Nikolas walked out of the supermarket holding a plastic bag in one hand and a freshly poured coke in the other. As he was sipping on the beverage, the sound of a car’s horn shrieking caused him to shift his attention to the end of the block. It was early in the evening but the sun had already set behind the buildings of New York City. The lights of the truck and the other cars glared down at him causing him to squint and lift the bag holding his late-night snacks up to try and avoid it. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as a cold breeze rolled off his back. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he noticed he was no longer standing on the street corner but instead in some dark room. What was going on? Before he was able to call out for assistance, a screen appeared before his face. His eyes blinked for a moment before he began to read.





”Ehh, a class? What is that? Like a video game? None of these sound like a role I’ve heard of. Where’s the tank or dps? Argonaut, that’s like Jason and the Argonauts right? I’m not sure if that would be the best. Light Bearer sounds rather interesting…Isn’t that what Lucifer’s name was? Protagonist, hmm that’s pretty plain. I guess Light Bearer sounds like it has the most potential. I guess I’ll pick that”


Upon selecting the class, a golden hue of light seemed to fill up the dark room before settling inside of Nikolas’ chest. In that moment of clarity, Nikolas saw that the room he was in was in fact a cell. There were old but thick bars that kept him from leaving the space. Had he been transported somewhere else? He shook at the bars and begun to yell in a desperate attempt to gain the attention of somebody else down there.

”Hello? Is anybody here? I think there’s a mistake. I shouldn’t be in here! Hello?”


notes. Emir Nebu Skye LaValle