by Lorelai A.

I open my eyes, and as I sit up I see I’m in some sort of laboratory. I see the wires and yank them out of my arm. “What happened?” I ask myself. I can seldom remember previous events that have happened, but all I know is I need to get out of here. I try to think of the fastest way out, when it hits me like a lightbulb flashed super bright: I can grab a chair, smash the window, and jump out. But I’m on the second floor, so maybe use this rope to help me down. I have never thought so fast in my life, almost like a computer has taken over my brain. That’s not possible. Is it? I find myself outside, and as I run out in my hospital gown, I hear sirens going off. People are looking: looking for me. I scatter, and my eyes instantly zoom in on a guard chasing full force at me. I start running, and turn around to put my hands up, when all of a sudden he’s thrusted into the air and he hits the ground hard. I stare in shock. “Di-did I just do that?” I ask myself while looking at my hands and moving my fingers. But before I can fully contemplate what happened, I see more guards running towards me. So I turned back around and ran far away, as the tears got pulled off my face.

Eventually I escape their grasp, and I run into a nearby small thrift store. I didn’t have any money on me, so I just took a random outfit to easily disguise myself, and changed in the bathroom. After I walk out of the stall, I stare at myself in the mirror longingly. With my new leather jacket, and my brand new paper-boy hat and my alarmingly pale face. I rip the tags off, and decide to cut my hair. “Those long locks, and my thick curly hair.” I said. But I reassured myself that this is what needs to be done. I look back into the mirror and see myself, I smirk admiring my new look, and open up the bathroom door to escape through the backdoor. Luckily, the cashier was too busy lighting up a cigarette to even notice me. 

I walk outside and start to walk back home, wishing this was all a dream. But all the while… I am contemplating to myself: How was I able to throw someone? I didn’t even touch them that hard, but my hand had thrown them so far back. I don’t remember being that strong after all. My thoughts… seem more elaborate, and second nature. I am a human. Right? Of course I am. I mean, I do look like one after all.

I keep thinking, but decide it’s easier if I just get some rest when I get home. That will settle this whole thing. So I go home, and realize I don’t have a way to get inside. “DAMNIT!” I yell, but in that moment, I remember: “I did throw a man.” If I managed to use my hands, who’s to say I can’t do that now? I put my hands together, to see if I can open it, but it doesn’t work. I tried again, and nothing. Right as I start to give up I put my hand on the door and it turns a bright red, and begins to burn a hole. I watch in amazement as the area I placed my hand disintegrates like it just touched acid, and I manage to walk through it. 

I sat down on my sofa in absolute shock. “H-how?” I pinch myself, wishing it’s all a dream. “Ow!” I exclaim. So I guess this means this is reality. But how… I get up to make myself some food because I all of a sudden am starving. (I guess running does that to you) I find my phone on the floor in the kitchen, with a huge crack in the screen. I pick it up carefully not to touch any bit of the glass. I touch the screen, and see 20 missed calls. 10 from my Mom, three 3 from my boyfriend Andrew, and five 5 from my best friend Katie. I have three questions about this whole thing: How did this happen, What happened, and most importantly, why? Now, I have some sort of… powers? Or… the intelligence of a robot. Am I a robot? 

While everyone called me like crazy, I proceeded to call Andrew first: “Oh my goodness, thank god you’re okay.” He said worried. “Your mom filed a police report and everything. She called you, and after the 5th time she called me.” “That explains the 20 calls.” I sarcastically remark. “But it doesn’t explain why you didn’t pickup.” He mentioned. “What the hell happened Lydia?!” I began to stutter. “I-I don’t know.” I replied visibly confused. “Well clearly something happened…” he said, “because you were missing for almost 30 hours.” “I was?!” I said flabbergasted. “To be honest, I don’t remember anything that happened in the past two days. It was all a blur. But what I can remember is, I woke up in this… Lab. I escaped, and here I am.” He paused. “I know, I sound insane-” “No,” he interrupted. “I, I guess you woke up in the matrix.” He teased back. “Seriously Andrew!” I barked back. “I woke up in this hospital room and there were wires attached to me, and I was in a hospital gown, and all of a sudden, I got powers.” I panicked. “Wait.” He said then paused. “What do you mean… powers?” 

(To be Continued)