Outlast All in Infinity

One in the morning, and I was scrolling through a local community board when I saw an SOS post.

[S]: Help me. Im on the metro and I cant get off.

A few replies had already trickled in.

[User774]: Pro tip: the train has to stop before you can get off.

[NightOwl21]: Sounds like someones half asleep.

Then the original poster, S, replied again.

[S]: Im not asleep! I know how a metro works! But this train has been moving nonstop for ten minutes! The trip between these two stations is only supposed to take four minutes!

[User774]: Whoa, okay, stay calm. Maybe its a malfunction. Which line are you on? I can try to contact transit control for you.

[S]: Riverton Metro, Line 2.

I stared at the last reply, and my blood ran cold.

I was on that train.

1.

I glanced at the time on my phone: 1:11 AM.

It had been exactly eleven minutes since I boarded.

Line 2 was Rivertons main commuter line. The trains were frequent, the stops close together. Running this long without stopping was definitely not right. If I hadnt stumbled upon that post, lost in the endless scroll, I might not have even noticed.

My fingers flew across the screen as I replied.

[Ava91]: Which car are you in? I think Im on the same train.

He replied almost instantly.

[S]: The last one. Its just a habit.

[Ava91]: Dont move. Im coming to find you.

2.

Three minutes later, I found him in the rear car. He introduced himself as Sam, a sophomore in college.

Thank God, he breathed, clutching his chest in relief. Another living person.

You have no idea, he rambled, his words spilling out in a rush. When I realized the train wasnt stopping, especially after one in the morning I was terrified. For a second, I thought Id stepped into some creepypasta story, you know? Like I was in another dimension. He looked at me, his eyes wide. So, uh what do we do now?

Looking into his wide, earnest eyes, I had no doubt he was just a college kid. He had the presence of mind to post on a forum but hadn't thought to make a simple call for help.

Lets start with the emergency line, I suggested.

A few more minutes had crawled by, and the train showed no signs of slowing down. A malfunction seemed like the most logical explanation.

I dialed the six-digit number printed on a sticker by the door.

Were sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service.

The automated voice made me freeze. Did I misdial? It was only six digits. I hung up, double-checked the number, and carefully punched it in again.

Were sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service.

Again. And again.

Were sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service

After several failed attempts, the same robotic response echoed in the quiet car.

Sam swallowed hard. Maam are you sure youre dialing it right?

I dont think Id get it wrong four times in a row, I said, though a seed of doubt was planted.

Maybe its your phone, Sam said, slapping his forehead as if struck by a brilliant idea. He pulled out his own phone. Let me try.

Were sorry, the number you have dialed is not in

NOT! IN! SERVICE! a piercing shriek suddenly screamed from his phone, so loud and distorted that Sam nearly dropped it.

His face went pale. Maam is my phone broken too?

At this point, my own composure was starting to fray. I was only three years older than him, just another corporate drone whod been working for a year. I gripped a handrail, my knuckles white. Why dont you check the post again? See what people are saying.

Sam fumbled with his phone, his hands shaking slightly. The thread had a dozen new replies.

[CommuterDude]: Wow, another unlucky soul on board?

[SleeplessInRiverton]: Hold on, does the metro even run this late? I thought they shut down at midnight.

[CityDweller]: Thats only for the suburban lines. The main city lines in Riverton run until 2:30 AM.

[WorriedMom]: OP? Other commenter? Are you two okay? Its been a while.

[ScaryStoriesFan]: Ive read enough of these online stories to know what happens next! Theyve crossed into a mysterious parallel dimension. Right now, theyre probably hiding from zombies or a vengeful ghost!

Sam pointed a trembling finger at that last comment. You dont think hes right, do you? he whispered.

Probably not, I said, pointing to another reply further down. Look, this person says they called the emergency line for us.

Sam scrolled down. Sure enough, a user named SturdyCarrot had posted a few comments below.

[SturdyCarrot]: Dont panic, you two. Ive already called it in. The staff said theyre running a system diagnostic now.

[S]: Thank you so much! By the way, whats the number you called? We keep trying, but it says its not in service.

[SturdyCarrot]: Its 618-999.

Son of a Sam swore under his breath. The sticker on the wall here says 619-888.

So we couldnt get through because of a typo. I sighed, shaking my head. This whole world is held together with duct tape and a prayer. Just like my boss, making me, a marketing specialist, write a technical grant proposal. Thats why I was on this damn train at one in the morning to begin with.

