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professorsta · 2 years

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Shyan Fanfic: Upload Au

Summary: In the year 2033 humans can “upload” themselves into a virtual afterlife of their choosing. When content creator Shane Madej died prematurely, he is uploaded to the very expensive Lakeview, where he wakes up in a nightmare. Having spent many years advocating against the use of virtual afterlife, Shane works through what it means to truly be alive in a system he never wanted a part of, while along the way discovering truths about love, himself, and the real reason behind his death

Shane’s POV: Chapter 1

Shane opened his eyes, and immediately knew something wasn’t right.

He glanced around to find himself in a huge room, circled with books with him sitting on a platform overlooking the wooden floor. He didn’t try to stand yet, he just slowly moved his hands which rested on his thighs up and down, feeling the course texture of his jeans.

Before he had woken up, the last thing he felt was immense pain, after having felt terror that felt like it would do him in before the pain. Then it was lights out, and then, his rough jeans itching in his palms.

Everything felt real, no pain, no lights out. But he didn’t know where he was, and was almost afraid to stand in fear he’ll lose the limbo of not knowing and feeling okay or trying to investigate and triggering that horrific pain again.

Shane heaved a sigh. He knows, he knows but he doesn’t want to get up. Maybe if he sits here forever then it won’t be happening. Maybe this won’t be happening to him.

He forces himself though to get up. and unfolds his large figure that seemed to curl into himself immediately before moving to search the room he was in. The desk he sat at overlooked the balcony which was surrounded by spiral staircases, leading to a fire place and a living room space.

The moment he had woken up he’d notice the huge window that lead to the ceiling behind the bed. Before heading down the stairs he went to the window, putting his fingertips to the glass when he saw someone dive into the water. The diver skipped and paused in the air for a few seconds, finally touching the water and submerging completely after a couple of moments stuck above the lake.

His breath quickened and fogged up the glass, dread slowly started to enter his stomach as he backed away, and rushed down the steps of the staircase. Running to the grand double doors, tripping on the green velvet futon along the way and hastily reaching the nob and twisting, holding back a scream when he found it locked.

The logical part of his brain warned him of ripping the door knob off because he had yanked it so many times. He was panicking about possibly being stuck in this room forever with not knowing what the fuck is going on when a voice rippled through the room.

“Uh? Shane? Are you doing okay there bud?”

Said man screamed at the sudden presence and fell into the door, grabbing the edges and looking around frantically for who the fuck just spoke to him.

“Sorry I uh, didn’t mean to scare you. You just woke up immediately freaking out so I didn’t know the best time to interject. Then I started realizing that their might never be a right time without scaring you so I just did, sorry.”

Shane almost found the voice endearing, with it’s hesitation and soft cadence. But the alarming reality that he’s being watched, and a voice he doesn’t know is talking to him, dampens the small hint of joy at a sound of another human being

“It’s uh-“ Shane cleared his voice, having only used it to scream since waking, “it’s fine. Um, I didn’t like, piss myself so, guess you didn’t scare me that bad.” Shane joked, inching away from the door and still glancing around to the ceiling, thinking that’s where the mystery voice is coming from.

“So uh, where are you? What the fuck is happening?” Shane asked, impatience and desperation being held back with a loose grip.

The voice waits for a moment, and Shane waits as the mystery man holds back what the man already knows deep down. Somewhere he never wants to acknowledge.

“Shane Madej, welcome to Lakeview fire Horizon, the only digital afterlife environment inspired by Victorian Castles modeled after mid 19th century gothic architecture. Hope it’s not too pretentious for you, but something tells me you won’t mind.”

Shane smiled weakly at that before settling on the first part of his sentence, and the full body shakes returned with vengeance. Shane almost couldn’t make it to the couch as he reached for it, collapsing onto the cushion and raising a shaky hand to his face. Rubbing away the sweat that had begun to gather

“I don’t understand. There must be a mistake I- this can’t be happening.” Shane muttered over and over, looking up at the ceiling, looking at his hands, expecting to see lines of code proving he’s not real even though nothing is out of the ordinary. The only thing he can see are the freckles on his skin, and hair rising on his arms. Everything felt so real and yet Shane had never felt so out of his body.

“I understand this is a big adjustment, I mean just 24 hours ago you were alive. I can’t begin to comprehend how, overwhelming all of this must be.” Shane scoffed at that, anger and helplessness overriding every thought in his head.

“This isn’t happening.” Shane shook his head as he said this, and continued to do so furiously, hugging one of the cushions to his chest as if to shield himself from the situation.

“Shane I know-“ Shane stood up with a lurch before the voice could finish.

