Gabriel stepped through the door and into the hub.
Pitch-black darkness enveloped Gabriel.
Really great idea, Arbiter, make it pitch black half the bloody day, everyday.
Thankfully, his door had appeared in the same position as previously. Gabriel's eyes adjusted quickly, moving to where he believed Arthur to be, guided by the very faint outlines of objects.
Gabriel eventually found his way through the darkness, only banging against tables a couple times.
Arthur stood behind the counter, completely still.
Energy-saving mode again.
"Arthur," Gabriel said.
No response.
"Arthur."
Still nothing.
Gabriel exhaled sharply. He took a step closer, irritation creeping in. For a brief moment, he seriously considered vaulting the counter and shaking the android until something happened.
Then Arthur's eyes flickered.
"Good evening, Gabriel," Arthur said pleasantly. "You missed the announcement."
Gabriel blinked. "Announcement?"
Arthur tilted his head slightly. "Yes. The Arbiter's announcement." He paused, then added, "And you still haven't returned my flashlight."
Gabriel winced. "About that—"
"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk." Arthur shook his head slowly, exaggerated. "We'll address that later."
Gabriel frowned. "What announcement?"
Arthur straightened.
His posture changed.
When he spoke again, his voice was no longer his own.
It softened. Smoothed. Feminine, calm, almost gentle — and completely devoid of emotion.
"Trial One has concluded," the Arbiter's voice echoed from Arthur's mouth. "Survival rate is impressive."
Gabriel felt a faint chill run through him.
"The record for fastest completion of Trial One has been broken."
A pause.
"Contestant Gu Lan Heng."
Who?
Gabriel frowned slightly, searching his memory.
"The record time: twenty-nine seconds. Congratulations."
That seems quick, how fast was I?
Arthur's voice continued without pause.
"A new area has been added."
Arthur lifted one arm and gestured toward a different section of the hub. In the distance, the wall shimmered blue, another corridor.
"This area will allow contestants to collect the coin owed to them from completed trials, and record breaks." the Arbiter said. "It will also display records, rankings, and notable achievements."
Arthur relaxed again, warmth returning to his expression like a mask snapping back into place.
"So, my flashlight?" he said cheerfully.
Gabriel stared toward the floor and then reached into his pocket, retrieving a few broken fragments.
"Gabriel! That was my favourite flashlight!" He shouted.
"I'm sorry."
"I was just playing a joke! it is a simple flashlight, buy me a new one from the store," Arthur said.
"Right now?" Gabriel asked, staring into the darkness.
"Yep, use this so that you can find your way," Arthur pulled out another flashlight from nowhere.
Seriously Arthur?
"Is this another joke, Arthur?" Gabriel complained.
"Nope!" Arthur handed the flashlight, "I expect you to return promptly with two flashlights… Intact."
Gabriel turned the flashlight on, half expecting the man from last night to be back.
The flashlight flickered on.
No one spying on me this time.
He did a quick 360 degree check around. Verifying that there wasn't anyone around .
Gabriel marched off toward the store corridor, which was partially illuminated by purple light.
He ran-walked, periodically checking behind him.
He reached the entrance to the corridor, and began the long walk to the doors at the end. Gabriel was halfway through the corridor when the doors ahead of him slid open.
Light spilled out from the store beyond.
And then a figure burst through.
Running. Running fast.
Gabriel froze for half a second, flashlight snapping up instinctively.
The beam caught the man's face.
Wide, bloodshot eyes. Panic. Breathing ragged.
It was the thousandth contestant.
"RUN, YOU IDIOT!" the man screamed as he closed the distance.
He didn't slow down. Didn't stop. He slammed past Gabriel's shoulder and kept sprinting toward the hub.
"What—hey!" Gabriel spun and took off after him. "What are we running from?"
The man laughed once, sharp and unhinged, even as he ran.
"The fucking robot!" he shouted back. "It slashed some guy's throat!"
Gabriel's stomach dropped.
"What robot?"
"One in the store!" the man barked. "Different from the others, metal thing. Smiling. Asked him a question and—" He dragged a finger across his own neck mid-run. "Gone! Used his finger. Just like that."
They burst back into the hub, Gabriel's flashlight bouncing wildly as he tried to keep up.
"Then we need to tell Arthur," Gabriel said. "He'll—"
The man skidded to a stop near one of the benches and rounded on him.
"Arthur?" he scoffed. "You mean that thing behind the counter?"
"He's an android, yeah, but—"
"But what?" the man snapped. "You think it's not working with the others? You think they don't talk?"
Gabriel opened his mouth.
The man shook his head violently. "If you're so desperate, go tell it yourself. I'm out."
He turned, raised his knuckles, and knocked on the wall beside the bench.
Knock…
Knock..
Knock.
The surface rippled.
"Wait—" Gabriel stepped forward. "They can go into our rooms, you're not—"
Too late.
The door formed and the man slipped inside, the surface sealing shut behind him.
Silence.
Gabriel stood there for half a second, heart hammering.
Then he ran.
He sprinted toward Arthur's counter, flashlight swinging up and down with each stride.
He could see the Arthur's eyes in the distance.
"Arthur!" he shouted. "Arthur, there's something wrong—"
As he ran he heard something faint, from somewhere behind him in the hub…
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Gabriel didn't stop.
He reached the counter, breathless. "There's an android in the store corridor. It killed someone. Slit his throat. Used its finger. And it's going after another—"
Arthur was already moving.
He vaulted the counter in a single smooth motion.
Gabriel froze for a split second, seeing Arthur's full frame properly for the first time.
Arthur didn't pause for a moment.
Arthur hit the ground running before Gabriel even finished speaking.
"This way," Arthur said calmly, already accelerating.
Gabriel chased after him, pulse roaring in his ears.
They reached the same bench.
Arthur stopped.
He raised his hand and knocked on the wall.
Knock…
Knock..
Knock.