Radical-9

Intermission II:

February 21^st, 2022

10:24 am

The police have arrived. It took a little while due to the overflow cases that the Colorado station has to deal with, people all over the state are succumbing to a fate worse than Andy's. They passed while playing Elysium, this game that was touted as an escape from reality. You didn't need to escape, you needed to stay here and be with us. Two officers and the chief of police knocked on our door about ten minutes ago. I guess normally it would be just the two officers, but since the chief of police is my friend's father he felt it necessary to see how we were coping personally. The two officers are upstairs in Andy's room.

My mom and I have been downstairs in our living room talking to Mr. Carroway, a spitting image of his son, Jake. Or the other way around. He has high, hardened cheekbones that seem eternally dusty. Maybe he keeps some of the grit to play the part of age-old detective, I don't know. It surely looks it with the gritty five o'clock shadow that he would most likely say he 'forgot to shave', but probably just kept to seem in place. I don't blame him, though, if I had the opportunity to grow a beard I'd probably keep it similar to that as well. Present, but not an annoyance.

“Jake said he would've been here if he could, but he said he had other matters to tend to,” Mr. Carroway says.

“It's okay, I'm not really in the right state to be seeing a lot of people anyway.” I say.

He nods, “I am so very sorry for what has happened, I assure you that we are doing our very best to find out more to help those who are like your son now, trapped within this video game.”

“Do you think that we can relocate him to a hospital or something? I don't know how well I can keep him fed with work and everything, he can't sit there for too long,” My mom says.

“I don't personally know of any high intensive care units that aren't filled,” he begins, and I can see my mom physically droop from her seat. “...but I can work some things out that he does get personal care. A friend of mine who works as a practicional nurse can take him in and make sure he gets the proper nutrients until further action can be taken,” he says, placing his hand on her shoulder.

“Do you think I can go see him before you guys take him?” I ask.

“Honey, I don't think that's a good idea, the other officers are in there and we don't want to be a burden,” My mom says.

I can almost feel my heart break. I can't let my last time seeing him alive be me calling him a doofus. I can live with it if he's perfectly okay, because he'll call me “kid” right back and we'll laugh. That's how a brother is, he makes fun of you, but only because he loves you, and knows you'll grow up and be able to make fun of him back. Oh God why did this have to happen? I can’t even believe that something this horrible would happen.

“I can allow it, who would I be to separate a sister from her brother in this sad time?” Mr. Carroway asks. “I can ask my men to step out so you can have a private moment.”

I nod my head, “Thank you.”

“It is no problem,” he nods his head in return and stands to his feet.

I take no extra caution as I make my way for Andy's room. I have to keep my hopes up. He's going to be just fine and calling me kid again in no time. There's no way that he's going to let himself die here. I open his bedroom door and step inside. I can see the faces of the officers turn as I enter. The one on the left, his badge shows that his name is Mendez, begins to walk up to me, probably to tell me I shouldn't be in there, but he stops as he sees Mr. Carroway behind me.

“Are you and Carlson finished here?” He asks, fiddling a pen between his fingers.

“We just need a few minutes, sir. We've learned that the helmets connect to the brain, specifically through the cerebral cortex through the back of the neck to simulate the game's images, sounds, and feelings into the wearer's subconscious. It makes them believe like they are really experiencing whatever is going on in there,” Officer Mendez says.

He looks as if he's been working in the bomb squad, his uniform is layered in a thick coat of sweat. Any on his face seems to have run into and been absorbed by his thick mustache. Carlson on the other hand seems to work with a deft hand, his dark face working with a smooth precision. He stops to look towards us. There's something I like about him more than Mendez.

“Do you think that could can wait a few minutes?” He asks, and then motions with his eyes towards me.

“Sir, I really think-”

“No problem. I understand that you might want some time with your brother here,” Officer Carlson interrupts. I knew it was something about him I liked more.

Mendez jerks his head over to Carlson, but he only returns a dismissive gaze. Mendez sighs and nods, “We'll be out.”

Mr. Carroway walks out with Mendez and Carlson. I run over and kneel by Andy’s bed. He lies on his back, his helmeted face looking upwards, it stops just at his lips. “Oh Andy…I’m so sorry I didn’t stop you from playing that game. I just want you to come back, please make it to the end and come back to us.” I begin tearing up, but I blink my eyes to hold the tears back. I give him a quick hug and I kiss his cheek. I walk out of the room. I nod at Carlson and Mendez who return into Andy's room. I walk down the stairs and sit on my couch, sinking into it and staring into the ceiling.

“Mom?” I ask.

She turns to me, her eyes wet with fresh tears, “Y-Yeah?”

“I hope he's okay,” I say.

She nods, sniffles, and then begins crying again.