I'm not a good programmer to begin with... still I need to keep that job for a reason to not become suspicious of how I earn my money, since I do a lot of side lines connected to my nightlife in the city.

Because whenever I go to parties, clubs, or any place with a lot of people, I try to talk and interact with a lot of people. Getting tidbits of information and opportunities here and there, and by doing so. I have done a variety of jobs for people, granted, some of the jobs may sound... uhm, incriminating.

You name it, I've probably done it. Security jobs, hired muscles, running packages from 1 place to another. And some questionable jobs, racketeering, dead drops, but nothing serious. And by doing these kinds of activities, I've actually been arrested once, nothing serious, mind you. I don't really do some hardcore stuff, just some low-risk, fast-money jobs.

The first time I got arrested was because I got into a fight with someone while doing a security job. I spent the night in a jail cell and got off the next day.

Still, I don't really like doing those activities, but sometimes I just need to do it, since I barely earn anything from working legitimately. And it pays well, like... really well. Doing one dead drop is equal to (3) or (5) paychecks by being a programmer. And all I need to do in a dead drop is to go to said area, hide a package, and that's it.

Now, I know... "What about repercussions". I'll just say, whatever consequences do come up, I'll be ready.

Ever since my parents died when I was 11 years-old, we were driving when a truck t-boned our car, killing both my mom and dad... but unfortunately, I lived. Then I ended up with my scumbag of an uncle. He cared enough to give me shelter and food, but that's it; he used to come home drunk and would verbally abuse me... he didn't even want me to go to school since it costs a lot of money... which I can understand, but I still went and got my education with my own money.

The abuse I get from my uncle on the daily, caused me to leave and just wander around the streets. And while doing so, I've met a lot of people. That's how I got into my "Side Lines". I've known people since I was 12 years old, but I wouldn't call them friends but more so just "Contacts", to be fair, some we're good enough for me to trust, and some... who are just downright bad.

So, with that, I don't really have ties that would cause me to think twice before doing these kinds of activities.

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While walking down the streets, a random man bumped into me... he is wearing a white dress shirt, and a tie, probably some businessman... looking at this man stand up, he's clearly drunk, waddling all over the place, not to mention he reeks of alcohol.

"HEY ASSHOLE! You ought to watch where you're going... hiccup" The drunk man said, while pointing at me.

I shouldn't, this guy is not himself. – I sighed – "Sorry, Sir... I will." I said in a sarcastic tone.

"That's right..." He said, while walking past me, then mumbled – "Spineless fuck."

Is that right? – "Dickhead" I said quietly... it was intentional to rile the guy up.

The drunk man turns around, then shoved me aggressively.

"FUCK YOU! Y-you filthy sack of shit... hiccup..." He yelled, then started to verbally harass me – "Do you have any idea who I am?!" He said, while getting up close to my face.

The few people that were on the street starts to look at us, taking their phone out to probably record.

I really want to beat this guy, but again... he's drunk – I continue to look at the guy in the eyes completely undeterred... This is not my first time being in this situation.

"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH MONEY I EARN?! YOU BOTTOM FEEDER!" The drunk man yelled at my face.

But then again, he should learn to watch his drinks... and to tone down his insecurities – "You got it" I said to the drunk guy, then punched him in the face... knocking him out.

Some of the people that were watching us, laughed or gasped, but most of them didn't care and went over to continue their night... this type of situation is pretty common in this part of the city.

I dragged his body towards the bench and laid him on it. – I hope you don't get robbed.

I continued to walk, and finally reached my destination. It was a dive-in bar at first glance called "Fizz-Fuzz" lit by neon lights with a logo of a cute bear's face. But it's more of a racketeering place... the bar aesthetic is a disguise for laundering... I walk inside of the bar, and it's pretty generic looking for a bar. Walls with decorations of beers or illustrations ranging from realistic pictures to "cultured" girls, and mostly purple neon lights dimly illuminates the bar, and a bar with an assortment of drinks... it's pretty chill, and not a lot of "common" people visits this place. Most of the ones that drinks here are for "social calls" ... but then again, this place is not designed to be a "Happy Hour" bar, it's not that loud compared to the others, and the atmosphere is just "Warm", and I love it. At the other side of the bar is a bouncer that stands, guarding a door... I walk towards him.

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"What's up Venny?" The bouncer said, this guy is tall and buff, armed with some deadly cybernetics; also, I heard he invested on some nanotech same as mine, although I think mine is more advanced. But I've known the guy for years... but I also forgot his name a long time ago. I just try to not mention his name when we talk... since it's been so long, it'd be weird to ask.

