...
You wake up. The room is quite dark. You look up and your eyes slowly adjust. Soon you realize you find yourself under a white metallic-looking, yet unfamiliar ceiling.
After a while, the dizziness starts to wear off and you are able to raise yourself and sit.
[[Where am I?->Where am I?]]
[[What happened?]]You look around the room, struggling to make sense of the situation and, the more you do, every piece of furniture feels... right. As if they are poking your mind like that old friend you don't see for ages and completely forgot their name. As if...
*Beep*
Your line of thought is interrupted by a sound that indicates the door opening.
[[Look at the door.]]Startled, your eyes dart in its general direction and are met by a feminine figure.
"Ah, what a joy! You are awake," said the woman as she turned on the lights and made her way to your bed.
You cover your eyes from the sudden brightness of the room. When you finally look around again, she’s already right by your bed. Her outfit, a purple nurse uniform, complete with the cap and her long dark hair flowing under it, contrasting with her light skin color. There was something in her green eyes that caught your attention, though...
“How are we doing today? You slept for quite a while, you know?” she says, while putting her hand over your forehead. The moment she does that, you can feel a surprisingly cold touch.
[[Who... are you?]]
[[Get your hands off of me!]]You place your hand on your head, trying to reach deep inside to remember how you ended up wherever this is. You can't even remember who you are, which seems like a very inconvenient thing to forget.
Slowly the fog in your head starts to clear. You feel your memories' presence, as if they were in a deeper slumber than you were. One by one they are waking up and...
*Beep*
Your line of thought is interrupted by a sound that indicates the door opening.
[[Look at the door.]]“I’m sorry, but… Do I know you?” you ask, hoping the woman would shed some light into the situation.
“You don’t remember me?" the woman looks intrigued. "Interesting! I am the nurse that has been taking care of you since you came here, which would be exactly 97 days ago!” she replies, oddly happy about it.
“Name’s Laura. You’re probably experiencing temporary memory loss due to the medication we gave you. Don’t worry, though. It should wear off pretty soon.”
The nurse was right. You could feel your memory coming back, bit by bit. You realize you now know your name, which is always a good piece of information to have about oneself.
[[Medication? Am I ill?]]
[[Have you been drugging me?]]The moment the woman's hand touches your forehead, you instinctively back away from her, slapping her hand in one fast motion.
"Don't you touch me!" you say, snapping at her. The look on her face almost made you feel bad, but there were just too many things that you didn't know and that scared you.
The woman backs off a little. "Oh my... is it possible that the medication also made you more irritable?" she raises her right hand to her chin.
"Ok, let's start again, shall we? My name is Laura and I am the nurse taking care of you."
Laura starts to slowly make her way closer to the bed.
"I need you to calm down, ok? I know you're feeling a bit disoriented right now, but that's a side-effect of the medication we gave you. It should wear off soon."
[[Have you been drugging me?]]
[[What are you talking about?]]You freeze for a second imagining why would you be in need of medication.
“What do you mean, medication? Is there something wrong with me?”
Laura smiles at you. “Oh, absolutely not! In fact, you’re at peak performance!” she proceeds to grab your chart at the end of the bed. She runs through the pages nodding and looks back at you with a smile.
“The medication you took is part of the last phase of the procedure. It is supposed to stabilize your metabolism to endure the transition.”
*Procedure…? Transition?* you think to yourself. You can’t help but wonder what the hell did you put yourself into with this situation.
[[Procedure?]]“So, what you’re saying is, you were drugging me without my consent?!” by the end of the sentence, you realize you were almost shouting.
Laura seems startled, but maintains her composure.
“Not at all. The medication is a required step in the procedure you agreed to undergo! We only wish to make your transition as painless as possible,” Laura said while giving you the most genuine smile you ever saw.
[[Procedure?]]"What is this procedure you talk about?" you inquire while moving to sit on the side of your bed.
Laura looks surprised. "That medication must have really hit you! RISE, of course!"
RISE... the word felt like a trigger to you. Like a dam opening, you could feel all the memories flooding your mind. You not only know who you are, but also who you were about to be.
"The Neo-Human Transition experiment..." you say, your thoughts moving much faster than your mouth. It almost makes you nauseous. The process that involves transplanting your brain into a robotic body that may live indefinitely.
"I... I agreed to this."
"You did," Laura confirms. "To be fair, it's not like you had much choice. Our government requires every citizen to undergo RISE."
[[You're a Neo-Human too.]]
[[That's just great... You're a machine.]]You inhale deeply. Regardless of who this woman says she is, she's the only person you have seen so far that may hold some answers.
"Look... Laura. I don't remember you, but you better start telling me what the hell is going on here. What is this place? Why am I being medicated?"
Laura pauses for a second as if choosing her next words carefully.
"I understand you have many questions, but it should all be coming back to you soon. I know that the procedure can be scary, but you'll see that it's more than worth it," she replies, looking down to her own body.
[[Procedure?]]"The last human... I can't believe it," you say the words out loud in an attempt to make them seem more real.
In a way, you knew this moment would eventually come. Ever since the introduction of robotic bodies to the general public, it was just a matter of time before it became the norm.
A mix of feelings are floating in your head right now. You feel excited, since becoming a Neo-Human essentially means you can live forever. On the other hand, is it still going to be... you?
You get up and make your way to the large window in the room.
"Can we open this?"
"Of course! One second," Laura promptly replies and rushes to the the button that activate the blinds.
The blinds slowly raise, giving room to a beautiful sunset. The trees in the patio contrasted with the many futuristic buildings that filled the landscape. You can't help but feel a bit emotional when you see the sun marking the end of this day... and the end of your existence as a human.
