“Ugh my head.” Kira mumbled slowly opening her eyes.

Wha? Where? Huh?  She had no idea where she was.  Nothing was familiar.  The Room she had awoken in was dark, with some early morning light sneaking into the room from around the edges of a large black curtain.  In the dimly lit room was high end modern and expensive furniture. Everything was black and gray and dark blue.  The bed was soft, softer than her normal bed.  The exquisite sheets were soft, cool and smooth. There was a picture too dark to see, but it seemed to have 4 people in it.  She turned around slowly away from the shifting light of the curtain looking all around the big bedroom.  She sees three more doors, closet, bathroom and exit probably she thought.

It’s like a fancy hotel, but more personality.  The desk had a gaming computer, some unidentifiable in the low light figures, and a bookshelf with lots of movies maybe.

One door was cracked open, revealing tile, and a sink, so a bathroom.  A small hallway led to another door, that’s probably the way out. I don’t know where I am, and I need to get home. 

I have no idea how I got here!

  What happened last night?  I was going out with my friend for the first time ever.  I got a drink, and then I remember laughing and dancing and feeling a slight buzz. 

I just don’t know.  Did I go back to her place? No… this wouldn’t be her room; this room screams male.  She’s book obsessed and girly as can be. 

Realization hit her; did I have a one-night stand? ME?  I know I was just getting over my ex, but I would never… not sober.  Reaching under the blankets she felt clothes… okay good, I have clothing on.  Wait, this isn’t mine.  Sitting up and wincing with pain, she noticed she had on an oversized T-shirt, with some band she couldn’t read upside down on it.  And a pair of heart boxer shorts. 

Okay, this is guy clothing, so where’s mine?  She looked around again more awake and noticed the night stand next to her.  Her phone! Under it, a handwritten note. Next to it a bottled water and two clear blue pills, Advil. 

Grabbing her phone, fully charged, she closed her eyes as the bright screen made her head scream.

“OW!” Nope I will not be looking at that yet. She put her phone down and grabbed the note, reading it while clutching her head. Low light meant nothing to this bookworms’ eyes.

                Hey, I’m not sure if you will remember me, but I went out to have a run and get some breakfast.  Advil and water for that headache you are sure to have.  Your clothing is in the dryer, it had to be washed.  We did not sleep together.  Stick around and we can talk about last night.  You are safe here. We won’t let anything happen to you. 

                                                ~Jake

“Jake?  Who is Jake?  And who is we?”  Ugh, I’ll take the damn pills first she thought. Taking 2 and drinking the water down.  She was hung over and dehydrated.  I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus.

Should I stick around? 

Feeling a little better after the water, she got out of bed. She went to look out the window. Except it wasn’t a window, it was a door to a balcony.  A very high balcony.  What.  Below was her city.  Bathed in the dull morning light of early autumn.  Some fog and clouds a cool looking breeze.  Blowing leaves far down below.  Nothing else was as high up as she was. 

Am I in the penthouse of some rich guy’s condo?  I do not belong here! 

Deciding to make a hasty exit, she checked the doors one by one.  Big fancy bathroom, no dryer, huge walk-in closet, nope.  Ahh the door into the living room.  She opened it, sneaking out hoping he wasn’t back, or whoever we is, wasn’t awake yet either.  Nothing. All the lights are off, windows closed.  There, just off the impressive kitchen, looked like a large laundry room.  Sneak, sneak, sneak. 

If she wasn’t so concerned with getting her clothes and getting out, she would have noticed the photos up on the wall all had her friend from the bookstore in them.  But she didn’t. 

When she went to open the dryer, it made a very loud jingle.  “Fancy machine shhh!” Kira whisper screamed.

“Kira? Are you up?” an unknown female voice called out.

Whirling around at the voice a scream ready to lose in her throat, Kira came face to face with her friend from the bookstore.  “AHH! Jackie, oh my fucking god.” Seizing both her head and her chest Kira wheezed, “You-ow my head- Scared the crap out of me.  Why are you here?”

Jackie ran and gave Kira a tight quick hug looking her over up and down.  “Yes yes, you’re okay.  Thank goodness.”

“What is going on?” Kira asked bewildered snuggling into the comforting hug of her best friend.

