‘I’m sorry. I just didn’t want it to be for nothing.’ I breathed in the scent of him, unable to grow the courage to touch him.
‘I know. You just scared me, that’s all.’ He kissed me on the cheek and proceeded to the van. ‘My friend is going to fix up this loose end, and I’ll pick up my own car. He’s getting blood for Rose as we speak. Please don’t do anything crazy while I’m gone.’
‘I think I’ve used up all of my craziness for this lifetime.’ Amelia Bailey wasn’t somebody who took big risks, and I hoped I would never have the urge to do it again.
Inside, I peeked around the bedroom door towards Sarah, who sat quietly on the floor next to the bed of a sleeping Rose. Spotting me, she stood up and came to the doorway.
‘She must be so tired, the poor thing. Cameron gave her some painkillers, but that’s the last thing she told me before she fell asleep. Maybe you can just sit with her?’ Sarah gave me a quick hug before walking out into the hallway.
Inside, I sat in Sarah’s, spot looking at Rose’s gentle, petite face. She looked so fragile. It was hard to believe she’d been with us inside the MMC facility at all. She was strong, though, and fearless. It made me appreciate being put into the Psychiatric Ward. Otherwise, I would never have met her.
‘Amelia?’ Her soft voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I knelt beside the bed, holding her hand. ‘We did it. We got them bastards.’
I laughed. I wasn’t sure why. It could have been a build-up of emotions I’d been harbouring, or it could have been hearing Rose say ‘bastard’. It felt good to smile with her again.
‘We sure did, Rose.’ She smiled groggily. ‘You rest. There’s nothing else we can do, but wait now.’
Nodding, she closed her eyes and drifted off into the dreams we’d fought so hard to keep.
Once Cameron had given Rose a blood transfusion, he insisted that we return to our bush camp. At least until we knew if turning off the dream simulators and posting the video had worked. Tech had worked hard on our video, and Cameron was excited to show it to us before we moved back to our caravans. We all sat in my old bedroom around the bed so Rose could see it with us, and we waited anxiously for Cameron’s laptop to finish booting up. His background of a rainforest appeared, and he clicked on one of his desktop icons to open it. Absently each of us leant in a little closer with anticipation.
The clip began with photos of different people of various ages and races, their faces flashing up on the screen. The music was friendly but still had a tone as though you should pay attention. The words in large black letters appeared over a solid white background.
WE ARE HUMAN. WE CREATE OUR OWN THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, AND DREAMS. WE MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS ... OR DO WE?
The words faded into pictures of Wristochips and Wristcuffs. The MMC’s logo appeared, the letters MMC with a picture of two stylised brains above it.
‘WE HAVE BEEN LED TO BELIEVE THAT THE MIRCROCHIPS WE HAVE IMPLANTED IN OUR WRISTS AND THE BANDS WE WEAR OVER THEM HELP US THINK CLEARER, MAKE US MORE HUMAN THAN WE HAVE EVER BEEN, DO THEY?’
Photos, words, and images began to appear slower than the ones before them. I hadn’t seen them before, but knew they were the images that were being planted in people’s dreams to control them. Happy people with televisions, cars, and relaxing on holidays. They looked similar to the advertisements that aired on television, but I knew the way they were put into the mind left no room for people to make their own decisions. I looked at Sarah. Tears rolled over her cheeks. They had manipulated her more than any of us, and I placed my arm around her.
‘THE MULTIMIND CORPORATION CALLS THEM THE NEXT STEP IN EVOLUTION. DOES EVOLVING INCLUDE BEING MANIPULATED? USING YOUR MINDS TO PLANT MESSAGES AND PICTURES SUCH AS THESE IN YOUR THOUGHTS TO INFLUENCE YOU? TO MAKE YOU THINK YOU WANT THEM ... NEED THEM?’
The screen turned black and white words appeared bold and pronounced.
‘NO, IT DOESN’T’.
Images of nature and children and more people smiling contently flooded the monitor.
‘THEY HAVE TAKEN AWAY WHAT MAKES YOU HUMAN, WHAT DEFINES WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO.’
