thanks to all of you!

so Alt+Control has ended after 6 months.

I want to say thanks to firstly, N, for challenging me to do this novel, and supporting me by writing your own novel at the meantime (it's awesome)!

to G, for those late night tossing of ideas, and for always being so happy when I tell you that the next chapter came out. I don't think I would've gotten this far without you.

to V, for also being another dedicated reader.

to my parents, who let me stay up really late until I run out of creative juices.

and lastly, to all of my readers, whether you've visited here once or many times. without knowing you guys are there, I don't think I would've been as motivated as I have!

I won't be disappearing from this blog quite yet, I'll be around commenting and maybe adding some bonus chapters... perhaps I'll start another novel over the summer holiday!

thanks to you all again!

xoxo

-K

Chapter 21 (N)

“When’s your birthday?” He asked curiously. He has been annoying me for more than half an hour and I knew I was going to lose it soon.
“Shut up.” I replied coldly. He still wouldn’t shut up though.
“Where do you live?”
“Shut up.”
“Do you like me?”
“WOULD YOU PLEASE SHUT UP?”

Alt+Control Chapter 49 (Final Chapter!)

It’s a normal day today, which is weird. I haven’t had a normal day since what seems like forever. This past couple of weeks or so, I’ve been freaking out about this whole Chronos and Lukas thing. But today, nothing is weighing on my mind. Gerad is at peace, Drew is alive, Marc is always by my side, and the world is in no apparent danger. I don’t have to lie to my parents anymore, sneak around, or break into top-secret facilities.

I slip into my normal clothes, and drag down my backpack downstairs.

I wave a quick good morning to my parents as they head out the door. I go into the kitchen and fix my normal breakfast. I settle into my old routine quickly. Within 20 minutes I’m out the door and on the way to school.

Somehow, miraculously, I’m 10 minutes early for class. I sit down at my seat, and take out my copy of “le Petit Prince,” that we’re studying in class. People come in, filling the classroom with familiar and comforting murmurs. I look up from my book, and I see Marc standing at Madame’s desk. I try catching his eye, but he seems to be in deep conversation with Madame. Eventually, he hands her a note and leaves the classroom.

I glance over at his desk. It’s been untouched, with none of his stuff there. The national anthem blares on, and we stand up. I look over at the door to see if Marc would come back, but he doesn’t. I sit back down when the announcements are done, and I put up my hand.

“Madame, where did Marc go?”

“Oh Marc? He’s moving away today. Such a pity though, he was such a brilliant student.”

Marc’s leaving? Moving?! What?! He can’t just leave now without telling me! I’d have no way to contact him! I hear Gerad’s voice in my head saying, “He’ll be there to help you. He told me himself.” Marc, you idiot!

How do I get out of here? I look at Madame. She’s busy setting stuff up for the class activity. I whip out my tablet, and forge a note saying I had a dental appointment.

Lae looks over, and her eyebrow rises. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to go stop something.” I reply. I stand up, and bring my tablet over to Madame. She looks over at it, and then nods.

“Go on ahead. Come here at the end of the day to find out what you missed.”

“Thank you!” I speed walk to my desk, grab my stuff, and run out the door. I nearly soar down the two flights of stairs. I run past the office, ignoring the disapproving glances from the secretaries and burst out the doors.

I look back and forth, and then I see Marc standing at the side of the school, near the back of the school where only a week ago, he, Gerad and I sat. I sprint towards him.

“Marc!” I yell, and he turns around.

“Kaya?”

I stop in front of me, and I pause to take a breath. I put down my stuff. “You idiot! Why are you leaving without telling me?!”

“I was going to tell you, but I forgot,” he says sheepishly.

“That’s no excuse! Where are you moving to?”

“Stromville.”

“That’s a few hours from here! How could you just leave me like this? I thought you were always going to be here, helping me, no matter what!” All my emotions are just spilling out, even though I never meant it to.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I wanted to stay, but my dad’s job uproots us all over the place. If I had the choice, I would stay.”

“But you don’t.”

“No, I don’t.” He shakes his head sadly.

“How will you stay in contact with me? I have none of your contact information, nor do you have mine!”

“Oh, that reminds me,” he says, and he rummages through his pocket. “Close your eyes.”

I look at him skeptically. I close my eyes. I feel something slip over my neck and weigh a little bit. I open my eyes again, and I find a silver heart shaped necklace hanging on a black suede cord.

“Open it,” says Marc, and I pick it up. I find the little opening, and I open it slowly. Inside, I find it’s a USB key.

“For your every need,” he says. “Plus it has all my contact info. Chat with me when you get home.”

I’m speechless. I’ve never seen anything more thoughtful or sweet. “Thanks,” I manage to say.

“No problem,” he says. “If you ever need me, just contact me. I’ll come as soon as I can.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

A honk sounds, and Marc turns towards the road. “Oh, that’s my parents.” He picks up his stuff. “I’ll see you on chat tonight?”

“Sure thing.” He starts to walk towards the car. “Oh wait!” I shout after him. He turns back around. “Gerad says hi!”

He just smiles and shakes his head. He gets into the car, and the car starts moving. I run towards the street, and wave. Marc turns back in his seat and waves back. I keep on waving until he and the car is out of sight.

I look at my tablet. It’s only been 10 minutes since I’ve raced out of Madame’s classroom. I don’t think I’d be back from a dental appointment so soon.

I sit on the bench, wondering what to do. I can’t just wait around for the next adventure to come. I look at my tablet.

I unlocked it, and opened a new word document, the first one in a while. I close my eyes and think. After a few moments, I open my eyes, and my fingers move on their own and start flying across the keyboard.

“My name is Kaya Song,” I type, “but many of you know me as Chimera. Let me tell you a little secret…”

Alt+Control Chapter 48

Here I am, sitting in a black dress, trying my best to listen to the guy drone on and on about Gerad. Instead, my eyes keep on flickering towards the coffin only a few meters away from me.

I can’t listen to the flowery euphemisms that the man spouts out, just like all the people before him. They just capture a small part of Gerad’s personality. They don’t talk about his obsession with movies, his absolute stubbornness, and his crooked smile…they paint this picture of this absolutely flawless guy who isn’t the Gerad I knew.

When it was time to pray, I just bow my head, and I hope that wherever the heck he is, he’s doing fine. The people around me mutter a quiet, “Amen,” and the funeral is finally over.

I stand off to the side, watching his family crying and hugging each other. I look away when it becomes too much. I feel responsible, like I could’ve prevented Gerad’s death. Like I could’ve stopped this mourning.

I walk to the back of the small church, and go outside. It’s another beautiful day, abnormally warm for late September. I sit down, at the base of a maple tree, not caring if my dress gets stained. A few maple leaves flutter down, the first of many.

Alt+Control Chapter 47

“I’m sure he’s confused. He knows that there are things he’s supposed to remember, but he doesn’t. He’s been frustrated lately.”

“Well, I can’t force him to remember me. I…I might just have to start from scratch.” Just the thought of it sends another lightning bolt into my chest. “Maybe we’ll be friends again.” I doubt it though. I can never replicate the relationship we had.

“Maybe you should go talk to him. He must be a little worried that he did something wrong.”

“He didn’t. I don’t blame him.” It’s Chronos’s fault. But Chronos is gone, so I can’t really exact my revenge again. “I’ll go talk to him. Thanks for talking to me.”

“Don’t worry about it. If you ever need to talk to someone, I’m here.”

I go into the washroom, and try to hide my red eyes the best I could. I then go back to the room, where I hear Tam and Drew arguing. I open the door without knocking. They immediately fall silent once I enter.

“I’ll leave the two of you alone,” says Tam, and exits. I stand awkwardly by the door.

“Come, sit,” he motions towards a chair. I sit down.

“From what I can understand, you’ve been my friend for 5 years, and that recently, we’ve started dating.” He coughs, and blushes slightly.

“Yes. But we haven’t gone out on a date yet.” I try talking to him as normally as possible.

“I see.” He pauses, and I don’t know what to do. He shakes his head, and buries his face in his hands. “I’m sorry. I can’t remember anything at all, and I don’t know how to deal with this.” I start to reach out to touch him, and then stop myself.

