The Roommate Experiment

 I always thought I had a roommate. Her name was Lisa, and she was a quiet but friendly girl who shared the rent with me for a small apartment near the campus. We didn't talk much, but we respected each other's space and privacy. She had a habit of leaving notes on the fridge or the bathroom mirror, reminding me of things like paying the bills, buying groceries, or cleaning the dishes. I never saw her face-to-face, but I assumed she had a busy schedule and preferred to communicate through writing.

One day, I came home from a long day of classes and found a note on the door. It read: "Hey, I'm sorry to do this, but I have to move out. Something came up and I need to leave town as soon as possible. I already packed my stuff and left the keys on the kitchen counter. Thanks for being a great roommate. Take care, Lisa."

I was shocked and confused. Why would she leave so suddenly? What could have happened to make her abandon everything? I opened the door and walked into the apartment. It looked exactly the same as before, except for a small pile of keys on the counter. I picked them up and counted them. There were four keys: one for the front door, one for the mailbox, one for the bike lock, and one for...the basement?

I had never been to the basement before. It was locked and Lisa had told me it was off-limits. She said it was where the landlord stored some old furniture and junk, and that we were not allowed to go there. I had respected her wish and never asked any questions. But now that she was gone, I felt a sudden curiosity and fear. What was in the basement? Why did she have a key for it? And why did she leave it for me?

I decided to find out. I grabbed a flashlight and headed downstairs. The basement was dark and damp, with a musty smell of mold and dust. I shone the flashlight around and saw piles of boxes, bags, and crates stacked against the walls. There was also a large wooden door at the far end of the room, with a padlock on it. I walked towards it and tried the key that Lisa had left me. It fit perfectly and unlocked the door.

I opened it slowly and peeked inside. What I saw made me scream and drop the flashlight.

It was Lisa.

Or rather, what was left of her.

She was lying on a metal table, covered in blood and cuts. Her eyes were wide open and staring at me, as if begging for help. Her mouth was gagged with a cloth, and her wrists and ankles were tied with ropes. There were wires attached to her temples, chest, and fingers, leading to a machine that looked like an old radio. Next to her, there was a notebook with dozens of pages filled with writing.

I picked up the notebook and read the first page.

It said:

"Day 1: Experiment 1

Subject: Lisa Jones

Objective: To create an artificial personality in the subject's mind through electrical stimulation of the brain.

Procedure: The subject is placed on a table and connected to a device that sends signals to different regions of the brain. The device is controlled by a computer program that generates random scenarios and dialogues for the subject to experience. The program also records the subject's responses and reactions.

Results: The subject reported feeling confused and disoriented at first, but then started to perceive herself as having a roommate named Amy. Amy was friendly and helpful, but also distant and secretive. The subject said she felt comfortable with Amy, but also curious about her life.

Conclusion: The experiment was successful in creating an artificial personality in the subject's mind. Further experiments are needed to test the stability and durability of this personality."

I flipped through the pages and saw that there were more experiments, each one more horrifying than the last.

"Day 2: Experiment 2

Objective: To induce fear in the subject through manipulation of Amy's personality.

Procedure: The program alters Amy's behavior to become more hostile and threatening towards the subject. Amy accuses the subject of stealing her things, lying to her, or plotting against her.

Results: The subject reported feeling scared and anxious around Amy. She tried to avoid her as much as possible, but Amy always found ways to confront her or leave menacing notes for her.

Conclusion: The experiment was successful in inducing fear in the subject through manipulation of Amy's personality."

"Day 3: Experiment 3

Objective: To induce pain in the subject through physical stimulation of the brain.

Procedure: The device increases the intensity of the signals sent to different regions of the brain that are responsible for pain perception.

Results: The subject reported feeling excruciating pain throughout her body. She screamed and begged for mercy, but no one heard her or came to help her.

Conclusion: The experiment was successful in inducing pain in the subject through physical stimulation of the brain."

"Day 4: Experiment 4

Objective: To induce madness in the subject through isolation and sensory deprivation.

Procedure: The device blocks all the signals sent to the brain, except for those that maintain the subject's vital functions. The subject is left alone in the dark, with no sound, no sight, no smell, no taste, and no touch.

Results: The subject reported feeling nothing at all. She lost all sense of time, space, and self. She started to hallucinate and hear voices in her head. She didn't know who she was, where she was, or why she was there.

Conclusion: The experiment was successful in inducing madness in the subject through isolation and sensory deprivation."

I couldn't read any more. I threw the notebook away and ran out of the basement. I grabbed my phone and called the police. I told them everything I had seen and where I was. They said they would send someone right away.

I waited outside, shaking and crying. I wondered who had done this to Lisa, and why. I wondered if she was still alive, or if she had died a long time ago. I wondered if Amy was real, or just a figment of her imagination.

I wondered if I had ever had a roommate at all.