Chapitre 7: You're Close
Luca inhaled, readying himself. I figured he was expecting an argument from me and before he spoke, he wanted to prepare himself by getting in debate mode.
"This world here," he pointed upward in circles. "It's a simulation. Chase has built these simulations for you in order to play out his fantasies."
"W-What do you mean?" I asked.
"He's had you run through this load of times. It's a game to see how many ways he can get you to come back to him."
"Repeatedly?" I asked. Luca nodded. "Just how many times are we talking about?"
"Oh, hundreds I reckon."
I gasped. For some reason, I believed him. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees holding my forehead in distress. Luca knew I needed a few seconds before I could respond.
When I finally sat up, I blinked and took a few deep breaths. Then I turned to him.
"And this thing about me being a ... robot. That's real?"
"Yes," Luca said. "But a bloody good one."
"If this is a simulation, why doesn't he make me a human in it?"
"Because he loves his creation and I think he's frightened to lose."
"Lose what? Me?"
"Yes. Every other time he's run the simulations, he's won you back but this time, he knows it's different. And you want to know why?" he asked rhetorically. "Because it's true."
"Okay, I'm going to need time to--" I stopped short when I was close to using the word "process." It had a new meaning now. "I'll need time to let everything sink in but the other question I have is why are you here? I don't see a reason for Chase to add you to a sim."
"Because I was created by you." He pointed at me.
"Me?" I asked.
"Yep." Once more he pointed his finger at me.
I could see my reflection in his gray eyes as though I were staring into a mirror. As I sat closer to him, interested in what I'd supposedly built, I found myself gawking at him like he was a specimen in a lab. When I was nearly on his lap, I heard his nervous chuckle. "I can see why you'd like to do this but perhaps I could stand or somethin'. Would that be easier?"
"Oh, sorry," I said, sliding back. "I'm not even sure what I'm looking for." I shrugged, feeling overwhelmed. I stared at the floor.
"Hey," he said. I raised my head to look at him. "You've naught to feel sorry about. You created a bloody bloke. Be proud, mate." I cracked a half-smile and he nodded.
"No offense but why would I pick you to build? Why wouldn't I pick a powerful animal like a lion, or another me, for example?"
"I provided you with some input about who I wanted to be."
"How?"
"A little bit of everything and everyone around you. That's what you took. I'm from your memories, your emotions, your growth as a person."
"But you said I'm not a person."
"You're close. A hair away from the real thing. And that's how I'll refer to you always."
"And with you ... are you a robot?"
Luca laughed and tilted his head to the right.
"To be honest, I haven't completely nailed that one down."
I wasn't sure what to do or say. I had thousands of questions running through my mind that I wanted--maybe even needed--answered. At the same time, I felt debilitating confusion and melancholy painting every memory with seeds of doubt and darkness.
What was I? Were the emotions I was feeling, the sensations of breathing, a heartbeat, my pleasure center, the fact that I needed to eat, and use the bathroom, all fake? Were they real or was it because of the simulation?
"I think I need to lay down," I said, feeling faint. Luca helped me get comfortable on the couch as he sat on the carpet with his back against the couch. My head barely hit the pillow and I was out.
***
When I opened my eyes, it was day. The sun was streaming from the bay windows across the island. I noticed that Luca was still with me. I was startled only because I wasn't alone. He heard me and turned around.
"Well, hello there," he said in a sonorous tone. I smiled at him.
"How do we get out of here?" I whispered. "And why aren't you in trouble for being up with me?"
"You most certainly took care of that. This building is a safe area. You must have known."
"It's true. Chase can't get in here. I could feel that the other day."
"Happy to hear it."
"I think I know what we need to do."
"What's that?"
"We need to reset the sim or escape from this one. Once we're on the outside, I can confront Chase about this and then we can both be free."
"I see the potential, but how exactly are we gettin' outta here?"
I stood up and took Luca's hand. I led him to the bedroom. I pointed to my closet.
"There's a scary black abyss behind the mini door in the secret part of the closet. I think Chase must have made it seem terrifying so I wouldn't go in there, but I think we should try it."
"Scary abyss? That all?" he asked with a wink. I smiled nervously. "Bet your arse we're tryin'! I'll try first."
