“Dude, a twenty minutes drive feels like an eternity. Why are you driving so slowly?” Nic groaned.

“What?! How fast do you expect me to drive? There is a speed limit, and look at the road! There are so many cars! If I drive any faster, we will crash into someone!” Omar growled.

“Okay. Sheesh! You’re so一”

Jared stopped listening halfway and looked out the window. It had been nearly a week since he had last gone out but the streets that he had passed the other day seemed somewhat different. It was a strange feeling, but Jared just could not put a finger on it.

“Dude, I wonder what kind of games they have,” Nic said in excitement as he picked up the brochure from the car’s dashboard, though it was also an attempt to change the topic. He was already tired of hearing Omar’s grumbling about how people should learn to be patient and the need to adhere to the law when driving on the road.

“Bro, you’re literally holding their brochure. Just r.e.a.d,” Omar spoke bluntly.

“I’m not dumb. I did read it,” Nic replied.

“Really? From what I’m hearing一”

“I did! I know that the themes are space, zombies, and medieval! But there is this sentence at the very end that says that players can customize the world they enter. I want to know what the limits are. I really hope that I can have superpowers. That will be awesome!”

Omar just sighed and shook his head in silence. Jared snickered. The boys knew that similar to how Omar enjoyed Combative Shot, Nic was all about games that revolved around superpowers or magic. Such themes provided the ever-hyperactive boy with different elements and variations to the game. Other than the layout of such games, there will be no repetition and thus, it was never easy to anticipate the attacks and reactions from the NPC of the games. 

[Note: NPC refers to Non- Player Characters]

Jared scratched at the face mask he wore. It was stuffy and uncomfortable. His nose itched at the material and breathing in his heavy breath was close to unbearable. Although he had not worn a mask frequently, the occasional times he did when going out to get groceries for the household, accumulated a lot over the one year or so. However, if he had to compare to what he had to wear when the government had first announced that it was ‘safer’ for citizens to go out for work and necessary supply runs, Jared had to wear a couple of layers of face masks, as well as a face shield and a pair of gloves.

It was only when the vaccines were successfully made and released to the public that people were allowed to dine at restaurants and meet up with friends and distant relatives again. Although the virus was still spreading, the number of cases had drastically decreased as more people were getting vaccinated and being more cautious compared to when the pandemic had first begun. Slowly, but surely, life was beginning to return to normal一 except for the remote cases and of course, the need to still wear a mask whenever one is outside.

A lot had changed compared to when the pandemic first started. Initially, it was like something out of a horror movie. There was a virus that was being spread far and wide. The infected would suffer from respiratory problems and fever-like symptoms before succumbing to the virus and dying. People were just dropping dead like dead flies in less than ninety-six hours. 

No one was safe一 be it the rich, working-class, or poor. As humans were social creatures and interaction had become a part of everyday life, there was no actual way to completely cut off from the rest of the world. Even those who work from home still required their food and other essentials delivered and since there were instances of the infected not presenting any signs of infection, there were cases of deliverers passing on the flu-like virus to the customers as well.

‘Yeah, those were scary times. Well, to be honest, it still is,’ Jared thought. 

Falling within the category of age 18 and below, Jared and his friends had not gotten their vaccination due to its inefficiency and possible complications in bodies with strong immune systems. Although there were some people from their age group who have gotten vaccinated without any side effects, the boys have decided to play it safe and wait for a better vaccine to be introduced.

Jared sighed and looked out of the window again when a man standing up ahead caught his eye. In truth, there was nothing eye-catching about that man. From the look of his ragged grey and black clothes and matted hair, it could be assumed that he was homeless and had not had a bath in a long while.

Seeing a homeless person was not a rare sight in any sense, especially when it was in busier streets and areas. However, what drew Jared's attention was the sign the homeless man was holding up. As the sign was no bigger than 11 x 16 in size of ripped-out cardboard, and its wordings were written by pen or some other thin-pointed stationary, Jared struggled to read the sign.

It was only as the car drove past and near the man did Jared manage to make out the words. Written repeatedly by what Jared assumed to be a pen was “We are all doomed because of our choices”.

***

By the time the boys reached the mall, there were only a few minutes left before it was 1 pm. Following the directions on the brochure, the boys rushed through the maze of the mall to the fourth floor.

“Whoa. For something this special, the queue sure isn’t long. Did we get the directions wrong?” Omar asked when no more than seven people were lining up outside the place. 

