Upload (pt.4)

All my binders were message free when I got to school and I found no messages on the inside of my locker. By the time lunch rolled around I was hopeful that maybe Braxton and Lexi had forgotten about me or moved on to someone else; only to step into the comans and find Braxton sitting at the lunch table with my friends.

I debated just walking away and finding another place to sit where he wouldn’t see me but I pushed the thoughts aside.I had to end this.I couldn’t let Braxton control me.

Mustering my courage I stormed up to the table putting my lunch bag down with a bang next to him and spoke in my strongest voice.“Leave.”

My friends looked from me to Braxton who himself had wide eyes. He held his hands out defensively. “Please,I’m just here to talk. I need to-”

My fists clenched at my sides. “No! I’m not listening to anything you have to say!”

“Alexsis-”

“Leave me alone Braxton! I don’t care about your conspiracies!”

“Is this guy bothering you Alexsis?” Henry said appearing next to me with a plate of spaghetti. He glared at Braxton.

I folded my arms across my chest not taking my eyes off of Braxton. “Yes as a matter of fact.”

Braxton looked from me to Henry, his face a mask of panic and anger. He stood up leaning closer to me. “Alexsis please! You have to listen to me!” He whispered.

“Stay away from me!” He only came closer whispering in my ear.

“Alexsis, he’s a spy! Who do you think’s been watching you?”

I shoved him away from me. I spotted the campus police officer walking nearby. I waved my hand to get his attention.

“Officer!”

Braxton looked from me to the officer betrayal evident on his face. “Alexsis…Please. This isn’t you!” His eyes turned to Henry who was still standing next to me. Braxton looked about ready to murder him.

“What did you do to her!” He demanded trembling in rage.

The officer stepped up. “Is there a problem?”

Henry nodded. “This guy has been stalking my friend!”

The officer put his hand on Braxtons shoulder. “Well! Come along son let-”

Braxton elbowed him in the stomach and took off running down the hallway. As he turned the corner he shouted behind him one last message.

“I’ll get Alexsis back! You’ll never win!”

The officer, Henry, and I ran to chase after him but when we turned around the corner the hall was empty. Braxton was gone.

***

As the rest of the day dragged on there were no more signs of Braxton or Lexi. I couldn’t stop thinking about what they had told me the other day though. I knew I shouldn’t but I kept wondering my mind asking why it was impossible that they couldn’t be telling the truth. After all if I really was in some kind of simulation I wouldn’t be able to tell would I?

Try as I might to force these thoughts aside I kept coming back to them. Eventually I decided to test Braxtons theory. There was no harm in that right? If it was a conspiracy then I wouldn’t find anything and I would go on with my life and ignore what had happened with Braxton. As for what I would do if I found evidence… it didn’t matter, I wouldn’t find anything.

At the end of school I went to my science teacher Mrs.Hally. An exciting and extremely smart woman Mrs.Hally was one of my favorite teachers and was always looking up the latest and greatest in upcoming scientific discoveries.

I stepped into her room finding her sitting at her desk grading papers. A lone kid was sitting in the back finishing a test, but other than that the room was empty. I stepped up to her desk and the woman looked up smiling brightly at me.

“Hello Alexsis! What can I help you with?”

I smiled. “Hi Mrs.Hally! I was wondering if I could ask you a question? I heard about something from…A friend of mine but I want to know if it’s real or not. I think they might have made it up but I want to make sure. It sounded interesting!”

“Really?! What was it? Maybe I can help you find it!” She seemed excited at the prospect of learning something new.

I thought back and made sure I remembered the words right. “They said it was called a…Neural Interface Network?”

My teacher’s face changed to confusion. “Hmm I don’t know what that is. Let me look into it.” She turned towards the computer.

A sudden pain stabbed through my head and I gasped gripping the side of her desk. She looked over at me worried. “Alexsis? Are you alright?” I looked at her but my vision was spinning and her voice seemed to be coming from far away. My head swam.

“I’m…fine.” I managed to choke out.

