"My advice is that you do not use the vials in the cabinet immediately. Do a workout first, until you are close to collapsing. Then use the vial." Arthur smiled, leaning back.
Odd Android.
"Thanks, Arthur." Gabriel waved as he left. His ability to speak to others had been exhausted.
He approached a random section of the white, featureless wall and knocked three times. Other people in the canteen glanced at him with curiosity, surprised when the wall shifted, and a door materialised before him. Gabriel slowly twisted the grey handle, and with a click, he pushed it open.
Gabriel stepped through and walked the familiar corridor. This time, there was no blinding light, no headache—just a quiet hum of the lights.
He reached the door to his room and it clicked closed behind him. He walked over to the couch and sank into it, stretching his legs as he sat.
The door melted away, and the bed creaked as it came back up.
Gabriel quickly fell asleep where he sat. Soft snores began to escape him.
The lights slowly dimmed until the room became pitch black.
The noise of snoring echoed softly around the room. The only sound, the only sense that could be sensed.
That was until a few minutes later, when a second creak occurred.
The bed descended into the floor and the door materialised again.
"Click"
⸻
Hours later, Gabriel woke. The lights were off. He rubbed his eyes, confused as to whether his eyelids were still closed or open.
Why is it so bloody dark.
Gabriel tried to feel his way around, but bumped into a table.
"Ahh, Shit," my toe! I stubbed it.
Why isn't the floor lighting up as I walk. Gabriel thought, extremely annoyed.
There's no way I'm making it to that grey panel… not without losing nine more toes…please work.
Gabriel mumbled, Lights… on?" The room brightened gently, all the way back to its normal setting.
Gabriel took off his sock, and rubbed his toe for a couple seconds, cursing at the table in front of him.
He then followed his usual morning routine— as if he were back home. Brush teeth, shower, change into fresh clothes.
Now it was time for breakfast.
Gabriel hopped onto his bed, and knocked on the wall beside it.
His bed began descending, with him on it.
After his quick ride, Gabriel went through the corridor as normal.
When he emerged into the hub, it was unnervingly dark. The usual brightness of the day cycle was replaced by an almost oppressive twilight. His door had appeared close to Arthur. As he could still make out the canteen counter and Arthur standing behind it, no one else was nearby.
Gabriel approached the android cautiously. "Arthur?"
No response. His stomach gave a slight twist.
"Hey, Arthur, you there?"
Gabriel was now right next to the counter. Arthur remained looking directly down to the floor.
Gabriel felt a chill creep up his spine. He turned around, trying to look into the darkness to see if there was anything out there.
"Arthur, wake up."
Arthur's eyes suddenly flickered to life, casting a soft glow. "Ah, sorry! I was in energy-saving mode… Good morning, Gabriel!"
Is this guy trying to give me nightmares?
Partially relieved, Gabriel nodded and asked for the menu. As the holographic screens unfolded, the soft light illuminated the hub more clearly—and that's when he noticed it: a door in the wall to his right. The kind that led to a room.
That isn't my door is it? No, I came from the left side. Hmm, maybe someone just left as I entered the hub. Should be gone soon.
"Why's it so damn dark right now."
"It's because it is 'night' time. We turn the lights off in order for you humans to not go insane. In the first trial, contestants began developing mental illnesses due to the lack of darkness."
"Of course! That is why this place is darker than a dictators soul." Gabriel said, acting overly understanding.
"I'm sorry, Gabriel, but i don't have the permissions to make it brighter. If that's what you were hoping for."
"It's fine," Gabriel said while checking over his shoulder.
That door, it's still there.
"Hey Arthur, why is that door there?" Gabriel asked, frowning.
Arthur turned his head toward it. A faint whirring echoed. In one fluid motion, he produced a small flashlight seemingly from nowhere, aiming its beam at where Gabriel was pointing at. The surrounding area shimmered under the light.
"Hmm… that's odd. Maybe a residual system delay?" Arthur said casually, stowing the flashlight. "It should disappear soon."
Gabriel sipped his tea—milk, one sugar—and nibbled at his breakfast, but curiosity gnawed at him. He chatted with Arthur for a few minutes, but his eyes kept darting toward the door.
Finally, unable to resist any longer, he asked, "I want to see what's behind that door."
Arthur tilted his head slightly. "I don't recommend it… but it's not against any rules. You may enter if you wish."
Gabriel took a deep breath, stood, and walked toward the door. The lighting of Arthur's eyes cast long shadows of Gabriel across the floor. Gabriel reached out and twisted the handle. The door clicked open, leading into the narrow corridor beyond.
Stepping through, he felt a chill brush against his skin. The corridor stretched before him, quiet and empty. He paused, listening. The faint whirring from the walls persisted, growing ever so slightly louder, almost imperceptibly.
At the end of the corridor, a doorway appeared. As Gabriel reached the door he hesitated, and then pushed it open.
It was pitch black, but the light of the corridor brought a ray of light in.
The bed was empty.
"Lights on." Gabriel said, stepping into the darkness.
The lights dimmed on.
"Well."
There was a body, a man.
A deep gash through his throat.
Blood covered the floor.