“Dude, maybe it’s because we are in an area where many of the folks are just old? Also, this is the right place. The sign says ‘The Rift’. Look,” Nic said as he pointed to the sign that shone brightly white in contrast to the black background. It was the exact design and choice of colors as the brochure they had.

“I guess that many have decided to have lunch before coming here? We did see a whole lot of people in the mall today,” Jared reasoned although he was beginning to doubt the possibility of more people coming over to The Rift. With the gaming center taking an estimation of nearly eight shop lots, it was located on the highest floor, at the far end of the East Wing of the mall. It was a secluded area and gave the feeling that they were all alone.

“Anyhow, there should have been more people since having a VR game in this area is unique. It will be the only one in a hundred miles一 maybe more,” Omar continued.

“Ugh… You're just a cloud of darkness and negativity!” Nic growled.

“No, I am just a realist, unlike y一” Omar did not get to finish his sentence when a person dressed in a shiny outfit came out from the entrance of the gaming center.

Jared immediately recognized the outfit as the same one the promoter from the other day had worn. With a glass shield and an overall white, silvery material that covered the entire body, it made the wearer look like an astronaut. However, that was the only similarity the suit had to that of an astronaut. The stark difference was the gas mask that was on the outside of the promoter’s face shield. 

“Hello, and welcome to ‘The Rift’! My name is Sherine and I will be your guide for today!” a muffled feminine voice was heard.

“Whoa… It’s a hazmat suit,” Nic observed aloud.

“Talk about overkill,” Omar remarked in a low tone.

‘She probably hasn’t gotten her vaccination like us… or maybe the management had made her wear the suit as a part of one of the game themes?’ Jared thought and began to wonder which game theme he had seen in the brochure would need a person to wear a hazmat suit.

“Well, some people are r.e.a.l.l.y all about protection. You don’t have to be mean about it,” Nic said to Omar.

“How am I being mean about it?” Omar shot back, but Nic did not manage to get another word in when the staff of ‘The Rift’ continued.

“In this place, you can become just about anyone or anything you desire. As long as you can imagine it, you can travel across great plains, vast oceans, and even the infinite skies. There are also preset game themes like zombies, space, and medieval times. Just note that for preset themes, there is a very small margin for game customization,” Sherine paused and glanced at everyone as if to make sure that she had everyone’s attention before continuing.

Then clapping her hands, she continued, “Okay, that’s about the gist of it! Follow me and let us enter into another world!”

“You know, she kind of reminds me of a cheerleader. I wonder why,” Omar spoke in a low tone and the boys snickered. It was true that their guide seemed to have the chirpy personality of a cheerleader一 which made it funny since she was all suited up and not dressed in anything colorful or flashy. Moreover, the suit seemed oversized on her petite figure, adding to the comical effect as she attempted to make quick gestures as she talked.

‘She obviously doesn’t wear such heavy garments most of the time. Perhaps it is just a work thing after all,’ Jared thought.

As the group followed Sherine in, there were gasps and soft chatter. Unlike the exterior of the gaming center which was of a black background to look like space, the color palette of the interior walls was the total opposite. There were blank, white walls and glass partitions everywhere the eyes could see. 

The sudden brightness caused a slight discomfort to Jared’s eyes and he unconsciously blinked rapidly and squinted until his eyes got accustomed to the change. Glancing around, he saw that he was not the only one who was affected as many of the people in the group were either rubbing their eyes or squinting.

“Ah, I do apologize for the sudden stark contrast. Since the pandemic is still ongoing, the company, Gemini Enterprise, has decided to have the interior design as clean and sterile-looking as possible so that customers will be put at ease. Although we do sanitize the whole vicinity on an hourly basis, and also before and after a customer enters a VR chamber, having white walls and glass will further carry the image of how pristine and clean we intend to keep this place,” Sherine explained.

Nic gave a low whistle, “Whoa. That is a lot of effort.”

“Well, that is true. I believe that they’re the only VR center to do this. No one else seems to be that invested in putting in the time and effort of having their establishments that clean. Besides, having white walls and glass means that it can get stained and dirty very easily,” Jared said.

“Well, that may be it, but the whole color scheme and layout reminds me a lot of hospitals,” Omar said as he glanced at the staff who was still talking, “or maybe some sort of laboratory since she is wearing a hazmat suit.”

“Dude, why did you say that?! Why must you always say something negative?” Nic hissed at Omar.

Omar shrugged, “I’m simply stating a fact.”

“Ughhhh,” Nic rolled his eyes.

