Interesting Signal
FIRST PRIZE
Interesting Signal by Caitlyn Ward
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
A red light flickered, illuminating the room for a few seconds. Cobwebs lit up like strands of liquid light in the dark, framing rusted and worn computers, monitors and mechanics. The red light flickered again, and this time was accompanied by the harsh glow of a monitor as it stuttered into life.
--------
“What are we looking for?”
“To be honest I’m not sure…”
“What?!”
“But I intercepted some interesting signals being received here.”
“Interesting signals? We’re out here, endangering our lives in these godforsaken ruins for interesting signals?”
“Yes.”
Flickers of light could be seen moving beyond the doorway. They flashed back and forth, looking in every nook and cranny of the hallway, figures shifting in the shadows behind them. The lights soon settled into two strong beams illuminating the doorway.
“The source should be just through there.”
The first figure to enter did so with a cautious purpose. He held a flashlight in one hand, using it to guide the way, and in the other he held a small rectangular box that projected a holographic map a few feet above itself. On the map, two white dots slowly approached a blinking red light.