Page 116 of Immersed
The monitor flickered, then displayed a different message:“Manual override initiated. Select configuration template.”
“It worked!”Maddie exclaimed, a genuine smile breaking through her fear for the first time in hours.
A schematic appeared on the screen, showing a simplified map of the sanitarium’s current configuration. A blinking dot indicated theirlocation in the sublevel, while a dotted line traced a potential route upward.
“That’s our path back,”Levi said, pointing to the line.“If we can lock the building in this configuration, we should be able to reach it without encountering any more shifting corridors.”
Jasper searched the control panel in front of him.“I think this one locks it,” he said, flipping the switch without a second’s hesitation. The screen flashed with confirmation:“Configuration locked. Standby for stabilization.”
Around them, the machinery’s rhythm changed, the gears slowing to a more measured pace. The constant background vibration steadied, becoming almost imperceptible.
“You did it,”Tyler said, clapping Jasper on the shoulder.
“We did it,”Jasper corrected, though pridewasevident on his face.“Now we just need to follow this route up—”
A harsh buzzer cut through his words, the control panel suddenly flashing red. The monitor displayed a new message, this one pulsing with urgency:“Security violation detected. Countermeasures engaged.”
“What did you do?”Elliot demanded, rounding on Jasper.
“Nothing! I was just clicking buttons, man!”Jasper protested.
The machinery around them accelerated, gears spinning with renewed vigor, pistons pumping at double speed. Metal groaned as the system seemed to strain against its limitations.
“It’s rejecting the commands,”Levi realized.“The security system is fighting back.”
A more immediate concern emerged as panels along the walls began to slide open, revealing recessed compartments. Creatures stumbled forward, assemblages of parts that vaguely resembled human forms.Gears served as joints, pistons as limbs, dripping with something that made the room smell like death and made Levi’s stomach churn.
“Run!”Tyler shouted, grabbing Maddie’s arm and pulling her toward the nearest corridor leading off from the main chamber.“Split up! They can’t chase all of us!”
“No!”Levi called after them.“We need to stay together!”
But itwastoo late. Tyler and Maddiedisappeared down one passage, while Elliot and Jasper bolted toward another. Levi felt Asher’s grip on his arm, tugging him toward a third exit.
“They’ve made their choice,”Asher said.“Make yours.”
Therewasno time for debate. Levi allowed Asher to pull him into the corridor, the sound of metal feet clanking against the floor pursuing them as they fled.
They ran together, Asher slightly ahead, guiding their path with unerring confidence despite the unfamiliar terrain. Levi found himself matching Asher’s pace, anticipating his movements.They’ddone this before—fleeing together, surviving together—and their bodies remembered even if the circumstances differed.
The corridor branched repeatedly, each junction forcing a split-second decision. Asher chose without hesitation, pulling Levi through a bewildering sequence of turns that soon left him disoriented. The sounds of pursuit faded behind them, replaced by the omnipresent hum of machinery.
40
Still Forgetting to Check for Traps
“Wait,”Levigasped,pullingagainst Asher’s grip. “Stop. I need to... catch my breath.”
Asher paused, allowing Levi to lean against a wall.“They’re not following anymore,”he said, head tilted as he listened to the distant sounds.“They’ve chosen different prey.”
As if to confirm his assessment, a scream echoed through the corridors—a man’s voice, though whether itwasTyler, Jasper, or Elliotwasimpossible to determine. Levi pushed away from the wall, instinctively moving toward the sound, but Asher blocked his path.
“Don’t,”he said, his hand flat against Levi’s chest.“You can’t help them.”
“We don’t know that,”Levi protested, though the words rang hollow even to his own ears.“We can’t just abandon them.”
“Like they abandoned us?”Asher countered, his fingers curling against Levi’s sternum.“They ran, Levi. They made their choice. Now we make ours.”
Levi wanted to argue, to insist they try to find the others, but exhaustion and pragmatism won out.“Fine,”he conceded.“But we need to find our way back. Those offices are still our objective.”
