Work was slow and boring as Tolbert made the rounds through the rooms with little effort and finished on time. A low snarl rumbled behind Tolbert as he exited the building. Turning, he spied a yellow, knee high-tail disappearing into the shrubbery.
Tolbert strolled over and checked behind the bushes. Parting the ferns, he came face to face with a bipedal reptile with mottled yellow and brown skin.
Frozen in place, Tolbert and the raptor stared at each other. Tolbert opened his mouth to scream but nothing came out. The raptor opened its mouth and showing Tolbert several rows of razor-sharp teeth, it emitted a small warble and then tilted its head, looking at him.
“Crap, crap, crap,” Tolbert cursed under his breath, backing away from the raptor. Keeping his eyes glued to the raptor, he watched as the raptor took a step forward. A warm liquid seeped down Tolbert’s leg on the inside of his uniformed trouser. What the hell was that? It looked like a dinosaur, but they’re extinct, where did it come from?
A loud gunshot rang out.
Tolbert dropped to the concrete grazing his chin.
The creature's head turned to the left. It warbled and then dashed off towards the sound of the gunshot.
Tolbert let out the breath he had been holding. Looking down at his trousers he felt a wave of disgust wash over him. Pissing myself because I saw a dinosaur. What a baby! Without looking at anyone he called for a taxi. Better get home quickly in case someone sees me. He quickly ordered the driver to take him home so he could change his clothes. On the drive home, he mused to himself about the dinosaur. Dinosaurs are extinct, so it couldn't be a real dinosaur, what could it be? Maybe it was a dream? Like the gunshot the other day.
“Hey, man,” Tolbert called to the driver. “Have you heard many gunshots around here in the last couple of days?”
“Not really, man,” responded the driver, looking at him through the mirror. “You okay? Your chin is bleeding.”
Tolbert raised a hand to his chin and came away with blood that was drying quickly.
“I must have knocked it on my way out,” I remember hitting the ground because of the gunfire, but no one else is hearing gunfire. The chin graze is real, but the gunshot that caused it isn’t…
Tolbert leaned back into the seat of the cab and lapsed into silence for the rest of the journey. He looked out the window at the buildings as they went past.
Arriving home instead of Dragon Hunt, Tolbert logged into Space Traders, a game where he pilots a small space ship to make money. One close encounter with a raptor was enough for one day. Something as far from raptors as possible is called for. I don’t want my dreams to be of raptors and trolls. It’s bad enough that I am seeing them at work.
The game screen resolved and he took command of his own personal spaceship, a small cargo vessel. While docking at the space station, the station computer greeted him. Trading the goods still in his cargo bay, he replaced them with goods that would fetch a good price a couple of systems over. Fully loaded, Tolbert undocked and began to fly towards his new destination, programming the navigation computer. The darkness of space slipped by as the computer took over.
Getting up from the pilot’s chair, he headed out the back of the cockpit and down along the corridor to the galley. His stomach growled. Tolbert fixed himself some nutrient-rich food; it had everything he needed but lacked a pleasant taste.
While he was still eating, the lights went red and the ship shook; the sound of an impact resonated through the ship.
Leaving the food where it landed on the steel table, Tolbert raced back to the cockpit, arriving in time to see a large asteroid in the ships flight path. Taking the control yoke, Tolbert yanked it hard towards himself.
The ship leapt to respond the engine whirling in a high-pitched scream, but it did so sluggishly.
Pressed into the chair by g-forces Tolbert watched as the asteroid grew larger and nearer in the view screen. Keeping the control yoke in place, Tolbert forced the ship to lift itself away from the asteroid. Sweat trickled down his brow and stung the graze on his chin as the edge of the asteroid crested into view. He breathed a sigh of relief and eased back on the throttle. Tolbert brought the ship to a complete stop with the asteroid a mere inch beneath the ship. Proximity klaxons blared in his ears.
"Computer," Tolbert bellowed.
"Yes," it responded in a balanced contralto.
"How did that rock get there?" Tolbert demanded, checking the navigation chart.
"It would seem that the asteroid, TA1296, was moved."
"By whom?" Tolbert's voice went up a pitch.
"Sensors indicate that there are two pirate cruisers five kilometres to port," the computer sang, changing the topic.
Tolbert opened his mouth to respond, but a sharp repeated beeping stopped him, drowning out the proximity alarms. He turned to the control panel.
"They have a target lock on us," the computer giggled.
"No, really," Tolbert growled.
Tolbert gunned the engine. The shrill beeping went up a pitch, a missile warning sound.
"They have fired a missile. Impact in twenty seconds," the computer laughed.
The engines stalled, "What?" Tolbert cursed at the console in front of him. "Why aren't we moving?"
"The asteroid beneath us has a gravity field that would indicate a core of more than just iron," the computer bubbled. "Fifteen seconds till impact."
"Fire countermeasures," Tolbert commanded sliding under the command console and pulling open a hatch.
"Countermeasures fired," the computer sang out.