We bumped fist – "Good, good... Is Wesley in?" I asked him.

"You got business with her?" He asked.

"Yessir, I got to pick up my 'end' of the package" I said.

"Right on" he said, then opened the door.

Opening the door is a lounge room, with 3 people inside, they're talking to each other... the 1st person is Wesley, a girl I knew from high school... she's pretty good looking back then, but now... fuck did she grew to become hotter, rocking a short-wavy dyed green hair, a black eyeliner, and wearing noticeable black biker jacket, and she's armed with cybernetics too... definitely not someone to mess with... And two other dudes that I don't know the name of.

"You're back, how'd the deal go?" Wesley asked.

"Alright" I said, while walking towards her and handing the envelope.

She took the envelope and opened it to check the inside – "Very good!" Wesley said, then gave me another envelope.

I check what was inside... and its MONEY – Nice – I smirked – "That's all then?"

"Yeah, that's all... now shoo, I got business." Wesley said, then gestured for me to leave.

Alrighty then, easy money as usual – We were never close, even back in high school... but she's one of my "contact".

I exited the loungeroom and head over the bar.

"I'll have a root beer" I said to the bartender.

I sat down on the barstool and put some money on the bar-counter.

The loud chatter in the bar made me feel at home, one of the few places that I'd consider my favorite, the atmosphere is just right. In addition, this is also one of the few places where I can meet some of my "contacts".

The bartender puts down a mug of root beer in front of me and took the money.

What should I do tomorrow? Its Friday... I mean its technically Saturday now. I should do something... or should I just stay home to laze around... or should I visit the local Neotea to get some cybernetics with my money. I heard that there was an upgrade on their nanotechnology, I think it allows you to have store more nanobots inside your body - I sighed – And to think nanotech was just a dream a few decades ago... and now almost everyone can have it, a bit pricey though.

I think almost all the money I earned from doing this line of job, went to get a lot of cybernetic upgrades.

I grab the mug of root beer and drank it all in one go.

I should head back to my apartment – I stood up from the barstool, then exited the dive-in bar... While walking I took my burner phone out... snapped it, then threw it in a trash can.

As I'm walking back to the subway, while scrolling through my phone to see the recent news and updates in my socials. I saw a news headline saying, 'An unexpected white lights have been spotted in the void of space, spotting in one place, then disappearing as quick as they come... NASA has been up and arms with what it is.' I skimmed through the news but paid it no mind.

I finally reach the entrance to the subway... It's now 12:43am... but it's awfully quiet; although its midnight, it's very strange for the subway to be this quiet, there's not even a homeless person present. As I walk around the subway... There's only one word that I can describe the atmosphere of the subway and that is... eerie, even though the place is quiet without the chattering and people walking... there's still some buzzing sounds from all the lights and screens of advertisements that litters the halls of the subway...

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As I get close towards the loading station of the subway, if you ignore the eeriness of the place right now, it really is just a routine.

I sigh – it's always so weird getting on the train at this time, the train is usually crowded when I get in, or even if it's not rush hour... there's usually people that use the subway at this hour.

A sound of a train coming towards the loading station can be heard approaching

~Phone rings with an alarm stating "You should go to bed"

Huh, I wonder why I still haven't deactivated that alarm. I'm not in university anymore, but I guess it has its uses.

Damn, that train really needs to hurry up. I really wanna go home and drop dead at my bed.

Train stops – the door of the train opens with a mist coming out of the train from the air conditioning

"The hell?" I said, then leaned over to peek on the train – Should I... yeah, I need to get home.

Alright, this feels a bit creepy... I get that it's almost 1am in the morning, but no people really? But it's not like a bad thing I guess; I should get in – Now I just need to find a seat that looks alright.

Entering the train, a wall full of advertisements litters ranging from posters to screens at the top of the wall with adverts of new products and what not, although the most eye-catching is from a company Neotea – a company that specializes in cybernetic augmentations. I think at this point I should be a walking advertisement due to the number of augmentations I installed in my body.

I walked around the corridor, and sat down – "Brr... why is it so cold?" I said out loud, then zipped my hoodie up, as well as covering my head with the hood.

Suddenly a female voice from a speaker suddenly announces "The train is now departing, please take a seat" – The door of the train closes and it starts moving.

