I spent all of the first period looking around and worrying before I was finally contacted. Braxton was the first to find me though I only caught a glimpse of him as he pressed a paper into my hand as he walked past flashing me a smile.
I was so excited I immediately opened the paper in the hallway reading his message.
Glad to see you again. Meet me in room 406 during lunch so we can talk. Don’t worry about last time. Sorry if we scared you. Everything will be ok. Hang in there!
Love, Braxton
I smiled absorbing the information. They weren’t mad at me for pushing them away! They hadn’t given up on me! They were still going to help me! They were going to help free me! I would see the outside world!
What did I ever do to deserve you all? I wondered.
“Hey Alexsis! What’s up?”
I jumped crumpling the note, turning to find Henry, no Harry, behind me a smile on his face. Was it just me or did he seem a bit too happy? Why did it feel like he could see right through me? Did he know that I knew?
“Jeepers Henry don’t sneak up on me like that!” I said trying my best to not betray that he had terrified me and not just spooked me.
He laughed, a haunting sound that seemed crazy and evil to me and I forced myself to keep a smile on my face even though I wanted to run away from him. He motioned at the paper in my hand. “What’s that? I hope it wasn’t important.”
I glanced down my mind trying to come up with an explanation for the crumpled note in my hand. How much had he seen? Did he know that Braxton gave it to me?
“Oh it’s just a random paper I had in my locker. I’m trying to clear it out.”
“Oh alright. You’re sitting with us at lunch today right? You were missing yesterday I was worried.”
“Oh yeah! I was just stressed out about an assignment I need to get done. I have to work on it during lunch today too. Maybe I can catch you guys another time?”
“What’s the project? Maybe I can help you with it?”
“Oh! Umm…no thanks I can do it by myself and I’m almost done with it. I don’t need any help.” Was that too obvious?
The bell rang and I blessed whoever had programmed the thing, probably Jason, and raced off to my class glad I had gotten away and created an excuse for where I would be for lunch.
You’re almost there. I told myself. Just hold on.
***
My classes seemed to drag on for forever as I wondered what plan Braxton and Lexi had to get me out of here and save me from wherever I was being held. Had they found where I was in the real world? Would they save Jason too? They had better. I would convince them to,or beg them if I had to. I didn’t care what they said about him betraying me, he deserved freedom as much as I did.
Finally lunch period came and I went to my locker to pick up my lunchbox so I wouldn’t seem strange to any of my friends who might see me and see if any other messages were waiting for me. There was one scratched on the inside of the door that said the room number again and I got it memorized before I closed the door trusting the message to disappear.
I tried to walk casually and not seem too eager as I strode towards room 406. As I was nearing the door I heard my phone ring and I took it out surprised to see I had a video call from Jason. I answered walking just inside the bathroom across the hall from room 406.
“Jason!”
“Alexsis I did it!” He said, smiling widely whispering as if afraid someone would hear. “I know where we are!”
A smile sprang to my face. “You do!?”
“Yes! It took forever but I was able to get past their firewalls and determine our location we’re being held at the Institute of Experimental Neurogenic Technology! It’s located in the tenth district of research!”
“Institute of Experimental…” I said nodding trying to act like I had any idea where that was and failing. I laughed nervously. “Ummm…could you text that to me? I don’t think I’ll get it right and seeing as this is life and death I should probably give Braxton an accurate address.”
“I-Is Braxton there?” he asked, sounding slightly nervous which was understandable seeing as Braxton thought he was a traitor.
“I have a meeting with him in a minute. Text me the quardenets and I’ll get them to him. Are you sure I shouldn’t tell him about you being on our side?”
Jason shook his head on the screen. “Not yet. I told you. It’s too dangerous.”
I glanced around the corner of the wall into the hall hearing footsteps coming towards me and ducked back seeing Harry walk down the hall and stroll into a room. I checked the number on the plack next to it and my eyes widened. Room 406.
“Jason I have to go! Harry found out about my meeting with Braxton!”
“Wait Alexsi-” I shoved my phone in my pocket stopping his warnings and rushed across the hall throwing open the door to room 406.
