--March 10, 2019--
--Philippines, Iligan City--
Hi! I'm Nate Ricken and this my story. I am born to an average family. I was the only kid so my mom and dad can afford it. My dad was an electrical engineer and my mom was a chef. The best cook I ever taste. My dad was half Korean-American, Jackson Ricken. My mom was pure Filipino, Geremia Ricken and me, well I have a mix of blood. I was 10 years old when I dreamed of being an astronaut. Watching at night sky with my dad. Imagine that flying a spaceship with mom. It was a very memorable childhood. I was closest to my dad.
My childhood was different from other kids in the class. I was the one who has full of imagination about science fiction unlike others they were normal kids who like jobs that can be work only at earth. I was kinda shy and doesn't have a lot of friends but I have a best friend and her name is Hann. We were childhood friends ever since elementary, when we went to highschool everything was different. We went to a different school and Hann got busy. Our friendship was getting a far distance.
--March 20, 2020--
-- Philippines, Iligan City--
Today is my graduation day and I am near for my future dream. Next school year, I'm going to college.
And that's how the story started.
-- April 12, 2021--
--USA, California --
--Nate's POV--
-- 1:20 pm--
*Video Call*
"Hey son, how's your day 1 there?" Jackson said.
"Great dad," Nate said.
"Nice, happy birthday son! were so sorry we can't come there with you, your mom and I got busy on work, besides we got a gift for you," Jackson said.
"We delivered it for you," Geremia said.
'Thanks Mom and Dad, *opening the door and found a box.* Wow a car key is this for real?" Nate said happily.
"Go at the parking lot"
" Woah, I just got a driver's license yesterday and now a car, thanks mom and dad," Nate said.
"Bye son Love you gotta go, study hard," Jackson said.
*End of the Video Call*
You two are always busy *sigh* but thanks I still love you, Mom and Dad.
--2:30pm--
Nate tested the car for a drive while driving he encountered a kid was crossing the road because her toy fell off the ground. A huge truck was going to hit the kid but he drove over the car and made the truck hit him instead.
--USA, California --
--Hann's POV--
--2:40pm--
Hann was calling Nate but nobody answered. Hann was older than Nate. She was like his big sister. She was working as a doctor in California that's how Nate and Hann were apart for years. Hann was going to surprise Nate. She was packing stuff to leave work. A picture frame in her childhood with Nate, drop and the glass cracked.
"Really?? I'm going to buy a new frame after I surprise Nate 21st birthday" Hann said.
When she went out of her office, she was the one who's surprised. She saw Nate laying on a stretcher with blood-covered.
--Philippines, Iligan City--
--Jackson's POV--
--2: 30pm--
*Phone ringing*
Jackson didn't answer because he was in the middle of meeting. His phone was ringing again. He turned off his phone. His ballpen that Nate gave him on his birthday and Nate's first gift to his father drop under the table.
--April 12, 2023--
--USA, California--
It's been two years since the accident happened. Jackson and Geremia hurriedly went to California after what they heard. Nate was coma in bed.
--Philippines, Iligan City--
--April 21, 2021--
--Jackson's POV--
--3:00pm--
The meeting was finished. He opened his phone and found out a voice from Nate.
--April 12, 2023--
--USA, California--
"Hey, son I brought you something" Jackson said with tears on his eyes.
"Its a favorite toy, wanna try?" Jackson put a helmet in Nate's head. Jackson opened the laptop, the laptop has no brand name.
A saying pop-out of the laptop's screen:
---Welcome To Virtual Reality---
-----Nate Ricken-----
While Nate was lying in coma, Jackson was also busy a virtual reality that connects tp Nate's nervous system even though he is in a coma. He gather some people finish this project.
Days Passed by, Jackson and Nate keep seeing each other through the Virtual Reality that Jackson made. Nate's body is asleep but Nate's nervous system is still working that's what Jackson realized and made this VR project.
He connect all other VR to one world where Nate is. There at Virtual Reality Nate went to California, Berkeley College.
--September 2, 2026--
--VR: USA, California--
--Nate's POV--
--2:20 in the afternoon---
Woah, time passed so fast and tomorrow will be Dad's birthday. I hope he online in VR.
Dad never ever told that this was all just an Virtual World, but I knew this isn't real because every time I tried to sleep. Its like a screen popped out.
-----Do you want to Log Out?-----
and when I try to log out I saw black but I can hear dad's talking that he left job because of me.
--September 4, 2026--
--Jackson's POV--
--3:05pm--
*End Call*
"Again, why is it not power on?" Jackson said with a sigh.
"My son when will you ever wake up in the reality" Jackson added.
"Dear? What are you doing here? I thought you're going back at the Philippines" Geremia said.
"Flight cancelled" Jackson said.
"I'm going to meet Nate"
-
-VR: USA, California--
--Nate's POV--
Every time dad turn the laptop my nervous system connect to the Virtual Reality. Am I even dead or alive? I've been questioning myself ever since the Virtual World started. Why did dad made this.
After questioning, the years that I spent there answered my question. Everything in the virtual world is fake. I have been manipulated by this machine. I become an Astronaut just like what I dreamed to be.
I've landed to the moon and explore the outer space. Ride a rocket ship. It really felt like reality but something is missing. Time in Virtual World is so slow. I'm only just 23 years old but I am an Astronaut. I know this is unbelievable
Ever since the day I stopped questioning. I also stopped logging out at the Virtual Reality because I got happy. But the happiness didn't last long. I tried to log out of the Virtual World but I think I'm trapped inside here.
--Philippines, Cebu City--
-- April 12, 2036--
--Jackson's POV--
In a laboratory, Jackson created a laboratory in Cebu City. A big storage machine where Nate's body was floating inside a big jar. No heartbeat but he's brain is still working through the help of VR World.
--USA, California--
--September 4, 2026--
"Time of Death 5:40pm" Doctor said.
"Doctor please, is there another way" Jackson said.
"I'm sorry sir" Doctor said, giving a pat on the back with Jackson and then walks away.
"Sonnnn!!!" *sob* Geremia cried.
*Jackson thinking*
The nurse tried to pull the virtual reality gadget that Nate was wearing. Jackson stopped before the nurse turned it off.
"Wait... Pleaee get out and don't touch anything" Jackson said.
"Ugh, yes sir" nurse said.
Jackson kidnapped his son at the hospital. He drag the hospital bed outside and then left a money at the empty room.
After that day, Jackson and his family were never found.
--Philippines, Iligan City--
--April 12, 2021--
--Jackson's POV--
--3:00pm--
"You got a Voice Mail from Nate"
"D...Dear, M..moon" Nate said.
--Flashback--
--Jackson's POV--
--May 28, 2010--
"Look, Its a full moon" young Nate said.
"Its pretty" Geremia said.
"Like you" Jackson said.
"Ewww, you guys stop it" Nate said.
"Dear, Moon I really wanna go and see you near"
