TIME: UNKNOWN
A shock to the system. Your body jolts and shoots up. You look around, but the room is dark. The only thing you can make out outlines of a door, outlined by dim lighting.
When you stand, your head spins and throbs, making it hard to think. Speaking of thinking, nothing is coming to mind. Not your name or age. The only memory you can think up is the pain in your arms. Just as you look down at them, the door opens. No one enters.
[[Go through the door.]]
[[Stay inside.]]
The light from the ceiling hurts your eyes, and they take a moment to adjust. The hallway is... sterile. There are no plants or windows, and the floor is made of the same metal as the ceilings. As you venture, you notice that the doors have no knobs or entryways. Everything seems too... cold.
A shiver goes through your body, and as you move your arms to hug your body, you realize that your arms are metallic, and just as cold as the surrounding air. The only clue you have is the number 861 methodically etched on your forearm.
<img src= "https://gottahavesometunes.yolasite.com/resources/861Arm.png">
"861," you say to yourself. A door off into the distance opens.
[[Go through the second door.]]
[[Take the hallway instead.]]Some time passes, yet the door remains open. You lean your head and listen.
There is some dripping.
Faint footsteps.
No voices.
What to do. Do you wait? There doesn't seem to be anyone on the way in.
[[Go through the door.]]
[[Stay...]]<center> <img src= "https://gottahavesometunes.yolasite.com/resources/Hallway.png">
The Hallway is eerily quiet. The only comfort you have is the soft patter of your feet against the cold metal. You take twists and turns, but you still do not understand where you are or even where you are going.
Until you reach your room once again.
In frustration, you try again and reach the door you passed earlier.
[[Go through the door.]]
Lights along the floor guide you as you make your way down the hallway. Aside from the few lights that decorated the walls, it was void of any life. The quiet hum of the machinery is your only comfort here.
The lights stop in front of another door, and a scanner pops out to scan the number on your arm. The door beeps green and opens. Inside is another person! The person smiles and waves you in. Her smile twitches a little.
[[Turn back and find another way.]]Your head feels heavier, and your body sluggish. A small voice inside your head speaks.
"This attempt is a failure. Restart the program."
You feel shock travel through your body, and your heart pounds inside your ears.
Everything returns to black.
[[Beginning<-Restart]]
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<source src = "assets/Beep, Sci Fi.mp3">
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Fear overtakes you, causing you to turn around and leave. There is something about that twitch that made you uneasy.
"Come baCk!" The voice yells. You pause. No. Not pause. You froze, but it didn't feel like //you//, but something else. The woman doesn't make a move to come forward. Instead, she waits by the door. Her arms are trying to decide if they want to cross over her chest or placed on her hip.
Against your better judgement, you make your way to the woman. You try to swallow, but your mouth is dry and sticky.
The woman returns to her place behind the elongated counter and places her hands on the counter. She is visibly more comfortable.
"Hello, 861," She begins, "I imagine you are confused. You have been ill for a long while, and because of that, we need to run a test on you. You can stand and walk, but what about the rest of your...cognitive functions? Step into the next roOm please."
[[NEXT]]"You may experience some discomfoRt," the woman's voice says over the intercom. Then, various needles and other things you didn't know began prodding and poking your torso as another pair of robot arms grabbed yours. It turned your arms all around and checked the joints before letting you go. Red welts cover your body.
One last arm hands you a fresh set of plain clothes. The doors open and the woman is waiting for you on the other side.
“I'm sorry about thaT, but now that it's over, we can continuE.”
[["Continue?"]]
[["Let's just get it over with."]]"Continue? Explain, please," your tiny voice whispers. You didn't bother trying to speak louder.
"We don't have much time, buT..." She trails off for a moment, her eyes out of focus and staring past you.
"Yes," she says, "I can answer twO questions, but then we have to move oN."
[["What happened to me?"]]
[["Where is this place?"]]
[["Let's just get it over with."]] The woman smiles. “For future correspondence, please refer to me as DreA.” The smile is struggling to stay on her face.
