PROJECT NIRVANA | ONC2020 ✔️

Chapter 9.

Avron and I shared a look. Things were getting more and more complicated. Hopefully, it wouldn't turn into something we couldn't handle. But unfortunately, the future was already looking bleary.

"You said we need to go find our memories," I said. "What do you mean by that?"

"The only way to wake up from the simulation is to find your buried memories which are located either beyond the great fence or in the south of Nirvana," said Dr. Frazier. "But you can only do this at night when the simulation isn't being surveillanced, or else, you'll get caught."

"What happens if we get caught?" I asked, already afraid about what the answer would be.

"The simulation erases the most recent events and data, including your memory."

"But I still remembered everything, even after returning from the fence," I replied, thinking about the events that had occurred yesterday. It had only been a few hours ago, yet it felt like years since I'd climbed that forbidden fence.

"It's a glitch," Dr. Frazier said. "No resident of Nirvana has actively gone looking for their memories; they're already satisfied with the happiness of the present. When we built the system, the possibility of a subject attaining self-realization and wishing to escape had never crossed our minds. It seems we were thoughtless."

"If a subject wakes up when they recover their memories, then, how are you still here?" asked Avron. "You remember your past."

A dark expression fell over Dr. Frazier's face. "I'm an exception. The force that locks in me here is not merely lost memories or the promise of an empty fantasy. I'm not quite sure what it is.
Probably some advanced technology that my partner constructed behind my back. I've been investigating but unfortunately, all of my theories have been incorrect."

Already growing tired of the conversation, I looked up at the sky. At the mellow hues of blue and red, the tender blossoming of the clouds. Faint light from the sun crept into the darkness, preparing to explode in a burst of luminance.

Morning would soon arrive and then it would be too late. Too late for us to do anything. And too late to save ourselves, to face the truth.

I grabbed Avron by the arm. "We need to go. There's not much time."

He turned his face to the sky. "Yeah. We should get going."

Dr. Frazier handed me a pair of keys. "Take my car. It will be faster."

"Thank you," I said, accepting them.

Avron and I made our way to the Dr.'s vehicle. I sat in the driver's seat, Avron making himself comfortable on the passengers' side. Wasting no time, I revved the engine and we were speeding across the open road to the south-end.

Our journey was only a blur of plants, buildings, and the occasional pedestrian. My mind was too occupied with what was to come. I wasn't exactly sure what we would be doing at the beach. How was I supposed to find my memories?

Even if we managed to wake up, how would we be able to escape wherever our bodies were being kept? Based on Dr. Fraziers's account, his partner didn't seem to be a very kind person. Who knew what was awaiting us on the other end of our consciousness.

It took a deep breath. It was better to handle this situation one thing at a time. There was no need to overwhelm myself with needless thoughts. I would only drown in them.

I rolled the car to a stop as black gravel met pale sand. I could already smell the scent of the sea as warmth rolled over my body, peeling away my worry and stress.

The small beach was bathed in sunlight, glowing in hues of blue, green, and radiant orange. Its humid air filled my lungs and calmed my breathing. This was the ideal place for us to search for our memories. I could already feel myself growing relaxed.

Avron and I stepped out of the car, looking at the vast ocean before us. Waves crashed in thunderous roars, causing white foam to bubble to the surface. The cry of seagulls pierced through the air as the sun grew in size.

It was a perfect place to watch the sunset. If it weren't for the fact that we had some important business to conduct, I would have considered the situation romantic.

I glanced at Avron and knew that he was thinking the same thing. We walked past a cluster of rocks, deeper into the beach. I could see sea shells sticking out of the sand and the occasional crab burying into the ground. But I knew this was all fake. A hallucination that existed nowhere else but in my imagination.

"How are we supposed to find our memories?" asked Avron after a while.

We had been walking around, but I still wasn;t sure what we were supposed to be doing. I bent down and trailed my fingers across the sand. It felt warm to the touch, the rough texture pricking my bare skin. What if the answer wasn't on land?

"I think we need to go out there," I said, pointing out at the blue waters.

Avron raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying we should walk into the ocean?"

"Yeah," I said, standing up. "But this is all a simulation. It's not like we can die. Right" I looked to him for confirmation

"Yeah," said Avron. "We can't die so there's nothing to lose."

He held out his hand. "Then, let's go."

I smiled despite my unease and slipped my hand into his as we made our way closer to the ocean. Our feet sank into the ground as we met wet sand. Soon the water rose to our ankles, up to our knees, until half of our bodies were submerged in the ocean.

The smell of sea salt tickled my nose as slimy seaweed brushed against my fingers. I held on tightly to Avron to keep from getting swept away.

A few more steps later, we were underwater. I closed my eyes and held my breath as I searched for my memories. The memories I had forgotten. Memories of my life before this simulation.

At first I was met by nothing, causing my heart to beat rapidly with fear. What if I would never be able to leave this place? What if I would need to continue living in this lie?

But a bright light opened in the darkness and I knew that there was a way out. I would return to my real home.