“Both of you!” the old man snapped. “This is why I shouldn’t listen to you,” he said looking at the young man who compared me with a stupid character. “I bring one of you outside but another one uses the chance and decides to sneak out,” he glared with an intimidating stare.

“Me being here doesn’t mean I influenced or helped this psycho be here.” the young man replies. I looked around for a fourth person who this poor person is, being described as a psycho.

The old man sighs with frustration, “He’s talking about you.”

I looked around and then pointed to myself, “Me?”

“Yes, you!” The young man says harshly.

“How am I a psycho? I am a victim here, being lost, afraid and utterly misplaced in this foreign place!” I turned to him to argue. Before he could even form an argument, Mr. Old man interrupted, “Enough!”

I got the last word. I told myself, being proud.

“The two of you will be sent to the workshop,” he glared at both of us.

Knowing I couldn’t do anything, I stayed silent. “Now then, come along,” he turned his back and began to march out. I noticed the young man looked at me with rage filled in his eyes, however I ignored him and followed the old man. He brought us to what looked like a car, yet much bigger, and it levitated.

“You guys’ cars fly?” I whispered to the young man while the old man was setting up the vehicle, I assumed.

Clearly, he was not good at small talk and he ignored me but maybe he was just flustered meeting someone exactly like his protagonist from his book.

I mean I can understand. If I met someone exactly like my OC, I would be surprised too. Especially if they said they were from a different world.

Understanding his position, I tried to make conversation and make him aware of the fact that I was indeed not his precious character but rather an individual.

“So,” I smiled to seem friendly and continued “what’s your name?”

He sighed and seemed to try to understand me, “Krypto.”

Like Crypto. That’s a cool name. I thought as I introduced myself, “Nice to meet you, even though we didn’t have a good start, Krypto. My name is Velmurugan–”

He snapped and held me by the neck of my shirt, “Are you trying to piss me off?”

“What the hell? I’m just trying to introduce myself.” I squirmed to try and escape his grip.

“That is the name of the character…my character…” I could tell his eyes were scanning mine for any sign of mocking.

“Not again,” the old man said as he came to push us off each other. He pushed us towards the vehicle, shoving us inside.

As we were forced to get into the back of the vehicle and sat down, I thought, Maybe he’s right? Could I actually be a simple character who transferred to this world for whatever reason?

I looked at him intensely and asked, “Can you tell me about your book?”

He looked at me, not even trying to hide his discomfort with me. “Haven’t you already read it?”

“Please. I’m trying to understand what’s going on.” I tried to make him believe me as he simply sighed and started talking about his novel.

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“The story is set in a whole different world which is nothing like ours. Instead of our independent society, theirs is focused on exchange.”

“Like money and stuff.”

“So you have read it.”

“No. I’m just stating an example of exchange,” I pulled back, confused.

“Money is a concept I talk about in the book.”

“You mean it doesn’t exist in this world? Currency?”

He stared at me blankly as if I said something he couldn’t quite comprehend. “Tell me,” he started, leaning forward as he began to get curious about the topic, “who is the man driving this vehicle?”

I shrugged. Of course I wouldn’t have known who he was.

He looked at me, with eyes that would have yelled at me if they had mouths.

“That’s what I’m saying! I don’t know anything about this place!”

He covered his mouth, thinking. “So, what are you saying? You are from a different world that I created?” he chuckled nervously, pointing at himself.

“I–” I stuttered as I comprehended what was going on, “I honestly am not sure. That’s why I want to know your thoughts on this. As my potential creator.”

He stared at me suspiciously before sighing and opening his mouth to say, “I don’t think I believe it.”

I thought for a while on how to make sure that I am not in a different world. “Ask me stuff that you haven’t mentioned in the book, yet you know about your character.”

He stared holes through me, “Okay, birthday?”

“25th of September.”

He looked at me surprised and nodded. “Who do you love more? Mom or dad?”

I hesitated since it wasn’t everyday when you would be expected to choose between your mom and dad and not lie and say ‘both’.

“My dad.”

He looked at me confused. “You were supposed to say both.”

“I was supposed to. Doesn’t mean I feel that way. So, tell me. Do I like my dad or mom more?”

He stayed silent and sighed. “I don’t get it. My character, from a different world. Here?”

“I don’t either.”

By the time of the end of the conversation, we found the vehicle to have come to a complete stop. He looked at me right before exiting, “If it’s true, I will guide you through this place.” His eyes darkened yet had a spark of light in them. “This place is nothing like the world you are from.” Looking away from me, he left the vehicle.

I can’t do anything if I don’t know this place so I’ll have to understand how everything works.

Navigating through the building, the old man led us to what looked like a study. “Act like you actually are from this world. It would be harder to explain that you are from a different one,” he whispered as we walked in.

“Sure, but who is this guy? Am I supposed to know him?” I whisper back to him as the old man walks behind his desk to take a seat.

“You just need to know what he’s called. The ‘manufacturer’.”

Manufacturer. I repeated in my head. That is who the old woman spoke off.

Interrupting my thoughts, the manufacturer coughed to get our attention. “Name?” he asked, not looking at me.

“Mine? Vela.”

“Velmurugan,” Krypto chimed in. Sorry, but is he supposed to jump in like that?

“Ah, yes. You mentioned. It is the name of a character and you’ve turned mental because of the book–”

“Mental? I don’t–” I started to defend myself but I was interrupted by the manufacturer.

“–and since you are so sure you are from a different world, I will have to send you back.” he looked at me with murderous intent. I knew what he meant. He is going to kill me off.

“Sir, I would like to add something,” Krypto came into the conversation again.

“Go ahead,” the manufacturer stated coldly.

“I request to tell you privately.”

The manufacturer looked at me and back at Krypto. He sighed and made a finger motion for Krypto to get closer to him. As Krypto and the manufacturer had a quiet conversation, I stood there trying to make out the words used.

Krypto pulled back and walked back towards me and nodded to me. Seems what he said was in my favour. Oh, how I hope I’m not killed.

The manufacturer pressed his fingers against his temple to think and came to a conclusion. “Fine, he may live. However Mr. Velmurugan, you should always be under the watch of Krypto. Understood?”

“Yes, sir!” I replied sternly, simply happy to be declared ‘not to be killed’.

As we were sent out of his office, I looked at Krypto gratefully. “Thanks for the save!”

He nodded and walked ahead. Guess he still doesn’t trust me. I shrugged it off and followed him.