Luca and I entered the closet and then crawled on our hands and knees to the mini entrance. Luckily, the key was still in the lock. I tried the knob first but when it wouldn't open, I turned the key. When I pulled on it, Luca's midnight black hair was blown back as powerful bursts of wind blasted out the door.
"It wasn't like this before!" I shouted over the roaring hurricane gusts. Luca was nearly horizontal as he dug his feet into the floor, attempting to fight the windstorm.
"He thinks he ... ugh ... can keep me ... in!" Luca forged onward. "Shove me through. Don't stop!"
After I sturdied myself behind him, I ground my toes into the floor. Little by little, despite how vigorous the wind was, I was able to propel him toward the opening. Once there, he gripped the wooden frame, clinging and clawing with the tips of his fingers. Once he had a good grasp, with full hands he forced one final powerful thrust and through the door he went.
I staggered backward after his weight was out of my hands suddenly and then I was back to the terrifying cold, magnetic pull that I had discovered before. I stared into it. There was no sign of my friend or where he went. The frigid snap felt what I'd imagined outer space to be like.
If Luca's desire was to leave and the opening tried to force him out, did it mean that I really wanted to stay? Or did it mean that if I went through the door--
Screw it. I was going. I took a deep breath and then dove in.
***
Life was still, dark, soft, and warm. The sound of birds singing was barely audibly registered in my consciousness. Gradually, step by step, the light came back to me. My senses were snapping back in place.
I opened my eyes. I was outside on the ground of a garden. The dirt was moderately damp. It had either rained recently, or somebody loved these plants.
I propped myself on my side. A small wooden bench was placed beside me as a decoration. I pulled myself to it and sat down. So far, everything felt familiar, at least in reference to my body.
I glanced around the yard. Then I looked at the place I knew was my home. It was a white cape-styled house with black shutters, the paint chipping around the edges of the wood. The huge front lawn was full of lush grass and our newly tarred driveway was long and wide.
This most certainly wasn't New York City. I was in suburbia. Was this who I truly was? Had I escaped the simulation?
Glancing down at my feet, I was wearing my red Converse sneakers I had in the last sim. My shorts and shirt were the same ones from before. Was I in the real world or not?
I brushed the dirt off my sweating legs and walked to the front door of ... my house. There was a painted barn-red front door. I was about to turn the knob when it was opened for me instead.
There, stood Chase in front of me. He smiled at me and said, "I was just about to get you. The food we made is ready."
I walked in cautiously. There was a khaki rug and a small kitchen directly in front of me. The counter was white, and the cabinets matched. I saw a large table full of food, which was far too much for just the two of us. Suddenly, several cars were pulling in and parking on our driveway.
"Uh," I began and pointed.
"Oh, don't worry about your sister. I told her to leave you alone about the in vitro. It's none of her business." He gave me a reassuring smile. I cracked a half-smile back at him. I wasn't sure what was more strange: The fact that Chase was cooking with an apron on or that I was trying to have children.
I wanted to ask him about my robotic status, but I'd have to let this play out for a little while so I could get my bearings. As the family all trudged inside the building I was surrounded by laughter, boisterous voices, the smell of cigarettes, and several kids of various ages instantly running in circles around me.
Chase handed me a plate to bring to the table. It had potatoes with butter and sour cream on the side. It was Chase's specialty ... at least here. I helped bring the turkey, carving knife, and gravy. Chase and I repeated that routine until everything was loaded onto the old oak table.
We all sat down eating and catching up. From anyone looking on, it was just another fun family get together. When I glanced around at my relatives, they were the people I'd known my whole life. But there was more to this, right?
Sitting directly across from me was my sister Lee, with her red skirt suit accenting her beautiful thin body. The two of us have always been in competition, yes, I remember. We were both hoping to get into the Miss International Japan pageant. I automatically lost when I realized that wouldn't have worked with me living in the U.S., anyway.
Lee had her hair up perfectly in a bun, with her coral-tinted lipstick applied making her lips appear shiny and slick. Right now, I remembered that she tried to get into Chase's pants. I gave her a quick sisterly grin with a slight squint of my eyes as a f*ck you. She winked at me as Chase filled her glass.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone