(Nate's POV)

I set the files on autoplay.  The screen flashed its programmed warning that there could be unknown errors that could cause a malfunction and could possibly kill me. I didn't care, if it killed me, so be it. I exited out of the warning and entered the tube to begin the experience. First, there was just the tube, and then the gas surrounded me and the entire landscape changed.

There she was. I saw her standing there, on the edge of the pier, looking out on the water. I was taken back to the moment when I asked her out myself, somewhere different then the usual dinner and movie. I asked her to meet me down here, sure enough, here she was, looking as beautiful as ever. I came up behind her, and hugged her from behind. She smiled at me, the most beautiful smile. Absolutely perfect. We walked the pier for a bit, just talking and laughing. Then we got to the games. We shot baskets, played skeeball, ball tosses. She earned her first chain of tickets and wore it around her neck like a scarf. She had enough for a cheap plastic spider ring, that she wore with pride. This was the end of the memory, so it skipped to the next one. This was the day I proposed to her. It was in the middle of our favorite restaurant. I had planned everything. I had the staff write a message on her piece of cake. She looked up at me, which was my cue to go down on one knee. Then I said it. I couldn't even hear myself say it, all I could hear was my heartbeat racing through my ears, my blood was pumping, and I felt both scared and dizzy. She threw her hands over her mouth then nodded yes, unable to speak. I got up and placed the ring on her perfect hand. It fit perfectly. I had to guess her size, and thankfully had gotten it just right. She ran into my arms, then when she broke the hug, she kissed me. Once again, the scene changed to our wedding day. I never wanted this to end.

(Ariah's POV)

I woke up with a start, my heart rate a thousand beats per minute. I couldn't help but just stare at the ceiling for a bit. I knew I should've gone back to sleep, but everytime I close my eyes, I saw my father's face, angry, tears flowing down his face. Something else was keeping me awake, a sinking feeling in my stomach. Something was definitely wrong. I sat up in bed, still covered by my blanket, wearing thinner by the day. I grabbed the pill bottle to read the label. I looked under the section labeled 'uses'. It said it helped give you a restful ten hours of sleep. I hit my clock and saw the time flash across the screen. It was only one in the morning. So much for ten hours. Suddenly, out of the blue, as if my current heart rate wasn't fast enough, an alarm sounded. This time, I jumped out of bed. It wasn't coming from my room. It was coming from the living room. It took me a second to put two and two together before I realized what was going on. Dad... he was in the machine. I fumbled with my doorknob. Locked from the outside! No doubt my dads doing. I already prepared for this, however. I had the little door key, I shoved it into the knob so fast it should have broken if it had been made in 2020. I threw open the door as soon as I heard the lock snap open. I was still feeling the effects of the sleep aid, so my run probably looked like I was still half asleep. All I knew was I had to reach him, before he caused himself permanent brain damage.