Darkness filled my vision and I was unconscious before I hit the ground.

***

I woke to a hand clasped over my mouth. Opening my eyes I found the young man sitting next to me with his hand over my mouth, his eyes deadly serious.

 “Are you insane!” He whispered angrily at me. “Do you realize what you’ve just done!”

I stared at him wide eyed. What had I done? What was going on?!

He sighed, glancing at the mystery door. “They’re about to come in! Whatever happens you can’t do anything Alexsis! They can’t know you’re awake!”

I nodded and he took his hand off of my mouth just as the door started opening. I closed my eyes trying to pretend to be asleep. Footsteps thundered into the room.

“You had better have an awful good explanation for this Jason!!” An angry man thundered.

My breath caught and I had to force myself to not open my eyes. Jason.The young man was Jason. He was the person Braxton said had betrayed me to N.I.N. 

“W-what sir?” Jason asked, sounding confused.

“Don’t act like you don’t know! There’s a breach in the system! She knows about us! You said that she couldn’t remember anything!!”

“Th-that’s impossible sir! The suppressor is still working at full capacity!”

“If it’s still working then how did she know?” The man asked menacingly.

“The- the breaches sir!” Jason said quietly. “The rebels must have gotten something through to her!”

“Yes, I’ve heard of the breaches. There seem to have been a number of those since you started on this project.”

“You changed the system just before I came in sir. It’s a technical problem… nothing more.”

“It better be. You wouldn’t want to go back to interrogation would you?”

“N-no sir. I came to you remember?”

“Ha! Even if you went back to those rebels I doubt they would show you any mercy. A traitor like you. They don’t seem like the forgiving type.”

“You may be right sir.” Jason said quietly.

I flickered my eyes open for a moment catching a glimpse of the room. Jason sat looking worried at the computer. The other man was large with black hair and a dark gray military uniform. Jason glanced towards me and I closed my eyes again.

“You know I’m starting to think about canceling this project.” The angry man said. “It’s a waste of time, she doesn’t even have any information.”

“It wasn’t my idea to wipe her memory.” Jason remarked coldly. “You’d already done that by the time you let me in.”

“Yes, but it is your council that prevents us from finishing what this study was meant to do!”

“Introducing the N.I.N. into the simulation could override the suppressors. I have told you this before and if your reaction to her knowing about N.I.N. is to come storming in here I think it’s for the best that she doesn’t know.”

“It isn’t her knowing that’s the problem!” the man thundered. “It is how she knows! There’s been a breach in the system!”

 “And what would you have me do about that?!”

“What you are going to do.” The man threatened “Is another upload. A full one. A complete reboot of the firewalls and replacement of anything that was changed in the breach.”

I shuddered, biting my lip. That didn’t sound good.

“B-but..”

“Is there a problem Jason?”

“Um..n-no sir..it’s just it will take some time to prepare.”

“How long?”

“A-a few hours.”

I could feel myself shaking and wondered how it was that the angry man hadn’t noticed. I tried harder to relax trying to tune out their conversation. I didn’t want to know what they were planning to do to me. I just wanted to wake up.

“Fine. Add another layer to the firewall then get to work on the upload. I want it done by tonight.”

“Y-yes sir. I’ll get right on it.”

I heard footsteps come closer to me and I tried to relax more, thinking of sleep. I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and opened my eyes a crack to see Jason leaning over me. He fiddled with something behind my head and I felt something cold press against my temples. He leaned his head toward my ear pretending to work with something.

“Try to relax. I will do what I can to help.”

I nodded slightly, having no other choice and closed my eyes again. Jason’s hand left my shoulder and I heard him streaten working on the pole next to me.

“What are you doing?” the angry man asked annoyed.

“The medications seemed off. I’m adjusting things.”

I clenched my teeth to keep from reacting as the cold washed over me, my head started spinning.

“Alright now let’s do that upload.”

I heard the clicking of keystrokes as Jason worked on the computer. The cold spread over me and my body felt heavy, my eyelids like heavy curtains over my eyes.

