I can’t believe I nearly escaped those zombies in Arizona. But anytime I see the tunnel, I know it’s my ticket out. The funny thing about the tunnel is that while it lets me escape when needed, it also throws me into new, unforeseen situations. As the Time Tunnel Gamer, once I leave a place, stepping into the time tunnel is always a surprise. I never know where or when I’ll end up, what challenges I’ll face, or who I’ll become. This time was no different.
As I exited the tunnel, I heard a voice calling me Alex and telling me to be quiet and look at the leucistic white-tailed deer. It wasn’t just the voice—I could hear a flowing stream surrounded by the most fantastic-looking trees. The level of detail, both visual and auditory, was a breath of fresh air.
The person talking to me, I called Martin. I wasn’t sure of the relationship between Alex and Martin, but it felt like they’d known each other for quite a while. Then there was a noise, and Martin wanted to check it out. I had a feeling that being left alone wasn’t a good idea, so I kept calling out to him not to go. After what seemed like too much time had passed, I decided to go after him. Even though I felt I could take care of myself, I was more worried about Martin for some reason.
As I went looking for him, I noticed some yellow markings that allowed me to interact with objects, like climbing over them. As I continued in the direction Martin had gone, I couldn’t get over how beautiful the world around me was. From the sunlight reflecting off the ground to the incredible details, everything felt amazing.
But something didn’t seem right. I had to be more aware of any noise I made. From walking to stepping into puddles, anything that could make too much noise felt dangerous. Entering a building, the search for Martin became too real. Squeezing through passages to get to certain areas and hearing the sound of my own footsteps—I needed to get out of that building. Once outside, I cut my hand getting out through an open window. I started to question where he was, and as soon as I turned around, the jerk appeared saying “boo” and that he wanted to “suck my blood.” What the hell, man? He wanted to prank me while I was worried about him being dead. No wonder Alex was upset—I wanted to slug him. As I began to panic, I blurted out, “I can’t lose another.” I had no idea what that meant. I couldn’t calm down and started to black out, and that’s when I heard a voice say it was her, Laura. I just needed to breathe. That’s all I remember.
It seems my panic wasn’t the end—time has passed, and my journey through the time tunnel has taken me somewhere new in an instant. This tunnel is full of surprises, not just in location and time but also in who I become. I’m not a stranger to this world, though. I’m a native, still trying to adapt to this environment. It may be a new place and a new version of Alex, but inside, I am still me. After all, I’m a gamer, and this world is one big game.
As Martin and I approach the gates of the ranch, an uneasy feeling settles in. It’s like we don’t belong here. Alex is right; we need food for the hospital, and if the hospital isn’t safe, we might need more time to plan. It’s a now-or-never moment, and we didn’t walk through the rain just to turn back. Alex, ever the journal keeper, thankfully didn’t forget it. One thing to keep in mind is that my flashlight won’t last forever—batteries will die, and I hope we find some spares.
Getting around quietly, I know I can use the vents. Unscrewing a couple of screws, the vent gate comes off. It may not be easy, but it’s a stealthy way to move. Exploring the ranch, I come across a restroom with some leftover medication. Staying quiet while managing Alex’s asthma and nausea is challenging. While gathering supplies, I spotted something—a pregnancy test. At first, I hesitated, but Alex’s will made me grab it. There was no time like the present; Alex had to know. Time passed, and the results came in. Now the question is, do I show Martin now or wait? As scared as Alex was, and as much as I feared for her, Martin had to know.
After what happened, I don’t know if I’ll ever be the same. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to be home—if you can call it that. But the voice I heard during my panic attack seems to blame me for everything. I didn’t mean for her to find out, let alone have her lock me in my room.
Luckily, my Dad knows just what to say to get me out. I have to remember my medication—whether it’s my inhaler or pills—to keep feeling like I’m not going to die.
Thanks to my dad, I was able to escape. I seriously hope I never have to come across that thing again. But it wasn’t easy. He told me to follow the train tracks to the camp. Every time I thought I was safe, something else happened. How am I supposed to raise a baby in this world? Whatever this world is? I don’t know how long I can keep watching every move I make, being careful of every sound.
Then I heard it—that noise again. It attacked him. My heart pounded so hard I was afraid it would find me. That clicking sound made it even worse. I turned and dropped to the ground. Then, I saw it—my chance, the entrance to the tunnel.
As I thought about what I left behind, the sounds I heard would be imprinted in my brain. Those sounds make me appreciate things in a whole new way. I pray and hope that Alex and Kenneth will be safe and can help rebuild that world. It’s going to be tough, but if they all make it, I know Kenneth will make a fantastic grandfather. And Alex, well, she has been through a lot, but if anyone can make it, it’s her. If something happens, I hope those who knew them learned from their time together.
It makes me think about how crazy the world can be. From those who want to live to those who try to control others, if we don’t learn from our mistakes, we will repeat them. Maybe someday, we can look back at the bad and focus on the positives from our experiences. We could all use some positivity in our lives.
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is out now digitally on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5 on the PlayStation Store, and for Xbox Series X/S on the Microsoft Store. Physical copies for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, are available at a retailer near you. A review code was provided.
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Until our next journey through the time tunnel, remember that you are appreciated, happy gaming, and remember to game through time.
