I open my eyes – What the hell just happened? – my head is pounding with pain, I'm covered in sweat and I'm shivering. I glance at the clock and see that only 30 minutes have passed. – So I was unconscious for just half an hour – even though I'm not able to remember what exactly happened. I feel like someone erased the last hour and a half from my memory, the only thing running through my head is the image of an update and a progress bar. – Why did this happen now – I say out loud to myself.
I suspect that if someone saw me right now, they would think I've lost my mind... I'm sitting on the floor curled up, trying to remember what I was doing. I feel like talking to someone about it, but they would probably think I'm crazy. – You see, my friend, it's a shame you can't talk, maybe you could tell me what's going on... – I say quietly under my breath.
I slowly get up and look at the monitor screen and what do I see, in the browser I was checking information about neural implants. I close the browser and think – That's enough emotions for today.
I wonder if tomorrow I should talk to someone about it. Although I don't even know if all of this is just a dream, or maybe I've gone insane, or maybe this is some fucked-up simulation... I have to check this tomorrow!
I look at the clock and see that it's already time for a walk with the dog! – Come on, my friend, let's go for a walk. – After we get back I definitely need to prepare something to eat or order something. – I know, tomorrow I'll try to register for a doctor, maybe I have some vitamin deficiency! – I think out loud. I take my phone and set an alarm for an early hour with a note:
REMEMBER TO REGISTER AND GET BLOOD TESTS!
I put on my shoes, take the leash and we go out for a walk. At night the neighborhood and the park look normal, too normal. Even though it seems like it's already late, there are still a few people in the park. Someone is walking a dog, over there a couple in love is walking, and somewhere else someone is running or exercising. That last one catches my attention – Maybe I need more movement, more oxygen, and not constant sitting at home in front of the TV or computer? – Yes, that last one is my main activity, I really like playing games... Actually they help me fight depression, or at least I think they do.
In the park I let the dog off the leash, and I sit down on the nearest bench, instinctively I take my phone out of my pocket and check if I have any messages. I see that I got a notification from the pharmacy about a new batch of medication that I can pick up.
– Yeah, maybe that's it! – I shout to myself. Maybe it's because of the medication that I have hallucinations and see strange things! – Tomorrow I have to deal with this! – I mutter under my breath. I go back to scrolling through some posts on Instagram. At one point I hear a voice... – Hey, Marek! – I stand up faster than the speed of light and I don't even know if it's a vision or if someone is really talking to me, but I see that in front of me stands my friend Andrii, who rents the apartment next door.
Andrii is from Ukraine, but he has been living in Poland for almost 4 years, and we've been friends for about 3 years. He works in some IT company, although I don't remember the name... My memory is really bad lately.
I answer – Hey, Andrii, what's up with you? – I reply, even though I'm not interested at all at this moment. – I'm fine, I'm more worried about you. You don't look so good – he answers with his Ukrainian accent. – Me? Hmm, I guess I'm fine, tomorrow I need to pick up a new batch of medication. I'm trying to work on myself – I answer briefly, because I don't want to flood him with my problems, especially my:
VISIONS
I think I can call them that now. I don't have much to say about work, because I don't go there. And every day has looked the same for a week. The only change is these hallucinations... – Maybe you'll come over tomorrow evening for coffee? We'll talk like in the old days – Andrii suggests.
Hearing Andrii's proposal, I think it might be a good idea, I need change and someone I can open up to, and that person has always been Andrii. – Sure! Just text me what time, you know I'm available all day! – We'll be in touch.
We shake hands goodbye and Andrii walks toward the building. I look around and see that the dog still hasn't done his business, because he's walking around sniffing every part of the park – apparently he hasn't found his spot yet.
I go back to my phone, this time I browse restaurants that deliver food... Because I don't feel like cooking, and there's probably nothing in the fridge anyway except butter, an old tomato and a piece of cucumber.
Sitting on the bench, suddenly I get a feeling of unease that someone is watching me – What the hell... – I look around nervously, but there's no one there. The park is empty – I guess I'm being paranoid – I think, putting my phone away. I see the dog running toward me, he probably finished. When I try to stand up, suddenly in front of my eyes I see the text:
Current version 0.0.1v
And it disappears after 5 seconds – What was that..., did I really see it? Or was it another hallucination – I can't hide the fact that I'm getting paranoid about all of this. But it felt so real, so real. I don't know anymore.
I take the dog and we head home. Actually, we walk fast. – I really need to rest... – I say to myself. After getting home I decide it's time to relax, too much stress and tension in the last few days. I give the dog his dinner, and for myself I order a bucket of chicken with a large cola... I know it's unhealthy, but I really feel like it. I see that it will arrive in 55 minutes, so in the meantime I take a shower.
The food arrives after 35 minutes, just enough time for a quick shower. – Alright, plan for the evening: eat chicken, watch a good series and go to sleep – I say to the dog.
Next chapter coming soon.Add to library to not miss it.