Chapter 30: The lab Oblivion

Brielle's POV

Jace and I were still in the underground laboratory. I felt like I was in a completely different world from the surface world. There was so much strange equipment that I had never seen before. I was moving towards a particle accelerator. It was actively smashing protons in rapid circular motions. I mused to myself as I read a sign.

Warning: Particle Accelerator! Please do not stick your head inside a particle accelerator.

It was pretty funny, the warning sign. It seemed obvious enough for anyone to know that they should not do such a thing. Although, I wondered why I now felt the curiosity to stick my head into it right after seeing the warning sign. I wanted to know why it said I should not. Was it dangerous, or what would happen if I did?

"So you must be wondering why I brought you here, right?" Jace asked, pulling my attention back to him. "Step away from the particle accelerator Brielle. That's not the reason why I brought you here."

"Hmm, okay, but Jace, I would like to know what happens if I stick my head inside."

Jace raised his brow. "Well, the short answer is that sticking your head inside a particle accelerator should cause a burn hole straight through your skull as a laser gun would."

I gulped and immediately took a cautious backward step. "Alright, so why are we here?"

"Nothing much really, just wanted you to know that I have secret underground labs where tons of research is being carried out."

I gave him a quizzical look. "There's more. I've known you always to be particular."

"Alright, that's true," Jace admitted, smiling. "Fine, there's a particular reason why you're here, and it's because you turned my proposal down."

"Explain!" I said, sounding alarmed and folding my arm across my chest.

"I've been obsessed with reading people's thoughts. Brielle, mind-reading computers have existed for a long time, but they couldn't exactly read people's thoughts. They just observed the mind and made predictions from what has been observed, but our mind-reading computer at this lab is light years ahead. It's best understood when shown to you."

"You're bluffing. How come I've never heard of it?"

"It may be because you're already comfortable with the current computer technology, which are speech recognition, touch and gesture recognition. Nowadays, we operate computers handsfree thanks to them being able to communicate with us verbally. However, the future is already here where your mouth, too, can be free. Although, making this technology public has its ups and downs.

"There will be hardly any secrets left. Earlier, you turned my proposal down, and I couldn't tell what you were thinking of at the time, but with this mind-reading computer, I can know your thoughts. Currently, we are brainstorming ways to make some of the information a person thinks of to be private. As I said, it's best seen."

I was utterly speechless and, at the same time, skeptical of this so-called mind-reading computer. I wondered if Jace wanted to read my mind too. Jeez, if he did that, he would be able to tell that I loved him, and nothing would be a secret anymore.

I followed him as he took a turn to the right. We kept walking until we arrived where he wanted to take me. The room had just two seats.

"Sit down, Brielle," Jace ordered, and as I did, he started attaching a headset to my head. I felt like a little guinea pig that had no say in the experiment which was about to be carried out on it.

"Jace, I'm not sure about this," I said. "It's not like I exactly want you to read my thoughts, don't!"

"Why? Are you scared about what I'll uncover?"

"Well, who wouldn't be?" I demanded, but he kept on fixing the device on my head.

"This is known as an EPOC headset or otherwise called Emotiv EPOC, and it is a high resolution, multi-channel, wireless neuroheadset. The EPOC uses sensors plus references to tune into electrical signals produced by the brain to detect the user's thoughts, feelings, and expressions in real-time. The EPOC connects wirelessly to PCs and other devices, but this one can connect to another EPOC headset which can allow me to listen to your thoughts directly through an earpiece embedded in it."

"Jace, I don't want you to read my thoughts!" I said protestingly. "Besides, what if I falsify my thoughts?"

"You think you can lie to a computer?" Jace asked, sounding bewildered.

I shrugged. "I don't see why not."

Jace laughed and replied, "This thing can listen to your thoughts and match it up with your emotions to know if you're being sincere."

"Alright," I said. "Can the machine read my earlier thoughts?"

"Relax, Brielle," Jace said, squeezing my shoulder lightly. "The machine can only process your thoughts in real-time. I mentioned that earlier."

"Oh alright,"

"Well, you're all set. Now, I want you to think about the lights in this room and think about switching anyone off or on."

"Uh, I just need to think, right?" I asked with a feeling of anticipation. I closed my eyes and opened them in a flash

"Yes, just-"

Before he could finish his sentence, we were plunged into gross darkness because I thought about turning off all the lights. I immediately thought about turning them back on, and we were enveloped in illumination once again. Quickly, I began to take off the neuroheadset.

"Brielle!" he called.

"Jace, I thought you were bluffing; this device is real!" I said, sounding alarmed. "And I don't want to run any further tests, okay."

"Alright, fine. It seems you're not going to let me know your thoughts towards me. Brielle, I want to know if you love me, that's all. Why did you have to turn my proposal down?"

'Again with that? I thought I already told you why. You should be patient and do it properly. The way you're going about it makes it seem like I do not have a choice.'

Standing up to him, I said, "I've already told-"

Jace held a palm to my face. "No need to reiterate it," he said. "If that's the real reason, then you should've allowed me into your thoughts. You would've allowed me to follow through with what I want to do."

"Jeez, I thought you were only domineering in bed, but now I see that you wish to control every facet of my life! I can't believe you will want to have possession of my thoughts. Please take me out of here this instant!"

Filled with rage, I began marching towards the exit of the room. I paused in the corridor, realizing that I did not know if we had come here from the left side or the right. Instinctively, I took a left turn.

"You do realize you're going the wrong way, right?" Jace said, and my legs did an emergency brake. He tried to hold my hand as I walked past him, but I whipped his hand, and he chuckled.

I continued walking in silence, and I could hear his footfalls behind me. I did not want him to follow me, I wanted him to lead the fucking way, but he stayed behind my back. I was the lost sheep, and he was supposed to be the shepherd.

"Hello, are you going to watch me go around in circles to your satisfaction, or would you lead the way?" I said, pausing at another place that looked unfamiliar.

"Why should I help you find the way?" Jace asked, piercing his gaze down at me. "You want to be the dominant one, then lead the way. Besides, this place isn't a Labrinth!"

'Oh, so that's how it works, right?' I thought. "I reprimand him for his actions, and he wants to use that against me. Well, I'll find a way out of here without his help. I don't care how many times I get lost!

With the new resolve I gained, I began to search for the spot of this underground lab where I had earlier seen the particle accelerator. If I could make it there, then I could locate the exit. Finally, I got there, not recalling how I did but who cared? I was just glad, and behind me, Jace snickered. It was not even funny. I was angry, but he did not understand, at least not yet.

On our drive away from the underground lab together, he had tried to initiate conversations with me, but I kept on ignoring him. Yes, I could see his laughter turn to a frown, and his smile became a scowl. I needed him to give me space for a long time.

It seemed he was beginning to forget how I could keep my distance if I wanted to. The only regrets, well, I won't exactly call it that, but it was close enough was that I worked for him, and he would bug me.