by DK Andrews
into my arms, just like Micah. She wraps my waist with her tiny legs and my neck with her arms. “I’m so happy you guys found me!”
“Where have you been?”Nicole asks, sounding slightly annoyed. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“I went to the Novus Center, but you weren’t there!” I say.
“Yes, because I went to Fantasy World to pick up Sophie,” Nicole answers. “You just disappeared yesterday. I wasn’t sure where you were. I actually was worried that you had gotten sucked back into your memories.”
“What memories?” Gabriel cuts in.
Nicole looks over at Gabriel and says, “Oh hello, and who are you?”
“I’m Gabriel,” he says, extending his hand.
She points at Gabriel and looks at me. “Is he the reason you got lost yesterday?”
“No!” I yell. “I just ran into him when I was snooping around the Novus Center.”
“What’s going on here?” Gabriel says.
“Nothing,” I respond, “Absolutely nothing.”
Now the four of us stand in a circle, somewhat shocked and disoriented.
Sophie waves at Gabriel. “Hi!”Her tiny palm tries to reach Gabriel’s hand.
“I’m Gabriel,” he says. He can’t hide his smile.
Sophie can melt anyone’s heart. Gabriel gently takes Sophie’s hand, she pulls his hand and makes him walk forward.
“Show me around,” Sophie orders.
“Sure.”
With Gabriel distracted by Sophie, Nicole takes me aside.
“Who is this guy?” she whispers.
“Gabriel? I met him yesterday, he was over there on the University grounds. I think he’s a Dator.” I say in a whisper.
“How do you know that?” Nicole asks. “How do you know you can trust him?”
“How do I know I can trust you?”
“Fair point,” Nicole says, backing off.
“Seriously Nicole, I’m tired of being scared and paranoid. What is the worst that could happen? We die? Isn’t that what’s happening already? We are dying slowly; we only have three weeks left. I’m tired of being afraid. I’m tired of waiting for something bad to happen. I have no fear left.” I breathe out a sigh and run to catch up with Gabriel and Sophie.
Nicole chases after me and stops me. “Listen,” she says, “you’re right; we will be dead soon. Maybe I should start letting go too.” She squeezes my hand in hers.
“Gabriel told me he was at the University campus because he wanted to see his life in brighter colors,” I tell her.
“And you just assumed he was a Dator?” Nicole said.“What does that even mean, brighter colors? It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
“Why does it even matter?” I say.“Must we label each other? Dator, Receiver—who cares? I think maybe we should just relax. I’ve never had any friends in my whole life, and now I’ve met Sophie, Gabriel, and you…” I touch her cheek.
“Let’s go, Nicole,” I say with a smile, “let’s join our crew” I smile again.
We walk to Gabriel and Sophie, and the four of us head toward the harbor.
Nicole grabs Sophie’s hand, and they drift ahead.
“So, how do you guys know each other?” Gabriel asks, shaking his head in confusion.
“I met Nicole two days ago, and I met Sophie yesterday. Believe it or not, I’m just as confused as you are.”
“It’s very strange, you know,” Gabriel says, looking away.
“What’s that?”
“Being in this virtual reality, trying to create a positive environment for a new life.”
I smell the ocean air; we are close to the harbor.
“I don’t even know if you are real,” he says as he reaches out to grab my hand. I flinch.
“Don’t” I yell.“I’m real!” I pull my hand away from him.
“What’s the matter? You don’t have to yell! I get it, you are real.”
“Yes, I’m real.” I sob a little, my voice shakes.
“OK, OK. You’re real. I just thought maybe my mind created you.” He moves closer to me but doesn’t attempt any physical contact.
“I’m real,” I say again. “Your mind didn’t construct me.”
“Maybe my mind just helped me to find you.”
“More like I found you,” I say, letting a smile through.
“Here we are,” I say as we approach the harbor. I want to enjoy the picturesque scenery. The world can wait. The wharf is full of people going about their business. Sailboats are clustered at the marina on the north side of the bridge. I walk over to see the theater up close.
“Where are you going?” Nicole yells. She and Sophie couldn’t keep up with us.
“I want to see the theater!” I respond. I look to the right and see an astonishing green botanical garden spread out along the coastline. What an amazing day! I’ve gotten to experience so much of the beauty that this city has to offer. And to top it off, I’m not alone.