Tolbert pulled out a bunch of messy cords, disconnecting them and then reconnecting them into a new configuration.
"Ten seconds till impact."
Swearing under his breath, Tolbert climbed back into the chair and gunned the engines to maximum. The ship jerked as a grinding sound came from the rear of the ship.
"Five seconds to impact."
"Drop the cargo," Tolbert commanded.
"Cargo dropped," the computer replied.
The sound of hissing ripped through the back of the cockpit. The airlock door slammed shut, sealing Tolbert in. The missile hit the countermeasures and exploded. The concussive force of the explosion catapulted the cockpit back away from the asteroid.
Gunning the command modules engines again, Tolbert broke free of the asteroid's gravity and raced at the cruisers. Leaping from the shadow of the asteroid, Tolbert fired his two lasers. In response, the cruisers fired off five more missiles each.
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Proximity warnings shrieked, increasing in intensity. Explosions ripped the little module into a fireball.
Tolbert sat up in a cold sweat in his darkened room. He screamed. Looking around, he noticed that he was in his room in his apartment. Breathing deeply, he calmed himself down. "Just a bad dream," Tolbert whispered to himself and went back to sleep.
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Striker stood in the destroyed ruins of New York and searched his friend's list. No Tolbert. Where was he? Was he now truly dead? No, he must just not have logged onto the game today.
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The next day on Tolbert’s way to work, the subway announcer cheerfully informed the subway users of the next coming train. Tolbert ground his teeth. Something about the announcer was just set him on edge. A minute later, the announcer informed of another train arriving in the same cheerful way. Grinding his teeth, Tolbert clenched and unclenched his hands, trying to sort out his frustration.
On arriving at work, he sighed, a sour expression fixed on his face. Tolbert’s work radio emitted a high-pitched, repeated tone, then stopped as someone radioed in instructions. With each radioed instruction, Tolbert jumped at the high-pitched, repeated tone.
When Tolbert headed home, the subway announcer cheerfully informed the subway commuters of the next coming train. Tolbert ground his teeth again. This announcer just seemed to bug him. A minute later, the announcer informed of another train arriving, making Tolbert ground his teeth some more as he clenched and unclenched his hands, again trying to sort out his frustration. What is going on?
Once at home, Tolbert turned on his computer, sighing. Relieved to be home he felt frustrations leak from him.
Settling into his new command chair, he moved into the shadow of an asteroid and spotted the remains of a cargo ship. The cargo ship sat in the blackness of space nestled next to a large asteroid. Drawing closer to the cargo ship, Tolbert noticed dark black scoring on it. One whole module was collapsed, sparks flew from an exposed wire. The module sits listlessly in the dark of space. Tolbert docked with the cargo bay, hearing the hiss of the airlock engaging.
"There is a breathable atmosphere on the inside," chimed the on-board computer.
"Ah, good," Tolbert muttered.
Rising up from his chair, he headed to the airlock. Grabbing a laser pistol from the shelf near to the door, he strapped it to his leg for easy reach. Opening the door Tolbert grabbed a breather and a flashlight.
As he stepped onto the cargo ship, the overhead lights flickered while his torch sweeping over the dark corridors. Tolbert coughed hacking up his lungs; pain seared his chest from the stale air. Placing the breather to his face, he took a deep breath of fresh, recycled air. The breather sealed itself to his face, freeing up his hand.
He moved slowly down the walkway; every second light coming on flickered before burning out with a small spark. Five metres down the walkway, Tolbert arrived at a door. When he pressed the release button, the door emitted a helpful tone, then emitted a metal on metal scraping as the door grinded slid open, stopping halfway.
Beyond the door, a soft skittering sound pulled back from the light of Tolbert’s flashlight. His light played over the floor, revealing black and red streak. Tolbert twisted his body and stepped into the room.
Inside, containers of various sizes were stacked against the walls and in neat rows. Letting out a low whistle, Tolbert read the markings on the cargo, which revealed that they are for assorted goods, all extremely valuable. Walking amongst the stacks, Tolbert read more labels, each crate another valuable good.
A barely heard tapping sound echoed softly in the back of the cargo bay. As he went further into the cargo room, the tapping got louder. Tolbert swept his light to the left noting that the flashlight wasn't strong enough to pierce the darkness. A bead of sweat formed on his forehead. A third sound came from behind him. Tolbert froze.
The sounds came again, to the right; ‘Tap, Tap, Tap.’ A simple and short sound followed by an answer deeper into the cargo bay in front, ‘Tap, Tap, Tap.’ A sliding dragging sound came from another direction.
Tolbert’s heart began to race.
‘Tap, tap, tap’ to the right.
‘Tap, tap, tap’ in front.
The dragging sound from behind.
Tolbert remained frozen in place as he listened to the sound coming from around the cargo bay.
‘Tap, tap, tap’ to the right.
‘Tap, tap, tap’ in front.
The dragging sound from behind and closer.
Spinning around, Tolbert played the flashlight around him trying to locate the source of the sound, his heart still racing.
