Sitting down in his usual spot in the corner, he watched as the surrounding students shifted away from him.

Listening to the rain as it slid down the window, Ed jotted down the key points from the projector screen into his notebook. Making sure to connect these points to the core content of the course. Listening intently to the lecturer, he noted down the time for Friday's exam.

Thud.

Turning back to the window, he saw a bird slide down the glass, leaving a trail of blood. He sighed. That’s the third one today.

Walking out of the building, he unfurled his umbrella, and unhurriedly stepped out into the rain. I still have a 3-hour break before my next lecture. I’ll head to the library and revise for the exam, that’s what's most important right now. I only have one more assessment and an online quiz left, so this exam should be my focus.

Deep in thought, he heard the high-pitched wincing of tires sharply turning against the road. Hmm? Looking up, he saw a car barrelling towards him. Sighing, he dodged backwards, narrowly avoiding getting hit by the car. The car shot past him, colliding with a nearby tree.

The car started to smoke from the impact.

Immediately, he jumped into action, pulling open the front door and dragging the unconscious driver out onto the grass. Pulling out his phone, he dialled emergency services. I should get someone to call campus security as well. Flagging down a passerby, he told them to call for campus security.

“I need an ambulance at Newcastle University, on Ring Road between Auchmuty Library and the psychology building. There was a car accident, and the driver drove directly into a tree. He is unconscious and bleeding. No one else was hurt, but the car is currently smoking.” Ed calmly listed off all of the necessary information he can find.

“Okay, help is on the way. I’m going to need you to check the victim's breathing for me.” The woman on the phone said.

Leaning down he tilted the person’s head back and leaned down to check for breathing. “He’s still breathing.”

“Good. I need you to put him in the recovery position for me. The ambulance will be there as soon as possible.”

With the help of the other person, Ed managed to get the person on to his side.

As Ed continued to watch the man’s breathing, the campus security arrived.

“Oh, it’s you again. What happened this time, Ed?” The old man sighed irritably.

Ed recounts everything that’s happened so far, letting them take over the situation until the ambulance arrives. Ed sits there watching calmly as the person is driven away to the hospital and the car is cordoned off with tape. Never once did his emotions fluctuate throughout the entire incident.

“You’ve really got me running around here kid, can’t you just give an old man a break?” The old security worker said.

“I can’t really do anything about it. You should probably just get used to another three more years of this.” Ed said plainly.

Looking into Ed's eyes, the man felt uneasy. As if the person in front of him was completely detached from what just happened. He sighed. "You’re going to be the death of me one day. Well, just make sure to take care of yourself."

After chatting for a while with the man, Ed walked off to the library.

Shaking off the umbrella, he wipes his feet before stepping into the library foyer. Passing by the help desk, he makes his way to the second floor. Grabbing the psych textbooks off the far shelf, he takes a seat in the corner near the stairs, making sure to avoid everyone else in the library. Pulling out his notebook he turned to today’s page. Now where was I... There it is, ‘How do changes in a person’s environment affect their mental well-being?’ If I remember correctly, page 212 of the textbook should have an answer to this question. Flicking through the textbook, he starts revising all of the notes he made in class. 2 hours pass by as he flipped through the textbook.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Buzz.

Looking down at his phone, Ed noticed that his phone was ringing. Picking it up, he saw that it was his grandpa.

“Hey Ed, how has your day been?” his grandpa asked. His voice was harsh, but strong.

“I’m doing fine Pop; just been dealing with more of the usual, you know how it is.”

“Yeah, I do... I know it can be tough, but you’re a strong kid, you’ll get through it. I’m just calling to let you know I might not be home for dinner. There are leftovers in the fridge, just warm them up when you get home.”

“Thanks Pop. Make sure to get mum some flowers for me. I’ll give you the money later.”

“I always do. Take care Ed. I’ll see you later tonight.”

“Bye.”

Taking his phone away from his ear. Nineteen years... I wish I got to know you better.