[[What are the next steps?]]"So, they finally got what they wanted..." disapproval evident in your every word. "I remember when RISE was started as an alternative. When people could still choose whether or not they wanted to become..." you look at Laura's body. "That."
You keep going. "I guess that was all a facet to their plan of forcing us to change."
"I'm sorry you feel that way," Laura says sympathetically. "But you must understand that it is for the best."
"It certainly doesn't look like it," you rebuke. "All I see here is some "people" deciding what I should be. It's almost a bad joke."
Laura's face gets red. She abruptly gets close to you and slaps you in the face. You knew that Neo-Humans were stronger, but you were not expecting this much pain.
"Some of us didn't really have anything left as a human, ok?!" she exclaims.
"Transitioning to Neo-Human gave most of the population a new purpose... but most importantly, it gives you time. Time to better yourself and make up for your mistakes. I know it did for me..."
A disturbing silence fills the room. It's clear you touched a sensitive topic for her. After a while you decide to break the silence.
"I'm sorry... I..."
"It's ok..." Laura's anger now subsiding. "I'm sorry I hit you... Does it hurt?"
"I'll survive," you say, though the pain you feel says otherwise.
"Do you mind if I open the blinds?" she asks apologetically.
"Not at all," you reply.
The blinds slowly raise, giving room to a beautiful sunset. The trees in the patio contrasting with the many futuristic buildings that filled the landscape.
[[What are the next steps?]]"Does that mean that you are a Neo-Human too?" you asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yep. I transitioned 2 years ago!" Laura replies proudly.
*Well, that explains the cold touch,* you thought to yourself.
Laura continues, "In fact..."
She pauses for a second.
"... You are the last human on Earth to do it. It's a pretty big deal, you know!"
[[How did it feel?]]
[[I can't believe it.]]
[[They finally got what they wanted...]]"I knew that something was wrong with you. Your hands were abnormally cold for a human. You're one of them," as much as you tried you couldn't hide your discontentment.
Laura looks bothered by your comment.
"Well, in a way, yes. And so will you, pretty soon. It's not bad at all, you know? They create your robotic body just the way you want it."
She starts to open and closer her hands. The motions were fluid and rhythmic.
"Anyway, it would be good for you to embrace the idea. Your transition is actually a big deal... You are the last human to undergo RISE!" she says with excitement pouring out of her.
As much as you want, you just can't share that feeling. Not now.
[[I can't believe it.]]
[[They finally got what they wanted...]]Your curiosity takes the best of you and you decide to ask Laura about her experience with RISE.
"If you don't mind me asking... how.. did it feel?" you timidly ask.
"Oh, I don't mind at all!" Laura replies, almost immediately after you finished the question. "It was a very significant moment in my life. I like to talk about it every chance I have."
Suddenly her face becomes serious.
"I won't say it was pleasant, though. As you probably remember now, it's a procedure that takes 3 months to finish and includes multiple surgeries and medications in order to make sure your brain doesn't reject the new body...."
Laura starts to pace around the room.
She continues "I still remember some of it. My final moments as... anyway, I chose to forget most of it, but pain can be a very persistent feeling." Her eyes closed as she dives deep into her conscience.
Laura opens her eyes and give you a determined look.
"That said, I wouldn't have it any other way. I couldn't be happier with who I am today, you know? And I'm sure you'll be too!"
Seeing her talk so openly about it makes you feel more hopeful.
[[I can't believe it.]]After a moment lost in your own thoughts, you come back to reality.
"So... what are the next steps?" you ask, unsure of what to expect.
Laura walks to the giant window in the room and joins you in admiring the sunset.
"Well, the doctors should be here soon to take you to the room where the transition will take place."
When she says that, you realize that there isn't much time left. Something inside you kind of wished you had just a little more.
"However..." Laura turns to you. "There is something - an optional procedure - we suggest to all our patients prior to the transition itself."
You look at Laura puzzled.
[[What do you mean?]]"Seriously? Another procedure?" you couldn't look more incredulous even if you wanted to.
Laura lets out a faint giggle. "Hah. Yes. Though this one involves much less pain... or at least a different type of pain."
"Do tell..." You cross your arms waiting for Laura's explanation.
"For many citizens - myself included - RISE is more than a government demand. It's an opportunity to start again. To be reborn. A completely fresh start." Laura explains, her excitement growing after each word.
She keeps going. "The reason for that is... well, you know how your brain is moved to your new body? Before that transition, we can dive into your memories, allowing you to revisit your entire life, and even 'mark' some memories to be erased, if you wish."
The moment she says that, your eyes widen.
"Well, and here I was thinking that I wouldn't be surprised anymore..."
"Their idea is to allow each citizen to be reborn exactly as they want... both in body and mind," Laura adds.
[[Did you do it?]]
[[Be who I want to be...]]
[[Why should I trust you with my memories?]]"Did you do it? I mean... did you erase anything from your past?" you ask politely.
Laura looks away. "I..." She faces you again. "Yes. A lot, actually. Let's just say I wasn't exactly born this way, if you know what I mean."
She stares at the sunset. The view bringing her back to her memories.
"It was a beautiful day, just like this one," she continues, daydreaming.
"I chose to leave the hardships I faced being my old self behind. For me they were... pulling me back. I just felt I couldn't get past them and move forward with the life I wanted."
"But you chose to remember that you were... someone else before. Why?" you couldn't help but wonder. "You could have just deleted everything and moved on."
Laura smiles.
"It's true..." she says without taking her eyes away from the view. "I guess I left that memory there to remind me of how grateful I am for being given the chance of finding my true self. Being who I really wanted to be."
A tear flows down Laura's face. She discretely wipes it out.
