It was a simple job. 5k creds for file retrieval from an antiquated network. These networks have been dead for almost a decade by now, so running them pose no real threat. Usually.
Irina entered the network first and in half an hour went completely quiet. She is still alive, but her dive made the network start shifting rapidly. Now most of our other contractors are unwilling to even probe the damn thing.
It's already been almost two weeks.
That means I'll to go get her out myself and make sure this nightmare finds an end.
"Jack, just make sure to pull the plug on that entire craphole if I get stuck too."
"Sure. See ya."

-- Introduction to Lone Dreamer

Submission to Pixelween 2024 week 3. A book cover for Lone Dreamer, a sci-fi horror story about the dangers of unknown tech locking people in perpetual network dream.