Anna

Hacking had taken an interesting turn at the start of the 30th century. Rather than staring at a soulless screen, as my ancestors once had, I sat here. Virtually of course. On this unrelenting train of data. There were two rows of red leather chairs pressed up against Jarrah lined walls. Their darkness stood in stark contrast to the metal pressed and arched white ceiling. The bronze lights running down the center flickered with each bump the train hit. All normal. You’d be forgiven for thinking that part was reality. Until you saw everything else, that is. The data points presented themselves as people in this system. People who phased in and out of the train. The bubblegum chirpy email advertisement in pigtails. A man entirely in shades of grey named Bill. Or at least that's what his name tag said. Some creepy blue dodo bird that ran around repeating,

“What are you searching for? Wanna explore together?”.

The train bounced from one click to another. Delivering millions of informational bits on demand. Never stopping. Modern hacking required something more like magic. Luckily I was something of a wizard at the keyboard. That and, I had a plan. This was going to be easy. All I had to do was…was…

Why couldn’t I remember? I had a plan! Meticulous. Step by step. It was the strangest sensation. I remembered entering the mission. I even recalled the determination it took to get to the train. Yet, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t remember how I got here or what my plan was? A memory wipe?

Bits of smudged memory lingered on the looking glass that was my brain. I remembered a floating pixelated cube with a question mark on it. And running through a ghost riddled maze, alongside… a cheese round? But the massive gaps in-between? Nothing. My head cocked to one side as a blinding red light seized my undivided attention. My tongue clicked,

“That’s probably why.” I sighed as I took in the literal firewall that engulfed the train. Meer inches from the safety of my window. Sam was more clichéd than I realized. When he had asked me to test out his new security system I knew it would be riddled with old pop-culture references. But this?

“What a waste of time.” The words slipped out as I kicked the seat in front of me. I had spent months studying the system. Determined to win the $10,000 prize. My eyes rolled as I deducted points.

“Minus five points to Gryffindor.” My face crinkled as I cringed at my own joke. I could only imagine Sam would love both the joke and my suffering.

“Come on, think Nora.” My finger tapped away at my forehead. All is not lost. I just needed to prove the system is hackable.

This was a train. Trains….. run?...via the conductor’s room!

Yes.

Good.

And then… and then….

My eyes cut over to the fire raging outside. My death glare vanished as I flailed my whole body.

“You may have won the battle Sam, but not the war.” The words seethed under my breath as I blew a stray hair from my face. I would succeed.

“What war?” My whole body flinched at the sickly sweet question. The once empty seat in front of me was now filled with a child. She sat looking back at me. My brain attempted to register her question. But the split nature of her appearance distracted me. I knew it was a trick of the eye, despite my tensed disposition. Her mid-length, pin-straight hair glided down her shoulders. One side pure blonde, and the other soaked in the crimson light coming from outside. Her eyes, similarly, angelic blue on her right, and the other an endless red pool of damnation.

“Ticket please.” Said another, much deeper and huskier voice that just about scared me to death. My head flicked over as my nails dug holes into my palms. What was this? A horror? What’s with all these jump scares?!

“Ah, sure, one moment.” I began a lack-luster pat down. His hunched figure was stick-thin. Like that of a frail old man. Yet his square jaw and uniform buzz cut seemed more like a Frankenstein spin-off. It was like slender man had died and Frankenstein resurrected him.

Who puts a ticket collector in a security system anyway?

“Oh that’s right, now I remember,” I laughed,

“I gave my ticket to the collector when I first got on the train.” Minor security, like this guy, was usually pretty easy to trick. They were rather brainless. More zeros than ones, if you know what I mean. A subtle giggle pulled my stomach to its depths. As a wiry, one-sided smile drew across the little girl’s face.

“Ticket. Please.” The voice warped. Deepening and disfiguring as the ticket collector darkened and shook.

Oh No.

Anti-virus.

His figure bubbled and stretched into an oozing black nothingness. The temperature dropped and the windows frosted.

“Ticket.” The voice growled. His sharpened teeth and oozing saliva moved over top of me.

“Please.” He finished, as his facial features sunk away. Leaving nothing but his mouth.

Think Nora! For crying out loud, think! The darkness engulfed my miniscule body, as I pressed my eyes shut.

“Here you go.” A voice resonated. My eyes sprung open with the click of a hole punch. Everything was back to normal. Frankenstein’s grandad looked like himself once more.

“Are you going to stay like that?” The little girl asked as I peeled my body from the corner.

“Wha- How- Who are you?”

“I’m Anna. What’s your name?” She chirped

“What did you-“

“- do?” She finished “I thought that’d be obvious. I gave him a ticket.” She glossed over it with a level of ease that made it seem like it was the most natural thing in the virtual world.

“You have interesting hair.” She hop, skipped and jumped into what was apparently out next topic of conversation.

“Thanks?”

“It’s green. Green is good.” She reassured as she reached over the back of her chair and sprung a curl. I had recently decided to dye my curls a neon green colour.

Apparently that was a good choice.