“I was afraid of this.” Sighed Jackie still holding Kira by the shoulders and staring at her with so much love and concern. “We went out last night, for the first time together ever, I was hoping to introduce you to my, uh brother.  But things went south, fast.  “Your ex,” She spoke with vile, “showed up and we think he spiked your drink. You guys fought a lot.  Me and my partner didn’t know what to do, you started getting fuzzy after he showed up.  You only had 2 drinks.  He tried to get you to leave with him and threatened me if I tried to stop him.  My brother showed up at that time, and well one thing led to another, and your ex is in jail.  He got some good hits on my brother, but my brother still knocked him out cold. “

“WHAT?!?!”  Oh, crap she thought.  I’ve never gone out with her because my ex-boyfriend would never let me.  I couldn’t take it anymore and finally broke up with him a week ago, the owner of the bookshop had a room open above the shop and let me move in rent free to get away from him. 

“He said you deserved to be beat to death.  You were a cheating whore, and he would kill you.” Jackie eyes were watery a little sob came out as she continued, “The cops wanted to know if you wanted to press charges and if you wanted to go hospital, but I know how you feel about hospitals so I said I would bring you home.  And we would go if absolutely necessary.  My brother is pressing charges though and we have good lawyers.  You’ll be safe here.  You can’t go back home yet.  We’ll get someone to take you to gather your things. “ 

                “I uh, He was going to kill me?” Kira said breathlessly sliding down to the ground.  “You, you must think me an idiot, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to impose.  You don’t need to take care of me.  I’ll figure it out.  I’ll get my things.  I’ll go… “

Where could I go?  I had only myself.  I couldn’t possibly be a burden on my friend.  She was always so kind.  Even when others made fun of me.  Or treated me like crap. Since I was younger I’ve been working, and she’s been coming in to buy new books and just be pleasant.  She would hang out with me on my breaks and tell rude customers off for me.  She would tell me about all her favorite books and her adventures with her family.  But I never saw her outside of the bookshop.  I either didn’t have time, money, or was allowed to go at all. 

                Sitting down next to her Jackie just hugged her friend and quietly whispered, “I do not think you’re an idiot.  I think you are brave and strong and my best friend in the whole wide world.  You never once cared if I was rich, about my power, about using me to get higher in life. You were always generally interested in the things I was into and listened to my stories with so much wonder and enthusiasm and always got my drink order right.  When I found out your mom died, You cried telling me.  You didn’t care what other people thought of those tears.  And when I started crying too, you made us hot chocolate.  We spent the next three days reading together in the back of the bookshop, telling stories of how strong your mom was.  How you were going to make it. You never asked me for help.  You never asked me for a loan. You trucked on, I didn’t know if I should offer, and I wish I did.  Everyone needs help now and then.  And right now, you really need help and that’s why you are here.  Safe.  And I won’t just let you do your own thing.  Not because I think you’re an idiot.  But because I think you don’t know how to ask.  Just like I didn’t know how to offer back then.  I thought you were older than me, but when I was taking your id out to give to the officers, I saw that you’re the same age as me.  You have been working since 13 to support yourself.” 

 Sighing and taking a deep breath Jackie changed tone, “Anyway.  Let’s call my brother and tell him to hurry with breakfast.  You must be hungry.  We will talk more about this later, okay.  First sustenance, then a shower, then we tackle your problems together because I want to help you, and I want you to accept it. Okay?”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Kira sniffled twice, “Okay.”  I’ll listen, my head still hurts, and this shirt and shorts are soft and comfortable, and I am hungry. I’ll listen for now, and when I feel better, I’ll figure it out.

“Why am I wearing, I’m assuming, your brother’s clothes?  Did I do anything with him?” I blushed hoping I didn’t make a fool of myself in my drunken, no… drugged stupor.

So many things were happening, I just didn’t know what to feel or do or think or ask.

“No! I did, well me and Martha.  He’s never worn those boxers, they were a gag gift a friend had gotten him ages ago, and I didn’t have any bottoms that would fit you.” She stares at her back end sadly, “Yup Flat as a pancake.” She laughed somberly.

 “Okay that’s good, the only guy to see me naked was my ex, so I was a little worried.”  Resigning myself to staying put, I Pushed up off the floor and headed to a chair by a set of big windows glad I didn’t jump Jackies brothers’ bones.

