The orb alone remained. Everything else had melted in the enshrouding darkness. Blue electrical arcs spidered above the dark reflective surface as it floated over the pedestal. Ben felt curiously drawn to the hovering object. He reached his hand out to touch it, but the spidery lightning found his hand first.
“Ouch!” He ripped his arm back and stepped back a pace. He watched the ball warily. After shocking his hand, the arcs had momentarily flashed white. Ben shook his head.
“Collect what is yours.” Ben gasped and spun around. An indistinct form stood in the murky darkness, gesturing toward the object.
“What?” Ben managed to ask, despite his fright.
“The orb. It is yours. Receive it.” The figure faded away.
Receive it? Ben thought. How? But still the orb drew him with its strange gravity. He stepped forward and reached for the object. It did not shock him this time. Instead, it gravitated toward him, floating inches above his palm. He cupped it within hands… and the floor melted out from beneath him. Surely, death would come quickly…
He awoke with a start, perspiring. The digital display glowed a green 4:12. Sighing, Ben got up. There would be no more sleep tonight.
"The only thing that anybody really knows about this author is that he is a real nutcase."
-Anonymous reporter
Well...