Sivr-146--------

“Don’t worry,” she said. “You won’t be lonely. I’ve been collecting for twenty years. And now… you’re my 147th.”

Kenji tried to take off the headset. His hands wouldn’t move. SIVR-146--------

The scene changed. The room flickered, and suddenly they were in a rain-slicked alley. The woman was wearing a red coat now. She was crying, but she was also smiling. She held out her hand. “Don’t worry,” she said

“You’re late,” she said. Her voice wasn't seductive. It was tired. The voice of someone who had been waiting for a very long time. And now… you’re my 147th

He mashed the button for [WALK AWAY] . Nothing happened. The selection cursor hovered stubbornly over [TAKE HER HAND] .

Kenji tore the headset off his face. He was in his apartment. The clock read 11:48 PM. Only one minute had passed.

“Stay a while. You’re in the collection now.”