Erik opened his eyes. He stood up and looked around him.
He was on a tropical beach he’d never seen before.
“How did I end up here?” he whispered disquieted. He tried to recall
recent events.
His mind was blank.
“Think, think!” he squeezed his mind harder.
He remembered being in Stockholms’ metro train on 24th February
2016. The train headed towards Rinkeby, the area he lived. He could
also remember himself checking the internet with his android. He wanted
to attend a party in the city center.
2016. The train headed towards Rinkeby, the area he lived. He could
also remember himself checking the internet with his android. He wanted
to attend a party in the city center.
“And then what?” he asked himself.
He recalled that he had found out that the party would take place in a
club near Sergels Torg. After that, no memory, nothing.
club near Sergels Torg. After that, no memory, nothing.
A cold chill ran down his spine. “An amnesia?” his loud voice grated
like a false note.
like a false note.
His words momentarily disrupted the harmonious sound of the sea
waves that splashed to the shore. The overwhelming continuity of
the whistling wind sent their remembrance swiftly to oblivion.
waves that splashed to the shore. The overwhelming continuity of
the whistling wind sent their remembrance swiftly to oblivion.
A calmness replaced his unsettlement. “Okay Erik,” he talked to
himself, “there has to be a reasonable explanation for this.”
himself, “there has to be a reasonable explanation for this.”
Squatting, he gathered his thoughts. “First goal, establish identity.
Who am I?”
Who am I?”
Working as a bank clerk with a passion for collecting empty butter
bean cans instead of recycling them, Erik was an otherwise normal
guy. Relatively tall, average built, blue eyes, late 20s. A lower
middle class person.
bean cans instead of recycling them, Erik was an otherwise normal
guy. Relatively tall, average built, blue eyes, late 20s. A lower
middle class person.
“Ja, det är jag.” he confirmed in his mother language, Swedish.
Then, he observed his clothing; a brown leather jacket, a blue shirt
and military green pants. The same clothes he wore the night the
stream of his memory stopped. Nevertheless, grey salty stains
tainted these now weathered garments, signifying their exposure
to sea and time.
and military green pants. The same clothes he wore the night the
stream of his memory stopped. Nevertheless, grey salty stains
tainted these now weathered garments, signifying their exposure
to sea and time.
“What's the date?” he glanced at his wrapped around his wrist watch.
A watch that told the time right only for 1 second a day. Water must
have seeped in.
have seeped in.
“50 meters underwater resistance! 1 – year guarantee!” Erik spat
angrily on the ground and instantly regretted it; a survivor must
always retain liquids, until he finds a sustainable way to replenish
them.
angrily on the ground and instantly regretted it; a survivor must
always retain liquids, until he finds a sustainable way to replenish
them.
“Sjit!” he cursed and habitually spat again which made him even
more angry and about to spit again.
more angry and about to spit again.
“Jävla idiot!” he barked and held his chin with his hands to prevent
himself from wasting saliva.
himself from wasting saliva.
And then, the answer came to him like the sensation of a fluffy towel
covering his cheeks.
covering his cheeks.
“About 3 inches,” Erik fiddled his newly discovered beard. “I’ve left a
beard in the past and remember it grew about an inch per month.”
beard in the past and remember it grew about an inch per month.”
He further calculated: “So, at least three months must have passed
since that day. This means we must be nearing the end of May.”
since that day. This means we must be nearing the end of May.”
He noticed he was already sweating.
“Was I involved in a plane or a ship tragedy?” Erik wondered as he
took off his jacket.
took off his jacket.
The removal of the jacket made him feel open and vulnerable. He
searched his body for recent wounds, especially around the head.
searched his body for recent wounds, especially around the head.
No wounds, nothing. His hair appeared longer though, which made
his hypothesis of the 3 month time lapse even more plausible.
his hypothesis of the 3 month time lapse even more plausible.
He looked around him. The left and right hand sides of the beach
curved in the distance. Tropical trees covered the entrance to the
beach. Erik was standing on fine sand.
curved in the distance. Tropical trees covered the entrance to the
beach. Erik was standing on fine sand.
“Moreover,” he inquired, “am I standing on an island or on mainland?
I have to find out."
I have to find out."
He made a mental note of his starting point and began to walk
counterclockwise. If he was on an island, he would meet at the same
point where he started.
counterclockwise. If he was on an island, he would meet at the same
point where he started.
“Plus,” he added, “if I find plane or ship debris, I will know for sure that
I was travelling in it and that some tragedy happened.”
I was travelling in it and that some tragedy happened.”
He prayed he was in the mainland. That would increase his chances
of being found.
of being found.
If on the contrary he was on an island, he at least hoped he could
find a means to survive and a means to call for help or to escape.
find a means to survive and a means to call for help or to escape.
The beach line continued to curve leftwards. If at some point the
line turned to the right, it would increase the probability of him being
in the mainland.
line turned to the right, it would increase the probability of him being
in the mainland.
On his right hand side, heat induced steam blurred the horizon,
making it impossible to see far into the distance.
making it impossible to see far into the distance.
In front of him, several piled up boulders formed a wall of nature
and hid what lay behind them.
and hid what lay behind them.
Erik approached the wall and walked parallel to it. He stepped into
the water and the sensation of wetness felt unpleasant.
the water and the sensation of wetness felt unpleasant.
Sea urchins decorated the rocky seabed.
With waddling movements, Erik avoided stepping on them.
After reaching the right hand side of the boulder pile, he leaped.
His feet rose above the water surface and dived in again like infant
dolphins, the buoyancy of the sea slightly slowing their descent, as
if they landed on the moon.
dolphins, the buoyancy of the sea slightly slowing their descent, as
if they landed on the moon.
No quaint scenery as that of the moon behind the rocks, though. Just
the place he started.
the place he started.
"An island it is then," Erik calmly said. Strangely, he expected this to
happen.
happen.
It took him only 2 hours to reach his starting point, which signified a
small island.
small island.
He didn't notice any signs of ship or plane remnants around the
perimeter of the island.
perimeter of the island.
“No survivors to be found or supplies from debris," he concluded.
"Possibly nobody lives here. So, what follows is: can someone
survive here?”
"Possibly nobody lives here. So, what follows is: can someone
survive here?”
The word survive resurfaced long withheld and cast aside
sensations: hunger and thirst.
sensations: hunger and thirst.
“When did I eat for the last time?” he asked himself. “Did I have
anything within the last 8 hours?”
anything within the last 8 hours?”
After several brash attempts of swallowing air and squeezing his
stomach with his abs to burp, he ended up with a bland: “ErrrrP!”
stomach with his abs to burp, he ended up with a bland: “ErrrrP!”
“My stomach is empty. I haven’t had food for at least a day.”
His dread came back stronger “Mat!! Vatten!!!”
A buzzing sound headed towards his left ear. The Doppler Effect
in effect.
in effect.
The effect that the Doppler Effect in effect had on Erik, was to make
him jump to the side.
him jump to the side.
He looked towards the source of the buzz.
A giant wasp near the size of his fist did its afternoon aerobatics!
Some people are terrified when they see bugs. But not Erik.
Erik stood his ground. He wouldn't let something that was bugging
him get away so easily.
him get away so easily.
He duck carefully and dug a lump of sand with his palm. “Eat this!”
he said and threw the sand towards his perceived annoyance.
he said and threw the sand towards his perceived annoyance.
The sand particles scattered like a double barreled shotgun shot
and showered on the abnormally big insect.
and showered on the abnormally big insect.
The wasp fled and entered the forest.
“There you go,” Erik triumphantly said. “I’m not done yet!”
Erik felt the last remnants of his panic fade away. His hunger and
thirst reduced in intensity. He still breathed and would not give up
so easily!
thirst reduced in intensity. He still breathed and would not give up
so easily!
There had to be a way out of the island and there had to be food
and water around. How did that huge insect grow so big anyway?
and water around. How did that huge insect grow so big anyway?
“So, two things need to be found: location and food. Which one
goes first?”
goes first?”
The periphery of his eagle eyed vision caught something interesting:
towards the center of the island, beyond the forest, a mountain
protruded from the ground. It appeared to be roughly 100m tall.
towards the center of the island, beyond the forest, a mountain
protruded from the ground. It appeared to be roughly 100m tall.
“Jättebra!” he exclaimed in Swedish. “I’ll see if I can make it to the
top. That will give me a clear view of the surrounding area. And
since I haven’t been to the forest, I might find nutritional resources.”
top. That will give me a clear view of the surrounding area. And
since I haven’t been to the forest, I might find nutritional resources.”
An eerie and mysterious aura came from the forest.
“Danger,” Erik thought, “any type of protection nearby?”
The border of the forest was populated with fallen tree branches.
He searched for a piece of wood that could classify as a crude
version of a quarter staff.
version of a quarter staff.
A relatively thick and straight piece of wood that matched the above
description lay in front of him.
description lay in front of him.
Erik picked up the branch. Hoping not to have to use his newly
acquired weapon, Erik took a deep breath and delved deep into the
forest.
acquired weapon, Erik took a deep breath and delved deep into the
forest.
***
Three small islands surrounded the island Erik inhabited. The first
formed a triangle, the second a square and the third a pentagon.
The one he stood on was a perfect circle!
formed a triangle, the second a square and the third a pentagon.
The one he stood on was a perfect circle!
“Am I dreaming?” Erik said and pinched himself on the hand.
The pain felt real and it didn't wake him up.
"This cannot happen in nature." he said. Baffled, he began to
descend.
descend.
You might now wonder, what happened before Erik climbed up.
Some unidentified non – fruit bearing trees came his way. He also
spotted some mysterious tropical bugs, none of which looked as
grotesque as the enormous wasp he saw before.
spotted some mysterious tropical bugs, none of which looked as
grotesque as the enormous wasp he saw before.
Thankfully, at the base of the mountain, a pond with drinkable water
resided along with some fruit bearing banana trees; a spectacle that
made Erik yell disgusted “Attans bananer!” a Swedish expression
that means “dammit!”
resided along with some fruit bearing banana trees; a spectacle that
made Erik yell disgusted “Attans bananer!” a Swedish expression
that means “dammit!”
Yes, Erik hated bananas and now he had to eat them to survive.
But, just as he had come to terms with the idea of eating this fruit for
sustainance and just as he was finishing his descent, he noticed a
change in the scenery.
sustainance and just as he was finishing his descent, he noticed a
change in the scenery.
No more pond, and no more banana trees.
"Attans bananer!" Erik yelled again, this time with longing instead of
disgust.
disgust.
His disgust instantly turned to surprise, as he realised he wasn't
alone.
alone.
A 4 feet tall, female greenish faerie looking creature with large pointy
ears and earthly brown curly hair stared at him with a smirk on her
face.
ears and earthly brown curly hair stared at him with a smirk on her
face.
“Hello human!” the creature greeted with an almost helium balloon
ingested voice. “You are right, as you said, this cannot happen in
nature! Only aliens can do this!”
ingested voice. “You are right, as you said, this cannot happen in
nature! Only aliens can do this!”
***
Erik’s jaw dropped. “Al… iens?” he stuttered. "How is this possible?"
“It's possible," the creature replied, "because aliens do exist."
Erik did not reply and stared dazzled.
The female figure carried on with the introductions: "I’m ix2,” she
said, “and I belong to the Pako race.”
said, “and I belong to the Pako race.”
“How did you know what I considered?" Erik snapped out of his
mental paralysis. "Are you telepathic?"
mental paralysis. "Are you telepathic?"
"Telepathy doesn’t work as you think it does. But even if it did, I
wouldn’t need to use any; you were thinking out loud.”
wouldn’t need to use any; you were thinking out loud.”
“I guess I did.” Erik realized and then inquired, slightly annoyed:
“Were you spying on me?”
“Were you spying on me?”
“You are our guest,” the female faerie looking alien replied. "It’s only
natural we would be interested in observing a guest.”
natural we would be interested in observing a guest.”
Erik remembered his amnesia. “Why have I forgotten how I got
here?” he demanded.
here?” he demanded.
ix2 coldly worded: “Because it is part of the process."
"What process?"
"Well, in technical terms, we have abducted you.”
“Vad?!?” Erik barked. “How dare you kidnap me! Set me free now
or I’ll beat the hell out of you!”
or I’ll beat the hell out of you!”
