http://101.jc0b.computer/Recent content on 101Hugoencontact@jc0b.computer (Jacob Burley)contact@jc0b.computer (Jacob Burley)Fri, 29 May 2026 16:30:00 +0100http://101.jc0b.computer/posts/5/Fri, 29 May 2026 16:30:00 +0100contact@jc0b.computer (Jacob Burley)http://101.jc0b.computer/posts/5/<p>Sometimes, he could be really surprised by just how flat the horizon actually was. Especially in the cities, houses and other buildings dominated his field of view. Carefully-placed trees interrupted the continuous horizon, distracting him from the fact that there was nothing rising up beyond it.</p> <p>It was beautiful, in a way. Visiting tourists found it to be a novelty, but for him, it was almost boringly normal. But getting out into the countryside and getting a bit of elevation, made all the difference. Suddenly, this everyday fact of life was again a new, unknown curiosity.</p> <p>Going for walks <em>was</em> fun.</p>http://101.jc0b.computer/posts/4/Tue, 12 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000contact@jc0b.computer (Jacob Burley)http://101.jc0b.computer/posts/4/<p>The register beeped as the cost of the groceries was withdrawn from his account. He turned, catching sight of the rain through the supermarket window. He figured he would teleport home to keep dry.</p> <p>As he left the payment area, he pulled out his phone and opened the app. He selected “Home”, and hit the button labelled “Begin transmission”.</p> <p>An itchiness crept in across his body, then an indescribable pain as his cells were torn apart and copied to his house, destroying the originals. Finally, it all went black.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">***</p> Sat on the couch, she heard him arrive. <p>“<em>Hey Trish, I’m home!</em>”</p>http://101.jc0b.computer/posts/3/Sat, 16 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000contact@jc0b.computer (Jacob Burley)http://101.jc0b.computer/posts/3/<p>She walked towards the center of the platform, into the structure waiting for her. She placed her feet in the foot-shaped outlines on the floor, and rested her arms on the supports. Researchers with white coats milled around her, checking that she was in position, attaching sensors to measure her vitals. She reflected on her decision to join the program.</p> <p>They had offered her good money. As a student, the idea of taking part in some online game in virtual reality for that kind of paycheck seemed like a no-brainer.</p> <p>Her train of thought was interrupted by the countdown.</p> <p>“Three, two…”</p>http://101.jc0b.computer/posts/2/Fri, 15 Feb 2019 20:30:30 +0100contact@jc0b.computer (Jacob Burley)http://101.jc0b.computer/posts/2/<p>The cold night wind whistled past his ears as he climbed, his feet sinking in the sand of the dune. He had been walking all day, and this new terrain wasn’t helping him feel any less exhausted.</p> <p>“What am I doing out here anyway?”, he whispered to himself.</p> <p>He left the question to hang in the air. The map hadn’t let him down so far. He doubted it would disappoint him now.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">***</p> <p>In the distance, a hooded figure peered through some binoculars. After some focusing, they spotted a short, stout figure cresting a sand dune, a map in their right hand.</p>http://101.jc0b.computer/posts/1/Fri, 15 Feb 2019 20:16:30 +0100contact@jc0b.computer (Jacob Burley)http://101.jc0b.computer/posts/1/<p>She grabbed another book of the shelf. Desperately flicking through it, she realized that it wasn’t in this one either. She pulled another book down, throwing the previous one into the growing pile next to her.</p> <p>She could hear it getting closer, the rhythmic thudding in the hallway growing louder. She would be fine as long as the door held.</p> <p>Another book joined the pile. She searched the next one, growing more frantic with each page. Then she found it.</p> <p>A sketch of the thing in the hallway. An incantation to render it harmless.</p> <p>She heard the door crack behind her.</p>