“Done.”

Dull pain stabbed through my brain and I fell asleep.

***

I opened my eyes to find myself in the nurse’s office at school sitting in a chair. The nurse walked in smiling at me.

“Oh good! You’re awake! How do you feel?”

I sat up blinking and holding my head trying to ward off my drowsiness. “Uug…tired. H-how long was I out?”

The nurse shrugged. “Just a few minutes. How’s your head?”

I blinked, still feeling drowsy. “It..feels alright.”

The woman nodded. “Do you know what might have caused you to pass out? What were you doing last?”

I thought back trying to remember. What was I doing? I was in Mrs.Hally’s room. Was I in science class? No I wasn’t. I came to ask her a question. What was I asking again?

My eyes widened and I pursed my lips so I wouldn’t say the words aloud. I was asking about Braxtons conspiracy. I passed out after I asked about the Neural Interface Network.

“Are you alright Alexsis?”

I blinked looking over at her trying to steady my rapidly beating heart. “I’m fine. I just remembered that my mom said to text her when school ended.”

“Would you like us to call your mother? We can have her give you a ride home.”

I shook my head hiding my wince as it made my head pound. “No. It’s fine. I can drive.”

The nurse looked at me worried. “Are you sure?”

I smiled nodding. “I’m sure. I didn’t drink much water, I was probably just dehydrated.”

She looked at me sideways then pulled open a cupboard bringing out a water bottle. “Drink this and then you can go alright?”

I smiled, taking it and unscrewing the cap. I didn’t have to pretend to be thirsty, my mouth felt like sandpaper. I paused for a moment and texted my mom saying I had just stayed behind to ask a teacher about homework and was about to head home.

Finishing my water I walked out of the office waving to the nurse and displaying my empty water bottle. Going to my locker and getting my jacket and keys I went out the back doors towards the parking lot. As I walked out to where I had parked my car yesterday I looked at the maintenance shed by the track. I was tempted to walk over and look at it more closely, but I shoved the thought aside. I needed to get home. I had a ton of homework to get done.

Getting in my car I sat for a moment thinking about the dream I’d had. I had passed out right after asking about the Neural Interface Network, that couldn’t have been a coincidence right? And then there was Jason. Braxton had said that he had betrayed me,but if he had betrayed me why hadn’t he told that man that I was awake? Was that real, or was it a dream? I thought about their argument remembering what they’d said.

My hands tightened on my steering wheel trembling. There’s going to be another upload. A big one.

I pushed the thoughts away fighting against a growing feeling of despair. When would all this end? Buckling up and turning on the car I pulled out of the parking lot driving back to my house trying not to think about the dreams. Trying not to think about how much that upload would hurt me.

When I got home I didn’t want to get out of the car. I wanted to keep driving to the end of the earth. Keep driving until my thoughts and the dreams and Braxtons conspiracies all disappeared. Sighing I turned off the car, picked up my backpack, and walked into the house.

Getting out my homework I worked through math and history stopping for a bit at 7:00 to make myself some mac & cheese for dinner putting the leftovers in a container to eat tomorrow. 

I was about to pull out my science binder when I heard a knock at the front door. The tension that had slowly been fading rushed back. Who would be knocking on my door so late? I crept towards the door trying to decide whether or not to open it. Whoever was on the other side knocked again, louder.

Taking a deep breath to try and get rid of my nerves I unlocked the door yanking it open. Lexi smiled at me, opening her mouth to speak. Only for me to shut the door in her face cutting her off.

She talked from the other side of the door. “Alexsis! Please! I just want to-” 

“NO! GO AWAY!”

I felt guilty for slamming the door in her face but all the fears from earlier were coming back. Everything about her and Braxton were strange and I didn’t want to deal with it right now! Couldn’t I get a break!

I locked the door stumbling away, my whole body trembling. Why wouldn’t they leave me alone? Every time they showed up or something involving them happened I always had another nightmare. I felt tears sting at the edges of my eyes. Would her being here be enough to cause another one?

