Internet 24

I make it to the first Island. In all of its randomized order, the parking lot is always first. From the sands of the parking lot rises the three gorilla skeletons. I learned the secret is to go for the eyes. Before that, I squeezed my left hand three times.

I have on two fabric gloves called the Gauntlets. Though they are fabric, they are stronger than any metal. I have a glass bracelet on my left hand. A floating disc of glass appears over the bracelet. This is my shield. Don't let the appearance fool you; it can take a hit.

I teach into my fanny pack and pull out the item I need. A small box meant to look like a knockoff Pocky stick

Poke’Em*.*

The box can spawn an infinite amount of Poke’Em snack sticks. They are made of highly durable metal and are not edible.

Requirement: Must ask, "May I have more?"

RYE

May I have more?

Out of the box pops out a pair of metal candy sticks. I grab them and charge forward. I learned it's best to make the first move here. No fancy tricks. I just have to be faster.

My eyes catch Stop’s arm move, and I can guess where he will swing. I duck, and the stop sign goes over my head. I leap on him and stab the floating ball of electricity with a stick. The metal conducts the sparks, and I feel connected to the beat for a moment. Its voice floats in my mind.

SKELETON GORILLA

You've gotten better. Good.

The bones fall onto the ground. A second pair of sticks pop out of the box. I slap the glass bracelet, and what pops out is a circle shield made of reflective glass. YIELD, the second skeleton, charges at me. I don't run. His sign slams into my shield.

There is no crash, but the force of the impact shakes my arm. The gorilla stares in awe as the point of impact on the shield isn't solid. It became a goo texture that softened the blow a bit, and even better, it distracted him.

Pop, a chopstick hits him in the eye. Then there was one, CROSSING. The last gorilla nods its head as I return the gesture. He rushes to me, and unlike the first two, he lands a hit to my side with his sign. All the air in my is pushed out as a glob of spit flies out my mouth.

The pain sends jolts through my body, but he's close. With his head close to mine as he ready a follow-up attack, I stab the gorilla in the eye.

The last one falls. The Island is clear. In these moments, I learned I am given a moment to breathe. Five minutes, exactly. My eyes stare at the sky above. It's a sky filled with stars and bright colors on a black canvas.