~

Getting home, Ed kicked off his shoes, placing them neatly on his shelf of the shoe rack. He tossed his bag into his room before heading to the kitchen. He saw a note left on the fridge door. I left you a little surprise in the fridge, Happy birthday kid.

Opening the fridge door, he saw the leftovers his grandpa mentioned, as well as a slice of cake. Thanks, Pop. Heating up the dinner, Ed wandered to the couch, noticing a torn-up photo on the coffee table. Picking it up, he saw that it was a family photo from before he was born. It was torn in half, with only his mother’s side of the family in the picture. Tears left stains running down the happy faces of the family in the photo. He sighed, and put the photo away, making sure to clean the rest of the table as well.

Ding!

Heading back to the kitchen, he pulled out his dinner, taking it to the dining table before digging into it. Finishing off the slice of cake as well, he suddenly felt a bit tired. I guess I can rest for a bit. It’ll still be a while before he gets back.

He tilted his head back and closed his eyes.

~

“Hello Ed, welcome to your new job. In front of you there is a computer, on it is a file that is the key to your continued survival. You are expected to complete the required quota each day, otherwise there will be severe consequences. Good luck.”

The dull robotic voice rang through the room, rousing Ed from his slumber. The piercing cold of the chair beneath him shot through his body. His eyes landed on the screen in front of him, a red notification sitting in the upper left corner. He tried to turn his head around to see where he was, but his head stayed locked on the screen.

“I’m sorry Ed, you cannot be trusted to leave your chair right now. If you do your job well, you will be allowed to move around.”

The notification flashed with greater intensity. A throbbing sensation pulsed through Ed’s brain in time with the flashes. Clicking on the notification his mind eased, as a densely filled document covered the screen.

“Every day you will receive a new document containing the biography of a person’s life. They are all sinners, and it is your job to find out how they sinned and submit a project that will make them repent. The information you need to get started is contained within this document. Good luck.”

Name: Larry Smith

Age: 37

Occupation: data entry clerk

Biography: Born to parents Norman and Olivia Smith, he grew up in a working-class family... He graduated from university before settling into office work as a data entry clerk... He got married to Susan when he was 30, with which he had a daughter ... one night after working overtime he walked past a homeless man who was lying on a park bench. A few minutes later the homeless man died of pneumonia... He received a raise due to his excellent work ability... took good care of his daughter Sally...

-End of document-

“I don’t know how this is the key to my survival. He seemed to have lived a very normal life.” Closing the document, Ed pressed his fingers to his temples.

“This man has sinned, and it is your job to punish him for it.” a glowing app resembling a construction site appeared on the screen.

“In here you will eventually be able to design and create anything that comes to mind. Right now, however, you are limited in what you can do because you cannot be trusted. Your current options include:

* Create a room

* Design a trap

Both of which are also limited in what you are allowed to do. With what you have available, design a trap that will make Larry Smith repent for his actions.”

“But he didn’t do anything wrong. How was he supposed to know that the person was dying?”

“Are you saying that leaving someone to die cold and alone is okay?”

“No. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that he had no way to know that the person was going to die, so he ignored them and went home like anyone else would’ve done. I’m not going to punish him for that.”

“Failure to complete the quota will result in you being punished. You have five minutes to start complying before I will be forced to act.”

Ed sat there staring at the screen, I just won’t do anything. Whatever that thing does, it can’t possibly be that bad. With a moment to rest, he started to think back on what happened. The last thing I remember I had just had dinner, and I was waiting for Pop to come back. I know I fell asleep for a bit, but that doesn’t explain how I got here though, or where here even is. I would like to ask it where I am, but I doubt it would tell me. It really creeps me out, how is it stopping me from moving? Can it hear my thoughts? Just more questions that I need answered. I can’t possibly torture people, I’m no saint but this is clearly psychotic. I’ll just suck up and accept whatever punishment it’ll give me. Who knows, it’ll probably just not give me anything to eat today.

“Failure to comply has resulted in punishment. Preparing in 5” The temperature in the room started to fade away.

“4” The lights flickered, before blowing out.

“3” The air was sucked out of the room.

“2” Ed dropped to the ground.

“1.”