A wave of relief washed over us. Knowing that help was on the way, we both relaxed, subconsciously pushing aside the memory of that bizarre shriek and one other, more fatal, inconsistency.

3.

Hello? Can you hear me?

A voice, crackling and distant, suddenly came through the trains intercom.

Are there two passengers currently stranded on the train?

Sam, who had been dozing off, snapped awake. Yes! Yes, thats us! You finally found us!

We sincerely apologize for this distressing experience, the voice continued. I will be performing an emergency stop shortly. After you disembark, youll need to walk approximately 600 yards down the track. Youll see the next platform from there.

That sounded odd. Why cant you stop at the platform? I asked.

Im afraid the trains system is completely compromised, the voice replied. A normal station stop is impossible.

Whatever, man. As long as I can get off this thing and go home to bed, I dont care where we stop, Sam muttered, clearly done with the whole ordeal.

Understood. The train is now commencing an emergency stop. Please hold on tight.

The moment the words left the speaker, the train gave a violent, metallic lurch.

And the lights went out.

Holy crap!

When the lights flickered back on, Sam and I were sprawled on the floor.

Ugh, a little warning wouldve been nice, I grumbled, pushing myself up and dusting off my clothes.

The train was still. A soft ding announced that the doors were open.

You may now exit the vehicle. Remember, the platform is straight ahead, the voice said one last time, then fell silent.

Lets go, lets get out of here, Sam said, eagerly jumping from the car onto the track bed.

I looked out. The tunnel was a pitch-black maw, stretching into an endless void. There was no air movement, no sound.

Something felt wrong, a cold knot tightening in my stomach, but I couldnt put my finger on it.

Hey, Sam, I called out. Check your post. Has anyone else replied?

Huh? Right now? He looked back at me, confused. Were saved. Cant it wait?

Just let everyone know were okay.

Fine, Ill start a new thread, he said, already typing. But you should get off the train. We can walk and post at the same time.

He had a point. What if the train suddenly started moving again?

I took a deep breath and swung one leg out of the car.

The instant my foot left the train, a jolt like an electric current shot through my body.

I know whats wrong! I yelled.

Oh god, this is wrong! Sam screamed at the exact same time.

4.

In the next second, we scrambled back onto the train, shoving our way through the doors just as they began to slide shut.

You figured something out, didnt you? we asked each other in unison.

I spoke first, my voice trembling slightly. I just remembered something we completely overlooked.

This train has been running for over half an hour. Not only have we not stopped at a station

We havent even seen a station, Sam finished, his face ashen.

Thirty minutes. Not a single glimpse of a platform, not even a flash of station lights in the darkness.

Was this place still the city we knew?

I had no idea what lay waiting for us in that dark tunnel, but my gut screamed that it was infinitely worse than staying on this train.

Sam was shaking, his eyes wide with terror. He shoved his phone in my face. That person, SturdyCarrot they sent me a private message three minutes ago.

His finger pointed to a single, chilling line of text.

She said Line 2 was shut down for maintenance at 11 PM tonight.

This train it shouldnt exist.

5.

The lights inside the car flickered violently, casting Sams face in a ghastly, greenish glow. The doors hissed shut, sealing us in. The intercom crackled back to life, but this time, it was the cold, automated voice from the phone call.

Were sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service

Were sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service

Were sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service

Sams voice was a choked whisper. Are we still alive?

A cold sweat trickled down my spine, but I forced myself to stay calm, for his sake as much as my own.

Were alive, I said, my voice steadier than I felt. But I think I think were in another timeline. Or something like it.

My mind raced. An idea sparked. Wait! Your phone!

My phone had lost its signal ages ago, but Sams could still connect to that one community board.

Try to post again! Tell them whats happened!

If we were trapped in some isolated space, two ordinary people like us stood no chance. But if an outside force could somehow open this space for us, maybe, just maybe, we had a shot.

Sams eyes lit up with a sliver of hope. He scrambled to open the app. Its working! Its really still working! he exclaimed. Thats so weird. No other apps connect, just this one.

Dont worry about weird. Just post, I urged him.

The train began to move again, pulling us deeper into the unknown darkness.

[HELP! Experts needed! Were trapped in another dimension!]

Replies flooded in almost immediately.

[User101]: Is this some kind of viral marketing stunt?