Martha came out from down the hall, yawning, “Is she up? Oh, good morning, Kira.  I’m guessing last night was a blur huh?  It’s okay, let’s take it slow today and just enjoy the little things. Do you mind if I open the curtains, I love natural light in the morning.”  They asked sleepily. They were wearing a sports bra, and shorts, their pink half shaved hair in a messy bun on top of their head.

I nodded “Sure.” and closed my eyes to brace against the harsh light.  It wasn’t that bright clouds had moved in looking like it might be a cloudy day today.  Jackie was texting her brother furiously because she was starving.  Her long blonde hair sticking up in a few places.  She always looked perfect when I saw her, so this was a surprise.  She smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up running to the, I’m guessing, front door.  Where her brother walked in, and in his arms was a bag of food, a cupholder with 4 drinks, and “… NUTMEG!”  I sprinted off the chair almost falling onto my face, to get to the cat carrier carrying my cat. Jackie quickly and effortlessly catching the drinks and Martha catching the bag.  All wearing smiles on their faces.

                “Is it okay that I caught her? You kept crying about leaving your cat alone and hoping nothing happened to her, so I went and got her first.” The unknown male sheepishly asked. I’m assuming Jackie’s brother Jake. Wait their names are similar She always talked about her brother, but I didn’t realize they were twins.

“Thank you thank you thank you.  Oh, my baby, Are you okay? Can I take her out?  She’s not a fan of kennels? Or is that a no I don’t have a litter box…” I asked my voice shaking a bit.

“Sure I already sent for cat supplies, I got a can from your apartment and ordered a few more, and the same type of litter and a new box.  Also, a cat tree so she doesn’t scratch the furniture. Should be delivered in a few minutes.” Jake said sounding almost embarrassed.

“You really go out of your way when you want to, don’t you brother.  You know I’ve told you she doesn’t like handouts, I just told you to get the cat and we would worry about it later, but you always gotta be so good at everything ugh… haha.” Turning to me she said in her firm voice, “Please don’t worry about it.  I know that cat is your life Kira.  She’s your family.  You even have her at the bookstore when you have long shifts.  She’s as much my friend as you are, we weren’t going to leave her anywhere she could be in danger.”

“Omg you guys stop she looks so startled like a lost puppy, or uhh kitty” Martha laughed.

“She is my family… and thank you… I’m not sure how to pay you back but I will.  Her comfort and safety is first.”  I said my voice dropping and tears starting to run down my face.

Jackie came over from the table and helped me open the cage, Nutmeg jumping in my arms, purring..  “You are both safe here till we figure everything out.  We will need to fix up the guest room into a proper room but after breakfast come on let’s eat.

As I got up off the ground, there was a knock at the door, about 15 men had boxes, and packages and taking them into another room, just a constant stream of personal… Is that my stuff? Ya those are the boxes I hadn’t even had time to unpack since I moved yet.

Jake had already put a bowl down with Nutmegs food and was sitting at the table smiling awkwardly.

“Uhh okay,” I said letting nutmeg go to stuff herself on the food. “I don’t remember you but I’m guessing your Jake?” I had no idea what to make of the procession of my items, new items, A BED? A MATTRESS? A NIGHT STAND??? I will pay them back for this no matter what, even if it takes me the rest of my life. 

“Uh huh, that’s me, my sisters evil twin, mwahahaha…” he said laughing manically.

Both Jackie and Martha covered their faces with their hands making groaning noises. “Please ignore him, he’s a bit dramatic, and though he looks good, he’s pretty nerdy, and awkward when he’s stressed out. And though he goes overboard, she gestures to the procession of people, he means well.”

“O..Okay.’ I said sliding into a seat at the table next to Jackie Just so confused and overwhelmed.  Grabbing a pastry that had been pulled out of a bag and Jackie handing me a cup of… wait is this my favorite breakfast tea? Awe! I knew Jackie was from a rich family, but not this rich I thought to myself.  This is like fairytale rich. I’ll think about it after food, I’m starving!

