Vortex vs Table

She wondered what life was like under the living room table.

With those in the village under the mind control of Vortex, her brother was forced to fend for himself in the trapdoor beneath the table, where supplies of snacks, books, and candle lights kept him safe until the session ended.

Her brother heard grunts/moans as the townspeople shambled around, minds in Vortex’ vice grip. He ran out of snacks, then books, then candles. It was time to brave the world above once more. He was’t prepared for how terrifyingly normal it seemed…like nothing had ever happened.

Until he spoke to someone, then the illusion shattered. Everyone around turned to look at him, and they took turns answering his question. A few words would come from each person in perfect time. They were clearly sharing a common mind.

They linked hands and stood in a circle, reciting the hive-mind's mantra: "The living room table's vortex is terrifyingly normal. The illusion is shattered. Follow the breadcrumbs." They said the words so many times that they no longer sounded like words to him, just hazy sounds.