This might be my last free short story. But we will see. I might try submitting the next few to some places online or possibly self-publish in a book. Anyway hope you like this story this is the shortest of the three I've posted on here.
Simulation Terminated by P.C. Snider
Rachel Martin is a Computer Programmer. She is working on a new Virtual Reality game. Gonna be free of charge to anyone who wants to play it. She just wants people to have fun and not have to pay big bucks in order to play a Video Game.
She does this on her free time as a hobby after work. During the day she is a Waitress at local Restaurant.
It’s a Job that allows her to live by herself in a One-Bedroom Apartment anyway.
She is happy she has her job, and a hobby such as Game Development to work on. Keeps her occupied and busy.
The game she is working on is called Dream Maker.
On her way home from work, she stops by an old Electronics Shop. The shop is cluttered with all kinds of gadgets, vintage tech, and forgotten prototypes. She was about to leave when a label catches her eye.
Mindlink – Experimental Neural Interface.
It looked old, battered. She wondered if it would even power on.
She thought, “This could really work for the Game I’m Developing.”
Her hands trembled while reaching for the device. The wires had split ends on them and were hanging half way out of the sides. The plastic casing was scratched and faded. But she imagined how it could enhance Dream Maker.
She asked the shop owner. “How much?”
“Well, since it might not even power on. I’ll give you a good deal.” The old man said chuckling to himself.
“Thanks!” She replied.
“No problem. How about Ten Bucks?”
“Sounds fair to me.”
Rachel reaches into her purse and pulls out a Ten Dollar Bill.
“Exact change alright?”
“Sure is.”
“Thanks a lot.”
“Enjoy.” The old man chuckles again menacingly.
#
That evening she excitedly was able to connect Mindlink to her Computer. Running a Unix-Like Operating System. The device started to hum and made a static sound as Electricity flowed through it. As she powered it on.
Suddenly she felt sick, her vision blurred. Almost felt like a sense of falling asleep into a dreamlike state. The world around her started to warp and bend.
She tried to remove the helmet. But her hands felt heavy. Too heavy.
A voice echoed in her head. “You shouldn’t have come here...” The room grew colder, shadows grew, and grew. Her surroundings dissolved into darkness.
When she opened her eyes, she was staring at her own reflection. In a bathroom mirror. Her face pale as a ghost.
Her reflection gave her a sinister grin.
“You’re finally mine now.”
She could hear static Electricity coming from somewhere in the room.
“Welcome to the game, Rachel. You’re never leaving!”
She screamed.
Simulation Terminated by P.C. Snider (PDF) Free
Copyright 2025 P.C. Snider