"Thank you for sharing this with me," you say, doing your best to smile.
[[Be who I want to be...]]
[[Why should I trust you with my memories?]]You stop for a moment to look down inside yourself.
"To have that much control... shape my body and mind..." you say very quietly to yourself. It feels like an opportunity too good to pass on.
"I'm sorry?" Laura interjects.
"What is the process like, Laura?"
"Oh, it's quite simple really," she replies.
"There's a machine that essentially allows you to visualize your memories in a virtual environment. Once we connect you to it, it dives deep inside your brain and gather all the events your subconscious attributed any degree of importance. Even the ones you don't remember anymore!"
"From there, the software plays them for you... or rather, it allows you to relieve them! After remembering, you are asked if there's any you would like to mark for deletion in your transition. We call it Reminisce," she concludes.
"Fitting," you chuckle.
"So, what's going to be?" Laura asks, curiously.
[[I want to do it.]]
[[I refuse.]]As much as the idea sound appealing to you, you can't help but feel uncomfortable about giving someone access to your memories.
"You say that, but you're asking me to let you inside my head. Why should I trust you?"
Laura frowns her eyebrows at you.
"Well, you don't have to. The entire process is automated and done through a machine called Reminisce," she reluctantly explains.
"Reminisce?" you ask.
"That's right. It allows one to visualize one's memories in a virtual environment. Then you can watch them and mark them for deletion, if you so wish. It can even access memories you don't even remember."
"That's incredible, I'll give you that," you remark.
"Right. So, tell me... what's your choice? We don't have much time," Laura says, impatiently.
[[I want to do it.]]
[[I refuse.]] Before making a huge step like this you might as well take the time to remember all you've been through in your life.
"Let's do it."
"Great!" Laura exclaims. "Please come with me to the Reminisce room."
When Laura finishes speaking, she gestures for you to follow her and starts walking towards the door and outside the room.
You follow her, each step making you surer of your decision. When you reach the door, you stop and look back to the giant window in your room. The sun is still there, as if holding its position. Waiting for you. Its light giving you confidence. You smile.
"Shall we get going?" Laura gently asks.
"Yeah."
[[Reminisce]] "..."
You thought about it. You thought long and hard about it. The silence that filled the room spoke volumes about your decision. It is an interesting opportunity for sure. To be able to revisit your memories and all. But you don't really care about that.
Your life has taught you to always look forward, not backwards. There's just too many things that should be left alone. Buried in the depths of your mind.
Whatever lies ahead in your life as a Neo-Human, you will deal. As you always did.
"I refuse," you say, firmly.
Laura looks a bit dissapointed.
"I see... Well, that's your choice! I'm sure you have your reasons."
She starts to walk towards the door.
"I'll go get the doctors so we can start the final phase, ok? Just sit tight."
You look outside. It's night now.
[[All right.]]Not you or Laura spoke a single word on your way to the Reminisce room. An unspoken contract saying that this wasn't the time for words somehow binding the two of you. That is, until your destination.
"We're here," Laura states.
Soon, you find yourself in a massive hexagonal room. The white metallic walls you saw around the hospital are here, but obstructed by a series of mainframes, all shining in unison. At the center of the room you find the reason for all this processing power. The machine that will start your Reminisce is like a giant helmet that is connected to every mainframe in the room. Right under it, a single comfortable-looking chair.
"So..." Laura turns to you. "What do you think? Isn't it incredible?"
You thought about many different ways of describing what you were feeling, yet the only words that came out of your mouth were "Holy shit."
"Please, have a seat here," Laura says pointing to the chair.
She helps you get comfortable in the chair. You then notice there are straps to tie your arms to the armrests and a seatbelt.
"I know what you are thinking, but this is just because it is imperative that you do not move during the process, ok?" Laura says, anticipating your concerns.
"Right..." you say trying to not feel uneasy.
Laura pulls the last strap on one of your arms.
"And we're done! Now, I am going to be behind that glass wall," she says while pointing to the wall directly in front of you.
"If you want to stop the process at any moment you just have to tell me."
Laura walks to behind the transparent glass and starts to press some buttons.
"Just say the word and we can start," Laura says through the microphone.
*No turning back now, I guess...* you think to yourself.
[[Begin.]]"Thank you for this," you say in a trembling voice. You had no idea how emotional you were.
Laura gives you a big smile. "Of course!" she replies enthusiastically.
"I mean it," you add, with a more serious tone this time.
A tear sliding down your cheek gives you the realization that you were crying.
Laura stops undoing the last strap. You see that she's doing all she can to avoid crying too.
"You're welcome," she says while gently whipping out the tear from your face.
"I know this experience can be a roller-coaster of emotions. I'm happy to see you got so much out of it."
She resumes her work on the last strap.
She's right. You feel you now have a better understanding of the events and people in your life that shaped your current self. You also see how much you had to endure to get where you are today. That, you think, is enough reason for celebration.
The last strap now undone, you get up and give yourself a big stretch.
"How long was I out?"
"Oh.. About 1 hour," she says.
"But-"
"Yeah, I know. It felt like much more, right?"
"Well, yes..." you quietly reply.
Laura finishes with the chair and looks at you.
"For me it was the same. They told me I was in there for 45 minutes, even though I had no doubt that hours have passed. It's just how Reminisce works."
[[What happens now?]] You realize that all your memories, both the good and the bad define who you are today.
You remember the traumas. But you also remember how you overcame them. You remember the arguments. But you also remember how you understood people better over them. You remember the laughter with your friends and how that helped you get through some hard moments. You remember your mistakes, but you are also aware of how now you know better.