“It’s ok. You can…you can forget all about it. Let’s start out at scratch, like when we first met.” I smile so I can hide the sadness I can feel. I offer him my hand. “My name is Kaya. What’s yours?”

He smiles at me, and takes my hand. “Drew. How are you?” I feel awful, actually, but I just speak as cordially as possible.

We talk like this for a while, but no matter what we say, it’s still awkward between the two of us. Eventually, we run out of things to say. I stand up.

“I have to go home. I’ll talk to you later?”

“Yeah,” he says, and he opens his book again. I close the door behind me. I walk towards the front door, and give my thanks and apologies to Tam and Drew’s mom.

“Come again soon, Kaya,” she says.

“Thanks,” I reply. I put on my shoes and go out the door. I call the elevator, and descend to the ground floor. I walk back to the park to finish writing the exposé. I won’t have any time to do it tomorrow. To make my mood worse, it’s Gerad’s funeral tomorrow. I still need to get my clothing out and find a way to get there.

I look back down at the tablet, and finish writing the exposé, trying to keep my emotions out of it.


Alt+Control is coming to an end! I can't believe it. I know there are those of you who don't wish for it to end, but all novels must come to a close. I will be finished within a few chapters, and I want to thank everyone for sticking with me. Your support means the world to me!

Alt+Control Chapter 46

It’s been a few days since I’ve been released from the hospital. Much to Lae’s disappointment, I’ve decided to stay behind the scenes and not reveal myself publicly. Instead, if you’re on the Net, you may see me by the code name “Chimera.” Many people dispute my existence and my deeds, but that doesn’t matter. As long as they don’t have an actual name to trace, I’m safe.

I’m sitting in the park where I first met Marc, enjoying the crisp breeze. I have my tablet on, and I’m writing an exposé about the government, their role in the virus, and who in particular was responsible. I’ve decided to leave Lukas’s name out of it, but I’ve placed him under the code name of “Chronos.” The exposé will probably be all over the news tomorrow if I send it in tonight. I already have a deal with one of the national heralds.

“Hey,” says someone behind me, and I turn around.

Alt+Control Chapter 45

Chimera tries valiantly to fight off Chronos’s attacks, but too many of them are hitting her. More projectiles embed themselves into her arms, and a few manage to hit her chest. When she yanks those ones out, I can see wires getting pulled out as well. Some of the wires spark, and they cause her to stumble. If the chest is where the central wires are…

More and more things hit her as she starts to slow down and become clumsy. Each of them hit her chest with deadly accuracy, and she falls to her knees. She struggles to get up, but Chronos kicks her down and holds her there, his foot on her chest.

“Kaya,” she whispers, her voice starting to crackle. “The central system is here,” she places a hand over where her heart would be. Her eyes flicker, and then closes.

Chronos leans over, as if to check whether Chimera really was dead. Then he places a hand over her central system, and starts to draw out white energy. They travel up his hand and arm, but once they reach his elbow, they darken and start turning grey. Once they reach his shoulders, the energy is pure black. “Calibration 30% complete,” she says, to what seems like no one in particular.

I take small steps quietly, so I don’t attract Chronos’s attention. I then bend down, and pick up one of the projectiles. This one was half black and half white, as if the energy when they smashed into each other made them merge into one.

Alt+Control Chapter 44

“Get out of my head!” roars a voice. Ah, it’s Lukas. “What are you doing?!” Those scenes from before flash by again, but I can feel their emotions this time. The colours in the scenes are more vivid.

I feel another roar of pain. So it seems he’s trying to kick me out. Not letting that happen. “I’m trying to show you why this is a mistake! Why you have to stop doing this!” I shout back at him.

“What, let go of this power? Let this hard work all go to waste? How is this a mistake? I’m finally powerful and almost ready to show myself to the world!” The scenes flash by again, and I nearly drop from the emotions that come with it. Agony, betrayal, sorrow and anger all flow through me, and nearly shake me out of my fragile concentration.  

“Hold on!” says Chimera. “Don’t get distracted!”