Silence. You follow Drea down several hallways, yet none of them look any different from the last. Before you allow your mind to wander, Drea stops in front of a door. This one differs from the last, as it has a small symbol in the middle. You don't recognize it, but it has several shapes to it. Drea holds her hand out to the symbol, and it shifts in shape as the door opens.
[[Continue.<-Take a look inside]]"What's happened to me? Were my arms always like this?"
The woman hangs her head.
"I don't know mucH. I know that you were involved in an accident that caused you to lose your limbs. You've been in recovery as long as I've bEen here, but I don't know if that was the cauSe."
A breath hitches in your throat.
[["Where is this place?"]]
[["Let's just get it over with."]] "Where am I? Everything is so cold here."
The woman blinks in surprise for a moment. "WhY, you are in a toP notch medical facility! The cool temperature keeps all the equipment in optimal condition."
[["What happened to me?"]] Inside is a simple, but large kitchen. Drea stops in front of the stove.
"There isn't anything special about this room. All wE want you to do is familiarize yourself with various things insiDe. We're hoping fAmiliarity will help you heal. Now--"
Drea's device beeps. She looks at it and bites her lip.
"I'm sorry, but I have an emergencY I have to take care of. I'll be back to help as soOn as I can."
The room is silent once she leaves.
[[Look in the fridge.]]
[[Look around the room.]]You open the fridge, and inside are eggs, bacon, butter and other things that make a breakfast. You hesitate, but eventually your stomach makes the choice for you.
After placing the ingredients onto the counter, you stand there, waiting.
You didn't know how to cook.
Or rather, you don't remember if you know how to cook.
However, your hands seem to know what to do. You crack the eggs into a bowl and whip them, while putting the bacon on the stove to cook. As time passes, your mind wonders, and you think about how you ended up inside this place. Was it truly an accident, as you were told? Or is it something more?
[[Continued.]]You walk around the room, looking at the ceiling and floors. Nothing seems out of the ordinary.
Until you spot that small port almost hidden under a panel. You look down at your arms and got an idea…
[[Press the button->Stick your finger in the port.]] Some time has passed, and Drea returns to the room.
"I see you've decided to mAke yourself something to eat. Curious. So, how are you feeling? Do you feel like you're remembering anything?"
[[ConTinUe?-> No.]]
[[Yes...?]]
A number panel reveals itself. The buttons light up and a voice speaks.
"Please enter your ID code.
[[Enter Your number.]]
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<source src = "assets/Beep, Sci Fi.mp3">
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You insist that you stay inside your room. They move in closer and ask you again.
"861. We insist you come to get your tests done, it is important to your recovery."
Everything in your body screams at you to not go with them, but you don't know will happen if you do.
[[Go with the dudes.]]
[[Insist on staying.]]"No. Nothing has come yet."
"I see," Drea replies, "Very well, follow me. She walks out of the room at a hasented pace, and you struggle to keep up.
Drea stops in front of door number two.
"Here, you will sort several items together by size and color. We need to make sure you can organize and separate properly. The room will do different things to try and distract you, but you should remain focused on your task."
Drea leaves the room, and lights begin to flash in various colors. Random shapes lie on the floor in front of empty buckets. You can't explain why, but you almost feel insulted at this task.
[[Do it anyway.]]
[[Investigate your surroundings.]]They escort you to the same office as before, But Drea isn't there. Instead, is a man with a slight twitch in his neck.
"I am Liam. I am in charge and you will do what I say if you want to successfully recover. Follow me."
The other men had already vanished without a trace.
Liam walked briskly, making it hard for you to keep up with him.
"We are going to be running tests on you. Since you seem to enjoy getting in the way of your own recovery, I have to give you a different set of tests."
A door opens and Liam rushes you inside. He lies you on the table and begins to strap you down.
"We will be taking your vitals, and testing your nerves. Individually. And yes, It will be painful."
[["Yes, sir."]]
A voice comes over the intercom.
"This one isn't complying with the programming, let's wipe it and try again."
Suddenly, and painlessly, you fade to black. The last thing you thought was regret.
[[Beginning<-Restart]]
<audio autoplay>
<source src = "assets/Alarm, Electronic.mp3">
Red, Blue, Green, Yellow.
There were more parts than you initially thought, but you finished in a decent amount of time. Drea greets you at the door and grabs you by the arm.