All of this represents growth. It represents the journey -your journey- through this world and, as in any good story, all the ups and downs serve to illustrate how far you have come. And it wouldn't be fair to part with that.
In the end, you like who you are and if you're going to begin a new phase of your existence, it should be with everything that makes you... you.
"I want to carry all my memories over with me," you say, confident you're making the right choice.
"Very well," Annette says. You can hear her pressing some buttons, apparently adjusting the parameters of the system.
"We are going to put you to sleep now. You're going to feel a cold liquid going through your veins. The next time you wake up, it's going to be in your new body."
"See you on the other side, Doctor."
Whatever they are giving you, it acts very quickly, as you're already starting to feel sleepy. Right before closing your eyes, you see Laura among the other doctors, smiling at you.
[[Epilogue A]] Some memories are better left undisturbed. As much as you tried to fight that thought, you always came back to it. That thought always echoed in your mind, now more than ever.
Having experience all your memories again with such clarity made you realize that there are some things you could do without in your new life. Sure, these events in a way contributed to who you are today, but you feel that they are doing more bad than good in your mind.
That said, amidst all the craziness of your old life, there are a few memories worth preserving. Memories of pure joy, of accomplishments and much more. The people in them, they are the ones that really shaped you and saved you. These, you think, are worth keeping.
In the end, your only wish is to be happy.
"I only want to keep my good memories," you reply.
"I see," Annette says. You can hear her pressing some buttons, apparently adjusting the parameters of the system.
"We are going to put you to sleep now. You're going to feel a cold liquid going through your veins. The next time you wake up, it's going to be in your new body."
"I'm looking forward to it, Doctor."
Whatever they are giving you, it acts very quickly, as you're already starting to feel sleepy. Right before closing your eyes, you see Laura among the other doctors, smiling at you.
[[Epilogue B]] Having just watched your past brought to light just how much pain you had to endure in your life to get where you are. A past filled with hardship, traumas and scars that never truly healed. A past that you decide you're better off without.
There's just too much pain surrounding all the good memories to make it all worth it. After confronting it again, you realize that what's really important is for you to be happy. And for that to be achieved you must let them go.
These memories dictated your life for too long now. They stopped you from taking risks, from trusting others, from living. A fresh start, unshackled from your past is what you need.
Someone once said that you can close your eyes to reality, but not to memories. Well, that is about to change.
"I want a completely fresh start," you say, assured of your decision as you'll ever be.
"I see," Annette says. "I must remind you that this process will erase each and every memory that you have any emotional attachment to. You'll be left only with the learning your subconscious inherited from them."
You nod at the Doctor's statement.
"We are going to put you to sleep now. You're going to feel a cold liquid going through your veins. The next time you wake up, it's going to be in your new body."
"Thank you, Doctor."
Whatever they are giving you, it acts very quickly, as you're already starting to feel sleepy. Right before closing your eyes, you could swear you saw a shape among the other doctors that resembles Laura, though you can't say for sure.
[[Epilogue C]] "All right..." you say, mostly to yourself. As you finish, Laura leaves the room.
A couple minutes pass and you hear that familiar beep of the door sliding open.
A female doctor steps into the room, followed by what looks like her two assistants. Confidence evident in the way she walks as she makes her way over to you.
"So, you chose not to undergo Reminisce? May I ask why?" she inquires. You notice that even though she's speaking to you, she doesn't take her eyes off of the tablet in her hands.
You try, but you just can't dismiss her attitude.
"And you are?" you ask, ignoring her question.
"Oh, of course. Where are my manners... My name is Doctor Annette. I am here to perform your transition into a Neo-Human."
"I see... Nice to meet you," you say, uncomfortably.
Laura steps in the conversation.
"Doctor Annette is great! You are definitely in good hands. She's actually-"
"I appreciate that Laura, but we have to be going now," Annette interjects.
Laura seems visibly upset by it. Annette turns her back to you.
"Now, if you will follow me to the transition room. If you have questions, I will be answering them on our way there. We're pressed on time."
She starts to walk towards the door, her eyes fixed on the tablet, her assistants following suit.
"Quite the character this Doctor, huh?" you say looking at Laura.
You force a smile. "I guess I shouldn't keep her waiting. Thanks for everything, Laura."
With that, you begin to walk towards the door.
"Hey..." Laura says. You turn to her.
"I hope that you fill your new life with memories worth keeping and reminiscing about," she says, while giving you a big smile.
"Me too."
[[Shall we go?]]...
You wake up. The room is quite bright. You open your eyes and they readily adjust. Soon you realize you find yourself under a white metallic-looking, yet unfamiliar ceiling and, most importantly, an unfamiliar body.
"How are you feeling?" someone gently asks.
You recognize that voice. That undeniable cheerfulness evident in their speech.
"Laura..." you say, still a bit groggy. As you wake up you unconsciously start to try and remember what happened. Doing that, however, floods your mind with flashes of memories going much further than yesterday. You can feel your heart rate going crazy as well.
"Fuck, what is this?" you exclaim, putting your hand over your head in an attempt to stop the sudden headache.
"You probably accidently triggered your improved ability to remember."
"My what?"
"That's the upgrade Doctor Annette mentioned. Don't worry, you'll get used to it soon enough. Plus, if you feel that it means that your transition was a success!" Laura states, trying to take your mind out of your newfound headache.
You always took pride over the fact that you don't care about your past. Your belief that you don't need it and should only be worried about what comes next has carried you through your life up until now. However, by refusing to acknowledge it, you made it stronger and more present than ever before.
You try not to worry about it. You were never one to dwell on the past. But, why did you not look? Were you afraid of what you might find? You can't tell. Perhaps if you had chosen to confront your past you would actually be able to free yourself from it.
