Re-entry

By Bella

Sweat drifted down my brow, everything went blank until freckles of sunlight momentarily glistened in my eyes, bright and intense. It felt like I was drifting into oblivion; everything had vanished. Nothing or no one was there; unexpectedly I woke with jolt to cosmic interference. It was Houston, “get...out...now!” It wasn’t very clear but I could just make out what was said.

Before I could respond, an ear piercing alarm went off. My ears anticipated every tone; it felt like my brain was being physically probed by the pulsating urgency of the sound. The craft was being pummelled, shaken and rattled, taking hit after hit. I grabbed my helmet; take evasive action my mind demanded, I knew there was no time for dithering.

I grabbed the joystick, but before I could act something substantial collided with the side of the craft with immense force and spun us violently around, totally out of control, the death rollercoaster had just begun. Down and down, I went, plummeting deeper into the darkest space. Nothing could be done; I closed my eyes and opened them hoping to wake from a deep sleep; praying, hoping for a miracle, I had to hold onto hope.

Suddenly I could feel my eyes widen, accepting as much as possible of the exceptional sight. It was the most magnificent view I had ever seen. The whole universe seemed to be within my focal range. Stars lit up the inky blanket before me like laser lanterns. I could see it all, but could touch nothing of my surroundings. My crisp and urgent hot breaths fogged up the observation window. If I was going to die alone and out of control, I would do so seeing what no woman or man had ever gazed upon before.

My watch displayed just one minute and nine seconds left of oxygen. I moved into the control room; there was so many buttons, but which one to press? I didn’t have the time or patience for instructions. From the corner of my eye I could see a crimson, illuminated and blinking red button, its label read “Emergency Only”, and I was pretty sure this was just that. With force I pressed it, full of hope, expectation and plenty of uncertainty. The craft immediately thrust forward.

As I entered the Earth’s atmosphere I felt blistered; my suit was moist with sweat, I was pretty sure I was truly cooking in my oven hot capsule; the physical waves of shakes made controlling the craft even harder; my heart beat rapidly, punching and straining against my chest; the closer Earth approached the weaker I felt. Was this the ultimate end or an uncertain beginning?

Then, the screen in front of me went black as pitch. I knew this had to mean “Game Over”. I had been lost between reality and fantasy, my mind and body totally enveloped in an alternative universe of pure pleasure and the deepest peril.

Was it good for video games to be this real?