I am walking in a wooded area that I don't recognize. The trees look different than any I have ever seen. Some are as tall as a five story building with bark that is blood red, and leaves that are fern like and black as night. I look to my left to see the trunk of a tree glistening. I walk toward it to investigate. I am running my fingers over the smooth surface. I feel warm liquid as my fingers begin to sting. I lift my fingers to watch blood trickle down to my palms then down my forearms. My stomach is churning as I feel vomit slowly rising. I swallow hard against the burning sensation. I hear branches rustling about so I look to find them reach down toward me. I fall to my backside. I open my eyes wide as the long branches begin to close in. I feel like screaming but am not able to.

A swift movement above my head caught my attention. My hair moves against a forceful blow while bits of the branches land around me. I look up to see a sword. I am quite dazed at the moment. A large hand forcefully wraps around my upper left arm, pulling me to my feet. "Ow! Watch it will you?" I look at the armored man but can't see his face because of the helmet he is wearing. My protest is unanswered as I am being dragged through the woods. I feel myself about to fall but this stranger easily keeps me on my feet. The tug on my arm sends pain through me. I try to yank myself free but the grip only tightened. "Can you loosen up a bit, you're hurting me!" Once again I am ignored. He quickly lifted his sword held in his other hand to swing at more of those branches. My feet argue against the way I am being dragged along, so I begin to stumble. Again, the grip tightened. I look ahead to see that we are nearing a field. My body aches so much, I am not sure if I will make it. Another swing of the sword, then another. Now, my arm is feeling numb and my fingertips begin to tingle along with the stinging. "I'm losing circulation, here. Can you even hear me?" I may as well talk to a brick wall. Finally, I can see daylight as I am roughly pushed into the field.

The man brushed past me while he lifts his helmet away, tossing it across the field. "Are you trying to die? Or are you just ignorant?" His back is still to me, a flush of anger flows to my cheeks. He begins to turn around now, showing me his face. All of my anger begins to wash away as I glance into bright green eyes. "What are you doing in Blood Flow Forrest?" All I can do is stand here and stare. He takes a deep breath while he shakes his head, "Wake up, Mya." I look at him with confusion. "Mya Buckport, wake up!"

I open my eyes to see an annoyed Mr. Saulter. I feel the stares of my peers, now I just want to bury myself in a hole. The teacher uses his hand to summon me to the front of the class. I hear giggles of amusement as I walk pass the other students. I feel my cheeks burning with my blush of embarrassment. I am handed a slip of paper, "Go to the nurse's office." I go to the door, open it, then close it again when I exit. I take a few minutes to lean against the wall to calm myself. I forgot my backpack but I would rather wait to grab it once the classroom is empty. I take a quick glance at the slip of paper, then head toward the nurse's station. As I walk, I look at the different posters on the walls. Club advertisements, an upcoming PTA meeting, things that I am not interested in but I am in need of visual stimulation. A teacher walks toward me about to ask where I am supposed to be so I hold up the hall slip. I reach the office a few moments after.

Mrs. Mead rose from her chair behind the desk as I walk toward her, handing over the slip. She looked it over, then at me. "This is the third time this week, Mya. I will have to call your father. Have a seat." I obeyed, taking a chair near the exit. The nurse is an elderly woman, more like a caring grandmother. I watch as she began looking for Dad's office number in the computer. She picked up the receiver while pressing the numbers. I sit here hoping he does not answer. My heart sinks because she began speaking. I am not able to hear her side of the conversation due to the noises in the hallway. After she finishes the call, she calls over to me, "Your father is on his way."

Derrick tapped the end call button, began to speak as he replaced his phone in the inner pocket of his jacket. "Sorry Xavier, I need to go get Mya at the school. They want to suspend her for not paying attention in class, again." He stood from his seat, Xavier copying the movement. "I am not sure what to do at this point." He opened a desk drawer to grab his car keys.

Xavier lifted his hand to his dark brown beard, "Why don't you bring your daughter here for the rest of the day? He straightened his tie before tugging down on his own jacket. "We can start a trial on the new educational software."

Derrick looked at Xavier with a puzzlement on his face, "The software isn't complete, yet. We are still in the debugging stage." He took a glance of the calender, "It won't be complete until Monday." He looked back at Xavier.

"Well, today is Wednesday. We can give your daughter a tour while we introduce her to the learning program today, give her the entrance level test tomorrow. That will leave her with a three day weekend. I can contact the school board during that time to get approval."

Derrick nodded, "I will speak to the principal about not placing a suspension on Mya." The two men walked out of the office together. This was an exciting time. More so for Derrick because it would give him the opportunity to spend more time with his daughter while helping her get a better education. He watched as Xavier went to his secretary to give her instructions about the tour while Derrick waited by the elevator. Everything was falling into place now. He could just feel it. The glass elevator opened, and he went down to the parking level. He waved at the attendant as he approached his car. He drove slowly up to the security tower. The guard waved as the gate opened. It took fifteen minutes to get to the school. He entered the building with a strong sense of confidence. He approached the nurse's office, smiling when he saw Mya. "Go wait in the car, sweetheart. I will be there in a few moments."

