# Genetically-Engineered Teen Falls into Coma Attempting Memory Alteration to Fit In

The third genetically-engineered young person created for research purposes, was reported missing from school for several days. A late-night investigation of her apartment, conducted alongside a lead researcher, revealed a hidden room where she had secretly built a sophisticated memory-engineering device. This device closely resembled the equipment used by the Genetic Institute where she has been continuously connected since birth.

The girl entered a coma after attempting to modify her own memories. She tried to "dumb herself down" in an effort to feel less isolated and better blend with her peers at school. Despite her longing to fit in, her attempt backfired because memories had obscure digital addresses and her knowledge was already highly crystallized, making removal or alteration extremely difficult and dangerous. The experiment resulted in severe mental damage, leading her to voluntarily enter a coma state, hoping her brain could recover without further harm.

She has since been awakened and disconnected from the genetic modifications but remains deeply afraid of the damage done to her mind. At this time, she refuses to return to school or undergo any further memory replanting procedures.

## Interview with the Teenager Behind the Secret Memory Experiment

Interviewer: Thank you for agreeing to talk with me. You've just been through something very difficult. How are you feeling right now?
Girl: (quietly) Scared. I don't want to talk too much about it. It's... hard to explain.
Interviewer: That's understandable. Can you share why you felt the need to change your memories?
Girl: At school... I felt so different, so lonely. Everyone else seemed normal, and I just wanted to be like them. So I thought if I could change what I knew, maybe I'd fit in better.
Interviewer: It sounds like you tried to help yourself. Did you have support when you made this choice?
Girl: No. I didn't want anyone to know. I thought I could handle it on my own.
Interviewer: What was the hardest part of the process for you?
Girl: The memories... they were stuck. I couldn't just erase what was there. It got confusing, like the parts I wanted to lose wouldn't go away, and the parts I kept got mixed up.
Interviewer: And then you chose to enter a coma?
Girl: I didn't want to hurt my mind more. It felt like the only way to stop the pain and confusion.
Interviewer: How do you feel about going back to school now?
Girl: I'm scared. Not just of what happened to me, but of how people will see me. I don't want to be the "girl who tried to change her mind".
Interviewer: What would you like people to understand about your experience?
Girl: That it's lonely being different. And sometimes the things that make you special can also make you feel like you don't belong.

----

# Dialogue at the Social Cafe

[Late night at a quiet social cafe near the university. The girl walks in hesitantly. The barista-counselor notices her immediately but says nothing about ordering]

Barista: You don't have to order anything if you don't want to. Just sit whenever you're ready.
Girl: (softly) I don't want coffee or anything. I don't really want to talk either.
Barista: That's okay. You don't have to.
Girl: I feel... so desperate. I don't want to talk to the researchers. And not even to the news people. They will be treating me like I'm fragile, or like I messed up something basic about myself.
Barista: You're not weird or forgetful. You're dealing with a lot that a lot of people can't even imagine.
Girl: (shakes her head) I don't want to be seen as the girl with broken memories. I just want to disappear.

[Just then, a few university students come in, spotting her from recent news coverage about her memory experiment]

Student 1: Hey, aren't you the girl from the news? We saw what happened... you're really brave.
Student 2: Yeah, seriously. It's okay. Changing memories isn't who you are. You're more than that.
Girl: (voice trembling, eyes filling with tears) Everyone's looking at me... I just want to be normal.
Student 3: It's okay to cry. You don't have to prove anything.

[She sits down slowly and the three university students sit with her at the round table. One gently places a hand on her arm]