Erik lifted his arm and waved it like a vibrating from an earthquake
pylon.
pylon.
ix2 yawned. “The intricacies of human languages. You are not a kid
and you’re not taking a nap.” Then she turned her head towards Erik:
“You are not a threat to us human. Relax and I’ll explain.”
and you’re not taking a nap.” Then she turned her head towards Erik:
“You are not a threat to us human. Relax and I’ll explain.”
“Okay,” Erik agreed and put his anger aside. “I’m listening.”
“You are part of an experiment, we are studying your species. And
the test subject, happens to be you.”
the test subject, happens to be you.”
“What happened to my memories?”
“Your memories will be withheld from you until the end of the
experiment. You must not remember, otherwise this experiment will
lose its purpose.”
experiment. You must not remember, otherwise this experiment will
lose its purpose.”
Erik sat on the ground, his head tilting downwards. “I... I... what am
I supposed to do here?” he stammered desperately.
I supposed to do here?” he stammered desperately.
“Oh... humans,” the she-alien said, “always their emotions getting
the best out of them.” ix2 waved an arch with her hands above her
head. “You are free to explore these islands, human,” she
encouraged him, “there are many interesting things you can discover.
In time, you might even begin to like our secret hideout.”
the best out of them.” ix2 waved an arch with her hands above her
head. “You are free to explore these islands, human,” she
encouraged him, “there are many interesting things you can discover.
In time, you might even begin to like our secret hideout.”
“What?!?” Erik bellowed and got up performing an unreal movement,
as if someone filmed his falling before and played it in reverse. “Me,
like this place? Never!”
as if someone filmed his falling before and played it in reverse. “Me,
like this place? Never!”
“You’ll see, you can satisfy all your desires here.” ix2 winked. “The
only thing you can’t do is leaveee.” That last v sounded prolonged
and had a subtle giggle in it.
only thing you can’t do is leaveee.” That last v sounded prolonged
and had a subtle giggle in it.
Erik grimaced, his facial features blending between indignation and
disgust.
disgust.
"But I have to leave," ix2 disregarded Erik's anger. Her body began
to fade away.
to fade away.
“I’ve raised paths that can take you from one island to the next,"
she announced.
she announced.
Just before she completely disappeared, ix2 said with a singing
voice: “And who knows who you'll meet there?”
voice: “And who knows who you'll meet there?”
***
Erik, on the other hand had no desire to meet anybody. “I've got to
get out of here!" he spluttered and spit got out of his mouth.
get out of here!" he spluttered and spit got out of his mouth.
"But how?” he immediately thought afterwards. “This place is like a
prison, cut out from the world.”
prison, cut out from the world.”
“I’ve heard that aliens usually collaborate with governments to make
their experiments.” Erik thought. “So what if there’s a federal craft
lying around?”
their experiments.” Erik thought. “So what if there’s a federal craft
lying around?”
He scanned the island in search for a means of escape. He noticed
that many of the fruitless trees now bore edible fruit.
that many of the fruitless trees now bore edible fruit.
Many artificial ponds were formed out of nowhere.
Erik tested the water and confirmed he could drink it.
Spending most of the day searching the circular island, he found
no abandoned vessels nor other life forms. He did locate the
pathways ix2 mentioned.
no abandoned vessels nor other life forms. He did locate the
pathways ix2 mentioned.
“I’m too exhausted,” Erik thought. “I’ll continue my search tomorrow.”
He found an opening in the forest that looked safe enough and
dropped flat on the ground.
dropped flat on the ground.
Just before falling asleep, Erik momentarily thought about his previous
life in Stockholm. A cold climate yet shelter that provided physical
comfort. Nothing like here.
life in Stockholm. A cold climate yet shelter that provided physical
comfort. Nothing like here.
He swiftly drifted into the realm of Morpheus.
***
Erik woke up tired. The physical exhaustion from his unused
muscles started to show up.
muscles started to show up.
“The amnesia is artificial caused by aliens,” Erik thought, “so it
might not be possible to undo it.”
might not be possible to undo it.”
The remembrance of his encounter with ix2 before reignited his
indignation. “Jävla sjit!” he grunted.
indignation. “Jävla sjit!” he grunted.
He got up and fetched his staff. “I am going to escape!” he declared
determined.
determined.
He decided to first visit the triangular island, then the square and
lastly the pentagonal one.
lastly the pentagonal one.
Then, he came up with a terrible realization.
“The aliens are telepathic and can read my thoughts!” he realised
and felt a cold chill running through his spine like a slithering
defrosted snake. “If that is so, there is nothing I can do. It's as if I’m
an average chess player competing with the most powerful chess
engine on the planet! Is it even possible to win?”
and felt a cold chill running through his spine like a slithering
defrosted snake. “If that is so, there is nothing I can do. It's as if I’m
an average chess player competing with the most powerful chess
engine on the planet! Is it even possible to win?”
"Telepathy doesn’t work as you imagine," Erik remembered ix2’s words.
He didn't understand what the alien meant, but if telepathy didn't
work as he thought it did, maybe the aliens were not able to read
his thoughts after all. It gave him some hope. He didn't have anything
to lose by trying to find a way out.
work as he thought it did, maybe the aliens were not able to read
his thoughts after all. It gave him some hope. He didn't have anything
to lose by trying to find a way out.
Pointing with the edge of his staff towards the triangular island, he
exclaimed: “Let’s do it!” and began walking.
exclaimed: “Let’s do it!” and began walking.
The bridge lay ahead. Erik noticed it was formed out of sand, as if
the bottom of the ocean had lifted itself to make for a safe passage
between the isles.
the bottom of the ocean had lifted itself to make for a safe passage
between the isles.
Erik crossed the bridge and explored the triangular isle thoroughly.
Apart from the edges of the triangle looking severely acute, nothin
g
stood out, nothing that indicated the island hid any means of escape.
Apart from the edges of the triangle looking severely acute, nothin
g
stood out, nothing that indicated the island hid any means of escape.
Crossing the next connecting bridge, he proceeded to the square isle.
Nothing out of the ordinary in that island. Only some different type of
vegetation.
vegetation.
“My last hope,” he muttered, “the pentagonal one. Come on!”
His search there revealed nothing again.
Frustrated, Erik returned to the circular island and ate some bananas,
while at the same time he mumbled, “Jävla potatisar!” and not attans
bananer. He longed for potatoes, you see.
while at the same time he mumbled, “Jävla potatisar!” and not attans
bananer. He longed for potatoes, you see.
“Suo, whapt nown?” he said chewing and threw the last banana leaf
on the sand. “It seamz therez now wey aut” he gulped. “Or, if there is,
it is very well hidden! The clues have to be more subtle.”
on the sand. “It seamz therez now wey aut” he gulped. “Or, if there is,
it is very well hidden! The clues have to be more subtle.”
He strained his mind to remember for signs, and noticed that as he
strode through the islands before, he focused too much on the
external environment and his mood swings went under the radar.
strode through the islands before, he focused too much on the
external environment and his mood swings went under the radar.
More specifically, on the triangular island, he couldn’t help but think
about the opposite sex. On the square isle he constantly thought
about his friends and family and finally on the pentagonal isle, he
felt the need to delve deep into philosophical conversations. Could
that have been a coincidence?
about the opposite sex. On the square isle he constantly thought
about his friends and family and finally on the pentagonal isle, he
felt the need to delve deep into philosophical conversations. Could
that have been a coincidence?
The sun directly above Erik’s head signified the start of midday.
“Guess I still have time to look into this today. I’ll go for another
island tour.”
island tour.”
Even though he had apparently secured his daily food and water
supply and could possibly survive for months, Erik felt he had to
make haste.
supply and could possibly survive for months, Erik felt he had to
make haste.
Making it look like a tour frenzy in an exotic island family, Erik did
notice that his mood indeed changed when he entered each
specific island; thoughts about women on the triangle, family and
relatives on the square and philosophical topics on the pentagon.
notice that his mood indeed changed when he entered each
specific island; thoughts about women on the triangle, family and
relatives on the square and philosophical topics on the pentagon.
But, nothing more than that.
“That’s too deliberate to be a coincidence,” Erik thought. “Is this
what ix2 meant before – something about satisfying my desires?”
what ix2 meant before – something about satisfying my desires?”
“I haven’t had a girlfriend for some time now, I don’t visit my family
often, and the discussions I have with my friends are not deep
enough. So, ix2 and her kin seem to know my true desires.”
often, and the discussions I have with my friends are not deep
enough. So, ix2 and her kin seem to know my true desires.”
A feeling of powerlessness overwhelmed him. “They know me, but
I don’t know them! What can I do against such an opponent? Really,
nothing!”
I don’t know them! What can I do against such an opponent? Really,
nothing!”
Erik fell on his knees and covered his face with his palms. It felt like
game over. Stuck in these mysterious holms, no way out, he would
be a witless pawn until the end.
game over. Stuck in these mysterious holms, no way out, he would
be a witless pawn until the end.
Then, as he opened his eyes, his peripheral vision caught a figure
in the sea. It looked like a man with a beard.
in the sea. It looked like a man with a beard.
Erik’s head began to turn to the left.
The figure began moving.
Erik’s head turned more, rotating at 45 degrees.
Figure still not still and blurry. A giant fish maybe diving into the
ocean? Fish scales glittering from the sunlight.
ocean? Fish scales glittering from the sunlight.
His eyes finally locked on the target.
The image became clear; the end of a fishes’ tail sinking into the
ocean and water splashing upwards.
ocean and water splashing upwards.
“Hey!” Erik shouted and like a metal spring detached from its metal
hook, he stood up. “Vänta! Wait!”
hook, he stood up. “Vänta! Wait!”
He ran to the shore, a distance nearly 50 meters from where he saw
that… thing?
that… thing?
The aquatic life form had vanished.
“Where did it go?” Erik asked both excited and terrified. Excited due
to his renewed hopes of escape and terrified because, what on the
seven seas was that?
to his renewed hopes of escape and terrified because, what on the
seven seas was that?
His mind automatically assembled the puzzle pieces and he got the
final picture: a male mermaid.
final picture: a male mermaid.
Erik wondered: “Could this be another alien race that participates in
the experiment as well?”
the experiment as well?”
"No time for that," he muttered as he returned to the present moment.
“Where did the creature go?”
“Where did the creature go?”
Circular waves propagated from where the mysterious life form sank.
Inside the water, a myriad undulating lines began from the diving point
and lead towards...
Inside the water, a myriad undulating lines began from the diving point
and lead towards...
“There!” Erik grunted and fixed his gaze at the end of the line trajectory.
The creature had cautiously resurfaced from the water, to breathe or
to see if Erik had lost it.
to see if Erik had lost it.
“Got you now!” Erik shouted and sprinted towards it. His arms opened
as if he held a fishing net, ready to throw it at his amphibian spy.
as if he held a fishing net, ready to throw it at his amphibian spy.
The mermaid, surprised, dove again into the water and tried to
escape. However, its motion kept disturbing the water, making it
easy for Erik to keep track of its location.
escape. However, its motion kept disturbing the water, making it
easy for Erik to keep track of its location.
The chase continued for a couple of minutes. Who would tire first,
Erik or his prey?
Erik or his prey?
Erik believed that the mermaid would and could, swim into the
deep ocean.
deep ocean.
However, for some strange reason, the creature didn’t.
“Could this be a setup as well?” Erik slowed down suspicious.
At that instant, the amphibian halted.
Erik immediately stopped. “If the creature was exhausted it would
gradually slow down before stopping. Not like this. Smells fishy.”
gradually slow down before stopping. Not like this. Smells fishy.”
The creature then rose from the water. From the waist up a
middle-aged man with a yellowish rough skin looked at Erik with
calm eyes. He carried a white long beard. From the waist down,
a fish's tail took the place of where normally feet would grow.
A mermaid.
middle-aged man with a yellowish rough skin looked at Erik with
calm eyes. He carried a white long beard. From the waist down,
a fish's tail took the place of where normally feet would grow.
A mermaid.
Erik examined the masculine figure further.
A pendant hang across his neck. An elliptical stone was attached
on the pendant.
on the pendant.
“Who are you?” Erik asked cautiously. “Why were you spying on me?”
“I wasn’t spying,” the mermaid replied with a naturally deep voice.
“I was just curious.”
“I was just curious.”
“Curious of what?!?” Erik continued interrogating.
“Of what a human is doing alone in these islands.”
“You mean you don’t know? You’re not part of the experiment?”
"The experiment?” the he – mermaid asked. “What are you talking
about?"
about?"
