Epilogue: Dear Diary - Miss Independence

Dear Diary,

My parents said ‘yes’! I can finally have my own independence with their permission! I can’t believe how perfect it’s all turning out. To think that Leila has an apartment just down the road from my parents house and happens to be looking for a new roommate. To be honest I was surprised to see her visit me in the hospital that day. Everyone else had just left, I was packed and waiting for my parents to collect me. She makes me a little nervous. Just the thought of her working with the head counsellor... But then I know she also saved me. She never meant any harm... I can trust her.

I told my parents that she was a friend from camp and I’d be living just down the road. I guess they realised my need for independence. Finally my life is back to normal and moving forward.

It’s strange to think of what happened at Camp Woodlands. It’s like trying to recall a dream. The more I think of it the more I’m uncertain of what actually happened... I know now at least that it was never really a recreational camp but some kind of testing ground for the head counsellor’s technology.

... I’m currently in Leila’s car. She met my parents at the hospital and they allowed her bring me home. Quite reluctantly though. I think my parents miss me. Daddy says they’re afraid of losing me again. I didn’t realise running away the first time would affect them so much. I told them it would be best for Leila to take me to her place so I can start to settle in and I would visit them tonight.

It’s a couple hours journey from the hospital I think... we’re almost at Plotovetus now. My parents were well ahead of us, I think they’d be home by now. Probably preparing a speech to make me stay at home.

I wonder what the others are up to right now. I guess they’ve all gone home. I gave Chloe my new mobile number; I hope she keeps in contact. We’re so different but we’ve also been through so much together. I think she’s the closest real friend I’ve really had. Plotovetians can’t be trusted. They’re always manipulating people for their own goals... I haven’t asked Leila yet; I wonder how long she’s been living in Plotovetus.

... Huh, apparently she grew up in Plotovetus. She works at the university! I definitely didn’t expect that of her. We just passed my parents house. Leila pointed out the apartment. I didn’t realise there were actually apartments at this building. I thought it was just a research facility. I guess that fits with Leila’s job at the university. She does something to do with technology research.

Dear Diary,

Leila’s apartment is sooo clean! I love it! Though it reminds me a little of the underground facility at Camp Woodlands. Just the high tech gadgets I guess. I didn’t think an apartment like this connected to the research facility would be able to be shared with just another civilian like me. Similarly to the underground facilities at Camp Woodlands I need a swipe card to get through certain doors. I don’t have one yet. I have to rely on Leila to get me in and out of the apartment, the passage and the building. Until she gets me a card of my own... I think I’ll get my own swipe card tomorrow.

Leila’s in the kitchen cooking dinner while I settle in. She convinced me there’s no need to see my parents tonight. Maybe tomorrow. I have everything I need for a week in my bags that daddy supplied me with at the hospital. Also Leila is going to support me. Technically I don’t ever need to see them again... at least, that’s how Leila put it. Jokingly of course. It’s not like she’d keep me from ever seeing my parents again. I’ll see them tomorrow.

I’ve taken all my things out of my bags and sorted it all on my bed to put into draws and cupboards but... I can’t find my new mobile. I’m sure I put it in the front pouch of my handbag. I had it with me all this time. Leila brought it inside when she helped carry all my bags in... She wouldn’t take my mobile though. I’m sure she probably has like 5 of her own. Hopefully I find it soon. I was thinking of calling daddy to let him know I won’t be coming tonight. Also if I don’t find it then how will Chloe contact me? I wonder if she thinks of me at all. Leila didn’t seem to think that Chloe would be interested in seriously keeping contact. Every time I see my reflection or flick my hair I think of her though. My hair was cut off and her clothes were shredded. At least the hospital supplied a hair dresser for me. It was quite convenient and thoughtful I thought. My hair is still short but at least it looks neat now.

It would be cool to be able to just make my hair long again. I couldn’t say that virtual reality was bad. I thought it was actually useful. I guess it depends who has control of it... but it doesn’t matter now. Dylan erased the program. But there’s still... this feeling. I felt it since 10 years ago, in my head. Its presence was strongest when the head counsellor helped me understand how to use the virtual reality. I guess from that moment I thought this feeling was the presence of the virtual reality technology that was in my mind but... I thought that if the program was erased this feeling would go away. Maybe it’s not the virtual reality after all.

I feel like because Leila was so involved at Camp Woodlands I can talk to her freely about these sorts of things. No one else would understand and... that lady that visited at the hospital said we couldn’t talk about this stuff to people. I guess I can only talk to someone who was there and understands it from their own experience. Leila understands. I told her about this strange feeling when we were in the car on our way from the hospital. She just smiled and said not to worry... which is fine I guess. I wish I could have had a bit more of a response though. It was a strange smile. Not just a quick comforting one but it seemed to be a ‘brightened up her day’ kind of smile. Maybe she has the same feeling and feels comforted that she’s not alone. I can’t think of any other reason why it might make her happy. Maybe I’m reading too much into this... it’s just a feeling.

... Dinner’s ready.