Girl: (a bit relieved by the touch, but her voice is tired) Thank you... It helps. But honestly... my thinking feels slower lately. Like I'm lost inside my own head. I don't even know what memories I deleted or what's left.
Student 1: That sounds really tough. Are you feeling more tired because of that?
Girl: Yes. So tired. I don't even want to go back to school anymore. I'm afraid none of you will really understand what it's like to mess with your own memories like that.
Student 2: I get that fear. But we're here because we all feel something similar, like anxiety, pressure, and in general feeling unfulfilled in different ways.
Girl: I want to be respected. But no one really respects me. Every time I try to talk to someone from another class, they reject me silently, like I don't exist.
Student 3: (nods) I had that in high school too. I thought respect was automatic, but lots of times it's not returned. There's a lot of ignorance out there.
Girl: I guess... by trying to dumb myself down, I just wanted to match them, to be as simple as the others so I wouldn't stand out anymore.
Student 3: (smiles gently) Sometimes trying to fit in means hiding the parts that make you different. But maybe true respect comes when you stop hiding and find people who appreciate you as you truly are.
Girl: I'm scared to be truly myself. But maybe I don't have to pretend.
Student 1: You're welcome here, exactly as you are. We can learn from each other, even if our struggles are different.
Girl: (quietly, taking a deep breath) Thank you. That means something right now.
Student 2: Hey, can we ask your name? It feels strange to talk without knowing.
Girl: (hesitates, then softly) It's Maya.
Student 1: I'm Liam.
Student 3: I'm Sofia.
Student 2: And I'm Alex. We're all studying social sciences here at the university.
Maya: Social sciences... that sounds interesting. I'm only in 10th grade, so high school feels really hard sometimes.
Liam: I can imagine. High school can be a tough place, especially when you feel different.
Sofia: You know, listening to your story, I can't stop thinking about all those teenagers created at the Genetics Institute. There's a lot of them now, created for research, like you. And most of them seem to carry a deep struggle inside.
Maya: Yes... it's like none of us really fit anywhere.
Sofia: Exactly. Take Carla, the first of them. She was outspoken, especially against exporting generated humans to the global south. That resistance is remarkable, but it also meant she was even more isolated.
Alex: And these created youths, many are really bright, often drawn to social sciences or similar fields. But high school for them is just brutal.
Liam: Most of them are still in high school, right? Some have managed to finish, but it feels like the whole process is about testing how messed-up their lives can get, even when researchers try to help.
Sofia: Yes. Many of them tend to pull away from the researchers. They want to live alone, keep their distance. It's like being monitored all the time makes them lose trust. And the isolation grows.
Maya: That sounds familiar. I didn't want anyone watching me all the time, either.
Sofia: So these kids don't just struggle with what was done to them genetically, but with the loneliness and marginalization that follows. I think society hasn't figured out how to truly support them yet.
Maya: (quietly) It gives me a little hope, I guess, hearing that there are other people who are marginalized just like me. Maybe I don't have to carry this weight by myself. (hesitates, voice barely above a whisper) And um... can I ask you something? It might sound awkward.
Sofia: No worries, Maya. You can say anything.
Maya: Would you... want to be friends? And maybe share your phone numbers, so we don't lose each other? I don't want to feel alone again.
Alex: (smiles warmly) Of course. We're happy to.
Liam: Absolutely. Here, you can have mine too.
Maya: (relieved but still shy) Thank you. Just... please don't be weird or ignore me like the others at school.
Sofia: We get it. This isn't like school. We want to actually be here for you.
Liam: We'll check in, okay? Just real friends.
Maya: (smiles faintly) Okay. I'm glad I found you all. (standing up slowly) I should go now. It's late, and I... I just wanted to say thank you. That's why I asked for your numbers. You've been really kind to me tonight.
Sofia: We're glad you came. You're supposed to be welcome here.
Liam: Don't forget to take care of yourself, okay?
Maya: (smiling faintly) I will. Thanks again... for everything.

[Maya leaves, feeling a little less alone as she steps into the night]

----

# Phone Call Between Liam and Maya

[Two days later, Liam sends a message to Maya]

Liam: Hey Maya, is it okay if I call you now?
Maya: (texts back) Sure, go ahead.

[Call connects]

Liam: Hey Maya, how have you been?
Maya: Honestly... exhausted. I've been dealing with a lot of social rejection lately. It's been really tough.
Liam: I'm sorry to hear that. Anything specific happen?
Maya: Yeah, there's this girl I met on the bus, Beatrice. We'd talked before on messages, but somehow things went bad. When I tried to confront her about my feelings, she got really aggressive.
Liam: Aggressive how?
Maya: She told me something like, "If you approach me, then I'll hit you". It felt so harsh, like she was an aggressive peasant or something. As far as I heard, only in rural areas they talk like that.
Liam: I know exactly what you mean. I've been through similar situations with people who flip from friendly to cold or threatening out of nowhere.
Maya: It feels so confusing, like I don't know where I stand with them.
Liam: The hardest lesson is not getting too attached to those kinds of unreliable or... frankly, stupid people. If they don't want to talk or respect you, then that's it. You can't force it.
Maya: That sounds right. It's just so lonely sometimes.
Liam: I get it. But remember, you deserve people who want to be with you, not those who tear you down.
Maya: Thanks. It helps somewhat hearing that.