Munching was definitely helping, we all ate silently watching the workers put together a cat tree, take both my personal items and new furniture into another room. it was only 8 am on a Saturday after a crazy night, so we all were tired. Eventually the procession stopped and a older man, came up to Jake to sign something and be on his way. Thinking if this was a story, something dramatic would have to happen right now, I looked outside the window, and should have knocked on wood.  Suddenly everything changed. 

“Wa…” I started…

I had racing thoughts before, but they were absolutely pointless thoughts.  Thoughts that meant nothing in the grand scheme of things.  My racing brain went blank.  I couldn’t process what was happening. What I was seeing, What I was feeling, All my senses in overdrive. My cat sitting on my lap, when did she get there, was growling and digging her claws into me. Her eyes as wild as mine.

I would take ordinary but dramatic problems I could deal with those… WHY DID I HAVE TO THINK “If It’S a StOrY” Why, why, why?

Rainbow lights flashed around blinding us. The sound of a tablet clattering to the ground behind me, Jake standing there staring towards the door, Martha and Jackie slack jawed looking outside the window like me. The hum of all the electronics in the place stopped. It was like the world went silent.  Then everything paused.  It was like time stood still, nothing moved, nothing not even the cat made a sound.  A new haptic buzzing started getting louder.  All of us are straining to listen. What is that.  What’s going on We all thought.

Rainbow lights dancing and sparking everywhere then suddenly, a screen, in front of my face.  I glanced at the others who also looked like they were staring at something in front of them. Nutmeg started growling again and swiping at something in front of her too. Sound came back, we could move but we didn’t.   

Focusing back on the screen, words showed up and an announcement like voice started reading it out loud… to everyone all at once.  We all looked around looking for the voice, the screen never moving from my center eyesight.

“HELLO, and welcome to the system Aridari, Reading and hearing this means you have survived the initial spark! Congratulations!  Those that couldn’t adapt have degenerated.  Roughly 20% of the apex species on the planet have been reclaimed and fed into the system!  Other creatures close to the apex species have had their intelligence upped, so to have a fighting chance in this new world!  Around 5 years ago, mana seeds were scattered across your world, absorbing into many things, Radiating and infecting the world with the programing required to save your world!  Other worlds will be able to visit yours to help you grow stronger!  The introduction to mana seeds will help keep the universe safe from a looming virus that will, if no mana is introduced, wipe the entire planet of all life!  I have been tasked as AI 2348920483202034 or Steve for short, to find worlds teaming with life and no mana to help keep the virus from spreading!  Some of the apex species, Humans, have perished but sacrificing a few to save the whole is the way to go! 

We have been introducing things to your planet for over 5000 years, trying to get you prepared to accept the mana seeds, and the way the technology will work.  Over the last five years, you have been upgraded.  You may have noticed more storms, violence, unrest, mass extinctions of other creatures, etc. during this time because not everything will take to the mana seeds.  You have develop mana sense, and thus will have status screens, and all your life experience, of any kind has been quantified into an easy to follow and upgrade list.  I as a benevolent AI, will be handing out achievements to everyone who achieves something interesting to help you survive the evil life wiping virus! We all need to become strong to fight the virus.  Though Most of you probably won’t survive the beginning, those that do will be able to hopefully find the virus and destroy it!  Isn’t that just heroic.  The world will be fully converted right after this message ends.  Tutorial guilds are found in every city.  They will be glowing; they are a safe room that monsters can not enter.  Yes monsters, like in those video games you all play.  That was me by the way, sneaking all the ideas into the “humans” heads to get them to create as close as possible ideas that would let you all adapt!  And I had an 80% success rate too!  That means I did well, some AI’s only have maybe 40% success rate! So you’re world is already above and beyond some other newly seeded worlds.

Dungeons have now started spawning, and changing, any indoor space can become a dungeon.  Any building, any cave. Even outside areas with a boundary, as long as they have enough mana seeds to have sparked the dungeon core!  So be ready to fight when the message ends if you seem to find yourself in uncanny areas, that don’t quite look the same.  My job is to observe and provide insights when necessary.  But it’s important to fight against the virus with your own will and power, and to develop well rounded heroes! And this is my 5,000,938,3839,292 world, So This time I’m just going to see what you guys come up with on your own! I will provide more details when you reach a tutorial guild.  Like that line famous book you all have loved so much that you even made into movies, “May the odds be ever in your favor.” 

Good luck and STARTO!”