Virtual Obsession Chapter One : Welcome to the Simulation
I am trying something new with this story introduction. I will be writing other chapters but here is the introduction to mystory called "Virtual Obsession". Hope you love it <3 xoxo
"Congratulations, [Your Name]!
You have been selected to participate in the new simulation test by Sim Corporation. Please find attached a document listing the rules to participate in the simulation. If you are unable to attend the meeting on the given day, please contact the number provided at the end of the attached document.
We are all looking forward to meeting you.
Cordially, Sim Corporation."
Finally, you have been waiting for this email for an entire month. When you learned that Sim Corporation had created a contest to select 10 people to try out their new game simulation that allows you to enter a game, you jumped at the opportunity. You have to tell everyone about it; this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity, and you will be able to meet other people too.
You receive the location and the ticket the day before on your phone. You drive to the location, and of course, you need to scan your invitation at the entrance gate where multiple security guards await. They give you a parking lot number where you need to park your car and allow you to pass once the ticket is successfully scanned. Once your car is parked, you see a man in a suit walking towards you. He introduces himself as a worker in charge of guiding the participants to the game simulation room. You follow him into the building, which is completely closed with the logo of the company, but otherwise, there are no windows or anything to allow you to see inside.
The guide holds the door to let you in. Inside, you are blinded by a projector and various colored lights, but once accustomed to it, you see a room with some furniture that looks like a reception. You follow the guide towards a different room. In this one, you see monitors and control panels; people are actively working here. A huge window shows some pods connected to a huge machine.
"As you can see, we are in the control room. And what you see there is the simulation room, with the simulation pods to bring you inside the simulation. We believe it is important to show the participants how the test is being managed." The guide smiles at you and asks you to follow him to the waiting room to wait for the last participants.
Out of the 10 participants, only 1 is missing. You see all types of people: a teenager, maybe around 15 years old, with his mother playing on his phone while his mother reads a magazine. A talkative blond man is talking to a red-headed man who seems more introverted and shy. Next to them is a girl dressed in Lolita fashion sitting quietly, who, once your eyes meet, smiles at you and waves softly. And then you see a woman in her late thirties dressed in quite revealing clothes and glued to a magazine. Sitting alone is an older woman, smiling to herself, lost in her book. You decide to sit next to the Lolita girl; she seemed the most friendly of the bunch.
A few minutes later, the guide comes back with the last participant, a boy around your age, maybe older, dressed in a simple shirt and jeans with dark hair and eyes. "Now that everyone is here, please follow me to the simulation room. A few of my colleagues and myself will help you sit inside the pods in order to start the test."
The guide helps everyone to a designated pod; you are put next to the man with dark hair. A woman is next to your pod. Upon seeing you approach, she starts to explain the process: "Good morning. I am the designated Sim Corporation worker that will help you get set in the pod. If you feel any discomfort or pain during the setting, feel free to inform me. Now, if you may take my hand, I will help you inside the pod."
Next to the pod is a small ladder to go inside the pod. With the help of the woman, you climb inside and lay down. The woman climbs the ladder.
"Alright, all you need to do is lay down and put your arms on the designated place, right here. You need to put your head against the small pillow here and make sure you're completely comfortable while laying down. I am going to attach the belt around your midsection and attach those sensors around you. Once again, please feel free to stop me if you feel any discomfort or pain." She finishes putting the sensors on your temples and heart. She takes a walkie-talkie and turns it on.
"Omega on the line, pod number 9 is ready." Turning back to you, the woman smiles reassuringly. "Everything is in place. The test will start soon; make sure not to move while the pod closes. Have a nice simulation."
While she gets back down, the lid of the pod closes, and you follow her instructions. Once the pod is closed, you see the screen in front of you turn on.
"Welcome to the test for the very first in-game simulation by Sim Corporation. In a few seconds, the simulation will start. Do not worry; the pod will release a sleeping gas to allow your mind to connect to the machine. If any problem appears during the simulation, we will stop the experience immediately. Thank you for your collaboration, and please enjoy the simulation."
Feeling the gas filling the pod, you slowly close your eyes, deciding not to try and fight the sudden sleepiness overcoming your mind. Feeling your consciousness waking up, you slowly open your eyes, looking into the darkness in front of you where you can read a single sentence written in the air:
Connection complete. Welcome to the simulation, [Your Name].