“No! No I never wanted this! This isn’t just fucking hard this Never Should Have Happened!” He screamed at this sky, hoping that someone, the fucking people running this system or the damn gods who rigged it to listen to him, to put him back in his warm bed in LA and not a forgotten set piece for Dracula.

“How is this possible!? What the fuck did you guys do?!” Shane accused, and even though he wasn’t in the room, and he couldn’t even hear him through whatever he was talking to Shane with, he could tell the guy was getting huffy.

“Sir I’m afraid I don’t understand, you were in a car crash and almost died upon impact. You were scanned and uploaded before passed.”

Shane heard all of this through clogged ears, getting bits and pieces as his vision wobbled.

Car crash

Scanned

Dead

Lakeview Horizon

Scanned

Dead?

Shane couldn’t make sense of any of it, and suddenly held onto the reverberating voice that was barely helping keep his head above the water, water which desperately wanted to bury him completely.

“But that’s what I don’t get.” Shane argued meekly, cutting of the voice which had started to ramble about the quality of the room.

“I never signed off on being uploaded. I never put in the paperwork, or signed the consent form. I never wanted to be uploaded.”

There was a heavy pause before the voice answered

“Shane that’s not possible. Consent forms are mandatory for people to be uploaded.”

“Then show me it! Show me the fucking paperwork!” Shane demanded, and before he knew it a screen was pulled up close to his face, causing him to lurch away into the couch in surprise.

The voice sounded strained as he shuffled through what looked like a camera overview of a desk. There were papers being moved around, until someone pulled out a file that said Shane Madej. Setting a piece of paper on the desk that had been the first thing to see once opening the file.

It was a consent form for Lakeview, with Shane’s signature bold and proud laced across the bottom, his usual J flourish right on the dotted line.

Shane looked at the screen, not moving and not speaking as his brain couldn’t compute with the information that was put right in front of his eyes. Shane would never sign a consent form. He had spent the last years since the whole Lakeview debacle happened speaking out against the heinous creepy idea of a billion dollar company lurking in our memories, so the idea he’d sign this?

But what else could it be? He was dying. He was in a car crash. Maybe before he passed he had signed the form. Maybe, maybe in his delirium, he signed the forms out his desperation. It didn’t sound like him, but how could he say anything sounds like him when he was about to die?

Shane could finally feel the tears pushing at the corner of his eyes, and hurriedly covered them up before with his sweaty palms. He sat in silence for a moment.

This couldn’t be happening.

He had a girlfriend.

A cat he loved.

An apartment he finally finished decorating.

Parents he fucking didn’t see because he was too busy and didn’t think to reschedule.

The career and dream he was about to achieve.

All gone, replaced by 12,000 books and green velvet furniture he didn’t even fucking like.

“Shane? Shane can you hear me? Oh god are you having a panic attack? I can send in an ER Angel if you need some help-“

Shane held up a hand to silence the voice, answering his question of if he’s being watch when the voice went quiet.

“I’m having as close to a panic attack as you can get being dead and not able to breath air.” Shane stated, barely feeling the energy to heave himself up from his seat and walk back to the stairs. Brain still not able to understand how he’s able to feel the smooth wood under his palm as he slides it up the railing.

“Yeah well, Lakeview can simulate breathing and all that. Also you’re not dead! You’re here and real as anybody else.” The voice stated, comfort trying to needle its way, but Shane shook his head in disagreement. Looking back out into the window with hesitant curiosity.

“I’m not real though. I mean, I might be standing here feeling the ground but I can definitely see that guy freeze mid air after diving and that kids ice cream definitely stopped inches before the ground. Nothing about that seems real.” Shane said, trying to hide the words in a joking tone, but he watched in dreadful fascination as the palm trees stop swaying even though he can see the wind ripple through the water.

“Well, the saying goes I think before I am. You’re thinking about how strange this all is, I’d say that proves you’re more real than you think.” Shane felt the corners of his lips twitch before he smoothed them out. Touching the glass again just to make sure to was really there. It was just So Clear.

“I was supposed to initiate you to Lakeview Shane, if you’re up for it. I know you’re freaking out it’s just it was supposed to be the first thing I opened up with but I didn’t so if I don’t now then my boss will have my head again for not following these stupid anally strict rules that-“

Normally all this talking would annoy Shane, but right now it was really the only thing over riding his torrent thoughts, even though he still interrupted to stop the insistent chattering.

“Give me the run down? Well if I’m staying in hell I guess I’d like to know where to avoid Satan, so lay it on me.” Shane said sarcastically, panic settling into apathetic dread as Shane’s brain tried to comprehend and come to terms without completely losing its shit.