There's a bright future ahead of you, you know that. And you're gonna face it as you always did everything in your life. Looking forward... and hoping that's enough. Your past may be very present right now, but how it's going to affect your future is still up to you.
"So... what's next to you?"
"I... I don't know."
The EndYou think for a while, Annette patiently waiting your decision.
It's not like you don't have questions. But for some reason, you couldn't bring yourself to ask any of them. Is it because you don't care anymore? Or is it because you care too much?
"Let's just get this done with," you say, impatiently.
Annette seems to have been taken aback by your answer.
"... Very well."
She opens the big door and you walk into the room.
The room is actually smaller than the Reminisce room. A bright circular room with two floors. In the center, two operating tables await, one of them already occupied.
You approach it and see that, beyond the many overlays showcasing vital signs and other information, there is a human body. Or at least it looked like one.
You look back to Annette.
"Is this the new me?" you ask, putting no effort in hiding your excitement.
Annette nods at you.
"Exactly as you ordered," she states.
You look back at it. It is perfect. If you didn't know it was robotic, it would be impossible to tell. With a future as incredible as that, why would you need to look back?
"Now, if you would please lay down here," Annette says pointing to the other operating table. Her assistants were just about done setting it up.
[[Got it.]] Memories are interesting things. As they slowly make their way to the bottom of your mind, you forget how painful some of them are and why they were best left undisturbed.
"This... was a mistake," you say trying to catch your breath. Sweat covering your face.
You saw some good moments. You were just not expecting to see those events that scarred you so much during certain phases of your life too. And now they're here, in the surface, starring at you.
Laura stops undoing the last strap.
"Are you ok?" Laura asks alarmed.
"No..."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"..."
Maybe it would be best if you talked about it. However, as much as you tried, right now nothing came out of your mouth. Everything is still too fresh. It's hard to shake the dreadful feeling.
Laura looks very concerned, but she knows better than to insist in the subject. She goes back to the last strip, finally undoing it.
You could get up of the chair now, but you are still shaken up from the experience. The next moments fill the room with a deafening silence. You don't know how long the two of you remained that way, but it felt like forever. In a way, you're glad that Laura understood that you needed time to process it all.
Finally, feeling ready, you stand up.
[[Only one more thing to do, right?]] You take a deep breath.
"Let's begin," you say.
You can hear Laura pressing some buttons and suddenly the giant helmet-looking device above you start to make loud noises. It then proceeds to lower itself until it blocked your view outside of it.
The insides of the device start to flash and suddenly... Silence. Darkness. You start to wonder if the machine broke, but before you can vocalize those thoughts, images start forming in the air right in front of you. You realize you recognize them. They are your memories.
Your eyes are as open as they could possibly be. Everything is there to be seen. The good and the bad. What once was and what currently is. Nothing seemed to escape the machine in this literal trip down the memory lane. Your memory lane.
You see people you met that were and are important parts of your life. You see names and faces of long forgotten friends, co-workers and relatives. Your loved ones are also there and with them, the moments you spent together.
Perhaps more important than seeing it all unfold before your eyes is realizing that all the feelings and sensations are there too. It felt as real as real can be. You can't help but think about how your life was and how it is right now. All the people and the events that made you who you are today.
It's incredible how much we, subconsciously or not, decide to forget. Some of these memories you feel left for the best. Others you wish you could have spend more time with.
[[...]]And then, as sudden as it began, it ended. The images in front of you disappeared, bringing you back to reality. The helmet starts to slowly raise, revealing your face to the world.
You see Laura walking in your direction.
"Hey. How are you feeling?" she asks, concern visible in her eyes. She starts to undo the straps to help you out of the chair.
[[Thank you.]]
[[This was a mistake.]]With the Reminisce process done, you know there's only one more thing left to be done.
"So... what happens now?" you ask.
"Well, now it's the moment we were all waiting for!" Laura states, cheerfully.
She continues "I already called the doctors. They should be here any moment now to take you to the transition room."
You look at the door and then back to Laura.
"Will you be there?"
Laura is caught off-guard by your question as she stares at you with surprise clear in her eyes.
"I-"
*beep*
Laura's sentence is interrupted by the -now familiar- sound of the door opening. A female doctor steps into the room, followed by what looks like her two assistants. Confidence evident in the way she walks as she makes her way over to you.
"I see that you already finished your Reminisce. How was it?" she inquires without moving her eyes off the tablet she has in her hands.
[[Very insightful. Thank you.]]
[[Doesn't it say on that tablet of yours?]] You decide it's time to break the silence.
"There's only one more thing to do, right?"
"Yes... I already called the doctors. They'll be here soon," Laura says.
"Listen... Uh..."
"It's ok," you tell Laura. "It was just... overwhelming, you know?"
"I understand," she says. Honestly, she didn't have to say anything. Her face showed that she knew more about what you were experiencing more than she could ever tell you.
She continues "If you ever need to talk-"
*beep*
The door emits a now familiar opening sound and draws your attention to the doctor coming through it. Her two assistants following her close. You can tell how confident she is just from the way she moves. One might even mistake that with arrogance.
"I see that you are done with your Reminisce. I'm curious to hear your thoughts about it," she inquires without moving her eyes off the tablet she has in her hands.
[[Doesn't it say on that tablet of yours?]]
[[The least you could do is look at me.]] Her question was so out of nowhere that it throws you off for a second.
"Uh... Very insightful actually. Thank you, Doctor...?"
The doctor finally stops looking at her tablet at looks at you.
"Oh, of course. Pardon my manners. My name is Doctor Annette. I am here to perform your transition into a Neo-Human."
"Right," you say, crossing your arms.
Laura approaches the doctor with a small flash drive.