I hear Sophie and Nicole’s laughter. Sophie has a chocolate ice cream cone in her hand.
Gabriel catches up with me. “Have you ever seen a performance inside the theater?”
“Not one,” I say, ashamed to admit it.
“Do you want to go inside and check it out? We might be able to catch a show!” Caught up in the moment, Gabriel reaches out to hold my hand, but he catches my stern look first.
“All right, all right, Alina. Don’t worry. I’m not going to hold your hand, I was just excited.”
His excuse makes me smile.
Suddenly, I feel a cold sensation on the side of my head, and I know I will soon be taken away from this fantasy. I need to hurry. “Wait a second, OK?”
“Sure.”
I run towards Nicole and Sophie. I have to make sure we find each other tomorrow.
“Nicole, it’s coming, the session is almost over. Let’s meet right here tomorrow, OK?”
“Sounds good,” she says, and then looks at Sophie. “I might be a little late, though. Sophie asked me to spend time with her at Fantasy World so that we can check out her favorite rides.” Nicole winks at her.
“Yes, yes! I want to go on rides tomorrow!” Sophie jumps and claps her hands.
“All right,” I say.
“We will just meet you guys here later in the afternoon. You and Gabriel can take a long walk in the botanical garden,” Nicole says.
“What are you talking about?” I say defensively. I guess she knows something I don’t.
“Oh please, Alina,” she says. “I can see everything.” She smiles.
“What can you see?” Sophie asks.
“Nothing, sweetheart. Tomorrow I will meet you at the same spot, at Fantasy World.” Nicole gently touches Sophie’s nose.
“Now go back to Gabriel and let him know you will see him here tomorrow,” Nicole says, nodding in his direction.
“But I want to spend time with you guys! Besides, I’ve only just met him.” I cross my arms.
“You’ve only just met us, too,” she said. “You don’t have time to waste, so trust your instincts and your heart.”
I think for a moment. What do I have to lose? I will be lying if I say I don’t enjoy Gabriel’s company. So why wouldn’t I want to see him tomorrow?
“Gabriel!” I shout, walking back to him.“Do you want to meet up again tomorrow?”
I can’t believe I had the courage to ask him that.
“Absolutely,” he says, without missing a beat.
“Good! Let’s meet right here tomorrow! All right?”
“Yes, let’s do that.” He smiles coyly. “Can I get a hug?” he asks.
“I’m sorry?”
I try to brush off his request
“Nothing,” he says. “It was just a thought. Anyway, I will see you tomorrow right here.”
I feel as though I should maybe confirm Gabriel is real. I inch forward and stand next to him. His body exudes a magical glow. My heart races. Smoothly, almost imperceptibly, I s
ense the warmth of his fingertips on my hand. I don’t pull away this time. We both gaze at the beautiful bridge and the sinking sunset’s stunning colors. The receding blues and oranges battle the blackness pushing it away. The colors reflect on the water. I smile. I am content.
Slowly, his fingers envelop my hand. I close my eyes and enjoy the feeling.
“Look at you,” Dr. Kismen says as my eyes reopen in the room.“Must have been a pretty good memory!”
“Something like that,” I respond, annoyed that I wasn’t able to stay in the Mentior for a bit longer.
“Sorry to interrupt, then.” She puts the helmet aside and smiles. “Maybe tomorrow’s memory will be even better.”Little does she know I don’t have any good memories. But if the Mentior’s glitch keeps up and I can reunite with Sophie, Nicole, and Gabriel, that will work for me.
Dr. Kismen sees that I haven’t gotten up from the bed yet, and asks, “Is everything OK?”
“Yes, sorry.” I sit up and scramble to put my shoes on.
“Where did you go?” she asks.
“Where did I go?” I repeat, biting my lip. “What do you mean?”
“Just now.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You just completely zoned out there, so I asked you where you went, that’s all.” She softly smiles, and I exhale.“You should relax, Alina.”
I admit, all those years spent with Gloria has had an effect on me. I expect the worse from people.“Yes of course,” I say, adding, “You know, it used to be way worse. I’ve loosened up quite a bit in the past week.”
“I can only imagine,” she says. “Anyway, I’d better get back to work. I hope you relive a good memory tomorrow.” She opens the door that leads to the reception for me.
“Thank you.” As I pass her, I find myself reaching out to hug her. She pulls away, not expecting contact.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I say, returning to my senses. “I’m just feeling…