“I mean the experiment! ” Erik shot back angrily. "THE EXPERIMENT!
JÄVLA!” The last words came pouring out of his mouth like hot magma
and it also physically felt like it, as a stream of stomach acid
regurgitated and burned his tongue.
JÄVLA!” The last words came pouring out of his mouth like hot magma
and it also physically felt like it, as a stream of stomach acid
regurgitated and burned his tongue.
It all sounded too convenient. A mermaid, who by coincidence could
speak English. Who was he trying to fool?
speak English. Who was he trying to fool?
“How is it that you speak English?” Erik blew hot steam out of his
lips.
lips.
“Speaking?” the humanoid asked. "You do not hear my voice right
now, I'm transmitting my thoughts to you.”
now, I'm transmitting my thoughts to you.”
The creature was telling the truth. Erik felt so dazzled about the
situation that he didn't notice the mermaid's mouth being constantly
shut.
situation that he didn't notice the mermaid's mouth being constantly
shut.
“My language,” the mermaid man continued, “is not comprehensible
by humans, because humans can’t hear high pitched sounds. I can
only send you my thoughts and your brain translates them to your
language.”
by humans, because humans can’t hear high pitched sounds. I can
only send you my thoughts and your brain translates them to your
language.”
Erik stood silent, listening.
“So, about the experiment,” the mermaid insisted, “care to tell me
about it?”
about it?”
Erik didn’t know the true intentions of the humanoid, but he let go
of his resistance and told him about his loss of memory, about his
encounter with ix2, the Pakos and the experiment.
of his resistance and told him about his loss of memory, about his
encounter with ix2, the Pakos and the experiment.
“Peculiar,” the creature finally broke its silence, “this place drew
me because of the energy irregularities around the area. Little
did I know.”
me because of the energy irregularities around the area. Little
did I know.”
Erik interrupted: “Are you really a mermaid?”
“Yes, we have an underground civilization that many of your species
suspect exist.”
suspect exist.”
“What’s your name?”
“Tetr’ton.”
“I’m Erik.”
“Pleased to meet you Erik.”
Erik remembered ix2's words: Telepathy doesn't work as you
imagine. By saying that, she implied that it was not possible to
read thoughts with telepathy. Yet this new entity, suggested
otherwise. Erik planned to shed light into the topic.
imagine. By saying that, she implied that it was not possible to
read thoughts with telepathy. Yet this new entity, suggested
otherwise. Erik planned to shed light into the topic.
“ix2 said that it is not possible to talk to each other by thought. Yet
here you are, disproving him. Did he lie to me?”
here you are, disproving him. Did he lie to me?”
“That could be,” Tetr’ton replied, “and it is also possible that ix2s’ kind has
a different form of telepathy, a less evolved one.”
a different form of telepathy, a less evolved one.”
“What does a less evolved form of telepathy look like?” Erik curiously
asked.
asked.
“I would suspect, according to how the history of how our species evolved,
that the alien race of ix2 can read emotions. They can feel how another
person feels. We mermaids can feel what others feel and read their
thoughts.”
that the alien race of ix2 can read emotions. They can feel how another
person feels. We mermaids can feel what others feel and read their
thoughts.”
“I see,” Erik said, satisfied by Tetr’tons’ explanation. “Where are we
anyway?”
anyway?”
“We are in what you humans call the Pacific Ocean.”
“The Pacific?” Erik shouted. “How on Earth did I end up here?”
Then Erik remembered his alien induced amnesia. His desire to leave
his prison became stronger. Looking around for a means to escape, his
eyes locked on Tetr’ton.
his prison became stronger. Looking around for a means to escape, his
eyes locked on Tetr’ton.
“Could you transfer me back on a continent please?”
“No, unfortunately,” Tetr’ton replied. “I cannot swim such a long distance.”
“Can anybody from your home help me?”
“I don’t think they would be willing to meet you. Mermaids are very
suspicious of outsiders.”
suspicious of outsiders.”
The he – mermaid then looked to be thinking of something.
When he finally spoke, if one could assign a smell on his words, that
would have been the scent of roses.
would have been the scent of roses.
“I explored the islands as you did,” Tetr’ton said, “and realized that each
island can grant true some of your desires.”
island can grant true some of your desires.”
Erik connected the dots. “So it wasn’t just my idea when I had different
impulses on each island. However, these were just fantasies. Nothing
of what I imagined came true.”
impulses on each island. However, these were just fantasies. Nothing
of what I imagined came true.”
“That's because you didn’t stay very long in each island,” the mermaid
man said, “it takes time to materialise a thought, even with the aid of
alien technology.”
man said, “it takes time to materialise a thought, even with the aid of
alien technology.”
“I see,” Erik nodded, “so this is what the aliens want me to do, study
me when I act on my desires.”
me when I act on my desires.”
“That doesn't sound so bad!” Tetr’ton exclaimed.
“Is he trying to manipulate me?” Erik thought and inquired: “When I
chased you earlier, why did you stop? And why haven’t the aliens
caught you yet?”
chased you earlier, why did you stop? And why haven’t the aliens
caught you yet?”
“I didn't sense any hostility in you,” Tetr’ton replied. “You were not
trying to harm me, so I halted. The aliens cannot detect me because
I stay hidden in a different vibrational frequency universe.”
trying to harm me, so I halted. The aliens cannot detect me because
I stay hidden in a different vibrational frequency universe.”
Erik knew that he should have taken what Tetr’ton said with a pinch
of salt, wrong, two pinches of salt. However, he felt he had no choice.
of salt, wrong, two pinches of salt. However, he felt he had no choice.
“Have you searched what’s beneath the surface?” Erik demanded.
“Is there any underwater passage you have noticed?”
“Is there any underwater passage you have noticed?”
“No.” Tetr'ton flatly stated.
“Jävla,” Erik thought and exhaled with a snarl. “if what this creature
says is true, I’m stuck here.”
says is true, I’m stuck here.”
The feeling of powerlessness came back.
Erik sat on the sand. “What am I going to do now?”
“I don’t know,” Tetr’ton said, “if I were you, I would have gone with
the flow; let them take their results and hope to return home in the
future, if they allowed me to.”
the flow; let them take their results and hope to return home in the
future, if they allowed me to.”
“Can you call for help?” Erik asked desperate.
“It will take a long time to contact the nearest human authorities. I
have duties to attend to and cannot abandon them. Also, not me
nor any of my people would risk revealing themselves to humans.”
have duties to attend to and cannot abandon them. Also, not me
nor any of my people would risk revealing themselves to humans.”
It seemed there was nothing else that Erik could do. Maybe the way
out was in. And then again, who knew what the aliens really had in
store for him? It might have been something good. If he attempted
to escape, with his limited survival knowledge he would have probably
drowned in the ocean.
out was in. And then again, who knew what the aliens really had in
store for him? It might have been something good. If he attempted
to escape, with his limited survival knowledge he would have probably
drowned in the ocean.
“Alright,” he decided, “I'll just have to see the end of this!”
***
Erik began from the pentagonal isle. The idea of meeting a woman
made him nervous. “Go with the easy ones, first. Plus, I find
philosophical topics intriguing.”
made him nervous. “Go with the easy ones, first. Plus, I find
philosophical topics intriguing.”
He walked to the island and, as before, his desire to discuss about
philosophical topics became stronger.
philosophical topics became stronger.
“What's going to happen if I stay longer than before?” Erik wondered.
"Time to see!”
"Time to see!”
Sitting on the sand, Erik observed the environment; the sun and the
small waves that splashed on his feet.
small waves that splashed on his feet.
"They all look beautiful," he thought, "but are they real?"
What Erik had in mind was the limited perception of the senses.
Humans can only see colors in the red – violet spectrum and hear
sounds with frequency between 20 to 20000 hertz.
Humans can only see colors in the red – violet spectrum and hear
sounds with frequency between 20 to 20000 hertz.
Erik cast a stone that splashed against the deceitfully beautiful waves
and sank into the seabed. He whispered indignated: “What’s really out
there is not what I see!”
and sank into the seabed. He whispered indignated: “What’s really out
there is not what I see!”
“Both correct and incorrect,” a gentle female voice intervened.
“Vad? Who’s there?” Erik barked and turned his head towards the
source of the voice.
source of the voice.
A tall, young woman stood in front of him. She had long brown hair
that glittered in the sun and wore a white dress. Her oval shaped
head was adorned with attractive Mediterranean features: dark
eyebrows, light brown eyes and naturally fleshy lips. Despite her
physical beauty though, there was a non – sexual quality about her.
that glittered in the sun and wore a white dress. Her oval shaped
head was adorned with attractive Mediterranean features: dark
eyebrows, light brown eyes and naturally fleshy lips. Despite her
physical beauty though, there was a non – sexual quality about her.
Even though Erik couldn't recollect ever seeing her, he felt
comfortable in her presence, as if he already knew her.
comfortable in her presence, as if he already knew her.
“Your observation is correct,” the woman agreed, “your physical
senses perceive only a part of the universe. However, the universe
is made from self – repetitions, similarity under different scales.”
senses perceive only a part of the universe. However, the universe
is made from self – repetitions, similarity under different scales.”
“Fractals?” Erik suggested. “The theory of chaos?”
“Yes,” the woman agreed. “You see a limited part of the universe,
yet, within that limited part, the whole of the universe is contained.
So, in a sense you are the universe, and thus, you are limitless.”
yet, within that limited part, the whole of the universe is contained.
So, in a sense you are the universe, and thus, you are limitless.”
“Oh, I’ve never thought of that,” Erik said surprised. “Where have
you heard that, did you think it by yourself? And who are you anyway?”
you heard that, did you think it by yourself? And who are you anyway?”
“I’m Eravia,” the woman said, “and I’m here to assist you in this
experiment.”
experiment.”
“You really want to assist me?” Erik demanded. “Then show me
the way out!”
the way out!”
The woman smiled. “You think it’s all about you? You don’t think
about contributing to the greater good?”
about contributing to the greater good?”
“I like to be asked before participating in something. I don't like
being forced to do things!”
being forced to do things!”
“The experiment requires that you have no choice!” the woman
explained.
explained.
“I see,” Erik gravely nodded. “In response to your previous
question though, I do like to contribute to the greater good. It’s
not all about me, I’m not selfish!”
question though, I do like to contribute to the greater good. It’s
not all about me, I’m not selfish!”
“That’s fine,” Eravia smiled, “it’s good that you like to help the
whole. However, you’re mistaken; it is all about you.”
whole. However, you’re mistaken; it is all about you.”
“Hurså?” Erik asked.
“The world you see around you, is filtered through your senses,
your beliefs and your emotions. You see that mountain over there
and you think it is lonely. You see the color grey and you associate
it with dullness and mundanity. You do that.”
your beliefs and your emotions. You see that mountain over there
and you think it is lonely. You see the color grey and you associate
it with dullness and mundanity. You do that.”
“Are you saying that…”
“Yes,” the woman agreed, “everything is neutral in the cosmos and
you give it a value, good or bad. The world you perceive, is a
reflection of you. Nothing really exists, but you.”
you give it a value, good or bad. The world you perceive, is a
reflection of you. Nothing really exists, but you.”
“That’s nonsense,” Erik said, “other people and other life forms
exist as well.”
exist as well.”
“They do,” the woman replied, “but what they reflect to you is a part
of yourself.”
of yourself.”
“That is difficult to digest,” Erik stated, even though he could grasp
what Eravia meant. Eriks’ thoughts of escaping returned. “So, what
is the point of this discussion, apart that it’s interesting?”
what Eravia meant. Eriks’ thoughts of escaping returned. “So, what
is the point of this discussion, apart that it’s interesting?”
“The only point is that you satisfy your desires. If by having a mentally
stimulating dialogue this can be achieved, then so be it.”
stimulating dialogue this can be achieved, then so be it.”
“I see,” Erik nodded, “I think I need some time now to process this.
Can I stay by myself?”
Can I stay by myself?”
“Of course you can,” the woman said and vanished like hot steam.
Erik thought this through. His desires. Here he had a chance to fulfill
them. Back in Stockholm, it was very difficult to find people with common
interests. He had a very small circle of friends and didn't even have a
girlfriend. Maybe, this experiment benefitted him as well.
them. Back in Stockholm, it was very difficult to find people with common
interests. He had a very small circle of friends and didn't even have a
girlfriend. Maybe, this experiment benefitted him as well.