"Doctor, here are the results of the Reminisce session!"
Annette takes the flash drive and inserts it in her tablet.
"Thank you, Laura. That will be all."
She starts reading the information in her tablet.
"Now, if you will follow me to the transition room. I'm sure you still have questions, and I will be answering them on our way there. We're pressed on time."
Annette turns her back to you and starts to walk towards the door, her eyes fixed on the tablet, her assistants following suit.
Her attitude still gets to you, but you decide to put that aside for now.
You turn to Laura.
"Well, I guess this is it, right?"
"I'm looking forward to meeting the new you!" Laura says, giving you another of her big smiles.
You smile back at her and with that you make your way to the door.
Outside, you turn to see Laura waving at you. You wave back, and suddenly the door slides shut.
With that you look around for Doctor Annette, only to see she's already almost at the turn of the L-Shaped corridor waiting for you.
[[Sorry about that.]]You notice that the Doctor is barely paying attention to you.
"Doesn't it say in that tablet of yours?" you reply annoyed with the Doctor's attitude.
"Not really. This contains all your physiological information, but I am looking for a more subjective response."
You cross your arms and look back at Laura with a incredulous look.
Laura awkwardly steps in. "Uh... This is Doctor Annette! She's the one that's going to be overseeing your transition."
Annette raises her head.
"I thought that was already established. Laura should have told you about me," Annette states, looking at Laura with disapproval.
"I- I was about to, but-" Laura says apologetically.
"No matter. Do you have the Reminisce results?" Annette interjects.
Laura lowers her head and speaks quietly.
"Y-yes Doctor. Here."
She hands a flash drive to Annette, who immediately inserts it in her tablet.
"Thank you. Now..." Annette looks at you. "If you will follow me to the transition room. We are running late on our schedule."
Annette starts making her way to the door, her assistants right behind her.
You're still trying to process the Doctor's attitude. You instinctively look at Laura. She apparently knows where you are going with this.
"She grows on you," Laura forces a smile.
"Right..."
You realize that Annette is already outside the room.
"I should probably get going, then."
"Yes! Don't worry, you're in good hands," Laura says, nodding.
You make your way outside. The door slides shut behind you. You start to look for Annette and realize she's already at the turn of the L-Shaped corridor waiting for you.
[[Sorry about that.]] You catch up to Annette.
"Sorry about the delay."
"Uh-Huh," she says, acknowledging your apology with the smallest possible effort.
Annette slides a keycard on the switch close to the door and it beeps open. You now find yourself in a bright white long corridor. A large door can be seen in the distance.
"So... I'm sure you are aware by now, but you are the last human on Earth." she says, as you slowly make your way to the end of the corridor.
"So I've heard," you say. As the words leave your mouth you feel at peace with that fact.
Annette goes on "Rest assured, the process you are about to undergo has been perfected over the years."
The moment she says that, you notice two square-shaped holes on the ground close to the walls of the corridor appearing near you. From them, encased robotic bodies start rising. They appear to be old, although well-preserved.
"Many models came before the one we use today. Each more durable, efficient and human-like than the last."
As you continue to walk the corridor, more models continue to rise from the ground.
"Incredible," you let a word escape your mouth amidst the awe.
Annette suddenly stops, almost making you bump into her. She stops looking at her tablet and raises her head to see the last rising model, This one appears not on the sides, but in the middle of the corridor close to the big door at the end.
"This is the skeleton of the body you will receive today. Don't worry about the aesthetics of it, as we took the specifications for your new body a couple months ago. It's already waiting for you."
You stand there, silently admiring it for a couple of seconds.
"Regardless, here we are," Annette says, facing the big door. You look at it as well.
"These are the last doors you will walk through as a human. Your life is about to begin anew. Is there anything else you would like to ask me before we begin?"
[[Tell me more about the process.]]You decide you want to know more about the Doctor standing before you.
"Just how long have you been doing this?" you ask, curiously.
"Interesting question. As you may have guessed, this is not my first rodeo. Though it is surely the last," Annette says with a bit of disappointment in her voice.
She continues "I was one of the first neuro-surgeons to be chosen to perform this procedure back when the transition was still in its first stages."
You stop for a second. There is no way what Annette just said could be right.
"But that's-"
"75 years ago, yes," Annette states.
"Remember, for Neo-Humans, death became merely an inconvenience," she concludes proudly.
She could not be more right. You look at the Doctor, a blonde woman with short hair, easily in her mid 30s. Yet, she's at least 105.
Annette's tablet starts beeping, grabbing her attention.
"We're actually out of time. Shall we go in?"
[[Let's do this.]] This is it, you think. All the preparation over the last couple of months, all the medication that made you almost forget who you are, Laura and the Reminisce. All culminating in this moment.
You take a deep breath and say the words.
"I'm ready."
"Good," Annette says. Even though she's still focused on her tablet, you can see that she's smiling.
She opens the big door and you walk into the room.
The room is actually smaller than the Reminisce room. A bright circular room with two floors. In the center, two operating tables await, one of them already occupied.
You approach it and see that, beyond the many overlays showcasing vital signs and other information, there is a human body. Or at least it looked like one.
You look back to Annette.
"Is that my new body?" you ask, wonder evident in your voice.
Annette nods at you.
"Exactly as you ordered," she states.
You look back at it. It is perfect. If you didn't know it was robotic, it would be impossible to tell.
"Now, if you would please lay down here," Annette says pointing to the other operating table. Her assistants were just about done setting it up.
[[Right.]] "You know... the least you could do is look at me, Doctor," you say, clearly annoyed by the fact that she doesn't really seem to care.
Fortunately, that was enough to get the Doctor's attention. She raises her head.
