Displaced 1 by Mark Anthony

Author:Mark Anthony [Anthony, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Speculative
ISBN: 9781700373922
Publisher: Noetic Quest
Published: 2019-11-18T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Real Space

It was dark by the time Eric exited the UCLA computer lab. While strolling towards his auto, he tried to recall when last out at this hour. He couldn’t, but he resolved to do so more often. The stars dotting the inky sky would draw anyone out, despite their shine struggling through the city’s illumination.

A new-found appreciation for real space was taking hold, but why? Was it because he hadn’t seen real space in ages?

That wasn’t true, but it seemed like it thanks to the time distortions of virtual world transitions. They made spending hours in one reality feel like days had passed in the other.

Whatever the reason, it strengthened the notion that virtual reality wasn’t mild escapism like watching a movie or reading a book. It was complete and total departure. No wonder he loved it so much.

He climbed into his auto and asked the vehicle to start for home. The auto acknowledged and eased towards the nearest exit. He checked the holographic time display. 8:43p.m. Would Kim be home? Not likely.

With tonight a picture-perfect Thursday evening, she was probably out with friends, or a friend. As he considered this, it surprised him that the thought wasn’t bothersome. Normally, envisioning Kim snuggling with her new partner drove him up the walls. But indifference existed where anger usually resided. Why?

Maybe he had already left this reality behind, if only in his mind, a thought he had considered at The Clover but never solidified. Though uncertain, the notion nevertheless eased his contentment back into place.

The auto maneuvered through L.A.’s vibrant west side, passing along throngs of people and pulses of music and light. The cabin vibrated from the rhythmic reverberations, as pinks, blues, and yellows flickered throughout. He barely noticed this. His mind stayed wrapped around the mission, specifically Victor’s invitation to his apartment. Was tomorrow night the big show?

He needed to check the Crypt Keeper message boards. If tomorrow night was the hour of the wolf, Hanging Chad would probably hint as much. Hell. He might even boast about plans to have two victims in one sitting.

While considering this, he frowned. Should he let the murder happen at all?

Net space was real, or real enough that decent people should prevent virtual murder when they could, and he undoubtedly could. He could warn Alice of Victor’s identity and intentions. Or he could message Hanging Chad and say his cover was blown. Either approach would work. The problem was Arvin.

Arvin needed to watch Victor kill Alice because that would convince him of Chad’s inner evil. Eric likewise wanted to know this, but that was before learning that net space was real.

As the auto merged onto the freeway, the city’s flickering lights died in the rear view. However, Eric steadily beamed. There was a way to save Alice and catch Victor in the act of killing. Have Lana suffer the murder on Alice’s behalf.

It would work. Lana could go to Victor’s apartment and tell him, “So sorry, Alice couldn’t make it. Now you have me all to yourself.

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