A noise of disagreement could be heard through the ceiling

“This isn’t hell Shane, it’s Heaven.”

Shane actually snorted at that, looking up at the ceiling with a lazy grin forced upon his face.

“Naming this place Heaven really is the cherry on top isn’t it? An oxymoron if I’ve ever seen one.” Shane stated. He wished he could see the guy he was talking to. From what he could hear he was easy to rile up, an easy distraction from the literal What The Fuck he was in.

“Anyway!” Shane rolled his eyes but acquiesced. If he was in Lakeview it was probably best he knew how it worked and hopefully figure out a way to get out of here and back to LA “Lakeview is a space welcome to all gender, sexualities, races, and religions. We have round clock customer service, from employees coined Angels, who will help with whatever problem arises in Lakeview. You’re on the 100534 floor, meaning you get food, activities, and adds ons already included in your purchased package. To access this I’ll need your password first though.”

Shane thought about it. He doesn’t remember the paper work for Lakeview so doesn’t remember his password either. But if he knows himself, its probably the one he’s been using since highschool.

“Try Spielbergcangetit” Shane muttered, and heard a delighted snort on the other side.

“Have a thing for the most whitest, mainstream director then huh?” laughter could be heard, causing Shane to shrug in response instead of get mad at him laughing at his shitty password.

“He filmed my favorite movie, what can you do? Two actually. A feat like that deserves a dedicated password”

The voice made a thoughtful hum

“What are the two movies?” And Shane didn’t even have to think before blurting out Jaws and Jurassic Park.

It was silent for half a moment before-

“Those are my favorite too.” Spoken softly enough to make Shane strain to hear it, then the voice went off again about the luxuries of Lakeview.

“This will be your room, specially made for you but any rearrangements are available as in app purchases. Any other questions could be directed to your primary Angel.”

“And who would that be?” Shane asked dully, fingering the books covering every inch of his walls as he listened.

“Umm.. me. Well specifically speaking you have two angels but I’m the one who loaded and collected your data, so me, predominately.”

Shane didn’t like the sound of “I’m the one who loaded and downloaded your data” but decided to let it slide. Okay, so he had angels. For a place who negates the idea of an afterlife, they sure are obsessed with the fucking titles of the afterlife. Heaven, Angel, Jesus just could you be more on the noise.

“So I have angels who can answer any questions?” Shane liked the idea of that, and all knowing being who can help him in the most confusing time of his, well, death.

“Oh no, no no no we’re just minimum wage workers behind a screen. All we know is what google knows. But I can summon you things.” Suddenly Shane found a bag of popcorn on his desk, and almost smiled as he popped one into his mouth, savoring the buttery flavor that immediately coated his tongue.

“Okay well, less helpful, but I guess summoning popcorn is a cool party trick.” Shane teased, mind still reeling with more questions as he ate the savory treat.

“Didn’t know I was supposed to impress you like a show horse.” The voice snorted, and Shane relaxed a little, not having notice how tense he had become the moment the unknown person started speaking. Didn’t know if he was safe, still doesn’t, but something tells him he’s also not in danger. So he relaxes, if only slightly, to release his tightened muscles.

“Well of course! If you die and are immediately bored upon waking up then yeah I say teach the angels some juggling! Keep the interest alive if you must.” Shane really didn’t know what he was saying. He honestly thinks a random angel juggling after waking up dead would send anyone into a hysterical fit, but it would be interesting so Shane’s not wrong.

“Yeah let’s put the barely any funding into costumes and juggling lessons, that sounds like a good financial decision.”

“You know for an Angel you’re quite sarcastic, I thought you guys were supposed to be kindness with wings?”

“Maybe I’ve watched over you for so long I’ve started going mad?”

“My mother always said a guardian something must be watching my ass because of how many time I got hurt but managed to scrape by. Said they’d get bitter from all the work with no pay. Guess she was right.” Shane mused, before realizing what he was sharing, and immediately stopped, curling in on himself as if to shield the words that had crept between the two.

What was he doing? Talking to this fucking random stranger, who apparently knew and watched him for however long. He was dead in the Upload talking about his mother he’ll Never see because he’s stuck here and she’s going to die back on earth with a proper fucking funeral and buried around with flowers and a tombstone while he’ll be put on ice paraded around like a Sims confined to a bedroom which has Ugly Fucking Furniture!

Shane was alive just yesterday working on his puppets and kissing his girlfriend and now he’s trapped in a fish bowl with no way out.

The voice seemed to see Shane facade started to crumble as he fell onto the bed behind him, knees hitting the edge before sitting and placing his elbows upon them.