----

# Memory Breach

[Sofia's dormitory room is dimly lit, cluttered with books and scientific equipment. The large memory-engineering device sits on a desk, its screen glowing faintly in the dark. A 12-year-old girl quietly slips inside, eyes filled with curiosity and excitement. She approaches the device and begins to fiddle with its casing.

Her fingers crawl over the panels, searching for the write-protection switch. She finds it and hesitates briefly before flipping it, trying to disable the lock]

12-Year-Old Girl: *whispering to herself, excited* Come on... let's see what this thing really does.

[Suddenly, the device screen lights up more brightly, displaying complex memory addresses and decoded memory context lines scrolling rapidly. The girl grins widely, eyes sparkling with thrill]

Sofia: *voice sharp, alert* Hey! What do you think you're doing?

[The girl spins around, startled but trying not to show fear]

12-Year-Old Girl: Oh! I just wanted to see if this really works. Everyone's been talking about it at school. You're the only one who has one like this, right?
Sofia: *crossing arms, serious* Yes, and it's write-protected for a reason. This device is not a toy.
12-Year-Old Girl: *grinning defiantly* Come on, Sofia. You don't have to be so strict. It's just a bit of fun. Besides, I was told if I didn't do this, the others would be mad at me.
Sofia: *sighs, softening a little* Look, I get why you want to play around with it. But messing with memories isn't as cool as you think. It's dangerous. I've seen what can happen.
12-Year-Old Girl: *eyes wide, voice eager* Really? Like what?
Sofia: *quiet, with a flicker of pain* Someone tried messing with herself. It backfired badly. Left her... in a coma.
12-Year-Old Girl: *gulping* I didn't know... I guess I just wanted to see what it feels like.
Sofia: *nodding* I understand wanting to experiment. But these memories aren't puzzles to match. They're part of who we are.
12-Year-Old Girl: *looking down, quieter* I just want to have fun and make people like me.
Sofia: *still firm but kinder* You don't need altered memories for that. If they don't like you for you... maybe they aren't worth it.

[The girl hesitates, then slowly steps back, letting go of the switch. The device screen dims]

12-Year-Old Girl: *softly* Maybe you're right. I'm sorry for breaking in. Can you... teach me somehow, like how to handle this better?
Sofia: *smiles faintly* We'll take it slow. So, what's your name?
12-Year-Old Girl: *smiling brightly* I'm Emilia. I like to be around everyone. You know, make people happy, keep things light.
Sofia: *quietly, almost to herself* That's... not always a good thing. But I see a lot of kids like that these days.

[Sofia walks over to the device and sits down, gesturing for Emilia to come closer. She activates the system carefully, making sure the write-protection remains on]

Sofia: Okay, I'm going to connect you, but we're not changing anything, just looking. This device isn't perfect. It tries to translate analog signals from the brain into digital code, and then back again. 
Emilia: *curious* Like... turning thoughts into computer stuff?
Sofia: Exactly. But it's complicated. It uses a bunch of rules to interpret signals, and sometimes it guesses wrong.

[The device's screen lights up, showing a matrix of digital addresses and complex data streams]

Sofia: See these numbers? These are addresses for chunks of memory. You can select one, but be careful, this interface isn't user-friendly.

[Emilia clicks randomly on one memory address. The screen changes to a detailed view]

Emilia: Whoa... what is all this?
Sofia: That's the signal interpretation. It tries to map raw nerve impulses into something the computer can understand.

[Labels appear: Signal Interpretations, Notion Match, Reconstruction Button]

Sofia: The "Notion Match" tries to link signals to logical ideas or objects. These notions don't really exist like that in real life. 
Emilia: So it's like a fake label?
Sofia: Kind of. And the Reconstruction Button tells the computer to reassemble the memory. Human memories don't just sit there, they're reconstructed from cues each time you recall them.
Emilia: *nodding slowly* So even looking at memories is like putting together a puzzle?
Sofia: Yes. That's why messing with this can be risky. The pieces might not fit back together correctly.

[Emilia, curious and impulsive, taps the Reconstruction Button on the device's interface. The screen flickers as the selected memory begins to reconstruct.]

Emilia: *eyes widening* Woah, it's working...