Again images of the MMC, their logo slowly creeping towards us, growing larger.
‘THEY ARE MANIPULATING YOUR THOUGHTS TO PROFIT FROM THE GREED THEY CREATE WITHIN YOUR MINDS. THEY WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO ACCUMULATE MORE WEALTH. I KNOW BECAUSE I DIED OPPOSING THEM’.
Her kind wise eyes drew us all in even closer. The photo made her look beautiful and strong. It allowed you to see not only the strength but the warmth that made her a human being. Again the screen turned black, and white font appeared boldly.
‘THEY MAY CONTROL US TODAY. BUT THROW AWAY YOUR WRISTCUFF AND ALLOW YOUR DREAMS AND DESIRES TO BE YOURS AND YOURS ALONE. LET TOMORROW BE ... THE DAWN OF THE DREAMER.’
An image of an amazing sunrise over some bushland finished off the video, and it faded to black.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
Some of us had been nodding as we saw some of the statements, and some made small, almost inaudible noises, while the others stood completely quiet. Sarah wiped at her cheeks with the collar of her shirt. The image of Dawn’s smiling face was still fresh in my mind. Slowly, we all leant back away from the computer, absorbing what we had just seen.
‘Perfect,’ Joe finally spoke, giving us permission to follow suit.
‘Amazing,’ Rose said still groggy from her drugs.
‘That was confronting, but I guess that’s what we need it to be,’ said Sarah.
Still, the image of Dawn clung to my memory, and I leant back on the frame of the bed, looking at the beige carpet beneath me.
‘How about you, Amelia? What do you think?’ Cameron spoke aloud everyone’s question.
‘It was great. I mean, it was amazing like Rose said ...’ The reality of what the MMC had been doing overwhelmed me.
Had I realised the enormity of their manipulation, or had destroying the dream simulator and this video finally made its magnitude real?
‘But ...’ Insisted Joe, irritated at my confusing answer.
‘It’s just, it’s our last chance. What we’ve been working on for over a month now is resting solely on that video.’
Cameron rose from the floor in front of the laptop and gave me a cuddle. Sarah followed suit, as did Joe, and Rose reached out her hand to hold mine.
‘We are all in this together, no matter what happens.’
‘And we’ll never give up,’ added Joe, smiling at me once again with his warm caring smile that had surfaced again.
‘When is it going on the Internet?’ I just wanted it all to be over.
‘As soon as I call Tech, he’ll upload it. I wanted all of you to see it first.’
Together we decided it would be safest if we lie low for a while. Cameron would head back to the city and stay with a friend so he could monitor what was happening with both the MMC and the video. The rest of us were to hide out at our campsite in the bush until we received news on the reaction to the dream simulation shutdown and the ‘Dawn of the Dreamer’ video. We hoped for the best, but we also knew the MMC would do everything in their power to ensure people were still under their influence. They’d already murdered Dawn and injured Rose.
Our adventures together meant we had become accustomed to spending every moment together. When we weren’t talking, laughing, or having disagreements, we were happy and content to sit quietly and enjoy each other’s company.
Two days went by with no word from Cameron, and a worried and anxious feeling draped over us all, smothering us like a blanket. What if we hadn’t made a difference at all?
On a more positive note, Rose was feeling better. Her arm was still sore, and she still couldn’t really use it properly, but she was spending more time out of bed and sitting with us at our table under the tarp.
Would this be our fate? Hiding? Our lives on hold until we could convince the world we deserved to be free?
‘I was so excited. But I’m pretty
sure the video hasn’t worked.’ It was late, and Joe and I lay on our sides in bed, facing each other, disappointment evident in his eyes.
‘I’m worried too. Look, if none of this has worked, then I don’t want you and Sarah to stay here. You shouldn’t have to put your lives on hold any longer.’
But because of me, poor Rose who had endured so much, would have to remain a prisoner on Mr Whitmore’s property, not being able to see her son Ethan.
‘What life?’ He smiled in a way I hadn’t seen since I first met him at the Tavern, his eyes rich brown, a calm confidence behind them. ‘The farm and Dawn were my life until I met you guys, and now, you’re my life, Amelia. Everyone one of you. And there is no way I’m leaving you to rot out here on your own. I refuse to believe that they can get away with what they did to Dawn.’