***
Harry had Braxton pinned against the wall in a choke hold. Braxton’s eyes went even wider in fear seeing me behind Harry taking on a slight look of betrayal.
“No…Alexsis” He choked out causing Harry to turn his head and loosen his grip on Braxtons throat a bit, his own eyes widening.
“A-Alexsis!”
“Henry what is going on here!?”
Harry took a step back, shocked at my tone, loosening his grip more on Braxton letting him gasp for air. “I-I can explain! I saw his note to you and I wanted to figure out what he wanted with you! He said that he was going to take you away!”
“After what I just saw I don’t mind getting away from you!” I shouted pretending I didn’t know why he was actually fighting Braxton. “I was given an assignment with Braxton in a class! I came here to work on it with him! He gave me the note to let me know where to meet because I told him you were jealous of him and he didn’t want to come between us!”
Harry let go of Braxton realizing that what he’d been doing, at least in the context of what he thought I believed, would paint him as the villain. He didn’t realize he already was.
“Alexsis, you don’t understand he’s dangerous!”
“I don’t want to hear it!” I shouted at him pointing at the door. “Get out! I never want to see you again!”
Harry stared at me seeming like he wanted to say more and I glared at him holding his angered gaze.
I dare you. I thought I dare you to call my bluff. I dare you to admit that you have been lying to me.
Harry took a step back breaking eye contact. “Fine. I’ll leave.” He sent one last glare at Braxton before turning and striding out the door.
I went over and closed the door behind him sighing in relief before I turned towards Braxton, a smile spreading over my face. “I can not believe that worked!”
Braxtons confused look changed into a smile and we both burst out laughing.
“That was the greatest thing I have ever seen!” Braxton said catching his breath in between fits of laughter.
“I’m just happy it worked!” I said still in shock that I had managed to get him to leave. “I was worried he’d just attack me!”
“Well if he did I would have intervened.” Braxton said and I raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah because that seemed to be working.” I said sarcastically gesturing to where only a moment ago he had been held against the wall.
“Hey! He got the jump on me! I was expecting you to come in!”
“Sure. So what did you want to talk to me about?”
Braxton looked down uncertainly. “We…we were told that you believed us now the other night. Is..is it true?”
I nodded, taking a breath. “Yes. I still don’t remember anything, but I know you were telling the truth now. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you before.”
Braxton shrugged it off. “It’s ok. Changes in perspective take time to accept sometimes.”
I smiled then pulled out my phone remembering Jason’s message. “I just remembered I have something I need to tell you! It’s important!”
Braxton shook his head, seeming distracted as if he was listening to something I couldn’t hear. “Not here. I just got word from Nick that guards are headed this way. Can you meet me at the train station on Sixth Street in ten minutes?”
I nodded. “I think so.”
“Good, I’ll meet you there. See you soon.”
Braxton stepped back giving me a smile before disappearing into thin air. No sound, no flashing lights I just blinked and he was gone.Taking a moment to process his disappearance I then turned walking out into the hallway planning my next move. I needed to get out of the school without the guards knowing. I glanced over, spotting the fire alarm on the wall, a smile coming to my face.
I pressed the button pulling down on the alarm, causing the lights and deafening beeps of the alarms to start to sound. I started running as people flowed into the hallway disguising my escape. A laugh escaped me as I ran out the doors at the end of the hall.
“I like being a rebel.” I muttered
***
Running to my car I jumped in starting it up instinctively putting on my seatbelt though I supposed I possibly didn’t need it but old habits die hard. I pulled out of the school parking lot slowly and then started speeding down the street heading towards the main part of town and the train station where I would meet Braxton.
I had only gotten three streets away from the school when I heard sirens and flashing lights appeared in my rearview mirror.
Great, I thought rolling my eyes. Now I’m in a car chase. This day just gets better and better. Eat my dust programs!
I pressed on the accelerator speeding up for a few more yards before my speed started falling as if I was pressing the brake pedal. I heard a ding from my phone and glanced at where I had thrown it onto the seat next to me seeing Jason’s face appear on the screen.
“Alexsis I sent you the coordinates including the floor and room number! There isn’t much time. I got word that the others are going to attempt a rescue soon. I tried to send them the coordinates but the network just went on lockdown. There’s no communication to the outside! I’m going to have to pull you out so I can prepare for the escape!”
