Chapter 8 — Napping Without a Blindfold, I Discovered My Company Was Stealing Memories

Two fifteen minutes in the afternoon. I showed up on time at stair number 3. This is the emergency exit. On weekdays, almost no one comes around. The wall was covered with a thick layer of dust. The air smelled old and musty. I haven't waited even half a minute. From the upper floor, there was the sound of rapid footsteps. Ly Van rushed down. Her face was as white as paper. There was no blood left. The eyes were bloodshot from the blood. His gaze was panicked, disintegrated, filled with extreme fear. Just saw it
me, she immediately grabbed a piece of wood to save her life like a drowning person. The cold hand squeezed my arm tightly. She was shaking violently. Trembling so much that I could feel the twitching in each finger tip.
"I see…"
"I saw it all…"
Her voice was hoarse. Brought choking sobs.
"What is that?"
"What exactly is that?"
"What did she take from me?"
She was almost on the brink of collapse. I immediately grabbed her hand back. Tighten tightly.
"Calm down, Ly Van."
"First you have to calm down."
My voice is not loud. But extremely steadfast.
"If you scream or lose control now, we will both die."
It seems like what I said worked. She was no longer screaming in chaos. But my body still trembled like a leaf in the cold wind. Ly Van slowly squatted down. Hold your head with both hands. Suppressed sobs echoed in the quiet staircase.
"My memories…"
"I feel like a piece of my memory is missing."
She raised her head. Tears have blurred my eyes.
"I try to remember forever…"
"My best friend from college..."
"We lived in the same dormitory for four years…"
"But now…"
"I can't remember her name now."
I understand that feeling better than anyone. Because not long ago. I also can't remember the name of the brother who stood next to me at the graduation ceremony, the one who smiled the happiest that day. I helped Ly Van stand up. Let her lean against the wall. Then take out your phone. Open paragraph
that recording. The cold male voice had a metallic timbre. Luu Phuong's unusually respectful tone. Each sentence and each word echoed in the empty staircase.
"...These ‘dreams’ crafted from pure memories are currently the most expensive luxury items on the market…"
The recording ends. Ly Van doesn't cry anymore. On his face, only dead silence and despair remained.
"Dream…"
"Luxury goods..."
She muttered. Empty eyes looked down at the ground.
"So…"
"Our lives…"
"Is it just a dream that other people spend money to buy?"
Huge absurdity and fierce anger gradually replaced the fear on her face. The body no longer trembles. But the hand slowly clenched into a fist.
"It can't stay like this."
Ly Van raised his head and looked at me. In those bloodshot eyes. A fire of revenge is burning.
"Do you have any plans?"
I looked at her. And know that you bet right. When people are pushed to the edge. Or it will completely collapse. Or will grow fangs of resistance. Ly Van belongs to the second type.
"Originally my plan was to find evidence."
"Then try to escape from here and report to the police."
I said in a low voice.
"But now that I think about it…"
"That plan was too naive."
"Report to the police?"
Ly Van laughed coldly.
"Do you really think the police can handle this?"
"For a company to be able to do this kind of transaction, how much power must there be behind it? Can you imagine?"
Her words silenced me. I thought it was all too simple.
"We can't escape."
Ly Van's voice suddenly became unusually calm.
"Since the day we stepped into this company..."
"All personal data."
"The entire social relationship."
"It's all in their hands."
"We are like animals in captivity."
"Even if you run away from the barn."
"Just got caught and returned."
"The outcome was even more tragic."
She looked straight into my eyes. Each word rang out clearly.
"We can't run."
"The only way…"
Ly Van clenched his fists. His eyes were cold as knives.
"To destroy this place."
"Before they drain us dry."
"This evil lair must be rooted out."