"My apologies. There's a lot to be done and I can't waste any second right now. I'm Doctor Annette. I'll be performing your transition to a Neo-Human."
"I see."
Annette turns to Laura.
"Laura, are the Reminisce results ready?"
"They sure are, Doctor. Here," Laura replies, handing a flash drive to her.
Upon inserting the flash drive into her tablet, Annette goes back to fixating on it. "Very good. Thank you."
She turns to face the door, but addresses you.
"I'm afraid we're running late, so please follow me to the transition room. I'll explain the process on the way," she says, objectively.
With that, she starts walking towards the door and then outside the room with her two assistants. You wonder does she know where she's going if she barely looks up.
"Well, I'm going then," you say trying to build confidence.
"You're gonna be just fine! I know it," Laura says with the cheerfulness you've come to expect from her.
"Thank you."
You leave the room and realize the Doctor is not there. You start to look for her and realize she's already at the turn of the L-Shaped corridor waiting for you.
[[Sorry about that.]] "Can you tell me more about the process itself?" you ask. If you're about to be given a new body, might as well know more about how that's going to work.
"The short story is that your brain will be removed from your current body and placed into another," Annette explains.
You can't help but gulp. No matter how many times they tell you that, you will never be ok with hearing it.
"You will be asleep during its entirety, so there isn't any type of pain involved," she adds.
"For the last couple of months, we've been administering all the medication necessary for your brain to accept your new body. We've mapped your system to create a perfect match in your new body. Except much better."
"What about my brain? Is it going to be intact?" you inquire.
"Your brain will still be organic, yes, but with a few biotechnical upgrades. Also, it will essentially be encased in a recipient designed to preserve it for ages to come. That is your head," Annette says. She seems amused with her own commentary and smiles.
"Anything else?"
[[How long have you been doing this?]]
[[Let's do this.]]...
You wake up. The room is quite bright. You open your eyes and they readily adjust. Soon you realize you find yourself under a white metallic-looking, yet unfamiliar ceiling and, most importantly, an unfamiliar body.
"How are you feeling?" someone gently asks.
You recognize that voice. That undeniable cheerfulness evident in their speech.
"Laura..."
"Good morning!" Laura exclaimed.
"Did... everything go well?" you ask, still a bit groggy.
Laura tries, but fails to hide the smile.
"Why don't you see it for yourself? C'mon, get up!"
You slowly raise yourself and look to a giant mirror on the wall in front of your bed. What you saw completely defied your expectations. Instead, you're met with your definition of perfection. The transition was flawless and you're now inside your new body.
"Holy shit! Is this actually me?!"
"Yep! In the flesh... and some nifty pieces of biotechnology! Laura states.
Indeed, you can feel your new upgrades. There are the more obvious physical ones, but you feel it's so much easier for you to assimilate new information and remember anything.
"This is just... amazing," you say. As excited as you are, you can't help but feel a bit emotional now that it's all over.
"So, what's next to the new you?" Laura inquires.
You think about all the fresh memories in your mind. Your memories. You think about the people that made these memories and how thankful you are to each of them.
You decide that the best way of starting your new life is by acknowledging your old one.
You give Laura a big smile.
"I think I'm gonna visit some old friends."
The End...
You wake up. The room is quite bright. You open your eyes and they readily adjust. Soon you realize you find yourself under a white metallic-looking, yet unfamiliar ceiling and, most importantly, an unfamiliar body.
"How are you feeling?" someone gently asks.
You recognize that voice. That undeniable cheerfulness evident in their speech.
"Laura..."
"Good morning!" Laura exclaimed.
"Did... everything go well?" you ask, still a bit groggy.
Laura tries, but fails to hide the smile.
"Why don't you see it for yourself? C'mon, get up!"
You slowly raise yourself and look to a giant mirror on the wall in front of your bed. What you saw completely defied your expectations. Instead, you're met with your definition of perfection. The transition was flawless and you're now inside your new body.
"This is unbelievable! I'm actually a Neo-Human!" you say, almost shouting.
"Yep! In the flesh... and some nifty pieces of biotechnology!" Laura states.
Indeed, you can feel your new upgrades. There are the more obvious physical ones, but you feel it's so much easier for you to assimilate new information and remember anything. Well... almost anything.
There's a feeling inside you... you can't really point your finger at it, but it's as if something was missing. There's also the fact that, no matter how hard you try to remember something bad in your life, you just can't! It's like your existence up to this point is comprised of only good memories. Yet that weird feeling lingers.
"So, what's next to the new you?" Laura inquires. Hearing her voice brings you back to the moment.
You decide to shake off that weird feeling that something's wrong. As far as you know, you led a really happy life and for that you are very thankful.
"For some reason I feel that I am free now. Like, I had something holding me back, stoping me from living my life to the fullest. Perhaps I will start there, you know? This time, I want to truly live my life."
The End...
You wake up. The room is quite bright. You open your eyes and they readily adjust. Soon you realize you find yourself under a white metallic-looking, yet unfamiliar ceiling and, most importantly, an unfamiliar body.
"Good morning," someone gently says.
You recognize that voice. The cheerfulness in their speech bringing you back to someone.
"Who... Laura...?" you inquire, unsure as to why you would know this woman's voice.
"That's me! How are you feeling?"
"A bit tired, but otherwise, great. Did everything go well?" you ask, still a bit groggy.
"Why don't you see it for yourself? C'mon, get up!"
You slowly raise yourself and look to a giant mirror on the wall in front of your bed. What you saw completely defied your expectations. Instead, you're met with a gorgeous body. Your body.
"Holy shit! Is this really me?"
"It sure is. Your transition went perfectly well." Laura states.
