John's mind was on fire. It was like somebody had just cut open his skull and poured gasoline right onto his brain. His senses were overwhelmed. He felt more in a second than he had his entire life - and the feeling was building and building, exponentially. The universe around him felt more real than anything he'd ever known - and it was pressing in on him, as though it would implode on top of him at any second.
In a blink the pain disappeared, but the strange feeling of the universe seeping in was still there. Time seemed to slow down. He heard footsteps out in the hallway. A familiar click-clack of stilettos. He knew that sound - Sarah Trask, the lovely young lab tech who often passed through the halls at this time. Lots of the faculty were guilty of stealing glances her way - she was professional, but still knew how to dress. And suddenly he knew what it was like to have those leering eyes on him, gawking at his smooth legs just because he'd wanted to wear some cute pumps to the lab. Gawd, what pigs. Women like him could be stylish AND brilliant scientists for Pete's sake.
He'd just finished some data entry and was on his way to meet his girlfriends at the bar - glad he'd picked out a dress he could wear under the labcoat and still look good for a night out - when he heard a familiar voice call out from Dr. Watson's lab. He poked his head inside.
"Everything OK in here?" Sarah asked him. He looked up at her. Hadn't he just walked in? No, he was in the lab the whole time.
"Dr. Watson, are you OK?" She asked. He stared. Was he Dr. Watson? Why was he talking to himself? How could he be standing in two places at once. In one place he was Dr. John Watson, having just injected experimental nanites into his nervous system. In another place, he was Sarah Trask, wondering what the hell was going on with one of his mentors.
"It's me, Sarah. Are you all right?" They both said, at the same time.
"Dr. Watson, what's wrong?" Again, in unison. Sarah stepped closer, John just stared at her. It was so weird to see his own pretty face, his own long blonde hair, from the outside. Wait - no - he shook his head. Tried to get a grip. He was Dr. Watson. Renowned researcher. He wasn't Sarah Trask. Even though he could feel her fear and confusion, even stronger as she got closer.
"Stop!" He finally managed to yell out, under his own control. She did. He couldn't let her brain invade his - then he'd forget all his brilliant research!
"What's going on?" He asked as the same words came out of Sarah's mouth.
"N-nanobots. Too strong." He said with exasperation. "Your brainwaves... overriding mine. If you get too close... my brain will become yours..." As long as she stayed where she was, he was able to exert some control - he still felt her mind, but could distinguish his own... for now.
"What?" She couldn't believe it. That kind of technology was only theoretical. There was no way Dr. Watson would be crazy enough to try that kind of thing.
"You have to believe me..." he said, holding up the injector.
"So you can hear what I'm thinking?"
"Hear? No, no. I'm thinking what you're thinking. I'm thinking how crazy Dr. Watson seems right now, how Tina is gonna be pissed if I don't pick her up on time, how I really don't want to deal with this on a Friday because I have plans to go dancing and meet some cute guys.
Sarah's eyes went wide with shock, and so did John's.
"Ohmigod! It IS real. I have to get Dr. Stevens, she won't believe this!"
"No, wait, it's not stable yet!" He was about to chase after her, but his knees were still weak. He grabbed the nearby table for support, and started to feel Sarah's shock and excitement fade as she got farther away. After a minute, the world grew silent again. He was far enough away that no brainwaves were interfering with his. He could think clearly now. He steadied himself, and looked around.
He had to get out of here, especially if Sarah was coming back. Who knew what would happen if he had to deal with the brainwaves of TWO people. Luckily the building was mostly empty by now. He snuck out the hallway towards the back entrance, where he knew the coast would be clear. He pushed open the heavy back door that led to the quad and stepped outside.
And immediately doubled over in psychic pain, because at that moment the quad was packed with every sorority on campus, celebrating Pledge Week.