“I’ve always tried to satisfy the needs of others,” he reflected, “never
my own. In this place I could finally do that.”
my own. In this place I could finally do that.”
Realising what this implied, he snapped out of it and angrily kicked
the sand.
the sand.
The sand particles scattered in the air before becoming absorbed
by the waves.
by the waves.
“I shouldn't think like that,” he reconsidered, “my goal is to find a
way out. I'll stick to that.”
way out. I'll stick to that.”
“Should I proceed now to the square island?” he wondered.
The sun was close to set but it was still day, so he had time for
one more visit.
one more visit.
As he crossed the bridge to the square isle, he cogitated upon
his earlier conversation with Eravia. That… woman?
his earlier conversation with Eravia. That… woman?
“A Youniverse,” he thought, “however, no matter where I look, I
can’t see my face!”
can’t see my face!”
And then, realizing he hadn’t looked at his face ever since he set
foot on these islands, he searched for a natural mirror.
foot on these islands, he searched for a natural mirror.
He stood over the edge of the sand bridge and studied his reflection
on the water.
on the water.
The beard on his face made him look rough and tired. But something
on the top of his head woke him up.
on the top of his head woke him up.
“Why is my hair so short?” Erik wondered as he checked his scalp.
The hair did not exceed 1 inch in length.
The hair did not exceed 1 inch in length.
“I would never cut my hair military style,” Erik thought, “I prefer it
longer, around 5 – inches.”
longer, around 5 – inches.”
Him having shorter hair could only mean one thing for him: The
aliens cut his hair.
aliens cut his hair.
“A very sloppy job, with a lack of taste, I must say," he continued
as he rubbed his palm on his scalp to soothe his irritation.
as he rubbed his palm on his scalp to soothe his irritation.
He then said: “Is it possible for a haircut to be a trigger for past
events? What if I try to remember?”
events? What if I try to remember?”
Erik sat and began straining his mind to recall the past. Nothing
came up.
came up.
“Oh, shoot,” he gave up, “I think I’ll just get going.”
Erik did not set foot on the square island until late afternoon.
Maybe an hour or two before sunset.
Maybe an hour or two before sunset.
“Let’s see now what I’ll manifest…” Erik said, then sat near a palm
tree and laid his back on it. He closed his eyes but accidentally fell
asleep. But not for too long.
tree and laid his back on it. He closed his eyes but accidentally fell
asleep. But not for too long.
The sound of drums woke him up.
Opening his eyes, Erik realised that the sun had set. Tangent
sunrays from the horizon made seeing difficult, but not impossible.
He followed the source of the sound.
sunrays from the horizon made seeing difficult, but not impossible.
He followed the source of the sound.
In the forest, an artificial source of light could be seen in the distance.
Catching his breath, Erik began to approach the illuminated place.
As he closed in, he noticed the pacing of the drum; not festive but
not sad either. Rather ceremonial.
not sad either. Rather ceremonial.
He approached to the point he could see.
A group of people sat around a fire. Above the burning flames, a
cauldron boiled… something? The people looked like africans
dressed in native american clothes. A drummer in the side played...
a drum. A woman sat on the opposite side of the circle and appeared
to lead this ceremony.
cauldron boiled… something? The people looked like africans
dressed in native american clothes. A drummer in the side played...
a drum. A woman sat on the opposite side of the circle and appeared
to lead this ceremony.
Erik accidentally stepped over a fallen tree branch.
The branch snapped and made a creaking sound.
“Jävla,” Erik grunted sotto voce and quickly hid behind a tree.
The woman stood up. Around 1.8m in height, she differed from the
rest of the group not only by being a woman but also by being white.
rest of the group not only by being a woman but also by being white.
The drummer halted.
“You can come out Erik,” the woman urged him.
Realizing that running or hiding wouldn’t serve him in any way,
shape or form, Erik sidestepped and revealed himself.
shape or form, Erik sidestepped and revealed himself.
“What are you doing here?” he bluntly asked.
“We are calling the great spirit,” the tall woman said. “Would you
like to take part in it?”
like to take part in it?”
“Well, I don’t have any other choice,” Erik exhaled indifferently.
“So, what am I, I mean are we, supposed to do?”
“So, what am I, I mean are we, supposed to do?”
“Just take your place in the circle.”
Erik joined the ceremony. He felt a bit queasy about it, but also a
bit curious.
bit curious.
The drumming resumed.
Erik observed the other members of that tribe. Even though he
could swear he'd never seen them before, they all looked familiar.
could swear he'd never seen them before, they all looked familiar.
“Did I meet them during the amnesia period?” a fleeting thought
passed through his mind. “But when?”
passed through his mind. “But when?”
Once more, he attempted to recall past events. Even the tiniest
fragment of a memory, a shadow, a face, an image, anything
could do.
fragment of a memory, a shadow, a face, an image, anything
could do.
Nope. Nothing. Nada. His mind gave null output.
“Herregud,” he mumbled with a screwed up face, “it seems my
memories can only be recovered if the aliens allow it. And that
pisses me off. Förbövulen!”
memories can only be recovered if the aliens allow it. And that
pisses me off. Förbövulen!”
Suddenly, the woman raised her hand.
The drumming stopped.
“It is time,” she articulated slowly and clearly, “for all of us to
contact the great spirit!”
contact the great spirit!”
Approaching the flames, she clutched a metal bowl and sank it
inside the cauldron, filling it with the boiling brew.
inside the cauldron, filling it with the boiling brew.
Next, she passed the bowl to the drummer who had a sip. Each
of the tribe members drunk, until at last came Erik's turn.
of the tribe members drunk, until at last came Erik's turn.
Erik held the bowl up close.
Thick green vapour steamed from the bowl, obscuring its content.
Erik didn't even want to imagine what was in that bowl. He just took
a small sip and quickly passed it to the next spiritual seeker.
a small sip and quickly passed it to the next spiritual seeker.
It tasted quite good actually, like watered sugary oats. “Let's hope
the experience is not bitter,” he muttered.
the experience is not bitter,” he muttered.
While waiting for the effect of the drug to take place, Erik's thoughts
revolved around the purpose of the square island. “It's supposed to
be about friendship and social connections. However, when I think
about having fun and going out with friends, that’s not what I have
in mind."
revolved around the purpose of the square island. “It's supposed to
be about friendship and social connections. However, when I think
about having fun and going out with friends, that’s not what I have
in mind."
His anger boiled hotter than the steaming cauldron. "Are the aliens
implying they know better? To hell with them!”
implying they know better? To hell with them!”
The woman sat next to Erik. “So, how do you feel?” she asked with
a soft voice.
a soft voice.
Erik turned and faced her. “I don’t feel anyth…” he started talking
but then realized the woman looked very familiar as well.
but then realized the woman looked very familiar as well.
“Where have I seen her?” he wondered.
His thoughts went fuzzy and couldn't concentrate anymore.
“My sister said you paid her a visit,” the woman said and smiled.
“She is the sister of Eravia,” Erik concluded, "that's what makes her
familiar." He replied: “Yes I did. We had a meaningful conversation.”
familiar." He replied: “Yes I did. We had a meaningful conversation.”
“That’s good,” Eravias’ sister nodded, “you’ll find though, that you
don’t have to converse to communicate.”
don’t have to converse to communicate.”
“How?” Erik laughed.
The woman blinked. "The feeling of being connected is important
here. Connection is communication and this potion you drunk,
augments that feeling. Only then can you reach the state to see
the great spirit.”
here. Connection is communication and this potion you drunk,
augments that feeling. Only then can you reach the state to see
the great spirit.”
“And what happens then?” Erik asked.
“No more talking,” the woman said, “no more talking in or out. Just
observe.”
observe.”
She returned to her place.
“Observe what?!?” Erik asked himself. "There's nothing going on
other than the sound of bong-bong!"
other than the sound of bong-bong!"
And at that very moment, it happened.
The color in the surrounding environment began to change rapidly.
His hearing lost its acuity, as if someone shoved earplugs halfway
through.
His hearing lost its acuity, as if someone shoved earplugs halfway
through.
And then he saw it: small mist clouds that travelled around the
other participants.
other participants.
One cloud hovered above Erik's head.
Erik knew that he saw all of this without using his physical eyes,
which, in his altered state, seemed to be a very natural thing to do.
An innate ability of the human race, residing latent inside the psyche
and triggered only with the right circumstances.
which, in his altered state, seemed to be a very natural thing to do.
An innate ability of the human race, residing latent inside the psyche
and triggered only with the right circumstances.
The mist started to change form until it molded itself into a wheel.
“I’m the great spirit of these islands," a melodic voice announced.
"What is it that you seek?”
"What is it that you seek?”
Sadly, by that time Erik had forgotten all his plans of escape.
Partially because of the drugs and partially because at that moment,
he felt better than in Stockholm. He also felt safer while in the
presence of this… spirit?
Partially because of the drugs and partially because at that moment,
he felt better than in Stockholm. He also felt safer while in the
presence of this… spirit?
“Can I call you…” he uttered.
“Bob?” the voice asked jokingly.
“No, Margaret.” Erik replied without giving it too much thought.
“Margaret it is then,” the spirit agreed. “What is it that you seek?”
“I wanted to call you Margaret, that’s all.”
The spirit sounded slightly annoyed. “You have the opportunity
to speak with infinite wisdom and the only thing you want to
know is if you can call it Margaret?”
to speak with infinite wisdom and the only thing you want to
know is if you can call it Margaret?”
“Yesss.” Erik hissed and smiled sardonically.
Suddenly, Erik could hear voices inside his head. Grunting,
snarling and bellowing from his left ear and giggling, chuckling
and laughter from his right one.
snarling and bellowing from his left ear and giggling, chuckling
and laughter from his right one.
Erik tried to understand what was going on, but couldn't.
“Who cares anyway?” he whispered and at that moment, a flash
blinded him.
blinded him.
Yet he had a brief but clear vision:
He saw his reflection on a mirror.
He looked different. His hair reached around 5 - inches and he
had no beard. His clothing stroke as peculiar, it reminded him of
an astronaut suit made into a jacket. Cream and golden stripes
started from the shoulders of the suit and connected to his
diaphragm area.
had no beard. His clothing stroke as peculiar, it reminded him of
an astronaut suit made into a jacket. Cream and golden stripes
started from the shoulders of the suit and connected to his
diaphragm area.
Behind the mirror he could see other people looking at their own
mirrors. Their hair was becoming longer and shorter and it
changed style, just by giving verbal commands to a computer device
installed on the wall beneath the mirrors.
mirrors. Their hair was becoming longer and shorter and it
changed style, just by giving verbal commands to a computer device
installed on the wall beneath the mirrors.
Erik fixed his gaze at the strange device in front of him. “1 - inch
hair please,” he requested.
hair please,” he requested.
His hair immediately started to shorten up, until it reached the
desired length.
desired length.
The vision faded away and Erik's eyesight returned.
“What was that?!” Erik snarled, the bits and pieces of his mind
reassembling in realization of what this could have been. “A
memory?" he trembled. "I must get back to Stockholm, I must…”
reassembling in realization of what this could have been. “A
memory?" he trembled. "I must get back to Stockholm, I must…”
There was a sudden pain in the back of his skull and he lost
consciousness.
consciousness.
***
Erik could hear faint whispers just a few meters away. He couldn't
move and when he tried to open his eyes, only blackness surrounded
him.
move and when he tried to open his eyes, only blackness surrounded
him.
“Who hit my head?” he wondered and realized that the aliens most
probably did. “This must have been a fragment of the last 3 – month
period.”
probably did. “This must have been a fragment of the last 3 – month
period.”
“I have to get out of this place,” he said, meaning both the blackness
he fell in and the islands.
he fell in and the islands.
He attempted to move his limbs, but could not. “My limbs,” he panicked,
“I can’t feel my limbs!”
“I can’t feel my limbs!”
“What have you done to me?” he tried to verbalize, but his mouth
did not exist anymore.
did not exist anymore.
“You bastards!” he cursed before his awareness shattered into a
pile of rubble.
pile of rubble.
***
Upon waking up, Erik opened his eyes instantly.
The sun was up and his body was at the same place, still intact.
The ceremony had ended, and everyone was gone. Or maybe
ceased to exist?
ceased to exist?
He attempted to get up from the ground and felt relief that his limbs
responded to his commands.
responded to his commands.
