Aberrant: Quantum Identity - Scott Winters

[Stargaizer]

March 16, 1998 7:00am

As usual, early on a Monday morning, the buzzing of Scott's alarm clock woke him from a deep sleep. Unlike usual, Scott actually made it to his bed before he fell asleep. Usually Scott fell asleep at his desk, light on, and using whatever subject he'd been studying as a pillow. Last night, however, Scott had actually finished a bit early, and was actually able to slip into bed before he dozed off.

This morning, it only took Scott two snoozes before he finally got up, showered, and dressed himself in a plain blue polo and khaki pants. Earlier this semester, his roommate had dropped out, so he didn't have to worry about waking him as he got ready and gathered all his books into his backpack and headed out. Today was his 'easy' day, he only had two classes, Molecular Microbiology and Pathogenesis and Molecular Neurobiology before he had to head to the hospital to spend 6 hours in the ER.

Of course, after he got finished at the ER, he still had a thesis to finish, discussing in depth the physical, psychological, chronological, and monetary benefits and drawbacks of invasive and noninvasive surgery. So, on second thought, today wasn't as easy as it first seemed.

8:00 am

Scott locked his dorm room door as he headed out of his dorm room and towards the cafeteria. He'd grab a bite to eat as he rushed towards his first class. which started in half an hour... on the other end of campus.

[lead]

He was almost to his class, within reach of being on time ever, when he remembered where he had left a minor research paper for his morning class. And of course, it was do today. Its what he deserved for even thinking about having a easy day, doctors aren't supposed to have those.

It was still on his desk, where his work normally was. But he didn't wake up right on top of it like he normally did this morning and had completely forgotten about.

It turned 8:20 and he was leaving his dorm with the paper. There was no way he could make it on foot, and the only means of making it was running. Or as a pedi-cab peddled by a young, bored looking man rode down the street without any passengers, catching a ride.

[Stargaizer]

Scott ran the entire way back to his dorm. By the time he finally reached Vanderbilt Hall, his head was absolutely pounding, but Scott just figured that it was because of the strenuous exercise that he wasn't used to and that he didn't properly prepare for.

Scott made it to his room, actually didn't fumble his keys in his harried attempt to unlock his door, grabbed his paper (both of them, seems this morning was less easy than he thought even on his way back to his room) and headed out. He even grabbed a glass of water, hoping that it would help with the headache.

His headache still hadn't subsided by the time he made it out to the street. Out of breath, and not feeling like running, Scott ran towards the pedi-cab and tried to flag him down. Once he'd gotten the driver's attention, he asked, the strain from his previous run still showing through in his voice, "How quickly can you get me to the Goldenson Building? I need to be there 10 minutes ago."

He fibbed a little bit with the timing, but he did so to let the driver know just how much of a hurry he was in, and in all honesty, he would've liked being there around 8:10, as it would've given him time to relax and he probably wouldn't have strained himself and gotten this headache.

[lead]

The rider was a young white man, early twenties, with unkempt dreads. He looked like he could be student himself, if not of the same university.

"Goldenson Building? Ahh.." he feigned a momentary blank then "Yah, yah it's not but twelve minutes away, maybe eight if I strain myself." He leans forward on his handle bars.

"Well?" He points to the cab connected to his bike.

[Stargaizer]

Scott was in the cab before the driver had finished talking. He didn't dive head first, well not exactly. Needless to say he got in quickly and didn't care how he looked doing it.

"If you get me there in 7 I got a hundred dollar tip for you, and if you strain anything doing so, just come see me over at the hospital and I'll make sure that you get fixed right up, my treat."

With that Scott sat back and held on for dear life as driver sped off.

[lead]

With out another word the man was off. The lurch of the car push Scott into his seat. He felt a small prick in his butt as he sat on something sharp and uncomfortable. It quickly forgotten as he picked up speed.

People whizzed by faster and faster as the cart picked up speed. The out side seemed to stretch, like chewing gum. It was a weird effect. It made him feel happy. Scott's worries about the time seemed small compared to the fun he was having.

He let his arm out and it dragged back into the distance. He could feel it elongated back near unto his dorm. He smiled at the though. Everything was so right.

And so he sat with a slightly dreamy look, holding his arm over the side, not at all realizing the he wasn't headed in the right direction.

[Stargaizer]

Had his mind been working properly, then he'd be able to classify the symptoms, the supposed method of development, as well as the time that it took to take effect, and would be able to classify what it was that had effected him, and possibly even how to counteract it.

But it was in his system and so he doesn't have that luxury. As such, he just sat back and never even wondered why every ride wasn't this much fun.

[lead]

His mind and perception traveled further and further away from himself. He came to the point where he couldn't distinguish himself from the external world. Shortly after that his five senses failed him entirely as the world broke down into the infinite number of components. Light was blind particle hitting his eyes, while sound passed a period at a time.

He mercifully passes out.

Blackness comes but even that is interrupted by dreams.

[Stargaizer]

Most of the dreams were inconsequential, going to class naked, winning the lottery, or bombing a test. In one dream, he was a full fledged doctor who could heal people with a touch. Of course, being a dream, it then took a turn for the weirder. Someone, who was upset with how much they'd been charged came rushing in with a gun and started shooting people. This being a dream, Scott just rushed up in front of they guy and took a couple of bullets to the chest, without getting hurt, took the guy out, and then healed all of the injured with merely a touch (including some who had been clinically dead from their wounds).

None of his dreams were significant, and he wouldn't remember any of them, but his mind put him through them nonetheless.

[lead]

He woke up and he actually felt great. Surprisingly, the entire episode of last night was held in his mind so vividly. He was in cement cell. The door was butted against the left wall, and the box was without any windows.

He wished that he could go back to sleep or that all this was a dream.

[Stargaizer]

Scott flexed and moved all his extremities, one by one, methodically taking note of any new (or missing) aches, stiffness, bruses, or anything else out of the ordinary.

His self examination complete, he checked his pockets, looked for his bookbag, and checked to see what stuff he did have (or didn't have) that he had or was missing now.

That list finished, Scott took note of everything that was in his little 'box'. He looked for sinks, toliets or beds, anything that would indicate that he was supposed to be in this box for an extended period of time. He also looked for anything that was or could be made detachable, that he could possibly use for something other than it's intended purpose.