Chapter 4: Reading the Rules

As Cassidy opened her eyes to a blinding sun, she was disrupted by Noah reaching out a hand to help her up. After checking if everyone was ok Dylan began to question where the storm and the entire town went. There were crops and farms all around them but the man in the trench coat was nowhere to be seen. Jill was able to pick up the box but it was too late for the box was empty and she unfortunately knew what that meant but she had been working too long to be caught out now and she came here on her own free will to help everyone else so it was too late to come clean. She had no choice but to blend in and do what she could. 

“I see you made it here in one piece. That was quite lucky of you.” a voice came from behind. 

“The trench coat guy!! What is going on here?” Dylan asked.

“I’m so terribly sorry to drag you all into this mess but I was finally able to send a message and you must have been the closest people to be able to hear me. I’ve been trapped for so long and when you reached out your hand to help, I had no choice but to bring you here.” He cried.

“You’re going to need to be a lot more specific on the help you need and on where we are?” Cassidy asked.

The man had introduced himself as Sean Callister. His name set sparks in everyone’s mind as who could forget the tragedy of the Callister bloodline. Sean Callister was the greatest mind in programming and engineering that ever lived. No one could build prosthetics or models like he could. He met his wife when she won a competition to be his intern and three years later, they got married. His private life was kept very secret but together him and his wife saved many lives with their research and their work.

A tragic fire broke out in his lab one day and everything burned to the ground. His wife’s body was found in the fire but there was no sign of him. People had suspected he also died but was never found and to this day they never knew who started that fire. Sean Callister is supposed to be dead so who was this man?

“I didn’t die in that fire if that’s what you’re thinking. It’s a long story and I managed to survive but my wife was not so lucky. I have been imprisoned here ever since until the seal broke enough that I could get help in finally leaving this place.” Sean explained.

“So, you dragged us here to help you get out?” Dylan asked, confused.

“That box you have is missing six pieces on the top. If you find those and take them to the castle you can find a way out of here but the system acts like a game and every zone here must have its own rules. If you wish to live you must play.” Sean said.

“If that’s what it takes to get us home then I’m in. I have a future waiting for me back home so let’s get this done.” Cassidy said.

Sean apologised for dragging them into whatever this was but he said only outsiders can play and said he would leave to find help but assured them that they would meet again. As everyone waved him off Jill was standing in the back glaring at Sean as he walked off.

It was almost as if she knew who he was but one thing was for sure. She didn’t trust him and she knew he was lying. As soon as he left all eyes turned to Cassidy as she remembered she rushed out into the storm and didn’t have time to put her wig on. This was the first time anyone from school had seen her for who she truly was.

“I’m sorry but you are Cassidy Bones, right?” Noah asked.

“I’m sorry but you must have confused me with someone else?” she hesitated.

“Why were you wearing a wig this whole time and the makeup? What's wrong with freckles?” Wren asked.

"Ok fine yes it’s me. I don’t remember how it started but you know how stereotypes go and people only want you to look a certain way. I’m not ashamed of how I look but who would ever respect me with red hair and freckles?” Cassidy asked.

“It doesn’t matter what others think or what you see on tv. What matters is being true to yourself. If people don’t like you for you then that’s their problem not yours.” Jill stated.

“The era for stereotypes is long over, especially in Oaken Hills. You know it is formed from people all over the world, right? I’m black and even though I was born here my parents are from Nigeria but no one cares. Dylan’s family comes from the Philippines. If anything, Oaken Hills is the one place that the entire world is truly as one so stop being fake and start being you.” Noah explained.

As Jill pulled out a silk embroidered handkerchief to wipe Cassidy’s tear from her face another strange man began to approach them. He said his name was Charles and that he was in a way their guide.

“There are many lands in this world and you must collect six pieces to complete the box. Each world has its own rules and its own system. You are currently not a part of this world which is why everyone is ignoring your existence but once everything is active you will become a part of each world you are in. Your clothes will change, your abilities will change, sometimes even your species will change but once you get out of here you will be human again.” Charles began to explain.

“Could you explain that whole changing species part?” Noah asked.

“This is Cornucopia. It is a small village in this world but it provides everywhere with food so it is a very vital part of our world. The people here are all farmers and you will be given tasks. In this world it is fairly simple and I can’t imagine your tasks will be difficult.” Charles said.

“What about the changing species part?” Noah asked again, trembling.

“I don’t like being interrupted kid. Some worlds have other species and when you enter those worlds you become like them. Now if I may continue you need to raise your left hand to view the screen that will give you your assigned tasks. Do that and we’ll see what happens next. I’ve never had to be a guide before so I never read the manual past that point. Good luck!!” Charles said before disappearing.