I am back to the tunnels and their odd noises coming from within them. They were eerie, and although I would rather not know what was on the other side, they were my best bet at getting out of this place. So, after taking a reassuring breath, I took a few steps forward and approached the nearest opening. 

As the sound continued to echo from deep within the tunnel, I felt my eyes widen in realization. I couldn’t really call it gunfire, but it didn’t sound like what an actual laser would sound like either. However, with each distant pew pew that echoed back up the tunnel, I pieced together the image of my little cousins running around the yard with toy lasers in hand.

—Could this be Space Invaders?

I felt a little bit more at ease and tried to lean closer in hopes of learning anything else from the sound. The noise grew louder, and I could hear the faint sound of rumbling. It was still too distant to make out what it was, so—

I fell.

Before I could realize what had happened, I was already falling down the hole. Down, down, and engulfed in pitch darkness. The tunnel twisted and coiled into loops like some kind of bizarre waterslide. Then, after what felt like an eternity, I tumbled out through the tunnel’s exit and unceremoniously crashed into the ground.

“Ow.”

What once sounded like a common child’s toy became a deafening blast. The tile was gone and had been replaced by the rough, rock-covered ground. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if my arms were covered in scrapes and scratches after that fall.

With a grunt, I mustered the strength to sit up. There was dirt and debris everywhere, and some even managed to get into my eyes. It stung, and I couldn’t see anything. It wasn’t my best option, but all I could do was rub the back of my hands against my eyes while hoping that the source of the sounds wouldn’t notice. However, as soon as I regained my sight and shifted my gaze to the sky, I felt my blood drain.

Above, I could see a star filled sky painted in blues, greens, and purples. Under any other circumstances, I would’ve been awestruck by the beautiful sight, but the view was obstructed by countless ships that looked like something straight out of an invasion movie. Lasers blasted through the sky, and ships began to fall as a lone ship swerved and weaved amidst the volley of shots.

Although it was impressive for such a small ship to take on these behemoths, those dodge blasts would eventually meet another target of some form or shape. So, as one of those laser blasts collided with the ground below, everything around was obliterated in an instant.

I was engulfed in darkness before I could even attempt to process what had happened.

—I never should’ve touched that game in the first place.

I jolt. My blood is running cold.

—What just happened?

I asked myself that question over and over as my breathing struggled to even out. The massive spaceships, the lasers, and explosions. It all felt so real, yet I was somehow fine. I bury my face into my palms and take a few more gulps of air. Regardless of what that was, it still didn’t change the fact that I landed back at square one. The cold tile floor underneath me was a clear reminder of that. I look up. The dim fluorescent lights are blinking lazily above. I then push myself back up to my feet and turn to face the tunnels again.