“Vad i helvet… (what in hell)” he sweared but then, when he stood
straight, a familiar gnomish figure was revealed.
straight, a familiar gnomish figure was revealed.
ix2 hid behind the cauldron and constantly observed Erik, her gaze
penetrating through the thick fabric of the cauldron and following him
steadily as he rose from the ground.
penetrating through the thick fabric of the cauldron and following him
steadily as he rose from the ground.
“Speak of the devil,” Erik uttered disdainfully. "What are you up to now?
Have you become a test subject in your own experiment? How humans
behave in front of superior intelligence – heh, you’re about to find out.”
Have you become a test subject in your own experiment? How humans
behave in front of superior intelligence – heh, you’re about to find out.”
ix2 replied cooly, however as she spoke, her eyebrows rose in
contempt: “Diverting your acrimonious commentary, I’m here to inform
you that last night you saw something you shouldn’t have.”
contempt: “Diverting your acrimonious commentary, I’m here to inform
you that last night you saw something you shouldn’t have.”
“Should have,” Erik defiantly stated, “a part of my memory came
back and you don’t like that!”
back and you don’t like that!”
“That wasn’t a memory,” ix2 said with icy cold words, “your own
imagination was cast into a vision. You’re so obsessed with leaving
this experiment that your brain manifested it.”
imagination was cast into a vision. You’re so obsessed with leaving
this experiment that your brain manifested it.”
“I'm not buying this,” Erik laughed and stared ix2 directly in the
eyes. “I'm starting to remember and you’re trying to mislead me!”
eyes. “I'm starting to remember and you’re trying to mislead me!”
“Tell me,” ix2 persisted, “how can it be that people have their hair
cut the way you saw it?”
cut the way you saw it?”
“First of all,” Erik aggressively shot back, “those people did not
have their hair cut and secondly, how do you know what I saw?”
have their hair cut and secondly, how do you know what I saw?”
ix2 smiled haughtily: “We know because we can scan your visual
cortex and see what you see.”
cortex and see what you see.”
Erik felt stunned and numb. That, he couldn't have foreseen. They
could even monitor his vision, that was bad.
could even monitor his vision, that was bad.
ix2 sombrely announced: "The experiment is going ahead as
planned. I came here to let you know."
planned. I came here to let you know."
“Your experiment is incomplete!” Erik grew even more indignated.
“I’m able to fulfill some of my desires, but not my greatest: to be
free.”
“I’m able to fulfill some of my desires, but not my greatest: to be
free.”
“That’s not you want,” ix2 disagreed, “you're just escaping from life!”
“Don’t assume to know what I want, you parasite,” Erik bellowed
with steadily increasing intensity. “You’re not my counsellor and I
didn’t ask for your advice. Go fuck yourself!”
with steadily increasing intensity. “You’re not my counsellor and I
didn’t ask for your advice. Go fuck yourself!”
“Oh yes, I can be that as well,” ix2 said abrasively. “We study your
behavior and that allows us to psychoanalyze you.”
behavior and that allows us to psychoanalyze you.”
“That’s shit,” Erik spat again, “you have no idea about counselling.”
“Okay then, how about this:” ix2 uttered, “you want to quit the
experiment, not because you truly want to leave, but because…”
experiment, not because you truly want to leave, but because…”
“Because of what you space monkey?”
“Because you fear to satisfy your desires.”
“Raaghh!” Erik charged with his fist targeting ix2's face.
His punch sunk deep into the sand. ix2 had vanished on time.
“Damn you and your species,” Erik cursed as he started to wind
down.
down.
It did give him some pleasure to lash out on the alien, plus it felt
safe to do so; he didn't have the means to physically hurt them and
he knew the Pakos needed him for the experiment in one piece, so
they wouldn't harm him in return.
safe to do so; he didn't have the means to physically hurt them and
he knew the Pakos needed him for the experiment in one piece, so
they wouldn't harm him in return.
There was however, something dark and mysterious in the way he
attacked the alien. He didn't hesitate to charge forward and
momentarily, he had the sensation he played the role of somebody
else. Someone vile, who wouldn't think it twice to harm others if it
suited his goals. But that sensation was quickly forgotten, as he
found himself adopting tactics of psychological warfare.
attacked the alien. He didn't hesitate to charge forward and
momentarily, he had the sensation he played the role of somebody
else. Someone vile, who wouldn't think it twice to harm others if it
suited his goals. But that sensation was quickly forgotten, as he
found himself adopting tactics of psychological warfare.
“What if I threaten them with suicide?” Erik wondered off the top of
his head. "Me out of the equation might mess up their plans.”
his head. "Me out of the equation might mess up their plans.”
“Hey ix2,” Erik shouted out loud, “if you don’t let me go, I'll end my
life! That will be the end of your experiment!”
life! That will be the end of your experiment!”
ix2's voice could be heard but she was nowhere to be seen.
“You’re not going to kill yourself, human. We can read your intent.
And your fear.” ix2 giggled on the “ar,” taunting Erik.
“You’re not going to kill yourself, human. We can read your intent.
And your fear.” ix2 giggled on the “ar,” taunting Erik.
ix2 went on: “Plus, even if you did commit suicide, it would still be
a valid outcome of the experiment.”
a valid outcome of the experiment.”
“Damn,” Erik sweared. “I wish you could read my thoughts: bitch -
bitch - bitch!"
bitch - bitch!"
A scornful silence from ix2's side signified the end of their conversation.
Erik calmed down, eventually. He contemplated: “ix2 was also angry,
therefore I must have struck a nerve by uncovering part of my memories.
No matter how small the vision I had, it means that the mental block
they've used is not unbreakable. And that gives me hope.”
therefore I must have struck a nerve by uncovering part of my memories.
No matter how small the vision I had, it means that the mental block
they've used is not unbreakable. And that gives me hope.”
He reflected on his reclaimed memory fragment: “There is no human
technology that I know of that can make hair grow and ungrow like
that. This can only be…
technology that I know of that can make hair grow and ungrow like
that. This can only be…
“Alien technology! What if I did meet with these beings and consented
to do this experiment beforehand, whether willingly or by the use of
force."
to do this experiment beforehand, whether willingly or by the use of
force."
The latter filled him with contempt and fueled his urge to run away.
"The sooner I leave this place, the better."
"The sooner I leave this place, the better."
“But then again,” he reconsidered, “what was that about me being
scared to satisfy my desires? I've already satisfied two of three.”
scared to satisfy my desires? I've already satisfied two of three.”
Erik realized that the need to delve into deep conversations and to
be in a community, he wasn’t afraid to satisfy.
be in a community, he wasn’t afraid to satisfy.
However, the idea of being with a woman terrified him. Not because
he never had sex in his life, but because he hadn't reached deep
intimacy with any of his previous partners. That had left him unfulfilled.
he never had sex in his life, but because he hadn't reached deep
intimacy with any of his previous partners. That had left him unfulfilled.
“You're absolutely right,” Tetr’ton said. “Both of you.”
Erik turned his head to the left and saw the head of the mermaid –
man, half protruding from the surface of the sea.
man, half protruding from the surface of the sea.
“Spying on me again?” Erik said as he padded his way near his
mermaid acquaintance. He did feel thankful though to have found
someone who was outside all of this.
mermaid acquaintance. He did feel thankful though to have found
someone who was outside all of this.
Tetr'ton rose from the water and the pendant he wore with the elliptical
stone glittered in the sun. “I've been eavesdropping all the time you
and your friend were chatting," he playfully said, "if this classifies as
spying, then so be it.”
stone glittered in the sun. “I've been eavesdropping all the time you
and your friend were chatting," he playfully said, "if this classifies as
spying, then so be it.”
“She's not my friend," Erik pretended to sound offended but swiftly
dropped the acting. He instead asked curious: "Did you notice
anything unusual while you were… eavesdropping?"
dropped the acting. He instead asked curious: "Did you notice
anything unusual while you were… eavesdropping?"
Tetr'ton explained: “After the alien left, and you began thinking,
your reasoning aligned with your emotions. At these moments, you
were in touch with your own truth.”
your reasoning aligned with your emotions. At these moments, you
were in touch with your own truth.”
“So, things are that way,” Erik said. "I really fear to be intimate with
women."
women."
“Yes," Tetr'ton confirmed, "however, I said I could read you both.”
Erik's gaze became fixed on Tetr’ton. “And?” he impatiently asked.
“ix2 is worried about you.”
“Excuse me?!?” Eriks eyes opened wide. “She's worried about me?”
“Yes, she did sound worried. Worried that you might harm yourself.”
“They don't really care if I die, death is just another outcome of their
experiment. What you say makes no sense!”
experiment. What you say makes no sense!”
“It is our species ability to read the thoughts and emotions of other
beings. This is what ix2 felt and thought.”
beings. This is what ix2 felt and thought.”
Erik brooded.
“Erik,” Tetr’ton said, “you might not remember this…”
“No, I don’t!” Erik shouted.
“…but you have agreed to this experiment.”
Erik’s jaw dropped: "What!"
Tetr’ton went on: “Yes, you have signed a contract to participate in
all this, before you lost your memories.”
all this, before you lost your memories.”
"So I suspected right!" Erik said.
“There was something else," Tetr'ton added, "I couldn’t hold on to
much detail, but what you’re participating in will have an impact on
humanity.”
much detail, but what you’re participating in will have an impact on
humanity.”
“I prefer my actions to impact me!”
“Believe it or not, whatever you choose to do, this experiment will
save humanity and the broader family of intergalactic species!”
save humanity and the broader family of intergalactic species!”
“I have no idea what you're talking about,” Erik furrowed his
eyebrows, “but if it’s to save the world, I guess I have no choice.
It is a Youniverse after all. If I save the world, I'll also save myself.”
eyebrows, “but if it’s to save the world, I guess I have no choice.
It is a Youniverse after all. If I save the world, I'll also save myself.”
Erik added with improved mood: “And maybe it will do me good to
see to my needs?”
see to my needs?”
“It will,” Tetr'ton confirmed.
“So then, time to head towards the island I haven't yet visited: the
triangular one.”
triangular one.”
“Alright Erik, I’ll see you later.”
“See you later, my friend.”
Erik took the path towards the triangular island. On the way there,
he realized that the career he chose had as an ultimate goal to help
him find a partner.
he realized that the career he chose had as an ultimate goal to help
him find a partner.
The majority of men seek high social status and success in order to
be a point of attraction for women.
be a point of attraction for women.
During the period of this experiment, he would get what many men
don't get in their entire lifetime. “How is my life going to change after
this is all over?” he wondered.
don't get in their entire lifetime. “How is my life going to change after
this is all over?” he wondered.
Upon entering the triangular island, he immediately tuned to the vibe
of the area, his wish of physical intimacy coming even stronger than
before.
of the area, his wish of physical intimacy coming even stronger than
before.
Then he saw them, both Eravia and her sister, dressed in transparent
white dresses and waiting for him. While previously Erik didn’t feel
any attraction for any of the two females, this time, his heart started
to race faster.
white dresses and waiting for him. While previously Erik didn’t feel
any attraction for any of the two females, this time, his heart started
to race faster.
Both Eravia and her sister beamed with desire.
“Welcome,” Eravia said, “me and my sister Ykaria are glad that you
decided to visit us.”
decided to visit us.”
“Are you even human?” Erik asked with trembling voice.
“We are only partially human,” Ykaria explained. “We are holographic
life forms, alive but not really alive. Yet, do not let this deceive you
human, we are on the physical plane as human as any of the humans
you can meet on your planet.”
life forms, alive but not really alive. Yet, do not let this deceive you
human, we are on the physical plane as human as any of the humans
you can meet on your planet.”
“And even more,” Erik smiled. “So, is this what we’re gonna do?” he
asked. “Engage in the physical?”
asked. “Engage in the physical?”
“Yes, that is exactly what we’ll do!” Eravia said.
“Let’s see what we’ll see then…” Erik decided and moved towards
the attractive females.
the attractive females.
***
A month passed. During that time, Erik visited Eravia on the
pentagonal island, joined Ykaria's group on the square island, and
spent time with them on the triangular island.
pentagonal island, joined Ykaria's group on the square island, and
spent time with them on the triangular island.
He felt a deep satisfaction, more than ever in his life. He didn't bother
about his quest for freedom anymore and the idea of returning to icy
Stockholm seemed like a forgotten dream.
about his quest for freedom anymore and the idea of returning to icy
Stockholm seemed like a forgotten dream.
ix2 was nowhere to be found, but Erik didn’t care about that either.