"I'm so ExciTed! Just one more evaluation, and we can finally move foRwarD with your treatmeNT!"
Drea laughs, but it is a mechanical sound that almost sounds like gears grinding. A high, shrill laugh. It made your stomach clench.
"Now the last test is a little...different from what wE've done. Are yOu readY for tHat?”
[[I think I'm ready.]]These tests are annoying you, so you look around the room again. Wouldn't you know it? There is another port hidden behind a panel. What do you want to do?
[[port up!]]
[[Do it anyway.]]
You stick your finger inside the port again, and just like before, visions rush your mind. This time, it's audible.
//"Think of what we can accomplish if we can get her to..."//
//"That's a big if, Doc. Let's focus on the task at hand. Give me the memory drive so I..."//
Pictures of faces flash in your mind, but none are recognizable. Suddenly, a ringing in your head vibrates, causing you to pass out once again.
[[Day 3]]Your eyes open, and there are four people standing over you.
"861. You keep going against the tests and passing out. It almost seems like you don't want to get better."
They move in, placing their hands on you and drag you to a dark room. They strap you in and begin to attach various things to your head.
"Your actions have consequences, 861."
They begin to play a video for you.
It is your creation.
[[Next.]]You see someone on screen that reminds you of yourself. Their faceplate is being attached to their head... skin is being grafted on a skeleton made of metal and cords.
"Is this the truth you were so desperate to find?"
Several reboots have happened. Each one ending just how it started, a jolt to the brain, then disconnection.
Another spoke up, "Do you understand, 861? All those feelings of loss of limbs and your memories were nothing but made up stories. Stories to motivate you into leaving, but you couldn't get that right, Faulty machine."
Then pieces of you get removed.
"No matter, we will just start over."
[[But...]]
[[Comply.]]A substance leaks from your eyes. Something about the words he said struck a chord within you, and you suddenly feel //something// that makes you want to live.
You yell. You yell, and kick and thrash. The leader held his hand up for them to stop. He walks up to you and holds your face in his hands.
"Maybe something clicked. Reattach everything and bring her to the lab. We'll restart her again.”
[[Beginning]] You accept what they have told you, and you are broken. All hope you had of finding your identity and life, all a lie. You are just a machine, that just about to be --
DISCONNECTION COMPLETE. BEGIN RESTART.
[[Beginning]] Liam attaches several nodes to your brain, and you feel a sharp stick on each side of your temples. He sighs.
"I wish it didn't have to come to this. The last thing we wanted to do was scare you, yet here we are. Now, all you have to do here is close your eyes, and we will feed images into your mind. They aren't your memories, but we believe they may... kick-start your brain into remembering. This... will be uncomfortable."
He presses a button. First you feel a warm sensation over your body, followed by intense pressure on your head.
Just as Liam said, pictures of nuclear families flashed inside of your mind. Birthdays, holidays and false happy memories pulsed on repeat, flashing faster each time. You feel sick, but nothing comes of it. You are struggling to keep consciousness…
[[Fight!]]
[[Succumb]]You can feel your consciousness slip away, but you do your best to push past that to stay in the present. Each moment that passes feels like an eternity as each picture flashes. You know that it isn't causing you actual pain, but you still end up finding yourself thinking it would be bliss if you could just end.
Then, nothing. No sound or vibration; just relief. You can still feel yourself, but there wasn't anything registering to your senses. At first, you reveled in the stillness's relief.
But as you waited for your sights and sounds to return, you get anxious. You keep waiting for them to return, but they don't.
[[Call out.]]"I-I-"
Your voice wouldn't come out no matter how hard you felt like you were screaming.
Before long, lights appeared in your vision. Blues, purples and reds blinked randomly. At first, it felt painful; as if you were opening your eyes for the first time.
"Can you hear me, 861?" A muffled voice came through. Your heart pounded in your chest just as the room slowly came into view.
"I'm awfully sorry we had to put your through that, 861. Things became... difficult once you rebelled. Let's get you ready for the next part. Carefully now, you're still recovering from the shock."
[[Follow Liam.]]