I sat on the ground, with my knees pulled up to my chest trying to calm down, hoping she would leave. I heard a click and looked over to see her opening the door. I glared at her.

“What did you do?” I asked bitterly, turning my face away from her to hide the tears now rolling down my cheeks. “Pick the lock?”

She took a step in closing the door softly behind her. “No. I had my friend Nate unlock it for me. He’s a programmer.”

“Let me guess I knew him too?” I said sarcastically while trying to discreetly wipe away my tears.

Lexi stepped closer sitting down next to me but I kept my head turned away from her. 

“You did actually.” She said quietly. “He was J…jason’s apprentice before you guys went on your mission. He was like a father to him. Nate was heartbroken when he found out what he did. He’s been one of the most avid supporters for getting you back. I think he feels responsible for what happened, especially since his real father helped create the Nuro-.”

I whipped around clapping my hand over her mouth. She stared at me wide eyed taking in my smeared mascara and terrified eyes.

“Don’t..s-say that.” I choked out more tears rolling down my cheeks and falling to the ground. I pulled my hand away hiding my face in my arms trying to stifle the sobs that rose in my chest.

“Alexsis…What’s wrong? Why can’t I say-”

“DON’T SAY IT!!” 

“Ok! Ok I won’t say it I promise! W-what happened? Why?”

I glared at her anger rising in my chest. “You.That’s what happened.” I stood up pacing, my arms trembling with anger. The uploads were because of them. The pain was because of them. Them and their stupid meddling.

Lexi moved away from me looking afraid. “M-me? What did I-”

I turned on her raging. “YES YOU! YOU HAD TO SEND THOSE STUPID NOTES DIDN’T YOU? YOU AND BRAXTON HAD TO SHOW UP AT THE SCHOOL AND GET SPOTTED EVEN THOUGH YOU KNEW IT WAS DANGEROUS! DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU’VE DONE? DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY’LL D-”

I stopped myself realizing what I was about to say. I pressed my lips closed turning away from her horrified expression. I heard her stand up taking a step towards me.

“What will who do Alexsis? What happened?”

I squeezed my eyes shut. “I-It’s nothing.” It’s not real,it’s not real,it’s not real.

None of this is real.

I wanted to curl up into a ball and hide. What Braxton and Lexi were saying made sense when it came to the dreams and my blackout from earlier seemed to confirm what they said,but if what they had told me was true…if what they had told me was true then I was a prisoner. A person whose entire life was a lie and my parents were dead. I was alone.

Lexi put her hand on my shoulder turning me around. I didn’t look her in the eyes. I couldn’t. “What happened Alexsis? What did they do to you?”

I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. It’s not real.”

“Yes it does. You’re obviously upset about it. What happened?”

“I-there’s been these…” I wasn’t sure where to start. I sighed looking up at her. “I asked about the N…the virtual reality thing.”

She nodded slowly. “Ok. What happened?”

“I…passed out. I had a dream and there were these…there were people there. They..”

Lexi’s hand tightened on my shoulder. “What happened? Did they hurt you?!”

I stepped away running my hand through my hair. “No…yes..I don’t know what they were doing…they did another upload. It kind of hurt but it wasn’t too bad…compared..”

“Wait. Hold on. What do you mean by another upload? This has happened before?”

I took another step back not looking her in the eye. “I-yeah. I just.. didn’t want to think about it ok? It’s just a dream. It doesn’t mean anything.” 

Right?

Lexi sighed exasperated. “Alexsis…I know you don’t want to accept this but this world isn’t real. Your life.Your real life is in danger right now. Think. Is there anything that you remember that could tell us where you are?”

Are, were, am. “I don’t know! It was just a dark room!” I turned away from her again. I didn’t want those dreams to be real. I didn’t want to be hurt again.

“Come on Alexsis! Were there windows? Who was there with you?”

“There weren’t any windows or anything! It’s not real! Please just leave me alone before they hurt me again!”

“Alexsis we’re just trying to help-”

“Well maybe I don’t want your help! Just leave me alone!” 

