Avatars Rising_SILOS I by David R. Bernstein & Harper North

Author:David R. Bernstein & Harper North [Bernstein, David R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Torment Publishing
Published: 2018-02-25T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

THE POUNDING OF my hard footfalls vibrates through me. The wind whips through my hair, filling my nose with the swampy scent of the merchant island. My eyes focus on the village ahead of me, and my mission drives me forward.

Even though my body knows what I’m supposed to do, I don’t remember getting to where I am. Am I dreaming? Where are the others?

The world seems too real to be a dream.

I glance behind me. I’m alone. How did I get out of the hut without anyone coming with me?

Charging through the jungle, the activity of the village comes into view. My head turns side-to-side as if an invisible force moves me against my will.

“No…”

The word falls from my lips.

The Grip must have come while I slept. I should have stayed awake. If I’d stayed conscious of our situation, the Grip might have stayed away, though I’m not sure about that at all.

Myco’s innocent face flashes through my mind. I left her. Fear floods my core, but it doesn’t slow me.

I try to fight my Hold, but it’s no use. The Grip is so much stronger than me. I glance down at my hands, open at my sides as I run. Even trying to close them proves difficult. Whoever my Grip is, they have me on a short leash.

My breathing is even and steady. That feeling of fearless inner strength is with me once again. While that should scare me, a sense of calmness runs through my veins. Now that I know someone really is with me. A battle wages inside me: free myself from this internal prison or emmerse myself in the moment?

I scan the area, seeing if there’s something—anything—to stop me. Maybe if I steer my body toward a rock that is jutting out of the ground, I’ll be able to trip and knock the Grip out of me?

But I can barely move my hands, never mind my legs. Instead, I continue to run, passing sparse huts and muddy paths, and avoid all tripping hazards.

Glancing around for the Moderators, I fear that my Grip will give away my existence. Separation from the device will only destroy me. I hope I can make it back to the hut in one piece before a Moderator spots me.

I reach the village and scan the area. My gaze stops on each avatar as if I’m searching for one in particular. I stalk through the village, clearly looking for someone who’s player controlled. I don’t care for blank stares; I’m looking for something and won’t stop until I find it.

As though I’ve been handed an orb, my muscles don’t waver, and my mind is clear. I’m no longer tired. Rather, I’m blood-thirsty. I remember feeling that way when I first fought Myco.

I’m about to do something I will regret. I feel it. Each time I try to stop myself, the Grip pushes me forward. We’re having a battle inside my mind. It’s easier to hold onto my thoughts this Grip episode, and I wonder if that’s because I’m sentient.

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