Time to relax, I guess – I grab my earpiece and put it in my ear... A chime played from the earpiece – There – suddenly a user interface showed up at my field of view showing my [A.P = Atom Percentage] at [9%].

"That low huh?" I said, then checked a widget from my interface taking me to my playlist – I should really update my playlist... I've been listening to this for over a week now.

I scrolled through the playlist, and clicked "Play" ... music came in, and I closed my eyes and started to nod off.

While in the middle of the ride, the light from the train starts to flicker, the advert from the screen starts to distort, but went unnoticed

I noticed it but paid no mind... probably just some issue with the electricity.

Then the song from my earpiece started to sound a bit distorted

"Huh?" – I tussled while half-asleep... then the music became clear

Suddenly the song started to pause, skip, and became even more distorted

I woke up startled and opened my eyes – What's happening – I checked my interface... The interface is starting to distort and glitch. I'm clicking on some widgets, but it doesn't respond to anything I do – I took my phone out and try to open it... but it wouldn't.

"Oh shit!" – Not knowing what to, nor what is happening... I started to become more and more disturbed by the second. – WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?!

Suddenly the lights from the train started to flicker faster; the advert from the screen starts to distort... and after a few seconds, all of the screens shut off. As well as the train's light.

I got off my seat... panicked and didn't know what to do. I yelled for help – "HELLO?!? IS SOMEBODY HERE?" – But the train fell silent, and the sound of my scream only echoed at walls –I started running through each corridor of the train to check, and while doing so, I accidentally dropped my phone in the midst of panic... and each corridor that I got on, I screamed but found no one inside – FUCK, FUCK, FUCK... WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?!

I began to look around the room, searching for anything that could help – "THERE!" – I yelled, while I ran towards the emergency button, then pressed it... but nothing happens.

I frantically pressed the button, over and over with tears coming out of my eye – "Please, someone..." – I said quietly, while tears start to drip down my face... and after pressing it over and over, I decided to stop and closed my eyes and curled into a ball, hoping this was a nightmare.

But then the light went out,

The rumbling from the train moving stops, The corridor fell silent

I waited for what felt like a long time, in the dark and sobbing. I hear what I could only guess as electricity, then spotted something.

It was a small ball of light that is floating in the air illuminates the whole corridor

"G-goddamn it... stop shaking and move" I said while hitting my legs, then wiped the tears on my face – I then stand up with my legs mildly shaking and walk towards it... As I walk towards the ball, the surroundings start to distort and bend, and the closer I get the darker the surroundings began to look until I am arm's length with the ball and a feeling of comfort and warmth.

I can only see what is in front of me, and the room was slowly getting devoured by darkness as I get closer to the ball of light. While staring at the ball of light. There was only one thought that came to my mind, and that was to grab it. – I lift my arm and try to grab it ­– But when my hand almost touches the ball, the room becomes distorted, and it pulls me towards and inside it – I feel like my body is twisting but I feel nothing. There is nothing in my surroundings anymore.

"Am I dead?" The thoughts in my head became louder and louder, echoing – "Hello? Is anybody here?" – I feel like I don't have a body anymore, but I still have my thoughts.

"I feel like my emotions are gone"

"I don't even know if I should feel sad, happy or even angry"

"I'm probably dead, but I don't know how to react to it"

"Am I stuck here forever?"

After what feels like an eternity of nothingness. Seconds turn to minutes, minutes into hours... after the first few hours of counting to see how long I've been here. Eventually I stopped, I mean... there isn't really any point in doing so – Damn, I've lost track of time... again – I just succumbed to the idea that I was either dead and in hell or in purgatory.

And out of the blue, a faint sound of wind can be heard over the sea of nothingness.

"That's... loud, please stop. That's either my mind going insane or compensating for the lack of... anything, really. All my senses disappeared the moment I got into this situation."

"Am I even a human anymore if I don't have any of the basic senses of a living being? I mean, I still have my conscience, so there's that."

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Then the sound of whistling wind starts to become louder, and the sound of rustling leaves can also be heard.

"Should I do something?"

Having heard either a forest or anything really, a spark of hope rushed through me... All I can do was to force myself to think that I should wake up, like if you were trying to wake up from a sleep paralysis.

"It's pointless... goddamn it"

But then everything went silent for a second time

I can't hear my thoughts anymore. The last thing that kept me company throughout this... shit.

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Hello~ thanks for reading!

I would love to read your thoughts about it.

Also, English is not my 1st language, so I'm sorry for any grammar errors.

:3