My thoughts drifted as I wondered what my fate may have been had I chosen red hair instead. A grin stretched across my cheeks.

“What?” Anna’s head leaned as her eyes studied my every move.

“Nothing. I was just thinking about my hair colou-“ My body straightened and eyes widened “That’s it! Red!” Red was the key! Sam is such a cliché! How could I not think of this earlier? Anna leaned further towards me as her eyes narrowed. Her chair’s back rest creaking under the increasing pressure.

Surely there was a big red button in the conductor’s cabin! With some ridiculous warning like Do not push. That I’ll ignore. Because who wouldn’t.

“I have to get to the conductor’s room.” My eyes shifted up and down the aisle.

“Why?” Anna quizzed, mimicking my glances as I stopped to look at her. Her face read as a thousand question marks. Who was she? Was she another hacker? She’s too advanced to be a bot. I’ll be dammed if I have to share the prize money. Nope. No way. Wasn’t going to happen. But she did seem to know more about the train than me. She might be useful. Come to think of it, where did she get that spare ticket? I mean, I’ve heard of over-preparing but this seemed a little extreme. Having said that, if this train was the final stage, then there would be a final boss. I could let her come along to help, and when the opportunity presents itself, leave her behind. Every woman for herself and all that.

“Okay Anna, here’s the deal.” I adjusted, sitting up right.

“You and I, need to get to the conductor’s room.” I said, crossing my arms and leaning on the back of Anna’s chair.

“Why?” She hesitated,

“It’s how you and I both get what we want. What we came here for.” I paused “Or at least, I think it is.” I scratched.

“Oh-kay?” Her doubt read clear as day. A non-world-on-fire type of day.

“Follow me.” The hit of confidence carried me down the aisle.

I knew blind confidence wouldn’t take me all the way, but that was ok. We made our way past data points. Turning sideways to let them through. But as the rows of seats passed, fewer and fewer people sat on them. My hacker senses tingled. It was as though they deliberately chose not to sit in these seats. The seats seemed newer, shiner. I glanced up and noticed the distinct lack of flickering lights. Under normal circumstances I’d think we were heading away from the murderer. But in this case, I wasn’t so sure. Looking behind me I confirmed, the chirpy, scattered Anna still followed.

“Hey Anna.”

“Yes?”

“Is it just me or are people choosing not to sit on these seats?” I used a small nod to direct her toward the empty seats.

“Oh, yeah. Only the long term people sit in these seats. The stations are so close together that sitting in these seats would be impractical.” She explained. Close together? As far as I recalled, we hadn’t stopped once.

I paused as it dawned on me. A pang of guilt winded me. How long had Anna lived on this train? Had she lost her memories like me? A blankness washed over me as Anna pushed her way past me. She continued a few steps down the aisle before spinning back to me and smiling. I swallowed the guilt as best I could and smiled back. Did I get lucky? Could she not remember her real-world life? My brows furrowed. Sam, if this was you’re doing, I’ll make you regret it.

“Hey Anna.” I began.

“Hm?”

“How long have you been on this train?”

“Oh.” Her reaction was one of surprise. She went for an immediate response but instead stuttered and fell over her answer. As she stood in place her eyes traveled upward.

“I’m not sure. As long as I can remember really.” Her smile softened.

The guilt rooted itself in my stomach as we continued. How was she able to smile like that?

“I see.” My eyes cast downward. A litany of thoughts flooded my mind as I considered what to do. I couldn’t leave her here. What state was her real body in? Had no one noticed her absence? No. Don’t wimp out now Nora. I needed to win this money. The conundrum raced as Anna skipped ahead. Ugh. Oh. I know. When I got out, I would get Sam to help her. He’d know what to do. And I’d still get the $10,000. Win, win.

Plan in mind, the cabin door that read “Captain’s quarters” stood before us.

“Ok. Now we- WAIT!” I lunged forward in a desperate attempt to stop Anna from opening the door.

“Hey Roger! How’s it going?” She skipped over to the white haired conductor. Had she never even heard of traps?! My eyes swept our surrounding. Looking for the boulder that would surely start chasing us at any moment. Didn’t she have a sense of danger?! Why was nothing happening? Where was the cliché? Movie moment?! Why does nothing make me feel worse than a literal boulder?! My eyes shot daggers in Anna’s direction. Was she ditzy or trying to get rid of me? And why is she talking to the conductor as if he’s an old friend?!

“Anna, you know the conductor?!”

“What do you think?” The conductor replied sarcastically, ignoring my question, “I’m late. I’m always Late. So very very late.” The bitterness oozed from his words. His worn blue vest stood in stark contrast to the polished gold pocket watch in his hand. His eye bouncing between the time it told and the track ahead.

“We’re always running late.” Anna explained to me, as if it needed clarifying.

“The pressure makes Roger a little mm… grumpy” She leaned in and whispered.

I smiled and grinned politely as we pulled into a station. Wait. A station? I thought this train never stopped?

