Disclaimer: The Matrix and its affiliations are not mine, but these characters are.


Mirror

"Load me up." I sounded braver than I was feeling.

"You sure about this?" Crane asked, and instantly I knew he was worried about the dangers of being inside the Matrix, and more importantly, me.

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Remember what to do when you see an Agent, Jade . . ."

"I'll run." I know that I'm not the One, that I'm not Neo. And I am afraid of those Agents.

I headed to the chair, sat down comfortably, and got ready to enter the Matrix for the first time since the crew had freed my mind. I admitted that I was nervous and anxious, yet I was curious to see what it was like inside the box, now that I was outside of it.

Crane plugged me in, and I opened my eyes to see a bright blue sky and crowds of people walking around me. I knew that I stood out from the masses, with my Armani sunglasses, black leather top and pants, and my long, silver leather trench coat.

I opened my senses to my surroundings, and everything overwhelmed my mind instantaneously. I felt all the minds that weren't free, all the minds that could succumb to an Agent's programming. The air had a distinct scent, simultaneously thick and thin. The noises around me were foreign, yet I had been in this world only weeks before. It took me a few minutes to reacquaint myself with the box, with everything feeling so real and solid.

It's just a dream world. Nothing is real here; it's just a mirror. They don't even know true pain. I reminded myself of what the Matrix was; it was just another program written by a machine to control the humans so that they could provide energy for the machines, and food for the newcomers. I shuddered mentally, and proceeded down the boulevard.

So this is what Boston smells like. There was a scent of intelligence, combined persistence and diligence. The minds around me were dressed in business suits of black and navy blue, chatting on their cellular phones about lunch or meetings, not caring about another soul. I walked against the flow of the crowd, noticing Fanueil Hall, where I used to eat lunch every day. I smelled the aroma of an array of foods, knowing that the Matrix was telling my brain that these foods would taste good. Was it really that satisfying?

Striding past Quincy Market, I headed down the stairs to the subway, phone in hand in case an Agent appeared out of nowhere. Seeing that it was safe, I walked through the turnstiles (literally through them; it seems that I can control what I materialize through) and headed down more stairs to the train. Time seemed to slow at the very moment an Agent strolled out through the metallic doors, grinning sardonically. He turned to face me, pulling out his 9 mm handgun. I felt the same gun resting on my side, but I wasn't about to face an Agent that could tear me limb from limb. I immediately put the phone to my ear.

"Operator!" Crane's voice was a relief to my fear.

"Crane! Where's the nearest exit?" I hurriedly asked, hoping that I wouldn't have to jump buildings.

"Take a right around the corner and there's a payphone there. I'll be waiting for you."

The Agent was gaining on me. He was within an arm's reach when I got a hold of the ringing payphone. I picked it up, put it to my ear, and kicked him in the torso as hard as I could, disappearing as my leg retracted.

Back on the ship, I came back to life, and confessed my fright.

"Crane, that was the worst experience I have ever had. I think I'll wait a few more days before I reload." Crane gave me a knowing smile and released the plug.

It's all just a mirror.