"Let them do their experiments, and let me do mine!"
"Let them do their experiments, and let me do mine!"
He did meet with Tetr’ton occasionally, who shared his species’
knowledge with him. Everything appeared to go well.
knowledge with him. Everything appeared to go well.
Then one day, as Erik was taking a small nap beneath a palm tree
on the circular island, Tetr’ton visited him.
on the circular island, Tetr’ton visited him.
“Erik,” Tetr’ton alerted with his voice, “come with me, quick!”
“What?” Erik immediately woke. "Why?"
“No time for that,” the mermaid – man replied and began swimming,
"just follow me. There's something you have to see!"
"just follow me. There's something you have to see!"
Erik sprinted on the sand following Tetr’ton who swam on deeper
waters. It reminded him of the first time they met, only this time,
he chased him out of curiosity and not out of suspicion.
waters. It reminded him of the first time they met, only this time,
he chased him out of curiosity and not out of suspicion.
“What could Tetr’ton have to show me?” Erik wondered without
leaving Tetr’ton from his sight. “Is he going to introduce me to
someone of his kin, maybe?”
leaving Tetr’ton from his sight. “Is he going to introduce me to
someone of his kin, maybe?”
Suddenly, Tetr’ton halted.
Erik halted too.
The horizon was clear and in the distance, the triangular islet could
be seen.
be seen.
Tetr’ton approached Erik near the shore. He rolled his eyes downwards
and kept silent.
and kept silent.
“What is it Tetr’ton? You’re giving me the creeps. Jävla!”
“Deep in the sea!”
“What’s deep in the sea!?”
“I believe it is yet another island.”
“Another island?” Erik’s eyes opened wide. “How?”
“I was heading to the place where I usually meet you, and then in the
bottom of the ocean, I noticed the outline of a geometrical shape.”
bottom of the ocean, I noticed the outline of a geometrical shape.”
“What shape?”
“That, you’ll have to see for yourself.”
“What do you mean? I cannot breathe underwater!”
“Erik, that’s not a problem, just hop on my back.”
“I've just told you, I can't breathe underwat…” Erik repeated.
“Just do it!”
“Fint(Okay)...”
Erik lay on Tetr’ton’s back and held himself from the space between
the mermaid’s shoulder and neck.
the mermaid’s shoulder and neck.
The mermaid – man sank into the water taking Erik with him in the
depths of the ocean. Strangely, neither Erik nor Tetr’ton became wet.
depths of the ocean. Strangely, neither Erik nor Tetr’ton became wet.
A sphere of air was formed around Erik and helped him breathe.
Mysteriously though, it didn’t hinder Tetr’ton's diving, giving the
impression that they were flying.
Mysteriously though, it didn’t hinder Tetr’ton's diving, giving the
impression that they were flying.
They went so deep underwater, that everything gradually became
pitch black.
pitch black.
“Can’t see a thing!” Erik stretched his eyes wide.
Suddenly, Tetr'ton's body started to radiate a green glow, bright enough
to illuminate the surrounding area.
to illuminate the surrounding area.
And then, it could be seen. In a distance of around a kilometer, in the
bottom of the ocean, a white line formed a geometrical shape.
bottom of the ocean, a white line formed a geometrical shape.
“An ellipse?” Erik said astonished. “That’s unexpected!”
As they moved closer and closer to the mysterious shape, Erik made
sense of it all. A circle consists of 1 line-segment. A triangle has three
3 line-segments, a square 4 and a pentagon 5. All the above form
closed areas.
sense of it all. A circle consists of 1 line-segment. A triangle has three
3 line-segments, a square 4 and a pentagon 5. All the above form
closed areas.
An ellipse also forms a closed area. It can also be considered that it
consists of 2 identical segments, its 2 arches. With that reasoning, it
made some sense.
consists of 2 identical segments, its 2 arches. With that reasoning, it
made some sense.
They landed on the ellipse and Erik removed his grip from Tetr’ton.
The air bubble still engulfed Erik and Tetr’ton continued to shine with
his green aura.
his green aura.
“So, what is the main topic of this island?” Erik asked. “What desire
can I satisfy here?”
can I satisfy here?”
But he intuitively knew the answer. These islands were personalized
for his desires, and only one of his desires remained to be fulfilled.
Freedom!
for his desires, and only one of his desires remained to be fulfilled.
Freedom!
Initially, he felt a feeling of lightness. As time passed, Erik felt freer
and freer until eventually, like an avalanche, he felt truly free, more
than ever in his life.
and freer until eventually, like an avalanche, he felt truly free, more
than ever in his life.
In Stockholm he did have his freedom as an individual, but that was
different, it felt stronger.
different, it felt stronger.
“This is amazing,” Erik whispered and then turned to Tetr’ton who
seemed to have a similar experience. “Why did the aliens create
an elliptic island?” Erik asked “I don’t understand the concept.”
seemed to have a similar experience. “Why did the aliens create
an elliptic island?” Erik asked “I don’t understand the concept.”
“I don’t know Erik,” the mermaid – man said and then theorized:
“Probably this is another parameter of the experiment, they might
be trying to check the resolve of human spirit. At what depths can
a man dive into, in order to regain his freedom?”
“Probably this is another parameter of the experiment, they might
be trying to check the resolve of human spirit. At what depths can
a man dive into, in order to regain his freedom?”
“Well, it wasn't me who found this island. I had given up my freedom
and chose to satisfy my other needs.”
and chose to satisfy my other needs.”
“It doesn’t matter if you made it with help,” Tetr’ton said, “It is in the
nature of your species to help each other.”
nature of your species to help each other.”
“Well, you don’t belong to my species,” Erik smiled, “but thanks anyway.”
“So,” Erik wondered, “is Eravia or Ykaria going to give me lectures
about freedom? Or not?”
about freedom? Or not?”
“No, Erik,” Tetr’ton announced, “there’s no Eravia or Ykaria here,
just me.”
just me.”
“What?!?”
“Yes, I hid from you the truth,” Tetr’ton said, “I am also part of the
experiment.”
experiment.”
“Well, nothing surprises me anymore,” Erik said, “it’s only a pity you're
not alive. However, you are part holographic and part human, so I can
guess that your human part wanted to help me.”
not alive. However, you are part holographic and part human, so I can
guess that your human part wanted to help me.”
“I’m not human, nor am I holographic, I’m a real mermaid. Mermaids
exist, you know.”
exist, you know.”
“If you say so, I believe you…”
The mermaid man removed his necklace with the elliptical shaped
stone and gave it to Erik.
stone and gave it to Erik.
Erik examined the stone. Blue in color and smooth in touch, it radiated
with a cyan aura. "Why did you give me this?"
with a cyan aura. "Why did you give me this?"
“I’m not allowed to do this, but if you use this stone, it can help you
exit the experiment.”
exit the experiment.”
“How?”
“There is no time to explain,” Tetr’ton said, “you will have to find
that yourself."
that yourself."
“But…”
“Your bubble will soon run out of air," Tetr'ton warned, "you have to
go now.”
go now.”
Unwillingly, Erik began to resurface.
After a few minutes, and feeling dizzy from the low oxygen levels,
his head popped out from the sea and he took a deep breath.
his head popped out from the sea and he took a deep breath.
He swam to the circular island and began to walk outside the sea.
His head was tilted downwards, walking carefully to avoid stepping
on spiky sea urchins. Finally, when his feet stepped on dry sand, he
looked up.
on spiky sea urchins. Finally, when his feet stepped on dry sand, he
looked up.
ix2 stood up front. She held a frustrated radiant gaze.
“Oh, long time no see,” Erik said, “was wondering when you might
show up.”
show up.”
“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” the alien replied, her tone
confirming her frustration.
confirming her frustration.
“But it did!” Erik chuckled with pretended innocence.
“How did you find the elliptical island? You were meant to find it in
the final stages of the experiment!”
the final stages of the experiment!”
“Guess I found it earlier than you anticipated! Tetr'ton ignored your
instructions and acted on his own volition!”
instructions and acted on his own volition!”
"Who is Tetr'ton?" ix2 asked baffled.
"Your mermaid colleague."
“Our mermaid colleague?!?” ix2 asked confused even more. “What
are you talking about? We have no mermaid colleagues, mermaids
don't exist!”
are you talking about? We have no mermaid colleagues, mermaids
don't exist!”
“Well, they dooo,” Erik giggled on the “do.” “And now, it's high time
for me to exit this mockery.”
for me to exit this mockery.”
“Wait!” ix2 urged him. “If you stay until the end, the results of this
experiment can help better many lives. But if you leave now, all this
will have been in vain!”
experiment can help better many lives. But if you leave now, all this
will have been in vain!”
“You want me to stay?” Erik asked. “Then give me the details of this
experiment. What happened on the time period I don't remember?
I want to know everything!"
experiment. What happened on the time period I don't remember?
I want to know everything!"
“You can’t have this,” ix2 disagreed. “You’ve been told already – it
is part of the process for you not to remember. You've agreed to this.”
is part of the process for you not to remember. You've agreed to this.”
“I know you're worried about me,” Erik said, “Tetr’ton told me the
truth, he read your mind."
truth, he read your mind."
“What?! That creature can read our thoughts? This is not possible!”
“Mermaids can read thoughts and emotions, unlike your species
that can only read the latter.”
that can only read the latter.”
The alien said nothing, only continued to stare perplexed.
Erik demanded: “Why are you worried about me?”
There was a long silence. Erik had the impression that the alien had
turned her attention elsewhere, possibly receiving consultation from
her superiors.
turned her attention elsewhere, possibly receiving consultation from
her superiors.
Finally, ix2 spoke: “Erik, I have to tell you the truth, I'm afraid.”
“I'm not,” Erik briskly said. "Carry on."
“You are inside a virtual reality simulation, nothing of what you
experience here is real.”
experience here is real.”
“Nonsense!”
“You are not living in the year 2016, but in 2123. You agreed to
undertake this experiment, and we implanted to you temporary
memories, so as to play your part as our candidate.”
undertake this experiment, and we implanted to you temporary
memories, so as to play your part as our candidate.”
“This is ludicrous, do you consider me to be that naïve?” Erik spat.
“To what lengths are you willing to make up stories to confuse me?”
“To what lengths are you willing to make up stories to confuse me?”
ix2 signed. “You wanted to know the truth? Then listen!"
Erik kept silent.
The alien went on: "Just think about it Erik, think about the vision you
had the other day with the “tribe” people. Was it not strange to find
yourself in a “futuristic” place?”
had the other day with the “tribe” people. Was it not strange to find
yourself in a “futuristic” place?”
Erik halted. He indeed felt that the vision was a bit too bizarre, and
at the same time, a bit too realistic to be just a product of his mind.
“Are you saying that the vision was indeed a memory?”
at the same time, a bit too realistic to be just a product of his mind.
“Are you saying that the vision was indeed a memory?”
“Yes,” the alien replied.
“So, what else happened in the 3 month time lapse?”
“Erik,” the alien tried to explain. “I’m not really an alien. I’m human
like you, appearing to be an extraterrestrial. Outside of this virtual
reality simulation, we know each other well.”
like you, appearing to be an extraterrestrial. Outside of this virtual
reality simulation, we know each other well.”
“We know each other well?” Erik laughed. “This is becoming more
and more amusing! What are you then really? A man or a woman?”
and more amusing! What are you then really? A man or a woman?”
“I’m a woman, Erik.” ix2 continued, “my real name is Izabel Xenophon
and we have worked in similar projects the last few months.”
and we have worked in similar projects the last few months.”
“Your name doesn’t ring a bell,” Erik's voice made an indifferent whistle.
“That is because we’ve blocked your real memories and sent them
in a secure area in your mind.” ix2 said. “That area is the time period
you so persistently try to access.”
in a secure area in your mind.” ix2 said. “That area is the time period
you so persistently try to access.”
“So, are you suggesting that the time period I don’t remember is
where the real me is located?”
where the real me is located?”
“Yes.”
“I want that part of my personality back then, please.”
“We cannot do that, at this point, if you regain your true memories,
you might end up with a split personality.”
you might end up with a split personality.”
“I don't care,” Erik replied in a dismissive tone, “I want to leave this
place.”
place.”
“I’m sorry Erik, I cannot do that.” ix2 said and there appeared to be
a genuine sadness in her voice.
a genuine sadness in her voice.