[[Stop for a moment.]]Liam takes you to a place that differs from the cold hallways and rooms you've grown used to. The ceiling is high, with windows facing toward the sky. The color is a surprising blue color.
"This will be your last phase before we move forward with your treatment plan. We are just going to look you over and make sure everything is intact. It will not be as unpleasant as before, since this is to assess your overall health."
Liam guides you to have a seat.
“This chair is analyzing the macro and micro workings of your physiology. It's non-evasive, and this give us a perfect chance to talk.”
[["Okay."]]"Okay, let's talk. Who am I? Really?"
Liam places his hands in front of his face.
"Things are strange now, but I promise you, once this is over, you will be adjusted to go out into the world. Even if you don't retain your memories as of now, you have the cognative and physical greenlight to leave. Maybe the fresh air will do you good. All you'll have to do from here on out is check in with us and we'll make sure your recovery is going well. Sounds good, yes?"
[["Sure does."]]
[["I'm not sure about this..."]]"Sure does. I can't wait to find out who I really am. This is a pain."
Liam chuckles.
"Quite. Anyway, the machine is all done and all you have to do now is go through the door, and we will process you out."
Your face lights up.
"I get to leave? Will I be okay?"
"Of course! We provide a nurse to assist you into integrating into your life until you are well. That is our way. Now, just go through that door there."
A door opens, and light pours in. It feels warm.
[[Exit?]]"I'm not sure about this. I feel all wrong, like I'm some kind of mistake."
Liam sighs.
"Yes. Well it seems to me that you are indeed a mistake, Prototype 861."
[[Prototype?]]Once you leave the room, Liam makes a call on his device.
"Prototype 861 has successfully been callibrated, and is cleared to begin societal integration. Agents will follow her and monitor her capacity to mimic and learn human traits. It successful, we'll begin mass production."
The voice over the phone replies.
"Good."
End.
[[Beginning]] "What do you mean, prototype?"
"Exactly as I said, 861. You are a mistake, a broken doll with which we now have to fix and start again."
You are confused. Nothing he's saying is making sense. A doll? ProTotype? Are yoU sayiNg I'M NoT hUman?"
Liam nods his head.
"I'm afraid so. I am sorry, truly I am. I pains me to dismember and restart you every time. But, it's for the betterment of humankind. So we can thrive."
He stands and moves in front of you.
"Now then, shall we try again?"
[[Beginning<-Restart]]Human?
By
Karena Drayton
[[Start->Beginning]]
[[References]]Images:
1. Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash
https://unsplash.com/@thisisengineering
2. Public domain - https://www.pikrepo.com/fpgdr/gray-steel-tunnel
3. Public domain - https://freesvg.org/men-in-black-vector-image
Audio:
1. Sci-Fi energy - Sinister Energy hum by: Series 6000 Ext 7
2. Alarm, Electronic - Science Fiction Sound Effects
3. Beep, Sci-Fi - McDonough Science Fiction SFX Series
All sounds can be found at:
https://soundideas.sourceaudio.com/
[[Return->Title Screen]]"No."
"That's okay. I'm just glad to scc your functioninG. Let's make our way to the next room."
The two of you make your way through -you guessed it- another plain, metallic hallway. By now, your impatience is trying to get the best of you.
Around the corner is a room with its door already open and waiting for you.
[[Do it anyway.<-Test Room Two]]"I think so. It's fuzzy, though."
This wasn't true. You still didn't remember anything. Yet, the urge to tell Drea this lie was strong.
Drea looks at you with a neutral look for just a second too long.
"Is that right? Would yOu like to tell me the details?"
[[Actually...]]
"Actually, I don't remember. I lied."
"WhY?"
[[You scare me...]]
[[It felt good.]]"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. It's just..."
Drea walks up to you and pats your head.
"I understand. Things are scary for you right now. How about we return to your room and call it a day?"
As you are about to answer, you catch one of Drea's eyes twitch just a little.
[[I'm okay.]]
[[Return to the room.]]"It felt good. I would do it again too."
The more you spoke, the angrier you grew. All the confusion of not knowing where you are, the vague non answers you have been getting. All of it. You felt the last shreds of restraint begin to snap.
[[Calm Down.]]
