Human Again: A Dystopian Sci-Fi Novel (Cryonemesis Book 1) by Moran Chaim Page B

have to be human, right?”
    “And you're trying to say that all this amazing experience is bad?”
    “Not bad, but lonely, not human, not organic. People who don't speak to someone in reality for so long become less human. They become like addicted babies.”
    “But isn’t it better than living inside concrete walls only? How do you keep everyone sane?”
    “Let me tell you about ‘sanity.’ It starts when you're a baby. You're put in the simulation after only three months. You can't control anything because you're still a baby. Your parents don't have to touch you or play with you physically. Everything is done by using the simulation. And if they have to work, you're left with a virtual nanny. During twelve years of school you're taught in a virtual class along with other real people. You're not obliged to meet them outside. Whenever you get time alone you dive in by yourself. Some play together but generally when people become older, they become more different and independent. You don’t need friends or parents to help you fulfill your wishes. You can do anything by yourself in the simulation and it becomes addictive. When your service to the city is done there's nothing else to do around but stay inside 24/7 in a magnificent self-centered fantasy world. Why would anyone go out?”
    “But I've seen people out.”
    “That’s just a tiny percent of the actual population.”
    “But it also keeps the security, like your mother said.”
    “There was a power outage, I was six maybe. I finished school and I was playing with my pony-unicorn. Not only did the simulation stop, but the main street was in complete darkness. So did the air conditioning. It was hard to breath. I wanted my mommy but she was working, and since I was only six I didn't remember how to get to her office. I was afraid. It was so dark and people were shouting and making scary voices. That day I understood how fragile this city is. I couldn't trust it anymore. We're so dependent on our systems that at any minute this city could become a death trap, because we’re so wrapped up in each of our own fantasy worlds that we don’t know how to interact and solve real world problems.”
    “You don't sound like the president's daughter when you speak like that.”
    “She doesn’t know I speak like that.”
    “What about your father?”
    “Nobody knows, probably dead.”
    “What happened?”
    “When I was four he was sent to help the southern city.”
    “Sent outside?”
    “Yes. He was one of the senior engineers and the city in the south couldn't repair their security systems. So he went out though never got there.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “That’s ok. I don’t remember much of him.”
    “Still, the city is safer than the outside.”
    “But for how long?”
    “Does your mother know what you feel?”
    “Of course not, that would ultimately screw her up.”
    I sighed deeply. I got myself between the daughter and the mom.
    “Let's go out,” she said, “I want to show you something else.”
    “As long as you don't plan more free-falls.”
    I moved my butt closer to her and leaned over to try and kiss her. She immediately stood up and looked at me in a serious face. Was I wrong to try? Maybe there are different customs for that here.
    “Do you trust me?” She asked.
    “Sure...” I said.
    “Don’t hesitate. Do you trust me?”
    “Yes.”
    “I trust you, Roy.”
    “Well, great.” I was surprised to hear that, knowing I didn't do anything to deserve it.
    “Then let's wake up. Meet me next to the gym in two minutes.”
    I awoke in my bed. The main street was darker. The light from above was bluish and resembled the light from a full moon, which I guess was the case above ground. I hurried to the gym where she was waiting for me there. I could sense she wasn't the same. She was serious. My heart was pounding; I didn't know what do to. Was this still a date? Am I to be more assertive or just go along with her? I didn't know if she was