This feeling of sadness felt familiar to Erik somehow. The name
Izabel Xenophon might have meant nothing to him, however, the
way she worded her last sentence made him feel that that being
actually displayed human emotions, cleverly hidden.
Izabel Xenophon might have meant nothing to him, however, the
way she worded her last sentence made him feel that that being
actually displayed human emotions, cleverly hidden.
“And what if I believe you?” Erik asked. “What then?”
“Well, what we’ll have to do is to block this recent discovery you made,
so that you continue the experiment until it’s over.”
so that you continue the experiment until it’s over.”
“How much time has there passed in the real world?”
“Around 2 days.”
“And how much time is there remaining?”
“Another 2 days. If we stop now it will be in the middle of it.”
So, all he had to do was agree to have his memories blocked, for the
second time. But did he really want that?
second time. But did he really want that?
He remembered the good times he had in these exotic islands.
Discussing, belonging and feeling intimacy. But he never felt free. Not
until the truth was revealed to him by an unexpected ally.
Discussing, belonging and feeling intimacy. But he never felt free. Not
until the truth was revealed to him by an unexpected ally.
He held the instrument of his promised returned on his left palm. He
would know what he had to do, according to Tetr’ton. He would know
how to escape.
would know what he had to do, according to Tetr’ton. He would know
how to escape.
However, if he escaped now, the experiment would stop before its
completion. And if what ix2 said was true, the result of the experiment
would have had a positive impact on humanity.
completion. And if what ix2 said was true, the result of the experiment
would have had a positive impact on humanity.
“Well, let’s see this to the end,” Erik thought. Then he opened his palm
and showed the elliptic stone to the supposed human acquaintance of his.
“Here, you can have this,” he said.
and showed the elliptic stone to the supposed human acquaintance of his.
“Here, you can have this,” he said.
ix2’s eyes opened wide. “Oh no!” her voice raised in intensity. “You
must not show this to m…”
must not show this to m…”
The scenery began to faze and blur in front of Erik’s eyes. Slowly, it all
began to fade, become transparent and disappear.
began to fade, become transparent and disappear.
“Maybe I did the right thing,” Erik contemplated as the simulation
collapsed, “or maybe I didn’t.”
collapsed, “or maybe I didn’t.”
***
A feeling like surfacing from deep waters overwhelmed him. During
the whole process, he didn’t lose consciousness. When he got his
physical senses back, he slowly opened his eyes.
the whole process, he didn’t lose consciousness. When he got his
physical senses back, he slowly opened his eyes.
He was sitting in a chair, tilted around 30 degrees backwards.
He scanned the area around, cautiously.
He was in a room with walls painted white, that gave a lab feeling to
it. A metal door sealed the exit.
it. A metal door sealed the exit.
“So, where is everyone?” he wondered.
The door opened with a rustling sound.
A short woman with curly black hair and a cute face entered, followed
by a tall, grey haired man in his 40s’. They both wore lab clothes, and
held a concerned look on their faces.
by a tall, grey haired man in his 40s’. They both wore lab clothes, and
held a concerned look on their faces.
“Frantz,” the woman said to the man, “he’s come around.”
“Do you think he’s okay?” Frantz asked the woman.
Erik felt alright, however, what really troubled him was that he could
still not remember his true identity. “Who are you people?” he asked
with a drowsy voice.
still not remember his true identity. “Who are you people?” he asked
with a drowsy voice.
“I am Izabel,” the woman replied, “and this is Frantz. We are
colleagues.”
colleagues.”
So that was Izabel Xenophon, the woman that impersonated ix2.
Erik could still not remember their faces, even now that it was over.
“And what is our relationship?” Erik inquired. “I don’t believe we’ve
ever met.”
Erik could still not remember their faces, even now that it was over.
“And what is our relationship?” Erik inquired. “I don’t believe we’ve
ever met.”
“That is,” Frantz entered, “because we’ve not yet unblocked your
real memories.”
real memories.”
“Why haven’t you done so, yet?” Erik demanded.
“Erik,” Izabel said, “there’s a protocol we have to follow before we
can restore your original memories.”
can restore your original memories.”
“And what is that?” Erik asked irritated. “To torture me with more of
your babbling? I want my memories back – now!”
your babbling? I want my memories back – now!”
Izabel turned to Frantz, as if asking for consultation or approval.
Frantz studied Erik with his gaze. After assessing empirically his
condition, his eyes crossed with Izabel’s and nodded in approval.
condition, his eyes crossed with Izabel’s and nodded in approval.
Izabel looked Erik in the eyes and said with a soft voice: “You have
to understand Erik that who you are in reality is someone completely
different than the person you're now. Your current memories about
your life in Stockholm, are all implanted.”
to understand Erik that who you are in reality is someone completely
different than the person you're now. Your current memories about
your life in Stockholm, are all implanted.”
Erik’s eyes opened wide. “That can’t be!” he protested. “I know who
I am! I remember my childhood, my teenage years and all my
adolescence, in detail.”
I am! I remember my childhood, my teenage years and all my
adolescence, in detail.”
“Indeed,” Izabel replied and suddenly, her face became frozen and
emotionless as well as her tone, “however, who you think you are is
different from who you truly are.”
emotionless as well as her tone, “however, who you think you are is
different from who you truly are.”
“Then, who am I?”
“You will know, correction, remember, soon.” Izabel reassured him
as her tone returned to its previous melodic tune. “As I mentioned
earlier, your real life memories are stored in the 3 months that you
so persistently seek to uncover. We had to create this symbolic time
period for your mind to be able to access it.”
as her tone returned to its previous melodic tune. “As I mentioned
earlier, your real life memories are stored in the 3 months that you
so persistently seek to uncover. We had to create this symbolic time
period for your mind to be able to access it.”
“Only the access is denied.” Erik laughed.
“Erik,” Izabel said still on the same tone, “you might not remember
this, but we’ve done this experiment before.”
this, but we’ve done this experiment before.”
“Of course I don’t.” Erik raised his tone.
“The previous simulations we made were successful, however…”
“However what?”
“The artificial personalities you incorporated in your psyche were
very similar to your previous self, which made it easy for you to
transition to your original identity, when the tests were completed.”
very similar to your previous self, which made it easy for you to
transition to your original identity, when the tests were completed.”
“Seriously?” Erik thought. “And how is this simulation different from
the previous ones?”
the previous ones?”
“I’ll tell you,” Izabel said, “in this simulation, you were a far better
person than the one you originally are.”
person than the one you originally are.”
“What?!?” Erik shouted and attempted to stand up.
Shackles around his wrists and ankles prevented him from doing so.
“Why have you tied me up?” Erik grunted and felt deep inside him
an indescribable rage. “Untie me immediately!” He bellowed and
violently attempted to break free.
an indescribable rage. “Untie me immediately!” He bellowed and
violently attempted to break free.
“Muscle memory,” Frantz observed, “his mind does not remember,
but his body does.”
but his body does.”
“You want to know the truth?” Izabel asked with the same cold voice.
“You are a murderer and you've agreed to take part in this new
experimental rehabilitation programme. If this programme succeeds,
it can lead to the efficient rehabilitation of many criminals like you!”
“You are a murderer and you've agreed to take part in this new
experimental rehabilitation programme. If this programme succeeds,
it can lead to the efficient rehabilitation of many criminals like you!”
“I don’t believe this!” Erik yelled and twisted and turned his wrists to
break his straps, to no avail. “I’m Erik and I’ve lived in Stockholm all
my life!”
break his straps, to no avail. “I’m Erik and I’ve lived in Stockholm all
my life!”
“You are Swedish, right?” Izabel asked.
“Ja, jag kommer från Sverige.” Erik replied.
“The language you think you speak as a native,” Izabel declared,
“is also an implant. In fact, the level of Swedish you’re speaking does
not even reach the basic level.”
“is also an implant. In fact, the level of Swedish you’re speaking does
not even reach the basic level.”
“Prove it.”
“Just try to say: I’ve been to the North Pole, I saw some amazing polar
bears but bear with me, I didn’t feel cold when the climate change hit
me, I swear.” Izabel sung and crossed her arms.
bears but bear with me, I didn’t feel cold when the climate change hit
me, I swear.” Izabel sung and crossed her arms.
No matter how much Erik tried to formulate words in Swedish, he
couldn’t do the translation.
couldn’t do the translation.
“See?” Izabel announced triumphantly and urged Erik to reason: “Just
think about it, we are living in 2123. The setting of Stockholm you
remember is a recreation of the early 21st century.”
think about it, we are living in 2123. The setting of Stockholm you
remember is a recreation of the early 21st century.”
Erik took a moment to process this. Could they have been lying to him
about the era he lived in? He examined the area around him.
about the era he lived in? He examined the area around him.
The room contained some futuristic technology he didn't notice before.
It appeared to come out of a science fiction story and matched with
what they said.
It appeared to come out of a science fiction story and matched with
what they said.
“I want to see the news,” Erik demanded.
Frantz fetched out of his lab coat pocket a mysterious sphere and
held it in his palm. A holographic video streamed upwards, in a cone
like form.
held it in his palm. A holographic video streamed upwards, in a cone
like form.
A female broadcaster told the news. Her hair consistently changed
to all perceivable colors.
to all perceivable colors.
A screen behind her played a video that showed scenes from a
scientific conference that took place in Denmark. People were gathered
around an amphitheatre. They wore peculiar formal clothes and spoke
in English. Robots served them drinks and carried out the practicals.
It looked convincing.
scientific conference that took place in Denmark. People were gathered
around an amphitheatre. They wore peculiar formal clothes and spoke
in English. Robots served them drinks and carried out the practicals.
It looked convincing.
“Do you believe us now?” Izabel confronted Erik. “We are trying to
help you.”
help you.”
Erik accepted the fact that Izabel and Frantz most probably told him
the truth.
the truth.
“And why did you make me a far better person in this simulation?”
Erik demanded to know.
Erik demanded to know.
“I will explain how this experiment works.” Izabel spoke.
“I’m all ears.”
“Each simulation has the purpose to improve the subjects' behavior
slightly. This is done by allowing the individual to have a fulfilling
experience by satisfying implanted or not, desires. Desires that we
assume will help the subject grow and mature as a human being.”
slightly. This is done by allowing the individual to have a fulfilling
experience by satisfying implanted or not, desires. Desires that we
assume will help the subject grow and mature as a human being.”
Izabel went on: “Then, once the simulation is over, the subject integrates
the new memories to the original personality. The simulation is perceived
as a real experience, so the person discovers things true about itself, and
thus becomes a better person.”
the new memories to the original personality. The simulation is perceived
as a real experience, so the person discovers things true about itself, and
thus becomes a better person.”
"And why has someone to forget who he is?"
"If you remember who you truly are," Frantz explained, "the simulation
won't be effective. You have to forget that all this is artificial, so that you
become emotionally involved and grow from the experience."
won't be effective. You have to forget that all this is artificial, so that you
become emotionally involved and grow from the experience."
“I see,” Erik nodded thoughtfully and then asked. “So, why are you so
hesitant with me this time? What's keeping you from restoring my
original identity?"
hesitant with me this time? What's keeping you from restoring my
original identity?"
Izabel carefully worded: “You were making progress, Erik, however the
progress was very slow. It would have taken years and years of repeating
the simulations before you could be set free!”
progress was very slow. It would have taken years and years of repeating
the simulations before you could be set free!”
She went on: “The previous personalities you adopted were better
versions of yourself, yet, still, murderers. What we tried to do in this
last simulation, was to make you adopt the persona of a normal citizen.
versions of yourself, yet, still, murderers. What we tried to do in this
last simulation, was to make you adopt the persona of a normal citizen.
“And that’s where the danger lies; members of the lab team argued
that the new role you would play deviated too much from who you
were. We are concerned that the reintegration is incompatible and
thus will drive you to develop split personalities.” Izabel sounded
stressed, catching her breath on her last words.
that the new role you would play deviated too much from who you
were. We are concerned that the reintegration is incompatible and
thus will drive you to develop split personalities.” Izabel sounded
stressed, catching her breath on her last words.
“She seems to be saying the truth,” Erik realized as he picked up on
her emotional state. “Can I go on living with the memory block?” he
inquired.
her emotional state. “Can I go on living with the memory block?” he
inquired.
“I’m afraid not,” Frantz stated, “the block usually lasts for several weeks.
It wears off eventually and you regain your memories.”
It wears off eventually and you regain your memories.”