“Not yet Jason! My car is slowing down! Think you could help me get away from the cops? I need to get to the train station to give Braxton the coordinates!”
A moment later my car shot forwards accelerating to alarming speeds as I flew down the roads, the traffic lights trying to stop me turning green at every one I came to and looking back I saw the cop cars blocked as the light turned red behind me and traffic resumed causing multiple crashes in the intersections.
“Nice job Jason!”
“No problem. I’ll handle the distractions. Just get there fast, we don’t have much time!”
I sped down the road, all the traffic lights turning green just before I got there and crashes happening behind me. Cars swerved or disappeared right before I hit them only to appear behind me stopping the innumerable police cars that started speeding out of parking lots and side streets. I turned a corner without slowing, surprised that my car didn’t end up flipping. I was almost there.
Looking forwards from where I had just seen another crash in my rearview mirror I spotted the train tracks separating me from the train station and the safety gates dropping the lights flashing red in warning. I slammed my foot on the brake desperately trying to stop. Nothing happened.
“Jason?! My brakes aren’t working!”
I looked to my left terrified to see an enormous train racing down the tracks towards me.
“Jason?! There’s a train coming!”
My car only got faster in response, the speedometer revving up to the hundreds as I blasted forwards towards the barricades. The train thundered on the tracks racing closer to where I would be in a few seconds as I sped uncontrollably towards disaster.
“JASON!”
“Trust me Alexsis.”
My car crashed through the barricade splintering the wood and flying onto the tracks as the train bore down and I braced for impact and I closed my eyes. The horn blared blocking out the sounds of the police sirens behind me.
I opened my eyes, shocked to find myself speeding down the road on the other side of the tracks, the train speeding by in my rearview mirror. I took a deep lungful of air still trembling.
“Holy…criminy. Bit of a warning next time might be nice Jason!!”
“Sorry I didn’t have time.”
My car started to slow and I drove it the rest of the way to the train station parking in a spot near the entrance not sure if I would have to hop in and speed away again soon. I ran up the stairs to the large train station and through the large doors leading into an enormous space bustling with people and for a moment I froze inside the doors. Braxton hadn’t told me where in the station to meet him! Where was he? I was running out of time!
I turned around searching the crowds for a sign of him and spotted two security guards walking towards me who were almost definitely spies. I was about to head towards the door and lock myself in my car or try and lose them in the crowds when I spotted a head of blue hair moving towards me.
I ran towards Lexi throwing my arms around her in a tight hug relieved to see a friendly face. Someone who actually had a plan and experience with this sort of situation. Someone I could trust.
“I’m so happy to see you! I’m sorry I yelled at you the other day I didn’t know you were telling the truth!” The words came out in a jumbled rush barely coherent.
“It’s fine Alexsis. I forgive you. It’s just good to have you back. We’re going to get you out of here. We have a team mobilizing now to move out. You’ll be free before you know it!”
I stepped back smiling at her and she smiled back. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”
Lexi shrugged. “What are friends for?” She glanced behind her at the tracks.
“Braxton is waiting for you over there at line one. We don’t have much time so you’ll have to be quick. I’ll take care of the security.”
I nodded starting to head towards the tracks to meet with Braxton. A thought occurred and I turned around.
“Wait Lexi!”
She turned to face me concerned. “What is it?”
“I-I don’t know what’s going to happen next with the mission. If…If the worst happens…I want you to know that you’re the greatest friend I’ve ever had…in any life.”
Lexi’s lip trembled and tears were in her eyes. When she spoke it was a whisper as that was the best she could manage. “You too.”
I nodded waving and she gave me another smile as I headed towards the tracks where I spotted Braxton waiting for me. I pulled out my phone to get the coordinates for him.
“Braxton I have the-”
“Not yet. They’re watching.”
I looked over at him. He seemed so casual standing there with his hands in his pockets. He seemed to be trying to not look like he was talking to me. “We need to go through the portal. That way we’ll be in a place where the spies can’t listen or see us.”
I looked around expecting a magic portal to appear in front of me. “Where is it?”
