It's strange but Carter can't quite remember when it all turned wrong. When did it become hot again? Gloucester's climate had been such a welcome change from heat and humidity that its return hits him like a truck.
For a moment he's afraid and disoriented. Was all of it a dream? ADI, the end of the world? What if he's lying in a tent somewhere, wrecked by malaria like Luka was before he found him? It would make sense, right? Avatars, Entities, how could that not be delirium?
The mosquitoes are driving him crazy as he runs and he's shivering even though he's sweaty. His head feels hot. Definitely a fever. Shots are being fired. He's terrified.]
Luka!?
[When Carter sees him, he almost stumbles to a halt. No, Luka isn't here. He was on a plane home. This is all wrong, everything is wrong. The buildings are wrong, too. Where did this rubble come from? What's real anymore? There are bodies everywhere and Carter keeps his head low as he runs, trying not to be a target.
He hardly stops in his run as he reaches Luka, grabbing his arm and pulling him up and along.]
II. Waking Hell
It's strange but Carter can't quite remember when it all turned wrong. When did it become hot again? Gloucester's climate had been such a welcome change from heat and humidity that its return hits him like a truck.
For a moment he's afraid and disoriented. Was all of it a dream? ADI, the end of the world? What if he's lying in a tent somewhere, wrecked by malaria like Luka was before he found him? It would make sense, right? Avatars, Entities, how could that not be delirium?
The mosquitoes are driving him crazy as he runs and he's shivering even though he's sweaty. His head feels hot. Definitely a fever. Shots are being fired. He's terrified.]
Luka!?
[When Carter sees him, he almost stumbles to a halt. No, Luka isn't here. He was on a plane home. This is all wrong, everything is wrong. The buildings are wrong, too. Where did this rubble come from? What's real anymore? There are bodies everywhere and Carter keeps his head low as he runs, trying not to be a target.
He hardly stops in his run as he reaches Luka, grabbing his arm and pulling him up and along.]
What are you doing!? Move!