“Talk about wanting to forget your past,” Erik laughed, “you can’t even
do that!”
do that!”
“And what if I am a murderer?” Erik then argued. “I have to have my
memories back. It is who I truly am.”
memories back. It is who I truly am.”
Izabel signed. “Shall we continue with the process?” she asked Frantz.
“I think there is no other way out,” Frantz said. “Let’s finish what we
started.”
started.”
Izabel removed from her pocket what seemed to be a remote tablet.
“Alright Erik, I want you to close your eyes and try to relax.”
“Alright Erik, I want you to close your eyes and try to relax.”
Erik closed his eyes.
“This might feel a bit… unsettling.” Izabel warned him.
“I hope you’re not planning to send me back to the simulation.” Erik
tried to joke about it. Deep inside he felt terrified though.
tried to joke about it. Deep inside he felt terrified though.
“No, we’re not.” Izabel reassured.
The soft touch of a finger pressing on a flat surface was heard. Gentle
as a cat’s paw stepping on grass.
as a cat’s paw stepping on grass.
Suddenly, a not so gentle electric current streamed through Erik’s body
and reached his brain.
and reached his brain.
The pain felt surreal and his physical senses became dull. Erik could
see old memories blooming inside him like poisoned ivies wrapping
around his mind.
see old memories blooming inside him like poisoned ivies wrapping
around his mind.
His real name was the same as before: Erik. His upbringing was
fundamentally different, though.
fundamentally different, though.
His father was a drunkard. His mother, a helpless creature being beaten
every day.
every day.
He learned from a young age that in life there are victims and there are
victimizers. He adopted the latter approach. He grew up to be an
antisocial bully that everyone feared, not by force of physical, but by
force of emotional abuse. And then he got married twice!
victimizers. He adopted the latter approach. He grew up to be an
antisocial bully that everyone feared, not by force of physical, but by
force of emotional abuse. And then he got married twice!
The faces of his wives! Eravia and Ykaria! Their real names being
Elizabeth and Penelope, he killed them both. Elizabeth, his first wife,
he murdered with a knife, a very carefully coordinated plan to dispose
of her body, in pieces.
Elizabeth and Penelope, he killed them both. Elizabeth, his first wife,
he murdered with a knife, a very carefully coordinated plan to dispose
of her body, in pieces.
His acting skills, perfect, nobody ever suspected him. The reason he
took her life, plain jealousy, because she was far kinder than him. Why
did she end up with him anyway? In life only hunters exist and their prey!
took her life, plain jealousy, because she was far kinder than him. Why
did she end up with him anyway? In life only hunters exist and their prey!
His second wife, Penelope, he also felt jealous for, because she had
achieved in life what he could not. She lived a life he only wished for,
studying in the best universities of the world while he was borderline
illiterate!
achieved in life what he could not. She lived a life he only wished for,
studying in the best universities of the world while he was borderline
illiterate!
He also killed his second wife, death by poison. He thought his plan
was perfect, but became sloppy this time, overconfident in his ability
to evade punishment.
was perfect, but became sloppy this time, overconfident in his ability
to evade punishment.
But punishment he got, when the authorities proved his guilt and took
him in. He stayed in prison for several years, becoming an even more
violent person, this time to defend himself from other criminals.
him in. He stayed in prison for several years, becoming an even more
violent person, this time to defend himself from other criminals.
So then, he was offered a chance to participate in a scientific experiment.
He accepted, as that would transfer him at least for a while to a secure
environment.
He accepted, as that would transfer him at least for a while to a secure
environment.
But, there is no worse enemy than one’s self. The first simulations were
a complete failure out of his denial to see the truth. Only after several
attempts, did he start to feel that maybe there was a way out of his torture.
He continued so.
a complete failure out of his denial to see the truth. Only after several
attempts, did he start to feel that maybe there was a way out of his torture.
He continued so.
Several moderately successful simulations and from a non – repentant
killer, he began to get into the shoes of his victims. He started to feel
remorse for his actions. He could feel he was changing, slowly.
killer, he began to get into the shoes of his victims. He started to feel
remorse for his actions. He could feel he was changing, slowly.
However, the scientific team appeared restless; they wanted results
sooner rather than later. So, they took a risk, they prepared for him the
role of a normal person.
sooner rather than later. So, they took a risk, they prepared for him the
role of a normal person.
And here he was now, in his mind a huge battle going on. Was he Erik
the murderer, or Erik the citizen?
the murderer, or Erik the citizen?
Erik appeared to be in agony, shaking and his face making grimaces
of pain.
of pain.
“Oh no!!” Izabel shouted, “he's not going to make it!”
Erik's head tilted upwards and jerked violently. He stopped moving.
Frantz approached him and checked him. "Still breathing," he said.
"But is he gone?"
“I am okay,” Erik said with a whisper and slowly opened his eyes. “No
need to worry.”
need to worry.”
“Who are you?” Frantz probed Erik.
“I’m Erik,” he smiled.
“Do you still have the same feelings for your ex – wives?” Izabel asked
concerned.
concerned.
“I do, yes… ” Erik confirmed.
“We failed,” Frantz commented, “he should have stayed in longer.”
“...however,” Erik added, “I'm not feeling I want to kill anybody anymore.”
“Oh, is that true?” Izabel asked with eyes opened wide. “Are you sure
about that?”
about that?”
“Yes,” Erik confirmed and then opened his mouth to speak but hesitated.
“What is it?” Frantz asked.
“I still feel intense rage and jealousy for both of my wives. If they were
alive, I would want to harm them, but not kill them.”
alive, I would want to harm them, but not kill them.”
Izabel removed a device from her lab pocket.
It was a remote control that had a palm sized tv like antenna.
She turned it on and scanned him head to toes.
“He seems to be telling the truth,” Izabel said. “So now, what shall we
do? Shall we inform the others?”
do? Shall we inform the others?”
“Yes,” Frantz agreed, “time to announce the success of the experiment!”
They both turned to leave the room.
“Hey!” Erik complained. “Are you not going to untie me?”
“Oh yes!” Izabel said. “You’re right!”
She pressed a button on the computer screen near the door entrance.
The shackles of Erik were automatically untied.
“You can walk around the facility if you wish,” Izabel informed him,
“however you are not allowed to leave. ”
“however you are not allowed to leave. ”
“Of course I won’t,” Erik rolled his eyes upwards, “you've told me a
million times already!”
million times already!”
The two scientists left the room.
Erik got up from his chair and left the room. He went outside to the
garden of the facility and sat on a bench. He observed the trees, the
grass and the electric fence that blocked his way out. He was still a
prisoner.
garden of the facility and sat on a bench. He observed the trees, the
grass and the electric fence that blocked his way out. He was still a
prisoner.
“This time I might be a bit closer to becoming free,” he realized and
then remembered the experience he had with Tetr’ton. In all the other
sessions he went through, he never ever encountered such a mysterious
creature before. How did that happen?
then remembered the experience he had with Tetr’ton. In all the other
sessions he went through, he never ever encountered such a mysterious
creature before. How did that happen?
“I have to find out!” he thought and got up.
He knew where the lab team did their debriefings; in the room near the
south east corner of the facility.
south east corner of the facility.
He was never curious to learn what they were talking about, but this
time, he couldn’t help it. He felt urged, compelled even, not to linger
around but to go and hear what the scientists had to say.
time, he couldn’t help it. He felt urged, compelled even, not to linger
around but to go and hear what the scientists had to say.
He approached the room from the outside and noticed that the window
was open. He placed himself towards the wall.
was open. He placed himself towards the wall.
The lab members were talking, loud enough for someone to hear.
“See?” Frantz asked. “I told you that it was possible to make progress
faster, I was right in the end!”
faster, I was right in the end!”
“That remains to be seen,” an emotionless and authoritative voice
argued. “It’s too early to come to conclusions. We have to observe
the subject’s behavior over time. It will take additional simulations and
further analysis before we can set any criminal free. And on top of that,
there’s always a chance of regression to past behaviors. We must take
caution.”
argued. “It’s too early to come to conclusions. We have to observe
the subject’s behavior over time. It will take additional simulations and
further analysis before we can set any criminal free. And on top of that,
there’s always a chance of regression to past behaviors. We must take
caution.”
“Bah,” Frantz protested, “you’re all too afraid to take bold steps, and
that’s what’s holding humanity back!”
that’s what’s holding humanity back!”
“We just take precautions,” another voice replied, one colored with
anger. “Don’t feed us with your humanitarian crap, Frantz! We know
that if it weren’t for the government pressing for results, you would have
followed protocol! Plus, what about this mermaid… thing his
consciousness conjured in? Apart from ix2’s model that we designed,
the other characters are projections of the characters’ psyche. We have
never ever seen something like that in any simulation and with any
subject!”
anger. “Don’t feed us with your humanitarian crap, Frantz! We know
that if it weren’t for the government pressing for results, you would have
followed protocol! Plus, what about this mermaid… thing his
consciousness conjured in? Apart from ix2’s model that we designed,
the other characters are projections of the characters’ psyche. We have
never ever seen something like that in any simulation and with any
subject!”
Erik’s body jolted. He never had the time to reflect on what happened
during the last moments of the experiment.
during the last moments of the experiment.
Tetr’ton. Erik always assumed him to be part of the experiment, however
even the scientists didn’t know about his existence, not until the very last
moment.
even the scientists didn’t know about his existence, not until the very last
moment.
“There has to be an explanation to this phenomenon,” Izabel intervened,
“a bug perhaps on the code, that gives mermaid – like features to an
otherwise human projection?”
“a bug perhaps on the code, that gives mermaid – like features to an
otherwise human projection?”
“We don’t know that at all,” the emotionless voice suggested, “we’ll find
the cause of it soon, before the next simulation takes place.”
the cause of it soon, before the next simulation takes place.”
“Yes, we’ll do that,” Frantz complied. “So, what will the next steps be?”
“We’ll monitor the subject’s behavior and see if the changes made in
his personality are permanent. Then, we will do more simulations. In
time, it may be safe to release him to society under surveillance. To all
the members of the lab team, keep up the good work. This meeting is
over. You can return to your duties.”
his personality are permanent. Then, we will do more simulations. In
time, it may be safe to release him to society under surveillance. To all
the members of the lab team, keep up the good work. This meeting is
over. You can return to your duties.”
And thus the meeting ended and everyone returned to their posts.
Erik meandered around the facility building, thinking this through.
The lab team could only observe his behavior externally, they did not
experience what he had experienced. Therefore they could only speculate
how much he'd changed.
experience what he had experienced. Therefore they could only speculate
how much he'd changed.
But Erik knew the changes were permanent, he could feel it.
“So," he thought changing topic, "even the intellectual authorities cannot
explain my meeting with Tetr'ton. Interesting."
explain my meeting with Tetr'ton. Interesting."
He went on: “Was Tetr'ton really a bug in the code, then? Or was he
something else, like a part of my consciousness? It's strange, because
I was never a mermaid fan.”
something else, like a part of my consciousness? It's strange, because
I was never a mermaid fan.”
Then it clicked inside him. “What if he was another life form, helping me?”
The scientists were concerned that the change in Erik’s personality
would be too great. Erik stayed in the simulation only for half the intended
duration. If he stayed any longer, then he might not have been able to
integrate his new self to his original one and could have ended up with
split personalities.
would be too great. Erik stayed in the simulation only for half the intended
duration. If he stayed any longer, then he might not have been able to
integrate his new self to his original one and could have ended up with
split personalities.
What if that entity, Tetr'ton, knew this and freed him before it was too late?
And who was that entity, really? Did intelligent life forms, more advanced
than humans exist in the cosmos?
than humans exist in the cosmos?
He didn’t know. All he knew was that he wasn’t ready yet to be released.
He was just a bit too violent. But he did become a better person. A couple
of more experiments and he would be ready to get back to society. He
couldn’t predict exactly when, but it would happen sometime in the future.
He was just a bit too violent. But he did become a better person. A couple
of more experiments and he would be ready to get back to society. He
couldn’t predict exactly when, but it would happen sometime in the future.
And then, something caught his peripheral vision.
He turned around and looked at the sky.
No clouds in the distance. Just 2 round objects that levitated a few
kilometers away.
kilometers away.
Erik tried to focus on the objects.
One of them disappeared and reappeared, as if it was an eye blinking.
Then they both vanished.
Then they both vanished.
“Thank you my friend,” Erik said. “I’ll see you around.”
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