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By Harry Martin

*Wildcard Entry*

I swam with methodical strokes; regularly enough to keep my head above the water. My nurtured beard caressed the tranquil ripples. The waters were teeming with tropical fish which nuzzled my calves. My slate grey eyes heaved open the barricading eyelids to examine my surroundings. A long arc of golden sand slipped down into the sea. Fruitful palm trees performed a traditional dance in the breeze for the audience comprised of rocks. The blowing wind created a melody as it swirled through shells and rustled the leaves.

My legs proceeded to build pace and propelled my dormant body towards the horizon; where the waves were stronger and the turquoise waters merged into a murky blue. When I passed over the border I could sense the presence of prodigious fish and a beckoning current. The treacherous torrents had the faculty to strike at any moment and drag me to the depths. I had journeyed enough to know how to avoid a premature end. In fact everyday was nearly identical; alone, on the paradise beach.

The sky was now clustered with a congregation of thunderous clouds. Their tears stung my vulnerable cheeks and rippled the sea. This had never occurred before; I panicked. Salt penetrated my throat making me gag. Towering waves crashed down on me. Disoriented, I could not find the surface; my limbs were thrown in every direction. Finally, I broke the surface, only to be met with another colossal wave. I was launched uncontrollably through the sky. Suddenly my head crashed against jagged rocks; blood poured down my chest, my hand checked the wound. I felt something stuck over my eyes; I wrenched it off. The scene changed.

I was sitting on a foldable chair in black painted contamination room. One solitary light stood in the middle of the chamber. I was no longer wearing my casual swimming shorts, instead an unfashionable jumpsuit. My head wound had miraculously vanished; I noticed a tattoo on my wrist which read 'SUBJECT 236045', confusion ran through my veins. I saw a peculiarly shaped object broken by my feet. I realised I was among rows of people sitting motionlessly. I took a closer look at my neighbour. He too was wearing the same outfit but had a disproportionate head. It struck me, everyone was wearing a headset; something was wrong.

An alarm blared and emergency lights flooded the corridor as I burst through the door and sprinted down the corridor. Two guards, dressed in black with hard helmets and translucent visors, chased after me with guns in hand. Having done no exercise probably for years my chest burned. I persisted, navigating my way through the labyrinth of passages. I saw the exit sign; only a few metres more until freedom. I reached for the handle; the guards tackled me to the ground, forcing a headset onto my head.

I felt the sun on my face and sand between my toes, without opening my eyes I knew I was back in virtual reality.