What’s making all these images go by? Do you have any idea? It seems when his emotions flare up, all these images and their connotations come up stronger and stronger.

Another flash of images goes by. It’s getting harder and harder to focus on staying here. “It seems that every time he uses Chronos, the emotions flare up,” says Chimera.  

So you mean…another wave of images flow by, and knocks me down, leaving me breathless. Damn it, I can barely concentrate on staying put!

Alt+Control Chapter 43

I pick up Chimera and wander around the room for a bit. There’s nothing really fascinating in this dismal room. The room is totally unfurnished, except for the chair I was locked into and the table where Chronos would be placed. I try the door, but it’s locked.

I walk back to my chair and sit down. So, Chimera, what do you think of my plan?

“I think it’s possible it’ll work. Whatever Lukas brings your way though, never lose control. Once you do that, you’re done. We’re done.”

Yeah, yeah, ok. I know that much. It’s kind of obvious. If we initiate the attack, he’s not going to show us any mercy.

“Yes. He may even kill me.”

Thanks for letting us go through this…I know we’ve only been acquainted for a few hours, but you’re willing to sacrifice yourself.

“Because I want to stop this killing. I do not have the power to constantly play catch-up with Chronos.”

Right.

Alt+Control Chapter 42

I shake myself awake, and still find myself connected to Chimera. The influence of the drug has worn off, and I feel more alert than ever. I can still sense the heartbeats, but fainter this time. I look around the room, but neither Lukas nor Marc is in here.

I look down at Chimera. It’s still wide open, and the names are still on there. This time though, my fingers don’t start moving of their own accord. I have to move it myself. Perhaps when I was in that drugged state, Chimera was able to connect with me more. That would make sense, as I wouldn’t be fighting it at all.

This time, I don’t click any names. I press the command and “N” key, and open a new window. It’s a blank HTML window this time.

I stretch my arms, and stare intently at the screen. Ok, let’s see what I can do with this.

I will Chimera to show me how to move something. At first, I get no response, and then a cold, childish female voice says, “What would you like to move?”

Alt+Control Chapter 41

“Lukas,” he says, turning around. “This isn’t another of your sick games, is it?”

“No, I’m afraid. This is entirely of her own will.”

For a second, I’m afraid that Marc will snap, like he did with Mr. Sharpo. Instead, he just turns to me with sad eyes. “If this is your choice, I’ll respect it.”

“I’m sorry.” I know it’s not enough, but it’s all I can say right now. It’s all I can think of saying.

“There’s no need for you to be.” Marc’s eyes turn colder, flatter and devoid of emotion.

Lukas comes up to me with Chimera on his lap. “Are you ready?” he asks me.

“Yes.” I drain all emotion from my mind, and slip into a meditative state. I close my eyes.

“I’m warning you, it’s going to hurt.”

Before panic can flood back in, I feel a hand grasp mine. I smile. “Thanks, Marc,” I say graciously without opening my eyes.

Alt+Control Chapter 40

Me, become his queen? So that’s the role he designates for me in his game. “How does it work, Lukas? And why can’t you do it yourself?”

“Chimera works in the same manner as Chronos. Creates waves, and then sends them through cyberspace to the next person’s computer. Instead of shutting someone’s mind down though, Chimera will coax him or her back awake. And I can’t control both Chronos and Chimera. One human body is not enough power, and besides, they hate each other.” He pauses. “What will make you trust me? I’ve already spilled all my motives to you.”

What would make him trustworthy to me? What could prove that he’s not joking? There’s only one thing on my mind…

“Bring back Drew.”

Lukas smiles angelically. “I knew you would say that.” He rolls up his sleeve, and I see that the wires enter his bloodstream in the crook of his arm. He carefully plucks out the wires, and picks up the wires connected to Chimera. He takes them, and puts it into the small holes that the wires from Chronos left. He shudders when the wires enter; whether it was out of ecstasy or pain I don’t know. The shudders stop abruptly, and he opens Chimera. Quickly he starts typing something in, his fingers flying over the keyboard. After a few moments, he stops.

“There. Would you like some proof?”