“一Okay, since you have a brief understanding of how the game works, let’s start with the main event. Oh! I nearly forgot!” Sherine exclaimed when she saw a stack of papers on a white table nearby. “I’m going to need you all to sign these consent forms.”

“Consent forms?” a girl asked.

“Yes, consent forms to legally acknowledge that you understand the nature of the VR games and that the company will not be held liable in case you were to get frightened. For instance, if a monster got a jump on you or a similar circumstance were to take place during the game,” Sherine explained.

***

When everyone had signed the consent forms, they were each guided by other staff members to different areas of the gaming center depending on the themes they wanted their VR games to be. Since Jared and his friends each have their respective ideas of the kind of game settings they would like to venture into, they were separated into different VR rooms. Omar had picked the preset medieval theme and Nic, with the customized superpowers theme. 

“Sir, have you decided on how you’d like to customize your VR game?” a tall staff member asked Jared as another staff member began to strap on bandages that had wires attached to various parts of Jared一 the temples, chest, arms, and legs.

“I haven’t decided, but I do have a very vague idea about it. But... what is up with all of these?” Jared asked as he pointed to one of the bandages on his wrist. Although it was explained by Sherine earlier and was even stated in bold letters in the consent form, Jared could not help but feel like a lab rat since the ‘bandages’ were placed all over his body.

‘Who knew that what Omar said earlier could affect me like this?’ Jared thought.

“Oh. These are quite similar to the electromyography sensors that hospitals use. It’s mainly to monitor your heart rate and potential stress level. Thus, if it seems that you're in distress and your heart, for example, increases to a dangerous rate, we will immediately cut the program. However, these sensors are far more special. They will also send small electric discharges into your body so that you will feel even the slightest of sensations of what your avatar in the game experiences. That way, players will be more immersed in the game,” the staff replied.

“Yes, this is to make the game seem as realistic as possible. You don’t have to worry though. The electricity discharges are non-lethal or painful,” a second staff member assured.

“Ah, I see,” Jared replied as the staff fitted on his head a cluster of electromyography sensors that eerily looked like a scalp. 

“So, what kind of customization would you like to have?” the first staff member asked.

“Hm… Since it is my first time playing a VR game, I’m thinking of a world layout that is similar to ours. I do not think that I’d be able to handle combative environments just yet. I’ve heard that people tend to get migraines from just half an hour in a VR game.”

“That’s understandable. Yes, people tend to feel nauseous since VR goggles emit blue light and prolonged exposure to it can be detrimental. Not to mention that the graphics are usually bright in color and pixelated, which can cause eyestrain and difficulty in focusing in the game for long.”

“Speaking of pixelated graphics, our VR game is one of a kind. We are using advanced global illumination and computer graphics. Hence, that and including the full-body scans we’d conducted earlier, your VR world will look almost, if not completely, like real life. 

The tests we’d initially run with our staff proved that it is even difficult to distinguish the VR world from reality. The only indication that it is indeed a VR world is the fact that your manual settings will be on your left arm. You will be able to activate the manual settings if you tap your hand to your left hip,” the second staff member laughed, and Jared smiled awkwardly.

The first staff member cleared his throat, “Yes, it may be quite funny, but we didn’t want to have the manual too easily activated that it disturbs the player’s visual, nor did we want to make it too difficult that the player would struggle to activate it if an urgent situation arises.”

“I understand,” Jared replied.

“Okay, I’ll calibrate the settings. This will take no more than a minute,” the first staff member said as he tapped and swiped on a futuristic tablet that he had been carrying the whole time they were talking. The tablet looked like it was made out of glass, and Jared could see through the device as the staff member did the necessary settings.

‘Whoa. I’ve only seen such things in movies. I wonder how much one would cost,’ Jared thought.

When the calibration was completed, the second staff member handed Jared a pair of VR goggles to wear. The first staff member then walked over to a huge computer that was situated on the other side of the room and typed noisily away while the second staff double-checked on the wires and adjusted the VR goggles to make sure they fitted properly on Jared. 

After that, Jared was given a set of headphones to put on. The headphones were nearly a hundred percent noise canceling as Jared could still hear the very muffled sounds of the typing at the keyboard and someone saying “power it up”.

As Jared stood in the center of the room, he could not help but feel alone since all he saw was pitch darkness as the VR goggles were still off. 

“That reminds me. There are two ways you can exit the game. One is by selecting the ‘exit world’ button on your manual settings. The second is by一” but Jared never got to hear the rest of the sentence as the sound of the game resonated loud in his ears, and he slowly began to see light.