[The scene on the screen shows fragmented images and emotions swirling together. Suddenly, a private, vivid moment from Emilia's school bus ride pops up]

Emilia: *blushing, a little embarrassed* Oh no... Sofia, you just saw my crush on the bus.
Sofia: *looking at the screen, careful but understanding* That's a pretty deep secret to have pop up so suddenly.
Emilia: *nervously laughing* Yeah, I wasn't expecting to share that. I guess these memories are more personal than I thought.
Sofia: The Notion Match is supposed to give you a quick idea of what the memory is about, but it's not very detailed. See that word cloud over there? It's just words the system guesses might relate, it doesn't really understand the feelings or context.
Emilia: *pointing at the screen* So it might call this "bus" or "crush" or something, but it can't tell the real story?
Sofia: Exactly. It's a rough snapshot, not the full picture. That's why memory reconstruction is tricky. It's never perfect.
Emilia: *smiling shyly* Well, now you know one of my secrets. Guess that means I owe you, right?
Sofia: *soft smile* Maybe. But more importantly, you've learned how really fragile this all is.

[Emilia returns to the main device screen, and clicks on a new signal. The device reconstructs the memory and the screen displays a simple message: "Ask or maybe not ask Sophia if I'm cute..."]

Emilia: *eyes wide, whispering* That's exactly what I was thinking just now...
Sofia: *gently* Why does it matter so much to you being cute?

[Emilia's face flushes, embarrassment flooding her. Her voice cracks and she looks away]

Emilia: I... I didn't mean for this to come out. I just wanted it to be cool, you know? To impress people. But now it feels like everything's on display. *voice breaking as her eyes begin to water, tears welling up* It's... so embarrassing. I didn't want anyone to see this side.
Sofia: Everyone's got things they worry about. You don't have to hide it, at least not here.

[Emilia suddenly pulls away from the device, tears still fresh on her cheeks. Her breath comes in quick, panicked gasps]

Emilia: *shaking her head* I don't want to see this thing again. Ever.

[She bolts toward the door but stops halfway. After a moment of hesitation, she turns back and walks slowly to Sofia]

Emilia: *voice trembling* I... I guess the device is going to be here no matter what. And you're not going anywhere either.

[Sofia watches silently, waiting]

Emilia: It's not fair to be mad at it... or at you. Because the computer will know everything anyway.

[She sits down hesitantly, plugs herself back into the device for a quick glance at new signals]

Emilia: *looking at the screen, then quickly disconnecting* No. No, I can't do this. *flopping onto the bed, burying her face in her hands, whispering to herself* I don't want to tell anyone. But... I don't want to live with the secret either.
Sofia: *gently touching Emilia's arm, her tone calm and reassuring* You don't have to tell your peers about this. They're not your friends, not really. We can keep this secret between us.
Emilia: *hesitating, then nodding slowly* Okay... I'll keep the secret between us. I'm really sorry for running away like that. I didn't mean to make you feel bad.
Sofia: *smiling gently, reassuring* It's alright. I'm just glad you're here now.
Emilia: *body tense and frozen as she voices her fear* If I don't tell my peers anything... I'll lose them. Or maybe they'll think less of me. I mean, I can make new friends, but it's exhausting. And now, it feels like I'm stuck with you. You're so much older, already at university.
Sofia: *gently but firmly* If you think that way, then they're not really your friends. Real friendships aren't conditional. They don't depend on secrets or approval.
Emilia: *softly* I guess... maybe you're right.

[Sofia gives her an encouraging look but stays silent, letting Emilia process her feelings in her own time. Emilia fidgets with her hands, struggling to find the right words. Her voice is hesitant, vulnerable]

Emilia: I hate feeling so exposed. I'm not used to talking about personal stuff... actually, I don't like it at all. *looking down, then back up* And... I hate having to change my circle. I try to please everyone, even you, even though I know you don't want that. I want to be approved all the time. Even when I know it's not possible. I want to avoid... dialogue, confrontation. I hate admitting the truth about myself, or even thinking about my insecurities. *pauses, swallowing hard* I wish you could just forget about all this personal stuff. But that's not how it works, right? *softly, more to herself* What if I had never gone into the dormitory? Would I still be the same? Would none of this have happened? *looks away, lost in thought*
Sofia: *gently places her hand on Emilia's arm* You don't have to please other people all the time. I want you to start thinking about your own needs, okay? And talking about personal stuff can be hard, but a lot of it depends on the people around you. It shapes how safe you feel.
Emilia: *breathes in slowly, nodding in understanding, quietly* I get that... Thank you for being kind. *rubs her tired eyes* But... I'm really tired. It's the middle of the night.
Sofia: *smiles gently, understanding* Then get some rest. We can talk more when you're ready.
Emilia: *stands, adjusting her bag* I... I hope we can meet again in the dorm sometime, when I have time. *offers a small, hopeful smile before leaving the room*