‘Tap, tap, tap’ now to his left.
‘Tap, tap, tap’ from behind.
The dragging sound now in front was closer.
Gabbing his laser pistol, Tolbert held it out in front of him, his hands shaking.
‘Tap, tap, tap’ to the left, faster.
‘Tap, tap, tap’ behind matching the tempo.
The dragging sound from in front closer.
A shadow came from between the crates.
‘Tap, tap, tap’ to the left, faster.
‘Tap, tap, tap’ behind matching the tempo.
The dragging sound from in front closer.
The shadow streamed from behind the crates, a swarm of black bugs. They swarmed out between and over the crates and along the floor.
Firing his laser pistol, Tolbert hit one.
The bugs moved over their dead consuming it as they kept coming.
Tolbert fired into the swarm rapidly as it flowed closer. Each time he hit one, the swarm devoured it and continued unchecked. The beetles were innumerable. Tolbert turned and fired blindly and hopefully behind him into the swarm, running away.
The swarm kept coming, increasing its speed.
Dodging through the crates, he passed crates that were black and blue and then bright green followed by more blue and black crates again. The only source of light was the flashlight bouncing between the stacks as he ran. Tolbert didn’t see the slug until it was too late.
The slug was six feet tall and its mouth was the whole front of its body. As it opened its jaws, Tolbert ran right into it, stopping just in front of the large teeth.
Tolbert fired the laser into the gaping maw. Glancing behind, he saw the smaller beetles encircle, still advancing towards him.
The slug’s tongue whipped out, wrapping around him and pulling him into its mouth.
Tolbert pulled against the slug, and it crushed his stomach, forcing the air out and, with its strength, pulled him into its mouth.
Tolbert awoke screaming in his bed, drenched in sweat. He noticed that he had wet himself while asleep. Cursing under his breath, he got up and changed the sheets and then showered. He lay in the freshly made bed, trying to sleep. Eventually, sleep claimed him.
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Striker slashed down and killed another raptor. He glanced at the clock and noted the time. Both the times Tolbert had been on, he had been on at this time. Maybe he would be on now?
In checking his friend's list Striker’s hopes fell as the list of only one person still showed nothing. Where is he? The game was good but it didn’t have the same thrill when Tolbert wasn’t online. Why?
Tolbert was alert on the way to work the next day. He noticed strange trees on the corner. Does anyone else not see the trees? Taking a closer look as he walked past them, he saw that a set of tropical palms had replaced the traffic lights. Why has there not been an accident yet?
Tolbert walked on, keeping his eyes peeled for anything else out of place. What is going on?
At work, Tolbert began to relax. The demands of dealing with the hotel’s clients kept him busy and with effort, he focused his attention on the work. It eased the tension that had been building.
‘Tap, tap, tap.’
Tolbert strained his ears for the response, nothing.
While Tolbert was investigating the sound, his boss, Geoff, called him on the work radio, summoning him into his office. After replying to his acknowledgement over the radio, Tolbert headed to Geoff’s office. When he arrived at Geoff’s office Tolbert took a seat facing in Geoff’s direction.
"Tolbert, how are you?" Geoff asked, touching each finger to its mate on the other hand.
"I'm good." Tolbert hesitated.
"Good, good," Geoff returned. "I called you into today because today is your first-year review."
“O…Oh,” Tolbert stammered. He couldn’t afford to lose this job. If he lost his job he would have to move in with his parents and they were worse than the lady screaming down the hall.
“First, I would like to ask you how you like working with us?”
“Um,” Tolbert stalled.
Geoff waited patiently and watched Tolbert.
“I guess it’s okay,” Tolbert finished. What type of answer was that?
Geoff observed Tolbert for a minute.
Tolbert shifted under Geoff’s gaze.
“I mean to say...” stammered Tolbert, “I have enjoyed the work, but I have been a little distracted of late.”
“Oh, I see," remarked Geoff, opening a thin folder. “Your work has been exemplary up until a little under a week ago," he continued. “You could be a team leader. Your team members all look up to you and you have actually been training some of the other team leaders.”
Tolbert gulped as a single beetle scurried across the desk.
Geoff reached out and smacked down killing the beetle on reflex, not looking up from the file.
Tolbert leaned in as Geoff lifted his hand. Tolbert paled. The beetles not them too. Another two beetles scrambled across the desk from behind the computer.
Jumping back, Tolbert knocked the chair aside. They’re real. Geoff is noticing them too. The new beetles moved across the desk to the dead one and consumed it.
Geoff's hand came down again.
"Damn it," Geoff cursed. "Where are they coming from?"
Tolbert stood transfixed, as another three rushed to the dead. They were immediately followed by another three.
Geoff jumped out of his desk chair and backed away.
The six new beetles devoured the first three and then scattered in all directions.
“What the hell was that?” Geoff demanded looking at his immaculate dark stained wooden desk.
Tolbert white as a sheet watched in silence. He was unable to say anything. Why were his nightmares coming to life?