John finds himself walking through a dense bamboo forest. The air is still and humid, with the only sounds being the soft crunch of bamboo beneath his feet and the distant call of a crow. The towering bamboo stalks reach up towards a clear blue sky, sunlight filtering through the leaves in bright patches. A sense of peace and tranquility washes over him. As he continues walking, the forest begins to open up into a small clearing. Nestled in the center of the clearing is a tranquil pond, its surface undisturbed except for a single, large koi fish gliding gracefully through the water. There's something oddly familiar about the scene, as if John has been here before. He feels compelled to step closer, drawn to the pond like a moth to a flame.
Just as he's about to reach out and touch the water, he jolts awake, his heart pounding with excitement rather than fear. He sits up on the couch, a smile on his face. "John, are you okay?" Max asks. "You seem really excited." John nods, still caught in the afterglow of the dream. The memory of the bamboo forest and the koi pond fills him with a sense of peace and wonder. He wants to return to that dream, to explore it further. But for now, he's content to savor the memory. He swings his legs over the side of the couch and stands up, padding over to the small kitchen area. He starts making breakfast, the smell of bacon and eggs filling the cabin. After he finishes eating, he washes up and puts in his contacts. The contacts are a marvel of technology, with intricate circuitry visible around the iris.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
"Max, I'm ready to go," John says, adjusting the contacts.
"Sure thing, John," Max replies. "I've already run a diagnostic check, and everything looks good. Except for you, other than that you're all set."
As john steps outside he notices a black feather on the ground. "Max, can you scan this feather for me?" he asks, bending down to pick it up.
"Sure thing, John," Max replies. "Analyzing now." A moment later, Max reports back, "That's a crow feather john."
John holds the feather in his hand, feeling a sense of wonder and excitement. He remembers the crow's call from his dream and wonders if there's a connection. He slips the feather into his pocket, determined to learn more about its significance. As he examines the feather, he notices its unique qualities – it's light, rigid, and has a faint blue tint. He wonders how he could use it to tie a special fishing fly. A sense of curiosity fills him, and he makes a mental note to ask Max about it later. John heads back inside the cabin, a sense of anticipation filling him. He grabs his fishing gear and heads out the door, ready for his adventure. As he walks away, he glances back at the cabin, the feather tucked safely in his pocket. He can't shake the feeling that this trip is going to be different from anything he's experienced before. The trail ahead stretches out before him, full of possibilities. John takes a deep breath and smiles, ready to embrace whatever adventures await him.