Please..

Lexi tried to put her hand on my shoulder but I moved away from her. She sighed sadly. “Ok…I just came by to let you know we’re going to be gone for a few days. Apparently they’re beefing up security and we were told by our spy to stay away for a bit.”

I stayed silent with my back turned away from her. I heard her leave the door closing softly with a click. I was relieved that she had gone but I hadn’t expected to feel so alone.

***

That night I tried to stay up as late as I could in hopes that I wouldn’t have any dreams. I finished all of my homework and watched youtube until my eyes started drooping and I threatened to fall out of my chair. Taking a shower in hopes that it would keep me up for a little longer I made the water colder than normal to try and shock me awake. Stepping out of the bathroom however I stumbled almost falling over from exhaustion.

What am I thinking? I can’t stay up all night! 

Admitting defeat I stumbled up to my room collapsing into bed. Maybe if I did end up having another dream it would keep Braxton and Lexi away for good? Would it get things back to normal?

I didn’t have much time to think about it. I blinked and my eyes stayed closed.

***

“..upload ready yet?” I heard a voice ask.

“It’s almost done sir.” Jason responded. “I-it would be better if you gave me more time to work out the kinks..”

“Just get it done! You can do fixes later.”

I flickered my eyes open for a moment so I could see the room annoyed as one of my eyes stuck closed for a moment. Jason was sitting at the desk working on the monitors in front of him. The man in the uniform was standing behind watching him work.

I glanced around the room remembering Lexi’s questions about windows. There were none that I could see besides the window on the mystery door. I glanced over at the uniformed man-something told me I didn’t want him to see me awake- but he was still turned away from me along with Jason.

“I spoke with Dr.Vargon about the progress of this project.” The uniformed man said and I closed my eyes as he turned towards me. “He doesn’t like it but, he agrees with my sentiment about its termination. There is little more the girl can teach us regarding the device.”

“Dr.Vargon is giving up on his beloved research?” Jason asked, sounding astonished “I thought he would defend the project’s continuation! It was him that started it!”

“Yes, he was, but he admits that there is little to be gained from it now. He has agreed for us to implement our back up plan.”

“Would you let me know what this plan is? I seem to have missed the meeting.”

“It is a way for the doctor to find new subjects for his project using the defective one we already have.”

“Hmm and…once you have these new subjects? What happens to…?

“Ha! The girl? Well there’ll be little use for her then. She will be sent to the officers to pay for her crimes.”

My fists clenched in fear under the sheets. Crimes? What had I done? What price would I have to pay?

“What price will that be?” Jason asked and I could hear a slight tremor in his voice.

“Termination. She’s a rebel after all.” The man replied matter of factly. “Ha! Don’t look like that! It’s not you we’re handing over Jason! You’re with us now!”

I opened my eyes and saw Jason’s wide eyed glance in my direction causing his eyes to go wider. I closed my eyes, suppressing a shudder, and willed myself to wake up. I didn’t want to be here.

“Hmm…um I’m going to check the medications.Then we can do that upload.” I heard Jason get up moving towards me.

“You don’t have a soft spot for that girl like Harry does, do you?” the man mocked. “After your betrayal she would hate you. If she could remember.”

I flickered my eyes open to get a glance at Jason and saw his cheek bulge as he clenched his teeth. He put a hand on my shoulder and I closed my eyes again.

“Alexsis was my friend. I’ve known her since she was five years old.” Jason said coldly to the man. “And unlike that creep Harry I actually care about her.”

I felt a rush of cold wash over me and my head started to feel heavy. I forced my eyes open to see Jason walking over to the computer. 

‘I’m sorry Jason.’ I thought at his retreating back ‘I don’t remember you.’ 

He sat down and I closed my eyes again trying to get myself to sleep.

“Uploading now…”

Pain spiked through my head and I had to stop myself from crying out even with the drugs. My eyes flashed open for a moment and I saw Jason shoot me a worried, apologetic, look before I fell asleep.