Eyes on me

My name is Clara Rising for about as long as I can remember I’ve felt as though someone was always watching me even as a kid. I don’t know why but, the feeling was just there even when it was clear that I was alone. I am 23 years old I live by myself as a writer that’s somewhat accomplished I wake up this morning refreshed after my late night gaming session. I love playing overwatch it’s easier to climb than I thought with the right people. I check the clock 7:00am huh? If I remember correctly I have a book signing today at Barnes & Noble near the harbor. I have to be there by ten so I have time to get some breakfast and gaming in before I go. So I do just that and leave around nine I live thirty minutes away from the harbor so I should be on time.

As I drive around on N. Charles street I happen to see something odd. At first I had to do a double take which…went as you would expect in a moving car. I almost caused an accident when I saw it this red light on the corner of a building. As I went to the bookstore and got ready to meet my adoring fans I noticed something else strange. I walked around for twenty minutes looking at books and I found one I really liked. It was a fantasy novel called Eon as I checked the back to read the description I noticed some of the letters appeared to be moving I was so startled I dropped the book. I almost wanted to scream but I barely manage to hold it in. Finally it was time I sat down and started to do my book signing it was the same as usual. Mostly everyone that came was delighted to meet me in person and even more delighted to receive an autograph from me.

I always liked doing these they make me feel like a celebrity without putting me too much in the public eye never liked the idea of being that famous. Then it happened this strange man came he looked normal and spoke normal words. “Hey Ms. Clara LOVE your new novel I would very much like an autograph.” He said as he pointed toward the blank spot on the sheet of paper he sat down. When I went to sign it I happen to notice some writing on it. “Hello, Ms. Clara, you are in a simulation, however, do not worry for we will get you out.” I pretended not to notice and signed the paper and said goodbye. Such a weirdo though I mean who does that? I drive home kind of creeped out and decided to unwind with some grinding on Disgea 5.

Next thing I knew it was past midnight so I decided to hit the sack so I didn’t wake up too late the next morning. As I close my eyes my mind drifts through the different things I’ve seen so far today then I started to notice the color green even though my eyelids were shut. I open them to see green liquid at first then when things come into focus I see a person staring back at me. It’s…a man…he has pretty eyes…WAIT! I look around and notice I’m in a tube I start to panic but my body feels like I’m in water. At first I thought this was a dream but, the liquid…feels too real. Then as if to confirm it the man taps on the glass then puts his face to it. He says something that I can’t hear I can only just make out thanks to me reading his lips. I think he asked if I was okay which I’m not, so I shake my head no. Then he…KICKS IT!? What the hell!? All of a sudden the tube starts to shake violently and the liquid starts to drain I can feel my body slowly fall to the bottom of the tube.

There are holes at the bottom where the liquid is draining through, I can tell thanks to feeling the skin on the bottom of my feet being sucked in. After the liquid is gone the glass surrounding me goes up and immediately my body goes limp. The man was quick enough to catch me “You okay?” he said or… at least I think my hearing is still not all the way there yet. “Grgrgrgoogo” I look past him to see this…thing walk toward me. It sort of looks like a human but, with an ENORMOUS head like three times the size of the guy holding me. And it’s freakishly skinny to the point where I was surprised it could stand let alone walk. “Oh, hey don’t be afraid this guy is called Homo Cerebrum it’s what we evolved into.” “We?” “Oh, us primal humans my names Mike by the way.” “Clara.” “Where am I?” I asked as the cerebrum handed me a towel. “Come I’ll show you.” With that took me to a dressing room where I got clothes on then he walked me around the area. At one point he tells me to look outside the window which…I do and…I…see space? WAIT! I’m in space!? I stood there in total shock touching the glass multiple times while looking at him trying to see if this still a dream but, he assured me it wasn’t.

Apparently, I was chosen among thousands of what they call primal humans to be rescued from a space pirate ship. When humanity discovered space travel we also discovered alien life which immediately tried to hunt us to extinction and almost did. Since we were new to the galaxy some humans were captured and kept as living records of the history of our solar system. We were hooked up to machines that could watch our memories and play them back in real time. All this time ever since I was a kid I felt like I was being watched and in a way I was. Yet I still wonder… was that feeling of being watched through the simulation or something else?