Looking down, I caught a glimpse of his scar running up the side of his shirtless torso and absently reach out to run my finger along it. It was raised, pale against his soft olive skin. We’d all been injured, both physically and mentally. Could we ever fully recover?
‘I can’t believe you still talk like that and want me around, despite everything that’s happened. The whole thing with Cameron and then the fire ...’
‘Dawn was right about most things. That’s what I miss about her. One of those things is that there’s a connection between us that nothing seems to be able to break. Even when I was angry with you, I missed you, missed this.’ He reached his hand out to take mine with a caring smile.
My heart ached for what we’d had. ‘I miss it too, it’s just that so much has happened. I don’t know how we could ever be the same again.’
‘I don’t think we can. But we’ve grown and become stronger together, and that has to count for something.’ He placed his hand gently behind my head, entwining his fingers through my hair and drawing me towards his face. His lips were soft and gentle as he kissed me, and a tear rolled silently over my cheek. ‘Are you okay?’ He’d seen it and wiped it away, carefully surveying my eyes.
‘It’s just that months ago, this would have made me the happiest girl in the world. But now, I’m really not sure what this is between us?’
‘Is it Cameron?’ He pulled away and looked down tracing patterns on the sky blue sheets.
‘Yes and no. Really, it’s me. I don’t know what I’m going to do if the MMC are always looking for me. I wouldn’t condemn you or Cameron to a life in hiding or pretending I don’t exist. I care about you both so much in very different ways, and I wouldn’t want this for either of you.’
‘You are such a special person, Amelia, and I wish you could see it. Dawn always told me that you needed to be more independent and start making your own decisions. I’m not going to argue with you or try to convince you, but please promise me one thing ...’
He was right. I was making decisions even if they were scary or dangerous, and this particular one could have very lonely consequences. ‘Anything.’
‘When the MultiMind Corporation is finally brought down, and they will be, don’t forget me. Whether you want to be friends or more, I want to always be a part of your life.’
‘Either way, I couldn’t imagine my life without you after everything you’ve taught me, done for me, and been through with me. This connection, whatever it is, is forever.’ He leant forward and kissed me softly on the forehead before wrapping me tightly in his strong arms.
Sarah was growing impatient, as were the rest of us. She came up with the idea of visiting Mr Whitmore to see if he’d heard anything. It was a long shot, but it would occupy us for a few hours plus give him company at the same time.
Mr Whitmore’s house was quite small and made of light brown brick, a concrete patio out the back and small awning out the front. Inside, the dark brown carpet had a funny smell that I couldn’t quite put my finger on, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to know either. His walls were littered with framed photos in of various shapes and sizes, filled with pictures old and worn.
He was happy to have us visit, and ushered us towards his lounge room. ‘I’ll make us all some tea. The six o’clock news will be on shortly.’
His excitement had us curious about what was to come, but he didn’t turn on the television until, with Rose’s help, he’d returned with our mugs. Mr Whitmore sat on an old saggy recliner while the four of us squished together on the three-seater beside it. Sarah, frustrated and feeling Mr Whitmore’s excitement, couldn’t stand the closeness and decided to sit between my knees on the floor.
‘Are you all ready? It’s time!’ Beaming, he turned on his television just as the news began.
‘Good afternoon. Breaking news this afternoon, as a video that has gone viral with over one and a half million views alarms people all over the world. This comes twenty-four hours after a third of our country’s Wristcuffs mysteriously stopped working.’ Our video began playing as the newswoman continued, ‘This video titled “Dawn of the Dreamer” has caught the attention of millions as it circulates around the Internet. The video alleges the MultiMind Corporation has been using their Wristcuffs to manipulate the minds of billions into buying products distributed by the corporations’ founding partners. It also implies serious allegations of the murder of an older lady who has not been identified at this stage but can be seen in this photo from the video.’ Dawn’s beautiful face again appears on the screen. ‘At this stage, no one from the MultiMind Corporation has given a statement, but the government have denied any knowledge. Is it a coincidence that this video was released just one day after the mysterious malfunction of the Wristcuffs?’
