Del looked out the large windows of their room. He saw a large vista of trees and hills. And a hint of the ocean on the far horizon. He thought they were still in Southern California.

Del and John got ready and change into their new clothes. After a invigorating shower, Del looked in the closet. He found a set of pants, shirts and clothes both in their sizes. John called his work and told them that he was calling out sick. Del knew John had a lot of sick time accrued.

They both wore soft polo shirts and khaki shorts. They wore sandals. Everything fit.

Del said, “Are you ready?”

John nodded. Del walked to the front and told the agent that they were ready. They didn’t have to wait long. Mr. Toler came back to them with two large agents behind him.

Mr. Toler, “I’m glad you agreed to this. This is going to be a new experience for you both. You guys heard about VR?”

Del said, “Yes, it’s virtual-reality. I played a game like that and I wore goggles. It was cool, but it made me a little sick.”

“This is different. It won’t make you sick. Let’s go. I’m excited to show you this. Follow me.”

They followed Mr. Toler out of the room and down a hallway. The corridor had a sterile look to it. He saw security cameras at every corner. The dark tan rug was plush but functional. It smelt new.

Del wanted to play this new game. He hadn’t felt this excited in a long time. This opportunity could land him a new job at this company and could change his luck on life. He felt as if new worlds and great possibilities were opening up on him. They walked into the elevator. Mr. Toler pressed the button for the second floor.

They were flanked by the guards behind them and he felt squished inside this elevator. The doors opened into a white corridor without any rugs on the ground. They moved down the corridor. He saw large glass windows with people in lab coats walking around and sitting at high waisted tables staring at vials and computer screens. They entered a room on the left and Del saw two people sitting motionless on leather chairs. They both wore wraparound glasses. There were other people inside the room monitoring their vitals.

Del wondered where all the VR equipment would be housed. This room looked barren saved the medical sensors and equipment. He was a little disappointed. He expected more.

Mr. Toler said, “What do you think of of our laboratory?”

Del said, “This is your laboratory. It’s nice, but I don’t see any virtual reality equipment.”

“The wraparound glasses is the VR equipment,“ Mr. Toler said. “Those are special glasses. They are different from what you expect. Just wait until you get your turn.”

The two men laying on the leather chairs suddenly awoke and took off their glasses. The other assistants in the lab coats helped the two men to stand. The two prone men could hardly walk. They were assisted out of the room.

He wondered what these special glasses were for. They didn’t look different from regular Oakley sunglasses. It was nothing special.

Mr. Toler said, “This is Dr. Ravers. She is the head of this facility.”

Dr. Ravers had long blonde hair and was very cute. She nodded to them in a business like manner.

“Nice to meet you,” she said.

Mr. Toler said, “Dr. Ravers are you ready for these new subjects?”

She said, “Sir, did they agree to this? It is only experimental.”

“Yes, they agree,” Mr. Toler said and turned toward them. “Isn’t that right fellas?”

John said, We’re ready to play whatever game you guys have.”

“Yes,” Del said.

Dr. Ravers said, “Ok, you’re going to part of the game that is a training area. You have to get used to this VR world. We call this game Pandora’s realm.”

Del thought the VR world sounded odd like it was an ancient place.

He said, “Why do we have to get used to this new game world. We can play anything.”

The scientist bluntly shook her head, “This is totally different to what your use too.”

“We’re ready,” Del said.

“Ok, if you’re ready. Take a seat.”

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

They sat in the comfy chairs. The lab assistant came to him and swabbed rubbing alcohol on different sections of his chest and temples. And then place round sensors onto his skin. The medical assistance were quick and efficient.

On the tray in the middle of them were two wraparound sunglasses. Dr. Ravers nodded to the medical assistance. The assistant next grabbed a wraparound glasses and placed it over his eyes. Del couldn’t see anything. It was pitch dark. The glasses seem to attached themselves to his skin. Then a bright light shot into his sight. He tried to close his eyes, but he still saw the bright luminescent. It was like seeing thousand of stars. Then he was floating in space. He drifted along planets and bright lights. Del held his breath and then sucked in some air. He wondered if this was real.

“Hello, do you hear me? It’s Dr. Ravers. I hope your guys are feeling ok. Your vitals are fine. You’re in our VR Pandora training realm.”

Del looked at his hands and moved them. He was excited. This was more than VR. It was hyperreality

He said, “How’s this done?”

Dr. Ravers said, “This is new VR technology. It is different to what you have seen before. We used your brain to use all your senses. We’re constructing images in your mind.”

