The computerized sounds whirred around her as she sat in her dark room, listening closely.
"Humans abilities in the Wired are only limited by their understanding of the collective unconscious. In order to obtain full ascension into the wired with full depth and form, they must realize their place in the world is only to justify their existence in the cosmos…further, we are all software…part of an executable program. This program…life."
A voice replied to her.
"And how does Lain know all of this?"
…….
Laughter.
"The answer is in the question…who is Lain?" She asked.
Mankind is only able to realize it's full potential under circumstances that would call for such an ability. Our ability to evolve is what sets us apart from ordinary data. We can store a nearly infinite amount of knowledge without ever having to backup or reboot. Knowledge is only knowledge if it is shared. If it is not then it becomes useless data, making up the expanse of the Wired. Thoughts and feelings, mere schematics of the programs in the Wired.
An invisible and undetected form sat outside the window of a loft. With a hair-band shaped like an 'x' that would never be seen or remembered again. She looked in through the window at a happy couple. Alice was the name of the girl that Lain watched. She had never liked her name. She always said it was too plain…but Lain knew the worth of a name. The worth of remembering such a thing.
Since the reset, she had been simply watching everyone…thinking…waiting. What if she brought herself back? Would she matter then? The first execution of program 'Lain' appeared to be a failure…but…was it? This question taunted her. She wanted more than anything for just one person to remember her…and that person now sat in the apartment, blissfully unaware that anything was amiss while Lain sat outside, empty and cold.
"EXECUTE PROGRAM LAIN"
A flash as nothing was made into something. The form of a girl…Lain now stood again in this world. She had brought herself back one last time just to see…just to see if anyone would remember or care.
The people inside the apartment noticed the light and came to the door where they now found Lain standing in her white night-gown that barely went down to her knees.
"Excuse me, who are you?" The young woman named Alice asked. Lain, who seemed to have lost her ability to talk just stood there and stared at Alice and the man.
"You don't know her?" The man asked.
"Well…she looks familiar…Did I meet you while I was student-teaching at the middle-school little girl?" Lain just looked at her with her deep, expressive eyes.
"No…that's not it…but I feel like I…know her somehow."
Lain stared silently at the two.
"Maybe she is mute." Said the man that Lain now assumed was Alice's boyfriend.
"Maybe…" Alice said, considering her options. "Do you have a home?" she asked the girl. Lain just shook her head. Alice had really grown up in the time Lain was gone. She was so much taller now, Lain felt like a very young child compared to her.
"The poor thing is out in the cold…we should help her Suka." Alice said. She welcomed Lain into the house and got her some old clothes to wear considering Alice didn't have anything in Lain's size. They had taken her in, but Lain still couldn't say anything. All she could really do was nod and shake her head.
Lain now sat on the guest bed. They had graciously allowed her to stay in the guest room for the time being. She lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Maybe this wasn't a mistake. Maybe her existence did hold bearing on the life of someone. Lain smiled. She actually smiled for the first time in a long time. Someone seemed to remember her. That was a good sign.