[ScaryStoriesFan]: I KNEW IT! I TOLD YOU SO! This is a legit paranormal event!

[SturdyCarrot]: Oh my god, thank goodness youre okay! You vanished for a while, I was starting to think

[Writer wannabe]: This is a fascinating premise. OP, would you be willing to grant me the rights to write a novel based on your experience?

[GoodGuyGreg]: Dude, really? Not the time.

[SkepticSam]: You guys actually believe this? Come on.

Amidst the noise of useless sympathy and outright disbelief, we found a beacon of hope.

[Finn_Helps]: Youre on Metro Line 2?

[Finn_Helps]: I studied this stuff with my uncle for a few years. I might be able to help. Tell me which station you got on at.

I pointed at the screen, simultaneously slapping Sams thigh in excitement. Him! Contact him, now!

Ow, ow, okay! Im typing! Sam yelped.

[S]: I got on at Willow Creek Station.

He paused, then looked at me. Where did you get on?

I met his gaze. Willow Creek.

What a coincidence. It seemed the problem started right at the station.

A new message from Finn appeared.

[Finn_Helps]: Just as I thought. The problem is with the station itself. Willow Creek isnt far from me. Im on my way. Be there in five!

6.

Five minutes later, as promised, Finn messaged us again.

[Finn_Helps]: Im here. And you were right. Something is definitely wrong with this place.

[Finn_Helps]: But dont worry. My uncle and I have dealt with something like this before. I can get you out.

Finns words were a powerful sedative, calming our frayed nerves. The train was still speeding through the dark, but the suffocating panic had subsided.

Sam let out a long, shuddering breath. To be honest, he admitted, for a minute there, I thought maybe you werent human. This crazy stuff is happening, but youve been so calm.

I managed a weak smile. Im faking it. But maybe you should consider working on your own nerves, kid.

At least were almost out of this, I added.

The truth was, Id had my own suspicions about Sam. That he wasnt human, or that something was wearing his skin.

And I still did.

Because a few minutes ago, I had glanced at our reflection in the dark train window.

In the glass, Sams face was a complete blank.

7.

I watched Sam closely, but his every move, every gesture, was perfectly normal. If I hadnt seen that horrifying reflection, I would have just thought he was a fellow victim, another unlucky soul trapped with me.

But what did it want?

I didnt know. All I could do was wait and see. For now, at least, it didnt seem to want to harm me.

Hey, Finn says we need to go to the front of the train and find something, Sam said, breaking the silence. To prove it, he held out his phone for me to see the messages.

[Finn_Helps]: Ive dealt with the anomaly at Willow Creek. Now you need to go to the operators cabin at the very front of the train. Find a specific object and destroy it. That will break the loop and return you to the real world.

[S]: What is it? What does it look like?

[Finn_Helps]: Its hard to explain. But youll know it when you see it. Its obvious. Trust no one and nothing that tries to stop you. Its all part of the illusion.

Sam and I exchanged a look. Lets go, I said.

8.

We started from the last car, moving through the eight empty carriages. With every window we passed, our reflections ran alongside us. But out of the corner of my eye, Sams reflection was always just a fraction of a second behind his actual movements.

Thankfully, our journey was unimpeded. No strange creatures, no ghostly apparitions. We made it all the way to the operators cabin without incident.

That was too easy, Sam panted, leaning against the wall. I thought something was supposed to try and stop us.

I pulled my hand away from his, pretending to be annoyed. Can you even pass a basic fitness test?

A fitness test? he asked, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. Oh uh, yeah. Yeah, I passed.

That momentary hesitation didnt escape me. My heart hammered against my ribs. The cabin door was right in front of us. What was behind it? And what would the thing standing next to me do?

My hand slipped into my pocket, fingers closing around the small eyebrow razor Id forgotten to take out of my purse. It wasnt much of a weapon, but it was all I had.

How do we open this? Sam asked, fiddling with the locked door.

On a whim, I stepped forward and knocked four times.

The door clicked open.

Lets go. Find it, I said, starting to step inside. But Sam didnt move. He grabbed my arm, his eyes fixed on me.

Wait, he said.

I spun around, the razor already in my hand, its tiny blade tracing a line across his neck.

What are you doing?! he yelped.

I kept my eyes locked on his. Finn said to trust nothing that tries to stop us.

What are you stopping me from?