I see my Dad enter, and I feel shock that he is smiling. I stand while I nod at him. I go to walk past but he wrapped his arms around me. I hear him whisper in my ear, "Everything will be alright, I promise." I raise my gaze toward him, not completely understanding what he is talking about. I step away before I open the door of the school to find his car parked at the office reserved spot. I now remember my backpack, enter the school again to see Dad walking toward the principal's office. "I need to go get my backpack from the classroom."

Derrick heard his daughter's voice, turned shaking his head, "I'll have someone bring it down to me. Just go wait in the car." He watched as Mya left before turning back toward the principal's office. When he arrived, the door was open so he walked in. He shut the door behind himsel as he stood there waiting for the principal. The older gentleman rose his finger up to signal for him to wait a moment as he was reading a report. Once finished, Derrick began to speak, "Mya Buckport needs to be excused for the next three days. I am aware that you wish to suspend her, but I would like an extension before that decision is made. I will be overseeing testing that she needs." Before the man could respond, Derrick left the office. He went to the secretaries asking them to have someone bring him Mya's backpack. A student appeared a few minutes later, handing it to him. He quickly said, "Thank you" before going back to his car. Once he entered, he handed the bag over. "I don't think you will be needing that for much longer." He looked at her expression and laughed. "I have a proposition for you. You need a better education. I need help with a project at my office. How about the two of us work together?"

I place my backpack at my feet while I listen. I could not help but give Dad a weird glance. "Dad, you create video games. I am not into that sort of thing. How is gaming my day away going to help me get educated?"

Derrick just winked, "I never said you would be playing video games. I am taking you to my office. I have a surprise for you." Without another word, he started to drive.

I look at Dad as he rolled down his window, swiping his access card through some sort of device. A green light began to flash as the gate began to lift. The garage area is nicely lit, not dark like other parking areas. I watch as he parks in a spot that has his name on it. I had no idea that he was so important. I take off my seat belt before opening the car door. Dad is waiting for me at the rear of the vehicle. I walk close behind him as he leads me to a door. Another card swipe opened the door to the main entrance. I see different types of foliage placed around the large open room. I am now following him to the security area. I listen to Dad speak to the officers about giving me a badge. I am instructed to stand in front of a blue sheet. I do not smile as the camera click is heard. I watch as my picture is placed on a swipe card that resembles Dad's. I am handed the card, and I wince at my picture. I do not think a smile could have made much of an improvement. Dad begins to walk toward the elevators so I jog to catch up.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"When you come to the office, you will need to use your card to open doors, or use the elevators. Go ahead, try it now." Derrick watched as Mya swipe her new card. It took a few moments before the light turned green. The elevator opened and he let her go in first. It was amusing to watch her as she glanced down the side. "I thought the glass elevator was a bit too much for the building." They came to a stop at floor thirteen. "This will be the floor you will be studying on. My office is on the eighteenth. This building has twenty floors all together." He continued walking as he spoke, "This is the education level. Over on your left is the secretary's office. You will report to her every morning before going to your "class." He held up two fingers on both hands to represent quotation marks.

I stop dead in my tracks, "Wait Dad, I don't understand. I already go to a school." I was about to begin my line of questioning when I see a tall man approach. He wore a suit similar to Dad's but this one was tailored. Dad got his suits from department stores most of the time. This man had an athletic build and he walked with an air of confidence, and authority.

Xavier smiled when he got close enough, "Ah, you must be Mya. Your father has told me a lot about you. my name is Xavier Lentil. Welcome to ClikTech Gaming Industries." He took a quick look over the teenager before nodding, "I see you have many questions running through your mind but don't worry they will all be answered during the tour." Xavier slowly turned with his arms spread, "This has all been created through hard work, imagination, and the skills of my team. The mission of my company is to bring virtual reality into the homes. However, it has come to my attention that higher learning should be made available in the schools, as well. Some students, such as yourself have a difficult time in a regular classroom." He lowered his arms to his sides, "So, we have created software designed to assist these students through their learning careers. This is why you have been brought here today. We wish to include you in our quest. Now, please follow me to one of the classrooms you will be instructed in." Derrick and Mya followed Xavier to a hallway lined with several doors marked with letters instead of numbers. "You will be assigned to one of these rooms, Mya. They are all alike." A swipe of a card opened the first door they came to.

I entered the room, first and it is much smaller than the classroom at her school. A machine stood in the center. I walked toward it. There is a pad on the floor surrounded by metal poles. A strange space aged helmet rests at the top of the entrance gate. "How does this work? "

Xavier entered the room now as Derrick leaned against the door frame. Xavier picked up the helmet, offering it to Mya for inspection, "This is how you will interact with your teacher. You step inside the threshold, place the helmet on, and the computer will do the rest."He opened the gate, "I would like you to create a user profile. This will give you an idea of how everything works. It will only take a few minutes. Everything is controlled by your voice and movements."

