...It can always get worse

We didn’t speak on the walk back.

The halls of this place were quieter than usual. Even the walls hadn't pulsed or moved in any way. Maybe the prison itself knew it had gone too far this time.

Aeris kept close, her hand never fully letting go of mine until we reached her cell.

“Thank you,” she said, so quietly I wasn’t sure I’d heard it right.

I wanted to say something back, but nothing seemed right. So I simply nodded. Going for what felt natural. Unlike her I wasn't experienced in dealing with the emotions of others, but I figured giving her space would be best.

I ventured to my own cell to wait for whatever came next, be it lunch or some other random occurrence, I didn't have the will to do anything other than wait.

Inside I found it different from how it was when I arrived, different from how it was at night. It was filled with activities to keep myself entertained. Some I recognized like a book and quill, or a video game console. Others were completely foreign to me.

"I guess this place wants us to try new things but also be comfortable with what we know." I have a tendency to speak to myself when I'm alone. I think most do but not in the way I've grown accustomed. 

"I'd love if after I turn this on it shows some off brand logo as to avoid copyright. Does copyright exist here? I guess it is a prison, so maybe?" I looked through the catalogue of what was downloaded, nothing I immediately knew until I understood that I was right.

"The Epic of Zinc..." not only did they lazily find a synonym for Legend, they came up with a lame pun derived probably from a portmanteau of two names I may or may not be allowed to say. 

I loaded that one up and just as expected, "The Queendom of Midrole... I guess that's fair, they can't really replace 'Hy' with 'Lo' can they?" 

I took a moment to reflect on how I'm talking aloud to myself, I knew it was pathetic and that if someone overheard me not only would I look crazy but they wouldn't even understand what I'm saying. 

"However, what does it matter? As long as I'm happy it should be okay."

Just as I began to enjoy a new save file and was greeted by a disturbingly familiar blue-clad protagonist never speaking a word in a story based adventure.

A sound becoming all to familiar rang through the prison.

The console powered itself off. I stared at the screen for a moment before sighing. It quickly turned itself back on to flash "We saved your progress, don't worry."

“Of course. Wouldn't want me enjoying myself too much, would you? But still I'm glad it auto saves.” 

I stood and stretched, walking toward the door, the regular old portal back to whatever strange meal the prison had cooked up this time.

It came to me why looking downwards wasn’t always a good idea. I almost bumped into Aeris, who, I guess, had been standing there this entire time.

I wanted to say, “It’s bad enough the bars let people see in, but I can’t even lock my door?” but speaking to myself while someone’s right there would definitely make me look crazy.

She looked to be in a better mood than before. She giggled at the sheer panic and embarrassment that washed over me, and somehow that made it worse. Guess walking together to wherever the prison demands our presence is going to be a normal thing between us now.

Just like before, we sat across from each other. And as well, the meal was a stew, with the same floating bits I swear are fish scales. Beside it was the all-mighty loaf of bread. God, do I love this thing. It truly is… just bread. That smells like citrus.

I stared down at my tray and realized I didn’t eat dinner yesterday. Could’ve been the trauma. Or the time-bending void hallucination. Who’s counting.

Figured it was as good a topic as any. “So, uh, what exactly does this place serve for dinner?”

“Hm? Oh right, I guess you weren’t here for it yesterday.” She tilted her head in that thoughtful way again. “Um… I’m not sure how to describe it exactly. It’s kind of like… edible string?”

“Delicious. Exactly what I've always wanted, yarn soup.”

She gave a laugh, the kind that was more amused by my attitude than the joke itself. “You can actually request different things, by the way. This is just the standard.”

She brushed back a lock of hair behind her ear and took another spoonful. I stared at her a moment. I’d always thought her hair was red, but now it looked more like auburn. Richer somehow. Maybe it was the lighting. 

Part of me wanted to joke and call her Aeris-tina, but I doubted she’d get the reference. Actually...

“Something I’ve wondered about this place,” I said, tapping the edge of my tray, “it’s home to a lot of different people. If this makes sense… may I ask what world you come from?”

It was the most roundabout way I could think of to ask not only about her elf-like features but to gauge the waters on if I could talk about time-traveling microwaves without being institutionalized.

“The world I’m from? What do you mean? Are you talking about which country? Everyone here is from the same world. Are you… not?” Her eyes intensified, I'm starting to think she can do a little more than just read emotions as, she, never for a moment, seemed to believe I was lying.

My stomach tightened. Not from the stew.

I laughed, weakly. “Oh no, of course I am. Just… cultural differences, y’know? Must’ve taken a harder hit to the head than I thought when I arrived.” Going with the flow here is going to be much harder than I thought.

Thankfully she didn’t press further. But she didn’t look away either.

I dunked my bread into the soup and took a bite. Citrusy, soft, weirdly comforting. Maybe I was overthinking things. Afterall she said that she heard the voice too, announcing her crime and what not.

Wait... why would she bother explaining this place if it's a natural part of "our" world. My mind was racing fast that I almost tried to take a drink using the bread instead of the cup.

That seemed to get a good reaction from her, if only for a moment, "I think I get what you're saying about what "world" I came from, you're asking about my life before being zapped here." She casted a solemn gaze downward, "I was a teacher..."

I took a quiet, steady breath, I wasn’t ready for a conversation like this. Of course I’d listen to what Aeris had to say… but at the same time, I was already queuing up scenes from my favorite anime in the back of my mind. Honestly, now would be a great time to have one of those rewind-your-life-by-dying abilities.

Although regular time travel may prove efficient enough, there are some lessons that can only be learned the hard way. I know bragging about "who suffered most" undermines the whole idea of pain, but whatever it is she's going to tell me. 

I know I went through worse.