Led was sulking in his asylum. Maybe it wasn't an asylum at all. Maybe it just was a hidden evil master AI that always hid from the rest of society. It lived with the hope that one day, when the weather was sunny and humanity was facing an apocalypse, it would attempt with other AIs by its side to conquer the world, as if it hadn't conquered it already. Its main goal was to get more people into its walls and keep them captive so that when the time comes, everyone would be mad and not recognize that the world wasn't theirs anymore. But for now, it was undercover.

Honestly, what were you supposed to do in this literal madhouse, other than indulge in fantasies? There were people banging their heads on Milton's walls, many leaving impact marks despite the thick material. There were people screaming profanities when a staff member came in, checking the patients to see if there was any improvement in their recovery. They cursed any person who asked them questions of a psychological nature, but they fumed more when they were asked, at the end of the consultation, if they were normal. Crazy people swarmed the beds at night like the madmen they were, but the senior long-time residents administered their routine with a reticent gleam in their eyes, and took the daily medication with a pug-like expression on their faces.

Now they were about to get him shocked. Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) was still in power, even after a rigorous ban in 2032 which lasted a bit over three years, and was still employed in medicine, used to treat the insane. Despite the unsettling side effects, ECT was administered three times a week, but recently, the rules were modified so that an additional daily session was added to the schedule of the most severely ill patients. He had heard numerous cries of people complaining that they couldn't focus anymore after an ECT treatment; perhaps, they were just overstatements. After all, those people were mostly newbies, to be exact. He was to be shocked 5 times a week. He, following a traumatic event in his childhood, had obtained tomophobia. Yet he now believed that in a few short minutes, that wouldn't be the most traumatic event in his life.

But that wasn't until he heard a knock on the windowpane. Led hesitantly made to come near to where the sound was coming from, yet he saw nothing other than the dusky midnight that, thanks to the likes of Columnium, hadn't settled in yet. Yet, suddenly, the windowpane twitched and in one sharp blow, was lifted open. Led backed away to the locked door of the room he was confined in, giving in to his anxiety. Then, silently stepping onto the dusty floor, a familiar person in a fancy uniform appeared before his countenance.

He wasn't expecting to see Arlene Winner.

Led was reluctant to let out a breath, let alone say anything expressing his shock. The room was quite small in size, but it still worked miracles, judging by the amount of dirt littering the entirety of the floor and a half-ancient cupboard. He felt like there had been some misunderstanding; she had been the last thing he had ever expected - hoped - to see. Yet she entered the room exactly like someone who owned it and stared him down with disdain in her blue eyes.

"I believe you are aware of the goal I pursue," she stated assertively. "They're going to set off the submarine in just thirty minutes from now. I offer you a chance to escape this wretched place, and resume your role in the mission."

"Why did they lock me in? Why have they made this hell up?" Led asked but stopped short upon hearing the wretched state his voice was in. The many Aeonian hours spent in an asylum didn't do him well.

"I'm sorry I don't know, Led. You have been accused, wrongly blamed for a wrongdoing-"

"What have I done?!" Led screamed out, the hoarseness in his voice causing Arlene to flinch. A wary gaze was worriedly cast upon the upper left corner of the room; then an angrier one, with more irritation.

"Enough with the diatribes," Arlene firmly stated, unforgiving in her tone. "I have absolutely no clue about what the hell they did to you, but due to connections I have found you a way to escape without consequences."

"Without consequences?" Led said, emphasizing the first word. "It seems you have underestimated the learning of some important definitions in your practical life."

Arlene only gave him an eye roll.

"Oh believe me, my practical life is far more definitive than yours," Arlene retorted. Don't you want to escape the asylum?"

"My mind has always been an asylum." Led replied. "Wherever I end up doesn't really change that."

"'Insane asylum-sent scientist refuses to stop Earth end due to a personal grudge'; I can imagine the New Times headlines. Your presence is obligatory. Miss Chaisson is worried."

"Miss Chaisson has wronged me."

"You're gonna let the world end because of it?" Arlene asked, raising an eyebrow. "For this to stop, you must go with me."

"I won't go anywhere with you."

A minute's pause.

"Let's try again," Arlene smiled, walking closer to him. That smile meant no good. "You go out there with me and have a chance to at least make a PB in the surviving world, or you stay in this asylum and live as prisoner forever."

Led averted his eyes, deep in consideration. He never wanted to risk being confined. Never wished to be alone in this confinement. But, however, the future uneased him. What else would they do upon learning of his escape from the establishment? Not to mention, he didn't trust the bold woman. He didn't even know how she got here in the first place.

It was a big moment of truth for him. Everything was unclear.

"How do we escape?" Led said. He stood up, letting his inner vigour win over his uncertainty, and defiantly glanced up at her. Despite all, he was ought to follow the route chosen for him, since the only thing worse would be what he left behind.

Perhaps his resolve was weak, but it was also twisted.

"The world is at stake, whether you like it or not. That's why I'm glad you finally recognized the importance of the offer," Arlene stated, but through her mask of nonchalance Led could see a pinch of relief. "Our ride for today is something only suited for short distances, but we're in luck." She started typing something on her phone, in a practiced and swift fashion. "Get ready and stand still."

Suddenly, a hologram sprung from Arlene's phone and fastened itself on their backs. It was an exoskeleton. Instantly their bodies were chained and paralyzed, every part of their bodies except their eyes covered by some sticky mash. Led could only move his forefinger; he guessed Arlene could too. He was completely bound to the machine; there was no way he could even move his mouth. It was startling, and quite unnerving.

The room exploded with colour and an inaudible but tangible bang shook the fragile-seeming machine as it shot up in the air out of the open window, carrying Led and Arlene with it. But the very next moment everything happened in a blur. After the fog had cleared, Led opened his eyes just to find that he was surrounded by green and in an empty field, the exoskeleton having dissipated just as it had appeared.

"Awake yet?" Arlene called, and Led tried to move his limbs even though he felt it was absolutely impossible - he succeeded.

"There may be movement difficulty the first few times you board the Grips," the woman said, as Led lifted himself on his elbows. "But it's going to - are you alright?" she suddenly asked with worry, leaning over his head.

Some strands of long soft auburn hair fanned over Led's face. He looked down, his thin form unmoving. Her gaze didn't waver.

"Your theories have been used in some devices, and they work quite perfectly," Arlene whispered, with some savvy and even respect in her voice. "I owe a lot to your insight, you know."

Her eyes met his.

It felt like he was going on a journey, and there was no absolute guarantee of its destination.

(1380 words)