He was still dreaming, and aware of it. But oh, why couldn't he wake up?

The green door loomed before him, but this one hardly drew him in like the others had. He felt sick looking at it but he couldn't look away. And then he knew why.

This was it then.

He stepped through the door, memories flooding through rapidly. He remembered how this all really started, from the day he left the company to become a teacher. Running away from his homeland and family, back to the place where he first experienced freedom. He thought he could start afresh here, but really, his heart was somewhere else. How quickly did fifteen years fly by, and now he was left wondering if he had made the right choice. Was he still happy with the choice he made?

Perhaps. It was funny. Since Day Zero, he had experienced being a proper guardian much more than he ever did since his tenure as a professor. He would have liked to think that he had helped them to survive … but where were they now?

He was acutely aware of his mortality. But the children... are they alive?

He closed his eyes and braced himself.

Please let them live in my place...

- - -

He spent his career dealing with data, matrices, knowledge that needed to be sorted and organised and understood. This sensation was … different. He was within it, and somehow he knew. His entire self, his wealth of knowledge and memories, were all part of a larger matrix. He would be pleased as an academic, for being part of the most noble pursuit.

Knowledge, and creation.

His words, his research and his teachings would live on forever -

Corrupting, Manipulating, Brainwashing-

-No, he was imparting to them their intellectual freedom! He was activating them to be greater individuals-

Preparing them to be cogs in a machine, slave to the trappings of the system-

No. No this was not what he- this was not his purpose!

- - -

Something snapped, and he was free. A consciousness without form. Was that enough? He willed himself for something to happen, and the vines responded. He had presence. Good, good... and now-

He moved forward, in search for someone...the students... or himself. They were somewhere here amongst the vines.

Who was she? He wondered, staring at the sleeping face of the lady.

Ah. So it was her.

He brushed the vines aside, taking a closer look. He couldn't help but notice how her expression held regret and sadness. She looked to be so young too.

She did not belong here. He willed the vines to part, freeing her from their grasp. He would return her home.

Down, down, down the stairs he descended, feeling his presence growing fainter with each step further from the source. He was nearly there, and she would be safe now.

The shadows shifted, collecting her from his arms.

Thank you. And Goodbye.

It was a faint whisper, perhaps his imagination. The shadows offered their thanks too.

- - -

Back at the center, he could feel himself more together again. He could also see the others present, just like himself. There was still time. He was still him.