“It’s almost here.” Braxton then stepped off the platform onto the tracks turning to face me. “Come on.”
I raised my eyebrows at him looking down the line at where a train would be coming soon. I could hear it in the distance getting closer. “You’re nuts!”
“It’s not real. None of this is. It won’t actually hit us.”
“From my understanding of this world if you stand on the tracks whether a train is real or not it can still hit your not real body!”
“It won’t hit us. Trust me Alexsis.”
I looked at the tracks and the train coming and then back to the crowds behind us. A fight seemed to have started and I saw some flashes of blue hair as Lexi stopped the guards from getting to me. I turned back to Braxton and his outstretched hand the train turned the corner rushing closer.
“Trust me.”
I took his hand stepping down onto the vibrating track. The roar of the train grew ever nearer thundering like an earthquake. I stared at it as it rushed ever closer, the horn screaming at us to move. Instinctively I took a step away from it looking at the sides of the platforms that rose like walls around us and Braxton wrapped his arms around me.
“Alexsis!”
I looked up to see Harry running towards me on the platform trying to get to me, his eyes going wide at seeing me on the tracks. He sprinted towards us only to be tackled to the ground by Lexi at the edge of the tracks. He reached out for me and I stared back at him apologetically.
I’m sorry Henry. I can’t live a lie.
The train hit.
***
“You can open your eyes” Braxton said letting go of me. “We’re safe.”
My eyes opened to a bare white room that seemed to stretch on into infinity in all directions. I looked down at myself relieved to find not even a scratch on me. Braxton stood in front of me smiling, a look that seemed to say ‘see? Told you so.’
I smiled back nervously and then remembered what I was supposed to be doing and pulled out my phone bringing up Jason’s text. “I know where my body is! You can come rescue me now!”
Braxton’s smile widened and he shook his head. “We know where you are. Our spy told us last night. Lexi and I just came to make sure you were on board and tell you the plan.”
I tilted my head confused. “You knew I was at the Institute of Experimental Neurogenic Technology? J-my friend on the outside just told me before our meeting.”
It was Braxton’s turn to be confused now. “Institute of Experimental Neurogenic Technology? We were told you were at the Department of Detainment and Interrogation! Who’s your contact?!”
I swallowed looking around at the endless white room unsure I should tell Braxton. What if he thought Jason was trying to trick us? I took a breath. He would find out eventually.
“It’s Jason.” I said and watched as Braxton’s eyes widened and his fists clenched at his sides. “He’s been helping me! I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him! Braxton he’s a prisoner too you have to help him!”
“He’s tricking you Alexsis! He betrayed you! You told me yourself before we lost contact!”
“Even if he did he’s helping me now! Please Braxton you have to believe me! The other coordinate is a trap! I heard the commander talking about it! They said they would use me as bait to catch you guys and then kill me!”
Braxton stood rubbing his chin trying to decide who to believe. He glanced at me. “You’re sure that’s what they said?”
“Yes. And I know you think that Jason joined them, but he didn’t! He’s been protecting me! Without him I’d be dead right now.”
“You trust him?”
I nodded. “More than anyone.”
Braxton let out a frustrated sigh shaking his head. “They might both be traps.”
I nodded then held the phone out for him to read the message. “Maybe, but this one has me in it.”
He took it and read the information, speaking it outloud to someone on his side. After a moment he handed it back to me. “I admit it has far more specific information than what our spy gave us.”
“It’s the right coordinates Braxton I promise! You have to come save us!”
He stood thinking for a moment he looked back at me. “Alright. We’ll check out both. It’ll weaken our forces but I think we might be able to manage it if I can convince the others.”
The edges of my vision were getting dark and I could see it closing in. I took a trembling breath. “I-I think I’m waking up.”
Braxton moved closer, putting his hands on my shoulders. “We’re going to find you Alexsis. We’re coming and we’ll get you out! I promise!”
My vision started to make Braxton a blur and I forced a smile. “Thank you Braxton.”
He nodded. “See you soon.”
My vision went black and I woke up.
***
I opened my eyes groggily to see Jason leaning over me with some bandages in his hands. He glanced over at me while placing one on me though I could barely feel it.
