7
I GASPED UP from virtual, fumbling to get my helmet off. The white of the room was an anchor to reality. Gibson stood by my side, hand on my arm. I pulled away. I didn’t want anyone to touch me right then, possibly not ever again. I could still feel Switch’s fingers in my flesh. No, not my flesh, my avatar’s. Still, I could feel it, the lasting impression.
The technicians stood away from me, watching, wary, making sure that I wouldn’t collapse. I’m glad they didn’t touch me. A supportive hand would feel like it was dragging me to hell.
‘So, it’s not Switch,’ Gibson said glibly, trying to pull me back to the present. ‘Excellent work.’
I stood for a moment, gathering my wits. I took off my haptic gloves, shakily folding each finger in neatly. I stacked them on top of each other and hel
