[Rem x Reader] Re:Reader - REDUX

Volume 1: The Great Beginning

For being in the middle of nowhere with no cellular signal, YN had realized that the app must have all its lessons and tests stored locally. He still had no idea why these tests on such rudimentary topics were required of him, but whatever company developed and owned the app was legitimate. For around a year, he'd been doing this and while he wasn't paid directly for using it, good things seemed to happen from its use.

Bills being comped.

Discount codes and coupons for things he needed.

Small things, here and there, when added up, that really made a difference.

For what he got, what was required of him was easy. The lessons were usually very light, quick to complete. He had done tests on everything from basic biology, basic finances, to even once simply having to listen to a piece of music and say how it made him feel.

Having finished, YN shifted about in the car, putting away his things in the tiny space he had.

The little car, while cramped, and lacking any real creature comforts, and safety equipment, —or cup holders for that matter, had been good to him. Since it was virtually free for him to use, he didn't have much he could currently complain about in his situation, other than he had to drive a long distance still.

Before heading back out on the road, YN stepped out from his car once more and stretched putting his phone and charger into one of the pockets of his jacket. As he did, YN looked back up to the large neon lights above him.

For a brief second, it was as if the lights from the sign, the fuel station, and store, had all gone out at once and left him in pitch black darkness, but during this second, he felt weightless, and as if someone had tapped on the shoulder from behind.

Stunned, he turned around out of reflex but saw nothing.

No one where they would have tapped him.

YN shook his head and shut his eyes, trying to shake off what he perceived as what must be simple drowsiness, and got back into the car.

As he reached to put the keys into the ignition his mind felt heavy, and as he inserted the keys and twisted, the gauge cluster lights came on in anticipation, but as soon as they did, the same thing as earlier happened again.

It seemed as if the power for the neon signs, station, and store all flickered off again in unison, leaving him again blind in the darkness.

But what was strange about this time was the lights on the gauge cluster seemed to go out with them, or was he just imagining that?

The sign, station and store would be linked, but not to his car too. So how did these lights go out in unison with them?

I'm... I must be getting tired.

Was he really this tired suddenly? Should he even drive?

He reached around the darkness of the interior, first trying to find the dome light, only to stop when he heard a voice whisper in his ear, as if someone was sitting in the back seat:

"Will you assist my beloved?"

No.

No no no no.

First the phantom trap, then the lights, and now this voice.

He needed a light, and he needed it now.

Fumbling around he reached instead to his left trying to find the headlight switch. If he got that turned on, he'd have plenty of light.

But as soon as he was able to turn them on, all the lights of the "oasis" he was at came back to life.