“Good timing you’ve been out of the simulation for an hour. I was wondering when you’d wake up. I just got the machines unhooked. We should be able to move you now.”
He picked up a blanket he had set aside and draped it over me, even though I was wearing a pajama shirt and shorts, leaving my arms free and helping me to sit up. I wanted to tell him I could walk but then as he lifted me I realized I was far too weak to even stand.
Well I have been asleep for a long time. I thought I hope I get my strength back soon…considering we survive this.
Lifting me up Jason carried me into the bathroom where he had hidden a wheelchair that he placed me in tucking in the blanket around my legs so it wouldn’t catch in the wheels or drag on the floor in our escape.
“Alright I’ve got you out. The download of all the institutes files is almost done…what am I missing?”
“The part where you tell me what happened during the mission.” I said a small smile on my face. He raised an eyebrow at me.
“You want me to tell you about that now?”
I shrugged. “You said you couldn’t tell me because I was in the simulation but now I’m out. We’re about to try and escape and might end up dying. If that happens I would like to know how we ended up here.”
Jason sighed putting his palm on his face, seemingly exasperated at my terrible timing. “Alright fine. I suppose you’re right.”
He crouched down so I could see him better glancing at the partially opened door back at his computers. He started the story speaking quietly still afraid to be heard saying these words aloud.
“We went on the mission and had managed to get to the data control room where they were keeping all the data on their new N.I.N device. We were starting to copy the data to take back to the base when the security alarms went off. There had been a malfunction of some sort… or something in our devices that let us get past the security measures and they were alerted to our presence. We were able to see on their cameras that there were guards on the way there but we didn’t have any way to escape without getting caught by them. It was us two against around fifty of them. We knew there was no chance of escaping. While we barricaded the door to buy us some time we came up with a plan. I would pretend like I had betrayed you to them so that they would trust me and with that I would be able to get to you and help you escape. I didn’t want to do it but you said it was the best chance we both had of getting out alive. You were about to tell the others about our plan, but the guards got past our blockade and we weren’t able to let them know what was going on. After that we were both captured and taken to the detainment and interrogation centers. By the time I was able to get to you they had just erased your memory to place you in the simulation. I was too closely watched to be able to get to you before then and even when I did I was being watched so I couldn’t let you know any sooner. I figured out how to send messages to Braxton and the others and let them in using the new upload as a cover to put in a back door to the simulation that they could use.”
He looked me in the eye. “I never betrayed you Alexsis. I never betrayed the rebellion.”
A sound came from the computers and Jason turned to look at it. “That’s the download I was doing of all the files in their database. I already got what I could on the new N.I.N. model, the one they used on you, it’s all right here.”
Jason pressed a flash drive into my hand. “Hold onto that one for me. It’s your home after all. I’ll go grab the other one and make sure it got everything.”
He stood walking out the door closing it softly behind him. I looked down at the flashdrive in my hand rubbing my finger on the smooth surface. It looked so small to hold everything about my world. I spotted a mirror above the sink I was next to and hesitantly looked into it getting my first look at what I really looked like in the real world.
I was relieved to find I looked mostly the same. I was a bit pale and my hair was disheveled but my eyes were the same bright green that I remembered with determination behind them. I looked down at myself. Overall except for the large scar on my left forearm I looked the same way as I had in the simulation. It was comforting. Maybe things weren’t so different here.
A crash sounded in the other room that made me look up, my breath catching afraid it could give me away.
“There’s been a breach! Jason- WHERE’S THE GIRL?!”
“S-sir I-I the rebels attacked and they…”
“WHERE’S THE GIRL JASON?!”
“T-the rebels took her sir. I hid so they didn’t see me. I would have tried to stop them but I thought they’d kill me!”
I heard a shockingly loud smack and a series of crashes as what I supposed was Jason falling to the ground.
“You coward! We should have known better than to let you into our plan! I bet you let them take her! Well, you should have gone with them. You’re nothing but a useless traitor!”
“No! S-sir please!”
I heard a sickening click and tried to get my exhausted body to move. I had to do something! Jason needed me!
“You failed. We do not tolerate failures in this organization Jason.”
BANG!
My Secret Universe 