Page 64 of Immersed
“It’s like it’s containing us,”Maddie added, her usual flirtatiousness replaced by fear.
Containing us.The word choice made Levi’s skin crawl, remembering Dr. Faine’s research. But he couldn’t tell them about the journal, about the building’s true purpose. Every time he tried to explain the loops before, the NPCsdismissed him as having a breakdown.
“Could be a security malfunction,”Levi said instead, falling back into his role as team leader.“Old buildings sometimes have automated systems that activate when—”
“When what?”Elliot interrupted.“When they detect trespassers? Because that’s what we are, technically.”
“We have permission to be here,”Tyler pointed out.“The property management company cleared our investigation.”
Did they?Levi wondered. In this programmed reality, probably. But it didn’t matter what permissions they thought they had.
“Either way,”Zoe said pragmatically,“we’re here now. And since we can’t leave...”She gestured at their equipment setup.“Maybe we should do what we came to do.”
“You want to investigate?”Owen asked, looking around the oppressive lobby.“While we’re trapped?”
“What else are we going to do? Sit here and panic?”Zoe’s voice was steady, reassuring.“We came here to document paranormal activity. The building sealing itself could be part of that.”
Levi felt a spark of hope.Maybe that’s it. Maybe we need to actually be paranormal investigators instead of victims.
Play the game properly instead of trying to break it.
“She’s right,”he said, surprising everyone, including himself. “We have all our equipment. We know the building layout. Let’s treat this like a real investigation.”
“A real investigation?”Maddie looked at him like he hadlost his mind.“L-Levi, we’re trapped in a place that just sealed itself. This isn’t exactly standard ghost hunting protocol.”
“Since when is any ghost hunt standard?”Asher asked.“Might as well embrace the experience.”
There was something in his tone—amusement, maybe, or anticipation. Like he was curious to see how this approach would play out.
“Fine,”Elliot said, hefting his expensive camera.“But if this place tries to kill us, I’m blaming all of you.”
It probably will try to kill us,Levi thought.But maybe if we play by its rules...
“Thermal readings show activity on the second floor,”Owen reported, consulting his tablet.“East wing. That’s where we should start.”
“Together,”Levi emphasized.“Standard protocol. We stick together in groups, document everything, and don’t go anywhere alone, no matter what.”
“Agreed,” Zoe said. “Safety in numbers.”
As they gathered their equipment and prepared to venture deeper into the sanitarium, Levi caught Asher watching him.
“This should be interesting,”Asher murmured, just loud enough for Levi to hear.
Interesting.That was one word for it. Levi shouldered his bag, Dr. Faine’s journal a reassuring weight in his pocket.
Think like a player.Play the game the way it wants to be played.
Maybe that was the key to finding a way out.
22
Backstory
Levipressedforward,followingthe faint sound of Elliot’s voice echoing from somewhere ahead. The concrete walls seemed to close in with each step, and the musty air carried undertones of something chemical and wrong.
“Elliot!”he called out again. His voice bounced off the walls, distorted by the narrow space.
No response this time.