“Um.. I saw that you picked charming, introverted.. atheist as some of your traits, which means the Pentecostal across the street will probably a theater, or the Cinema, as you liked to call it. While for some it’s a temple, or a bowling alley, for you it’s a holy place to watch movies. Depends.” The voice seemed to be trying to override Shane’s panic by not acknowledging it.

“Rolling hills, rocking mountains, clear waters, everything you could ever want out of Heaven!” Reassurance, reassurance, Shane couldn’t breath.

“I was supposed to see my mom next week for Mother’s Day.” Shane said softly, once again interrupting his “angel”.

“My brother had made pasta from scratch and had wanted me to try some.”

Shane’s thoughts, meet mouth.

“My cat won’t understand why I’m gone.”

“I was planning on marrying my girlfriend in a couple years.”

“I, I won’t ever be with any of them again. I’ll be stuck, forever. Fuck! My nieces will grow up to be older than me and I’m supposed to enjoy the fucking Rocky Mountains!” Shane shouted, fists clenching as he stared at the ceiling, willing the listener to Do something. Make his mom appear and tell him this wasn’t happening, like when she’d tuck his hair behind his ear as a teen when the world became too much. Wanted a solid pat on the shoulder from his dad, gentle but always a strong presence reminding Shane everything was going to be okay. He’d even take a noogie from his older brother, if it meant he was real, and there. And not fake, and here.

“Shane it’s okay, don’t feel embarrassed about crying. It’s hard. Usually people who come here are older, expecting it. Unexpected downloads usually have a hard time adjusting, especially when you’re so young and handso- healthy!” Shane was barely listening as they guy hastily started talking. Shane leaned back.

Fuck, this guys more wound up than he is, and Shane just found out he’s dead

“You’re healthy, and they saved your body so, who knows, maybe you’ll be put back in!”

“So it’s okay, to cry.”

Shane nodded, allowing his face to show now that it’s just blotchy with red eyes, no more running tears.

“Yeah, yeah thanks. Sorry I keep, lashing out at you. God ain’t really one to give out help just because an Angel asked.” Shane wiped his face and got up from his bed to grip the railing that wrapped around the front of the platform.

“Are those uh, are those doors locked all the time?“ Shane asked nervously, he really didn’t want to know the answer.

“Locked? Oh no it shouldn’t be. Sometimes though the rooms need time to finish downloading. It’s rare that the upload gets here before the room. When you tried to leave the door probably didn’t open because the outside was still manifesting. I could open it now if you’d like, to demonstrate?”

Shane nodded yes, and exhaled in relief when the door swung open easily.

“Yeah okay, that makes sense.” Shane mumbled as he gripped his sweater and hulled it over his head, gripping his belt and unloosing his pants before stepping out of them. Left in a white shirt and boxers, standing vulnerable in a room that’s not his own.

Shane was self driven all of a sudden by a tired urge. A need to rest his body and mind that seemed to drive on autopilot more than Shane giving conscious thought and effort.

He pulled down the covers to the bed and lied down, feeling the soft goose feather pillow resting under his head that felt nothing like his back home. The bedding was soft under him and cold, missing the familiar warmth of his girlfriend who would nestle into his chest, both finding comfort in feeling the others heartbeat. Now all Shane has is his own heartbeat, as he tries to convince himself that just because it’s code it’s still comforting, despite knowing it’s no longer a sign of how alive he is, but of how stuck.

Tears spilled silently down his face, and he hugged the pillow closer to his chest in hopes that he can muffle the sobs echoing through the room.

“Tomorrow will be a new day, just bursting with new opportunities and chances to take. And who knows! Maybe this feeling will wash away by the time the sun rises and all you’ll want to do is hike those Rocky Mountains you seem to despise so much!” Melancholy seems to sip into the dudes voice as he bursted in talking once again. Shane tried to keep the irritation out of his voice after being spooked to the point of shouting. Unclenching the pillow that he’d clung to in fear.

“Thanks, great. You can go now. I’m fine.” Shane’s states shortly. What the fuck? We’re their cameras in here? The universe was really pushing the envelope when it comes to how much emotionally transparency they want from Shane tonight.

“Right. Of course, sweet dreams… And I promise, tomorrow will be better.” The voice was warm, and although Shane did want him to fuck off, without anybody he knew Shane was crazy and illogical enough to listen and hope that tomorrow things won’t be as scary, or confusing.

Shane all of a sudden felt a force unlike any other overcome him, and sleep came in it’s wake. Claiming the young man until he collapsed into his pillows. Moonlight reflected through the glass onto his face, making the slightest of crinkle appear between his eyebrows.

As a man beyond Lakeview, behind a screen, watched as the man slept, Shane fell into what he hoped was a dream

But was surely a nightmare

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