Reading the confusion on my face Anna said,

“The Conductors cabin only appears to stop. It’s to help Roger perform his job better. In reality the train splits into two before phasing back together.” She rattled off as if it made sense.

“Look at them!” Roger waved toward a couple of data points strolling leisurely toward the train.

“Do they think we have all day?!” He rushed toward the window, not needing an answer.

“What?” I questioned Anna.

“WE ARE LATE!!” Roger yelled from the cabin window.

“One part of the train stops to pick up people, the other part keeps going. Then the part that stopped catches up and phases back together with the part that never stopped. That’s why it looks like people fade in and out of the train.” Anna clarified.

Clear as mud, as far as I was concerned.

“Sure.” I said as I glanced around the room. I didn’t need to understand the intricacies of the security system. I just needed to find that button. The litany of buttons on the control panel seem too small for a man of Cliché’s like Sam. Perhaps under the pile of paper and clothes stacked in the corner of the room? No. Maybe it’s behind the painting of a smoking caterpillar? Like a secrete safe or something. Then, I saw it. The ridiculously big red button in a dust covered corner. Alas, it didn’t have the words 'Do not push' underneath it, but it had the next best thing. A crossed out picture of a finger pushing the button. Bingo!

I wasn’t able to recall how many hackers had failed in getting here. Thanks firewall. But I knew it was a lot. Was this too easy? If only I could remember. There was no way it’d be this simple. Right? What was I missing? Will this button release the metaphorical boulder? Probably. But what else was I going to do? Ah, who cares. May as well try. But first. Anna and Roger had to go. I wasn’t about to reveal my winning hand.

“Hey Roger,” I begun, “It’s just occurred to me that I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Nora.” I out-stretch my hand and awaited a handshake. There was no point. As I lowered my hand I added,

“Anna and I were actually sent here to give you some good news!” I put on my best customer-service voice.

“We were?” Anna questioned as my eyes shot toward her.

“Yes.” I replied, putting on my best threatening smile.

“Oh. Yes.” She chuckled nervously as Roger studied her reaction.

“You see,” I said clearing my throat, “The higher up’s have noticed this job is taking its toll on you. And that has made them feel really bad. So they wondered, ‘How can we help Roger?’ And the answer was obvious! A holiday, of course!” I cupped his hand with both of mine.

“A... holiday?” His eyes softened.

“Yeap.” I reaffirmed as I lead him toward Anna.

“Anna here will take you to your hotel, while I take over your job. Just until you get back.”

Anna’s confusion may as well have smacked me in the face. I didn’t need to see it to know it was coming my way.

“Thank you so much.” Roger wept.

“Of course. You deserve it.” I reassured. Shutting and locking the door behind them. Competitive hacking rule 101; lock doors.

“Finally” I cracked my fingers, approaching the button.

“This is too easy Sam.” Was the last thing I said as I carefully lifted the clear, plastic lid over the button and froze. The cabin sweltered. The hot, sticky humidity thinned the air.

“What?” I desperately willed my body to move. The heat intensified as my whole body screamed ‘danger’.

“Why can’t I move?!” I yelled as a chill rolled down my spine. Slowly, I turned my head to see what was behind me.

“A-nna?” My voice trailed as her body towered over mine. Fire enclosed around me. A big shark-like grin cut from ear to ear as she opened her mouth. Saliva dripped onto my cheek.

“Your right.” She said in her sickly sweet voice, before dropping it five octaves. “I did get what I want.”

“OH fuuc-“

My body shot up right with a gasp of air as I ripped the immersion set off.

An annoying laugh and slow clap crept up behind me.

I winced in pain.

“Shut up Sam!” I yelled as the flood of memories stabbed at my brain. My life flashed before my eyes as my mind shook off the digital immersion. It was like dying, but without the pretty clouds at the end of it.

“You’ve given me a stupid headache!”

The fully suited man with slicked back hair slapped his hand on my shoulder.

“For a second there, I thought you might actually do it. But then-“ He laughed “-you befriended Anna?!” His laugh made me want to punch something. Preferably his face.

“You took the antivirus software on your mission with you!” At this stage he may as well have double over and rolled on the ground. At least that way I could have stepped on his smug face.

“Whatever. Hurry up and give me my money.”

“Money?” His hand hammered away at my back “Stop! I can’t breathe!” He laughed. Hopefully in pain. “You need to beat the system to win the money, not make friends with it!” I could tell, this laughing would last centuries. Maybe even a millennia.

“I got all the way to the end! I did beat it!”

“Aww, is Nora sad her little friend bit her head off?” He mocked as I kicked him in the shin.

“Okay, Okay!” He held one hand up as the other cupped his shin.

“Your right. You got so close to the end, we can’t let you go home empty handed.“ He cleared his throat as he made his way toward the door.

“How about this? I’ll get the boys to send you something.”

My eyes rolled as the stupid grin on his face made it obvious I wasn’t getting anything.

“How does a mug sound? It’ll say Anna Virus and I, BFF’s forever. With a pink glittery heart.” He cackled as the door shut behind him.

Dammit Anna!