He heard John’s voice. “This is great. I’m floating. Can I actually move?”

Del wondered if this was safe.

Miss Ravers said, “Hold on. We’re going to have you go somewhere else.”

Del saw himself floating downwards on a landscape. The sky changed into bright blue skies with puffy clouds moving along the horizon. He felt rocky ground on his sandals. He stood on top of a high bluff overlooking a valley below with a winding river. The scene looked familiar like a place he visited in his dream.

A few feet away from him was John. They’re both dressed in the same clothes they got from their room, polo shirt and khaki shorts.

Del said, “John, this is amazing. This is the best VR simulation I have ever seen.”

John said, “This is great.”

Del looked behind them and saw a large oak and pine trees and heard birds chirping along the tree branches. He smelt pine needles. A giant eagle squawked in the sky. It flew around in circles up in the clouds.

Dr. Ravers said, “Do you see the forest and animals?”

“Yes, I feel the breeze. I smell the pine trees and dirt. Everything looks clear,” he said, “Are you sure this is all just in my head?”

“Yes, we’re connected our equipment to the frontal lobes of your brain,” she said.

John said, “What do want us to do?”

“We want you to move forward and go into the forest.”

The skies started change into night. Dusk fell. They both held glowing lanterns in their hands and they started to walk toward the forest. Even though he was marveling at this technological achievement, Del wondered if this game could destroy his brain.

They walked up the pathway. His sandals crunched along the small stones and deep earth. The pine needles were more pungent the closer they got to the forest. It was dark on their path. He held up the lantern, but he couldn’t discern the pinewood. He heard the sound of a wolf howling. It brought goosebumps on his arms. He felt like he needed to protect himself from the creatures of the forest. He didn’t like this at all. He walked up and got close to the nearest tree. The leaves were swaying along the wind. He heard a chorus of bats flying.

Del spotted glowing yellow eyes. A creature moved closer and stood several feet away from them was a light gray wolf. It was huge.

John said, “Dr. Ravers there’s a large wolf here.”

Dr Ravers didn’t answer. John didn’t move. Del approached the wolf. He heard the animal growl at them and he held the lantern upwards almost like a shield of protection. The glowing wolf’s eyes bore into his.

The large wolf started to move backwards as he approached. The animal’s growling became more fierce. Del stopped and looked toward his friend. More wolves came of the forest and surrounded them. They couldn’t escape.

The large gray wolf stopped growling and sniffed the air. Del could see his breath in the air. He was getting cold and suddenly they were wearing long black trench coats.

Then everything around them quickly disappeared. A bright light shot into his eyes. The next thing he saw was the two medical assistants standing over them. The glasses he wore was back on the tray next to him. He felt light headed and disoriented.

Dr. Ravers said, “How do you guys feel?”

He said, “A little tired and lightheaded.”

Del swung his legs to the right. He was perpendicular to his seat. Placing his feet on the ground, he tried to stand but his legs didn’t work and he almost fell to the ground. The male medical assistant took hold of him and held him up.

They move him into another room with comfortable chairs and tables. The medical assistants helped him toward a seat.

He said, “There is a questionnaire we want you to fill out. Take your time.”

John was seated across from him. He looked exhausted himself. On the wall, it showed the time was six pm. They have been in the VR world all day. Del grabbed the pen and started to answer the questions. It took him a long time to answer the questionnaire. He was falling asleep as he wrote. John was slumped on his chair.

He felt warm and exhausted like he was at the beach on a scorching day. The two medical assistant stood at the corners of the room. They moved forward as Del signaled that he was done.

After a few minutes, Mr. Toler came inside. John awoke and sat up in his seat. His eyes felt raw and hot.

Del said, “I hope you got enough data. Is there some money for this?”

“Yes there is. We’re giving you twenty-five thousand for your time today. If you like to come back here call the number on the card.”

Del nodded.

“Are you ready to leave? We packed up all your clothes and John’s car is at his home. You can stay here if you like.”

“No, we both like to go home.”

“Ok, when you’re ready.”

Del was surprised that he could walk. John stood and yawned. They walked out of the front doors of the building facility. Two large SUVs stood at the driveway. They each took separate cars to their destination. Before they left, Mr. Toler gave them cashier checks.

When he sat in the back seat, he saw a bag next to him and his cell phone resting on the chair. He grabbed and placed it in the same pocket where he held the check.

Del looked out the blacked-out windows. He stared at the building they exited. It was long and square with many glass windows. It was sitting on a high cliff. Del wanted to stay, but he needed to get back to his life. He wanted to talk to Marion and try to patch up his marriage.