"Transition..."
You stop for a second to realize you can't really remember much aside from yesterday.
"Is this why I can't remember anything?" you inquire.
"Yes. It was part of your transition. We only left your memories of yesterday so you'd know where you are and what you've been through." Laura explains.
"So... I chose this?"
"You did. And per your request, you're free from your old life!" Laura says. Even though she tries to be cheerful, you can see a part of her seems bothered.
She's right. You chose this. You can feel that inside of you. You also feel very light inside. Like you're this giant blank canvas, ready to be filled with incredible experiences. That thought excites you.
"So, what's next to you?" Laura asks curiously. Hearing her voice brings you back to the moment.
As weird as it feels not to remember anything from your past, you decide to hold on to the potential of your new life. You are confident that, if you decided to erase your past, it was for a good reason. A world full of possibilities awaits you, and you can't wait to get started.
"I want... I want to find my purpose. I have this.. emptiness inside of me begging me to fill it with experiences. Begging me to live. I feel like, with this body, I've been given a second chance to live how I want. And that's what I plan to do."
The End.You walk to the door and meet Annette outside the room.
"Shall we go?" you ask.
"Yes," Annette replies. With that, all of you make your way to the door at the end of the L-shaped corridor.
Annette slides a keycard on the switch close to the door and it beeps open. You now find yourself in a bright white long corridor. A large door can be seen in the distance.
"So... I'm sure you are aware by now, but you are the last human on Earth," she says, as you slowly make your way to the end of the corridor.
"I heard about that, yeah," you say, indifferently.
Annette goes on "Rest assured, the process you are about to undergo has been perfected over the years."
The moment she says that, you notice two square-shaped holes on the ground close to the walls of the corridor appearing near you. From them, encased robotic bodies start rising. They appear to be old, although well-preserved.
"Many models came before the one we use today. Each more durable, efficient and human-like than the last."
Every few steps would cause more robotic body models to rise up from the ground around you. Each more human-like and modern, showcasing the evolution of the Neo-Human biotechnology. All of them marvels of modern science. None of them interesting to you.
Your party stops when a model rises right in front of you. Annette stops looking at her tablet and raises her head to contemplate it.
"This is the skeleton of the body you will receive today. Don't worry about the aesthetics of it, as we took the specifications for your new body a couple months ago. It's already waiting for you."
You stand there, silently admiring it for a couple of seconds. That is the only thing you care about. You don't want to know how the other models look or function. All you want to see is what lies ahead of you, and that is the body that represents your future.
"... Regardless, here we are," Annette says, facing the big door. You look at it as well.
"These are the last doors you will walk through as a human. Your life is about to begin anew. Is there anything else you would like to ask me before we begin?"
[[Let's just get this done with.]] "Right."
You place your hand on your new body.
"I'm ready," you say quietly, almost like a whisper.
You lay down on the operating table. The moment you do, the same overlays you saw on your new body start popping all over yours. Both tables start to raise, stopping at a 45-degree angle, which brought the second floor of the room to evidence. You notice there's a lot of people there.
"I didn't know I was going to have an audience," you sarcastically remark.
"Whether you like it or not, your transition is a huge deal for mankind," Annette says.
"They insisted that this procedure was recorded too. My apologies for not bringing that up earlier," she complements.
"So I literally have an audience..."
You notice she's now wearing black gloves with glowing lines emanating from it. She and her assistants start to interact with the overlays around your body. After a while, she stops and addresses you.
"Since you went through the Reminisce process, you may now choose what you want to take with you to your new life. You can carry all your memories and experiences with you, or you can choose to carry over only the good memories. Finally, you may carry over none of your old memories, giving you a completely fresh start."
"Please think carefully about this, as there is no going back once we commit to your choice," Annette adds. The seriousness in her voice reinforcing the importance of the matter.
[[I want to carry all my memories over.]]
[[I only want the good memories.]]
[[I want a completely fresh start.]]"Got it."
You lay down on the operating table.
The moment you do, the same overlays you saw on your new body start popping all over yours. Both tables start to raise, stopping at a 45 degree angle, which brought the second floor of the room right on your view. You notice there's a lot of people there.
"I didn't know I was going to have an audience," you sarcastically remark.
"Whether you like it or not, your transition is a huge deal for mankind," Annette says.
"They insisted that this procedure was recorded too. My apologies for not bringing that up earlier," she complements.
"Well, that's just great," you remark, sarcasm pouring out of you.
You notice she's now wearing black gloves with glowing lines emanating from it. She and her assistants start to interact with the overlays around your body. After a while, she stops and addresses you.
"Since you decided not to undergo the Reminisce process, the system will carry over all your memories, exactly as they are now, to your new body. I do have to mention, though, that your brain will receive a few upgrades that will make memories more accessible."
"Oh, I don't really care about that. I'm not one to look back at memories," you say with pride.
"Let's hope they don't decide to look back at you, then."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I need to ask you something..." Annette says, changing the subject. "You're the first person in a long time to refuse the Reminisce. Why?"
You take a deep breath. It is an important question. One that, after all that happened, you feel ready to answer.
"I... decided a long time ago that my eyes would be looking forward and forward only. I don't have time to live in the past with so much potential in what's to come."
"Interesting... I appreciate you telling me that," Annette says, somewhat satisfied with your answer.
"We are going to put you to sleep now. You're going to feel a cold liquid going through your veins. The next time you wake up, it's going to be in your new body."
"Thank you, Doctor."
Whatever they are giving you, it acts very quickly, as you're already starting to feel sleepy. Right before closing your eyes, you could swear you saw a shape among the other doctors that resembles Laura, though you can't say for sure.
[[Epilogue D]]