POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES
Richards ran limping through the dark city streets, holding a bleeding wound on the side of his torso. Two police officers followed in pursuit about fifty metres behind.
“We’re closing in on the assault perp!” Richards heard one of the officers shout into their radio.
Richards ducked into an alleyway, scanning the darkness for a place to hide.
A faint glow caught his eye, emanating from behind a pile of trash.
He moved the trash to the side, revealing a shimmering rift floating in front of him.
Richards froze, staring at the apparition in both amazement and confusion.
The sound of the approaching police grew louder, startling Richards out of his state of shock.
“Now or never,” he decided, as he hobbled towards the portal.
* * *
Emerging from the rift, Richards found himself in a beautiful, sunlit city.
He stood wide-eyed, marvelling at the pristine streets, gleaming skyscrapers and flying vehicles.
“Is this... the future?” he wondered, as the portal closed behind him.
However, pain stabbed into his side, as blood seeped out of his wound. He tried to continue forward but collapsed to his knees.
Concerned passers-by quickly gathered around him.
“He’s hurt!” one of them shouted, using their phone to call for help.
An ambulance arrived moments later, and the paramedics rushed over to Richards with a stretcher.
* * *
Inside a high-tech medical facility, the paramedics transferred Richards to a bed.
“I don’t have… any money,” Richards sputtered.
An approaching doctor greeted him with a smile. “Don’t worry, just relax.”
Richards put his head back on the pillow, watching in awe as his wounds were healed almost instantaneously.
“This place is amazing,” he murmured, a grin forming on his face.
* * *
Richards stood outside the hospital sporting a new set of clothes.
“I could get used to this,” he said to himself, as he walked towards the heart of the city.
However, as he strolled by a subway, he accidentally bumped into a businessman.
“Sorry, I was—” Richards attempted.
But the irate businessman shoved him.
“Watch where you're fuckin’ going!” the man snapped.
A passing police car stopped abruptly beside them. Two police officers got out and strode towards the businessman.
“Wait, I—” the businessman spluttered.
Before he could finish, the officers drew their guns and shot him without warning.
Richards watched in horror as the man fell lifelessly to the ground.
“What’re you doing?!” Richards exclaimed.
“He committed a violent act and received sentencing,” the lead officer declared.
He holstered his gun and took his phone out of his pocket.
“What’s your name?” he asked Richards. “I need to check if you’re clean.”
Richards was so scared he blurted out his details without thinking.
The lead officer typed them into his phone and then turned to his partner. “Go get him a coffee. He looks a little shaken up.”
As the second officer walked away, Richards could only stand in worried silence.
He looked down at the ground, where the businessman still laid motionless.
The second officer returned and handed Richards his coffee. “Here you go, this’ll help your nerves.”
Richards held the cup, but it started trembling in his hand.
“Record search complete,” the lead officer’s phone announced. “No records found.”
The lead officer smiled. “Looks like you’re free to go.”
“Thank you,” Richards sighed with relief.
He walked away, beaming back at the officers as he left.
However, as Richards turned to take a sip of the coffee, a jogger accidently ran into him.
Boiling hot liquid erupted from the cup and spilled all over Richards.
“My bad, I wasn’t—” the jogger attempted, before Richards violently punched him in the face.
Richards' expression immediately turned to horror as he realized what he’d done.
He turned around again to see the same officers marching towards him.
“Please, don’t!” Richards pleaded, holding his hands up in surrender.
“Sorry,” the lead officer uttered as he and his partner drew their guns. “Everyone knows it’s the law.”
Just as the officers were about to open fire, another rift opened up behind Richards. The officers were so gobsmacked that they didn’t fire.
Seeing his opportunity, Richards ran towards the portal.
“No time like the present!” he yelled as he dove headfirst into it.
* * *
Richards landed with a thud as the rift spat him out on the other side. He stood and took in his surroundings, surprised to see a completely ruined city.
“Wait,” Richards exhaled. “This isn’t…”
He looked around and saw the portal seal shut.
“Fuck me,” he muttered.
“Hey!” a voice shouted.
Richards turned and saw two shabby men strolling towards him, both wearing tattered police uniforms.
Richards dropped to his knees.
“Oh, god,” he pleaded. “I only just got here!”
The men looked at Richards quizzically.
“You OK, bud?” one of them asked. “No need to be actin’ all crazy.”
“Matter of fact,” the other chimed in. “You look like a guy who knows how to handle himself.”
Richards got off his knees. “I’ve been in a few scrapes before.”
“Great!” the first responded, as he reached to the rear of his waistband.
He pulled a rusted gun out and held it out towards Richards. “We’re always looking for some extra muscle. Might be able to salvage a uniform for ya too.”
“Seriously?” Richards muttered as he reached out and took the gun. “I guess every place really does have it’s positives and negatives.”