I am still looking over the helmet. I just know how stupid I will look once I place it on. I also think that there is no choice for me. I look at Dad as he nods, giving me confirmation. I feel hesitation but do as I am told. I step onto the pad as I hear the gate close behind me. I am taking a slow deep breath to calm my nerves. I slowly place the helmet over my head. For a few moments, nothing happens. I am about to say something when I am surrounded by a soft light. A classroom slowly begins to appear around me. I am slowly turning around seeing a teacher's desk in a corner. Windows line the wall at the opposite end of where I am standing. A single desk is placed at the center of the room. A chalkboard is at my left while a large bookshelf is on my right full of books. Behind me is a closed door, on top of the door is a bell. The floor is a white and black marble tile. The class feels so real to me. I hear the click of the door knob, so I turn to see a young woman enter. I look at her with surprise. Where did she come from? She wasn't in the room with us.

The woman smiled, "Hello, my name is Grace. I will be your instructor. Today, we will do a tutorial along with an account creation. Are you ready to proceed?"

I look at Grace for a few moments, not knowing what to make of her. She sounds a bit robotic. Her hair was perfect, just too perfect. Her clothes seemed rather plain, and I feel as if she were just some sort of software rather than a real person. "I guess." That is all I could think to say.

Grace tilted her head, "I am sorry but I do not recognize your answer. Please say yes or no. Are you ready to proceed?"

Now, I am very sure that I am speaking to some sort of robot. "Yes." A rectangular box came out of no where. I instinctively take a couple steps back. No one told me that things would pop out at me like that. Grace did not move or speak when I appeared alarmed. I am a bit concerned about that. The box remained in front of me, so I step closer to it.

"Please use the letter keys to spell your first name only. After you have finished, say your first name out loud." I press the letters 'M', 'Y','A' each of the letters turn a blue color. "Mya." I feel so ridiculous. I hear robo girl ask me to do the same with my last name. Then, it was my date of birth. I see the box disappear and I actually look for it.

Grace sat at the teacher's desk. "You are now registered. Welcome to ClikTech Gaming Industries Learning Center. I will now instruct you on the use of this software. All objects in this room are touch activated. Once an object is touched, you will then be able to use that object. For example; if I request for you to write on the chalkboard, just touch the board. Chalk will appear for your use. Take the chalk into your hand, then proceed to write onto the chalkboard. Do you understand?"

I suddenly feel as if I am in an elementary class. How could anyone not understand what she just said? "That was a joke, right? I am not stupid. Of course I understand." I feel frustration build up with this robot. Once again, my answer didn't register with her so I simply say, "Yes."

"Now we will discuss sitting in a chair at your desk. When I ask you to take a seat, a chair will appear at your desk. A chair will be provided in the real world as well. To take a seat, just place yourself in front of the chair. Then, sit as you would in the real world. Do you understand?"

My voice takes on more annoyance at this point, "Really? I think I know how to sit in a chair, I have been doing it by myself since I was three years old! What kind of robot are you, anyway?" I have to stop talking, I am not sure if Dad is listening, and I don't want to insult him or his boss but come on! Do they really thing that I am unable to understand simple directions? I was about to laugh when Grace began to repeat herself, once again. "Yes." I interrupted her in the middle of the 'I do not understand your answer' speech.

Grace did not move or speak for several minutes. I stand here in the middle of the room looking around for anything that may just appear. The scene disappears, along with Grace. The soft light lingers for a moment before the area grows dark. I hear Dad tell me to take off my helmet. I sigh as I do so, turning toward Dad. "I'm sorry. I just feel so stupid with the way Grace explained things."

Derrick looked at his daughter, shaking his head, "Like I told you before, we are helping each other. This just means that the instructors need a bit of fine tuning." He gave a smile. "We can talk about what needs changing during supper. I think we are finished for the day."

I look around to see that Xavier is no longer in the room. Dad waved his hand toward me so I follow him to the elevator. I swipe my card. The door opened immediately. We both are quiet as we descend. I look at Dad to find him deep in thought. Probably thinking of ways to change Grace.

Derrick's mind raced with ideas. It was plain to see that Grace needed upgrades. That meant, however that he would be working very late. He drove to a nice restaurant so he could discuss the problems Mya had with the program. When they finished, he drove his daughter back home. "I am going to be working late tonight. Call me if you need anything, Kiddo."

I step out of the car, and wave as Dad drives away. I am not quite sure what to think at this point. I enter the house, and go straight to my room. I was told that I would be testing in the morning so I need rest. What if this program is not for me? Would it cause problems for Dad? I lay on my bed, and stare at the ceiling.