Internet 24

I can't stand it anymore. My head feels so heavy, and the title floor feels comfortable. I never noticed how hot my body was because the chill of the marble felt so good. I can just close my eyes. What's the worst that can happen?

KURT

Kid! Ah man, look. I can't say

I get your problem entirely,

and I think you should talk to somebody

about that, like a professional, not me.

I barely have a handle on my issues. But right

now, you need to pick something. Them slugs are

about a minute away from sucking your soul

out your body and digesting it in sacks of acid. It sucks!

RYE

What if I don't like it? Then I wasted

my time and my life on it. What if I spend

four years of my life on a degree, thousands of dollars

to put me in debt, and in the end, I decide

this isn't what I want, and I don't know what I want?

KURT

Oh, kid... I'm sorry human lives

are so short. Wait, I think I know the perfect thing.

He runs out of view. I don't have it in me to lift my neck. The edges of my vision go black. Then I hear him. He standing in front of me, trying to show me something. I can't make it out. It takes all my focus just to listen.

KURT

Found it! The price is hefty, but I

think you'll like it. This stress ball is extraordinary.

Squeeze it three times in a row, and

you can freeze time. Every squeeze after

the third will give you an extra minute,

only up to five minutes. Can't have you

stuck in time. Use this to take a breath.

RYE

That...

KURT

Come on, say you want it. It's not a sale until I hear it.

I let out a gasp. Its hard to speak. The word stop at my teeth and I can't push them out further.

RYE

That sounds...

KURT

Finish the sentence.

RYE

Good. I'll take it.

The teeth pierce my skin loosen as a heavy force pounds my chest. I an sent five feet in the air. The electrified clods are pushed back into my body. Strength feels my limbs as air fills my lungs. I land back on the floor. Pain rushes my body as my nerves are sparked with excess electrical sparks. I feel like I did three triathlons in a row. Granted the closest thing I did to a triathlon was a soccer practice in high school. Even there, I didn't try that hard.

RYE

Oh god.

I look at my arms, and there are no slugs. I check all over my body, and there isn't a single soul-sucking glass monster on me.

RYE

They're gone. Those damn slugs are gone!

KURT

Good, good. That'll be 10 RC.

RYE

RC? Like the cars?

KURT

Right you are new.

RYE

How much is that?

KURT

Close to 20,638 of your American dollars.

RYE

I... I don't have that kind of money.

The booming silence returns as we stare at each other. He uncomfortable grin returns.

KURT

Don't worry, we can work out a

payment plan. Look at it positively. You're not dead.

RYE

I guess, what's another sack of debt.

KURT

For real kid, you should look into help.

RYE

That's money.

KURT

Well, with this, you should have enough

time to think it out. Either way, you

have to options. A monthly payment plan,

or you run through the Dungeon trial?

My eyes widen when he says that.

RYE

Dungeon Trial?

As soon as I say that the storage begins to shake and a crack rips through the floor.