AMA-Con: The Compilation

Pages: Last Page

"I don't write from dreams because I don't remember mine..."

—Tamora Pierce

TRANSFER COMPLETED.

And those were the last pages of her memories.

Eduardo removed his glasses and wiped the sweat forming on his forehead. Finally, he was finished with the transfer of memories to the newly acquired machine.

It was a difficult task seeing her memories again. They brought back a feeling of guilt within him.

But he couldn't ponder on that for too long; there are much more important things to be done.

He closed Maine's Electronic Diary and placed it inside a bubble wrap. He sealed it with packaging tape and wrote, ACCOMPLISHED. He would bring the diary to his boss tomorrow, its rightful owner. Although it will be of no use now.

He pushed a few buttons on the machine, allowing it to process the new memories installed. It would take an hour for the conversion—he still has time to relax and take it all in.

He stood up and walked towards the other end of the room to close the curtains. The transfer will start soon and he didn't want to take a chance that some nosy neighbor will be sticking their noses on the windows. He has the full support of his company with this, but this is still illegal by any means. It is against the Code of Existence.

But he has no other choice. This was the only way he could assure that his son would be happy.

He sat on the armchair beside the bed that was located near the windows. He stared at the limp form on the bed, his paternal heart clenching painfully. He reached out to grasp an arm and held it tightly.

"RJ, son, only a few more minutes and you will be with her again," he said with a soft smile. "Yours and her memories, they will give you the world you want."

RJ was awake, his eyes were open, but he just stared ahead, not hearing his father.

Soon, Eduardo's mind reassured him. Soon, he would see the smile on RJ's face again, a smile that he has been wearing frequently when Maine arrived in his life.

Eduardo held on to his son's hand until a beep from the machine got his attention. He stood up and planted a kiss on his son's forehead, his eyes automatically flying to the necklace that RJ will now permanently wear, a familiar necklace that all his other children wore in the laboratory.

"It's time, son, it's time," he said, and went to the direction of the machine. He encoded the commands that would seal his son's new fate, the fate that he would live in for eternity.

Eduardo closed his eyes before he pushed the red button, the last button that would execute all commands.

"Tiffany, guide him. Protect him. Because from now on, I will not be able to reach his mind."

And then he pushed the button.

The transfer of Maine's memories to Simule RJ has finally began.

Eduardo stood there for a long time, watching his son slowly close his eyes. He looked around the room and let out a bitter smile. From now on, this room will be RJ's only physical home. And that bed, that bed will be his only sanctuary. RJ could never get out, would never be able to again. He would still live, but he could only do so inside his mind.

It was painful. For a father, it was painful. He might not be losing his son to death, but this, this could be worse. RJ would be here, but he would be simply be in this room, on his bed, living a full life inside his mind.