“reality”

You feel so comfortably lost within this place. The sunset is pouring through tree branches, illuminating different areas of woodland around you - quiet. At first, you dare not move for fear of disturbing some resting creature, whether it be a sparrow, nestled in trees above, or unseen salamander hiding in the folds of dead leaves. After a while though- it may be hours or only seconds- you feel as if this silence is mocking you, and mild paranoia sets in. It’s this familiar feeling of ambiguity; of not wanting to cause a disturbance, while, simultaneously, wanting to shout and run to hear the sound of your voice echoing through the woods.

You feel a sudden burst of energy and can no longer contain this desire, running forth, chasing nothing. The woods come to life and seem to open up and swallow you, each wave of green becoming you. Your heart races and never before have you felt so alive, but knowing this too must end, you-

reach up and-

remove the headset. You blink back into this gray and harsh reality, surrounded by walls and ceilings and so much noise. After the accident, you have never physically left this space, and, knowing the limitations of your reality, you bought your way into another life. These short escapes- running through woods, trekking up mountains- serve as a second life. But you know better than to spend too long hooked up to the virtual reality system. It’s almost like a drug, what with the happy feeling it gives you. You know that it must only be taken in small doses; regulation is key.

So you leave this place too, closing your eyes, drifting into a third realm- sleep.