[[Let your rage fly!]]Despite wanting to take action, the thought of violence made you sick. You close your eyes and take a few breaths and slowly unclench your fists. You shouldn't react like this, even if it felt good.
Drea shook her head, "Well, try not to do it again. We won't be able to help you in you aren't being transParent with us."
The door opens, and Drea walks out, not waiting for you to follow.
[[Follow Drea->Do it anyway.]]You yell and lunge at Drea, balling up your hands and slamming them down wherever you could.
"Who am I? Tell me!" You yelled.
Security alarms ring out, but that didn't stop you.
Drea remained still, never so much as a differing facial expression. Something in the absolute stillness in her eyes brought your assault to a halt.
The doors swung open, and several men came rushing in. They grab and restrain you.
Drea stands up, and fixes her clothes, "Clearly, something weNt wrong this time, we will have to restart and try again."
There was only a moment to think about what she meant before everything turned to black.
"Reset inItiated," Drea says in her comm.
[[Beginning<-Initate Reset]]"I'm okay." You tell her.
"Good, let's continue then."
Around the corner, a door is propped open and emanating dancing colors as the lights shined. It was almost pretty, it a sad way.
[[Follow Drea into the room->Do it anyway.]] "I would like to return to my room. If that's okay," you tell her.
Drea sighs, "I'm sorry, 861. I'm afraid you can't. We have a schedule to keep. Now then, if you are feeling better, we must make our way."
[[I think I'm ready.]] There was no use. The pressure of his influence was just too heavy, and the urge to go to sleep too urgent. Was this really the end? Could you have done everything in your power to learn the truth?
The last remaining remnants of life drain from your eyes, and you become cold.
Liam stands over your body, rubbing the bridge of his nose as a sigh escapes his body.
"I thought this one would have made it. This project has been an utter failure."
He taps the intercom.
“Come for clean-up. Let's start from square one.”
[[Beginning<-Reset]]Your head sways, making your steps uneasy.
"Wait. Let me sit a second."
You don't wait for Liam to respond as you lean against the wall and close your eyes. The spinning sensation remains, but the darkness makes it easier.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
You focus on the rhythm of your breaths until the room stops spinning. It helps.
You open your eyes and see Liam standing next to you taking notes.
"Are you okay, 861?"
You nod your head.
[[Follow Liam.<-Shake it off and keep going]](set: $password to (prompt: "Please enter your ID code", "ID Code"))
(if: $password is "861")[(goto:"Then…")]
(else:)[Incorrect. [[Try again->Stick your finger in the port.]]]
You wake up inside of your room with a jolt. Sweat covers your body as you frantically feel around your surroundings. The last thing you remember is your arms being missing. Finally, something new you've found out about yourself!
<img src= "https://gottahavesometunes.yolasite.com/resources/WScientists.png">
Before you think about this, the door opens. This time, several people come inside.
"I'm sorry to bother you 861, but it is time to run some test for your motor skills and other things. Please follow me. Since you've rebelled, we must take you there ourselves."
They leave, and you stand there, wondering if you should follow. Remembering the last time...
[[Stay Inside...]]Drea nods her head and motions for you to follow her. Each step you take feels as if they sink further and further into the ground. Something primal in your body is telling you to run. Still. you move forward.
Drea slows down to match your speed. She is smiling.
"I'm so eXcited to see everYthing work out for you! Now, you are aboUt to me my associate Liam. He will help you with the last test, OK?"
She doesn't give you a chance to answer, and instead pics up her pace. You look to your left and right, hoping for any kind of window, but to no avail.
Drea stops and knocks on a door and waits for a moment.
"Come in," a voice is heard through the small intercom to the side of the door.
"Perfect," Drea responds.
[[Follow Drea throught the door.]]The room is brightly lit, and in sits an unassuming man with glasses. He motions you to sit down. Drea nods and slips out the door behind you.
"Now," Liam starts, "Hello, 861. I'm happy to see you doing well in your recovery. This test will be the last one. All you have to do is lie down while we charge off your synapsis. Now, just follow me."
Liam stands and takes you to a smaller room with a vertical gurney.
"Step inside, 861."
[["Yes, sir."]]