---- NEXT DAY ----

# Emilia Faces Peer Pressure at School

[Next day, Emilia's classroom buzzes with whispers as Emilia enters cautiously. Her classmates notice her and soon surround her, curious and eager]

Classmate 1: Hey Emilia! So, did you finally figure out what that memory device is? What happened when you used it?
Classmate 2: Yeah, come on! Don't leave us hanging. You're the only one whom we sent to one of those cool gadgets.
Emilia: *firmly* If you want to know about it, you should go to the Institute of Genetics. That's where it belongs.
Classmate 3: *laughing* The Institute? You mean that creepy place no one's even allowed to visit? Yeah right.
Classmate 4: Yeah, sounds like you just want to make us waste our time. What's the point of that?
Emilia: (voice steady) I'm not going to tell you. If you want the truth, you'll ask them.
Classmate 1: *mocking* Oooh, so mysterious. What are you scared of, Emilia? Afraid we'll make fun of you?
Emilia: *quiet pause, then louder* Maybe I don't care if you make fun of me. Maybe I'm not interested in your opinion anymore.  
Classmate 2: *surprised* Whoa, what's gotten into you today?
Emilia: *looking around* Sofia was right. You're not my friends. Friends don't treat each other like this.
Classmate 3: *smirking* You're acting so weird. Is this some new act or something?
Emilia: *straightening up, voice firm* No act. I just don't want to pretend anymore.
Classmate 4: *rolling eyes* Whatever, Emilia. Suit yourself.

[The classmates start to disperse, whispering and glancing back at her. Emilia stands alone briefly, then takes a deep breath]

Emilia: *to herself* I don't have to be what they want. I'm done hiding who I am.

## Emilia Visits Sofia After School

[The school day ends. Emilia walks toward the university wing with a hesitant but hopeful look. She arrives at Sofia's dormitory door and knocks lightly]

Emilia: (softly) Sofia? Are you there?
Sofia: (opening the door, surprised but smiling) Emilia! What are you doing here after school?
Emilia: (nervous but determined) I just wanted to say... thank you. For everything you said yesterday. It really helped me stand up for myself.
Sofia: (gesturing her inside) That's good to hear. You did great today.
Emilia: I was wondering... could I have your contact? I mean, so we can talk again. I don't want to feel so alone.
Sofia: (smiles warmly) Of course. Here, write down my number. And feel free to message me anytime.
Emilia: (writing carefully) Thanks, I'm glad I found someone who understands. But I've been wondering... what exactly happened to that person who messed with her memories? You said the pieces might not fit back together right, but what does that mean? Does the mind fill in the gaps or something?
Sofia: (pausing, choosing words carefully) Well, her name's Maya. She's one of my recent friends.
Emilia: Maya? The girl who was in a coma?
Sofia: Yes. She asked me to keep the device away from her so she wouldn't risk messing up her mind again.
Emilia: What do you mean her mind got messed up? How bad was it?
Sofia: Maya said her mind became "decontextualized", which means some gaps in her memories were so big that the parts her mind tried to fill in didn't really make sense or connect properly.
Emilia: Like wrong puzzle pieces forced in place?
Sofia: Exactly. When that happens, the brain struggles to find a logical story. Sometimes it invents filler memories that don't really fit, which can cause confusion, slower thinking, or emotional problems.
Emilia: That sounds scary... Is that why she went into a coma?
Sofia: Yes. She wanted her brain to rest, to avoid causing more damage while it struggled to cope with the broken memory connections.
Emilia: Wow. I'm glad you didn't tell me all this at first. It sounds complicated.
Sofia: I wanted to keep it vague for you, since you're still very young.
Emilia: I get that. But I think from now on, I'd rather not have things hidden from me. I want to know what I'm dealing with, even if it's scary.
Sofia: That's a good choice. Sometimes the truth is hard, but it helps us be stronger.
Emilia: Yeah. If I knew what could have happened, I could have tried to be more careful.
Sofia: I respect that. And I promise, from now on, I'll share with you what I can.