audio; un: s.rogers

[noble_sentiments]

[ Steve sounds like he's out of breath, like a man who's been running. For anyone who knows him from back home, you'll know how hard Steve needs to run in order to sound like this. ]

Does anyone copy?

[ If he sounds firm, it's because he needs to be. He has to believe that it's not just him left. He has to believe that he didn't wake up in a new world, just to live through this again.

It's only after connecting to the network now, however, that Steve realizes he might be able to access its archives. ]

----

[ Update. Steve posts a second message roughly thirty minutes after his first one. ]

Thank you, to everyone who responded. For those who aren't aware of what's going on, there's an explanation in the archive. If you currently feel isolated. Alone. If the people around you have vanished. Find the nearest exit and keep moving until you see can people again. You will find them, and this feeling will pass.

Comments

audio un: TheStrandInstitute

[nobasisinfact]

I assume you've been inside the nightmare fields.

[noble_sentiments]

[ That devastating, isolated feeling isn't gone, but Steve is no longer panting when he responds. ]

Nightmare fields? What- [ There's a small sound of wind, like Steve is looking around, trying to find something. ] What do you mean?

[nobasisinfact]

Yes.

There are areas of the Sphere that currently are playing on a fear of being alone. People are there, but you can't see or sense them. As soon as you notice something wrong, get out.

[noble_sentiments]

[ The next second is just the sound of Steve's labored breaths.

He nods, slowly, even if no one else can see. ]

Get outta here. Got it.

[nobasisinfact]

Keep calm and stay connected to the network. It seems that's the only way to communicate in those areas.

[noble_sentiments]

[ For a while, there's nothing. Alex is guiding him, speaking the entire time, until he finds the exit.

Then, a few minutes later, when Steve speaks again, there's a lot of background noise behind him. ]

Thank you. For responding. I'm— I'm out of the affected zone.

[nobasisinfact]

Keep alert for being in any others. They're moving around constantly.

[noble_sentiments]

You mean this is happening in more than one dome?

[ He stands up then, suddenly feeling much less safe than he had the moment before. ]

Like it's spreading?

[nobasisinfact]

Not spreading, moving.

[noble_sentiments]

[ Just moving.

Some of the tension in his chest evaporates. ]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm Steve, by the way.

[nobasisinfact]

Richard Strand.

If you find yourself alone, keep moving.

[noble_sentiments]

[ Steve just nods before he realizes Richard can't see him. Having everything beamed directly to his head is going to take some getting used to. ]

I will.

Thanks, Richard.

[ After that, Steve disconnects (whatever that means) and updates his original broadcast with more information — telling people that he's alright, but that if you find yourself in a similar situation, find the nearest exit. ]