A spokesman for the government stood on a podium in front of a large crowd of reporters. ‘We are aware of the allegations and will be conducting a full and thorough investigation into them.’
The news presenter returned. ‘The country is appalled that a company could get away with such a crime under their noses and many groups are burning their Wristcuffs in protest.’
Footage of a group of people throwing their Wristcuffs into a lit drum appeared, and the group’s spokeswoman spoke, ‘The video opened our eyes to what they have been planting in our minds, and I refuse to let them control me any longer. Today is the Dawn of the Dreamer.’ With that, she turned and threw her Wristcuff into the flames.
The news presenter returned to screen. ‘Is this an over-the-top hoax? Or will it be the “Dawn of the Dreamer”, as they have described it?’
‘This was you lot, wasn’t it?’ Mr Whitmore was excited. ‘It’s amazing! I can’t believe you’ve done it!’
Shock turned to excitement, and Sarah jumped up into my lap. ‘We did it! Oh my god, we actually did it!’ Hugs and shrieks filled the room as we jumped around like Sarah used to in our little lounge room in Sandhaven.
I stood still, surrounded by jumping and yelling.
‘Guys, guys!’ They stopped their celebrations, my expression taking away their excitement. ‘Maybe we shouldn’t be celebrating.’
‘What do you mean? This is amazing!’ Sarah shook me trying to shake the happiness back in.
‘But if it is amazing, then why hasn’t Cameron told us yet? He should’ve told us, but he hasn’t.’ Understanding slowly showed on all of their faces. ‘Maybe he doesn’t want us getting excited until he’s certain there is something to get excited about.’
I’d killed the mood, and although they assured me they understood, there was resentment in their tone. Cameron was withholding this information for a reason, and I felt guilty that we’d found out behind his back.
Sitting under the blue tarp, the sun had almost disappeared, making the tall trees cast shadows between the spreading orange light. The temperature dropped off and became cooler, and I hugged my arms around myself to feel warmer.
‘I’m sorry I was such a killjoy, guys.’ The guilt and silence were getting to me.
‘You’re not. You’re right.’ Rose smiled sympathetically.
‘At least we know what’s happening now. Cameron should have checked in to at leas
t give us an idea. Doesn’t he realise we’re going crazy waiting out here?’ Joe was asking me, and despite feeling the same, I defended Cameron.
‘He’d have his reasons, but I’m sure with all that’s going on, it won’t be long before we hear from him.’
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SIX
The next day, Cameron arrived at our camp with Mum and Dad in his car. Climbing out, their smiles spread across their faces.
‘You did it! You’re all free to go!’ Finally, we could get excited. We cried and hugged, then laughed and screamed. The avalanche of emotions I’d been keeping at bay both excited and confused me to the point of almost passing out.
The government had shut the MMC down, recalling the Wristcuffs pending an investigation. The patients in the Psychiatric Ward were being independently assessed, and it was assumed the majority of them would be released soon. We all packed our things away into the caravans and hooked them up, ready to tow them up to Mum and Dad’s property.
It was all happening so fast after months of waiting, hope, and doubt. With the hustle and bustle around me, I leant quietly against a large gum tree that had been holding up our tarp. I stared into the bush before me. This place had been both my refuge and my prison. Although I was happy to leave it, I knew being in the real world would involve making the hard decisions I had been reluctant to make before.
My dad appeared next to me, hugging me into his chest. ‘I’m so proud of you, Amelia. All of you.’ A tear rolled over my cheek.
Anxious Rose called her mother as soon as we returned to Mum and Dad’s farm. I watched her in case she needed a shoulder to cry on. She dialled the number, and after a few rings, spoke, ‘Hi, Mum? Yes, Mum it’s me ... Rose.’ She cried, sitting down on a nearby chair. ‘I miss you too. It’s okay. I understand.’ Relief fell over me as I could see she was crying happy tears. I snuck away so she could have her moment in private.
Dawn of the Dreamer (Dreamer Trilogy Book 1) Page 22
