While walking through the forest, I saw an amazing sight: some wondrous type of half deer, half man. I tried to hide myself, but seemed too weak to fully escape detection. Weirdly enough, the creature slowly walked up to me, patted my head, and said something in what seemed to be an ancient language.

Now that it was closer I could see that it was a dirty, furry from the bottom down creature. Once I looked down I saw something I almost wish I hadn't; I saw that whatever this creature was it was no it: He was a boy. Well as close as whatever this creature was could get anyways.

I decided to try and run from the creature, so I began to stand and run away, but as I got up and took my first step I fell. I felt so... weak, in a way I couldn't control. I don't know if it was me, or the creature, or some higher power, but nothing I could do to save me from whatever the creature wanted to do to me.

It calmly walked over to me, and still I couldn't help but feel my flight response urging me in every nerve of my body. The male thing continued towards me and for the first time during this encounter I felt pain: Real Pain. It was an electrical shock going through my entire body, and nothing had obviously caused it. What did I do? Who did I hurt? Someone please help me. Maybe...

And then I asked for a divine being's help, for who or whatever is in control's presence to help and guide me through this hard time. For the first time, I gained strength, but it was not my own. I came from inside myself, yes, but I did not own the power that I felt. Then the scenery changed, and once again I felt weak, and once again I only remembered [BASICS.EXE]

The group of men looked up at the subjects. All of them were suited with electrodes, and several implants to control them from inside and outside of each simulation. The men each scribbled more notes as they watched different simulations on various monitors throughout the room, and each subjects reaction to the different scenarios.

"Winston?" One of the older scientists said with authority.

"Y-yes, sir?" Winston replied weakly, hoping not to displease his superior.

"How many more times before our oldest Tester is able to Embrace?" He asked, hoping to get results and soon. He knew deep down nothing could stop their research, even if it wasn't about Embracing, it would always be about control. Whether it be The Embracers, The Rulers, The Owners, or even the Sharers. They all had the same goal, it didn't matter if they were willing to admit it or not, all he knew was that he would keep on living as long as people needed their research.

Winston hesitated for a moment, and then answered, "300-450 more simulations, sir. They seem to be progess-"

"Then get on with it." He interrupted the younger man. He had no other choice if he wanted to live, even if his conscious was screaming out at him.