《West of Reality》


 Chapter 1

    The sun hung low on the horizon, stretching long shadows across the dusty plains. A hot wind swept over the land, bringing the scent of dry earth and the faint jingle of spurs on the breeze. Dan blinked against the harsh light as he sat up, the world around him sharpening into focus. It all felt real¡ªtoo real. The dry air stung his throat, and the rough fabric of his clothes scratched against his skin. As he stood and dusted off his pants, he realized he wasn¡¯t alone.


    At a modest five feet seven inches tall, he was far from the ability to see through the crowd of others, just as dazed and fresh as he was, who were all gathering in front of a large wooden building. The Welcome Center. The start of everything. This was it. His new life. The Wild West, exactly as he¡¯d imagined.


    The shift from physical reality to this virtual one stunned him, but it wasn¡¯t the strangeness of the world that did it¡ªit was how natural it felt. Just moments ago, he¡¯d been strapped to a table, wires attached to his freshly shaved head, naked as the day he was born. And now he was simply here, as if waking from a vivid dream, fully clothed in 19th century attire, complete with deep green coat, slacks, and a thin vest. He pulled off his stetson hat to take a look. It was a light tan, which nicely contrasted the dark tone of his clothing. His dark brown hair was slightly longer than it had been before, and his beard had filled in¡ªnow about the length of ten days stubble, though his mustache was long, growing over his mouth to conceal it.


    ¡°Alright!¡± Dan shouted, unable to hold back as excitement took over. Those who weren¡¯t still loading in flinched, and a few cast him disapproving looks. He quickly apologized to the startled ones, but the rest? They could deal with it. This was how they should all be reacting. It was a dream come true.


    Dan wasted no time in joining the large group of people who were gathering in front of the welcome center. To say he was eager to get started on his new life would be a massive understatement. The entrance was still shut, and in front of the doors stood a small team of about ten, their uniforms crisp and name tags gleaming with the Lucid Enterprises logo. They had to be the ones running the show, preparing to guide the newcomers through their indoctrination. One by one, they instructed the group to form orderly lines before handing out fliers. Dan¡¯s suspicions were confirmed when a woman reached him, her name tag displaying "Claire.¡± She was very thin and short, had short cropped blonde hair, blue eyes and perfectly white teeth.


    Claire smiled warmly, though her eyes flickered with the efficiency of someone who had done this too many times to count. She handed Dan a flier¡ªheavy, embossed with a glossy finish that somehow felt more substantial than paper. He flipped it over. "Welcome to the Frontier," it read in bold lettering, followed by a list of instructions and basic guidelines.


    Around him, the other uniformed employees began to step forward, calling out small groups of newcomers by name. Each Lucid representative took their group toward different doors leading into the Welcome Center, splitting the crowd for the indoctrination. Dan watched as people were ushered inside, disappearing into separate rooms. Some looked confident, others hesitated for a moment before following, but the whole process ran like a well-oiled machine. Each group was led through the doors without delay, a smooth operation that spoke of years of experience in handling wide-eyed recruits like himself.


    Claire remained at the front, seemingly waiting for her own set of names to be called out. Dan felt the electric buzz of anticipation¡ªhe was ready to dive in, no matter what awaited him inside those doors.


    She glanced at the group, her voice clear and rehearsed. "Congratulations on making the leap," she began. "In a few moments, the doors behind me will open, and you''ll each be given the tools to start your journey. Remember, this world is designed to be as immersive as possible. Pain, hunger, thirst¡ªit¡¯s all real in here. Well, as real as it needs to be." Her smile widened. "But don''t worry, you won¡¯t die unless you truly want to."


    The crowd stirred, a few nervous laughs rippling through the group. Dan felt a prickle of excitement in his chest. This was exactly what he''d signed up for¡ªa life where everything mattered, where every decision felt weighty. He wondered briefly how many others around him felt the same or if some were already regretting the choice to leave the real world behind forever.


    Claire continued her instructions, "Once inside, you''ll each receive your starter kit which will include, well, everything you need to start!¡± Claire smiled broadly again, and gave a light chuckle. As Claire continued with her introduction, she gave an occasional glance at the other groups, watching them enter. Dan, charged with giddy anticipation, was so focused on Claire¡¯s speech that he hadn¡¯t noticed they were the only ones left outside until Claire suddenly stepped forward, having watched the last door shut completely. Her tone slightly changed, now more direct, yet still measured. "Now that we¡¯re alone, I can freely inform you that we will be doing things a bit differently than everyone else. As you¡¯ve surely noticed by now, they entered the building, yet we remain out here. Why? The answer is simple. You all remember the tests you took in the weeks leading up to today. You were told that they would serve as a baseline for your character models and their, or rather your, physical bodies. We said we would use that information to match the ones you¡¯ve now left behind. All of that was true, of course, but there was one additional trait we at Lucid were looking for. Each of you has been selected for a reason," she said, her eyes scanning the group. Claire then gestured at an empty portion of the wall, causing some commotion to slip through the already curious and mumbling crowd, before astounding them all as that wall began to split, revealing a secret doorway.


    "Any questions before we begin?"


    Dan¡¯s mind raced, questions piling up faster than he could organize them. But he stayed silent. He wanted to experience it for himself, not spoil it with too many preemptive details. Instead, he looked around at the faces of the others¡ªsome eager, others hesitant, but all captivated by the prospect of stepping into a world where their fate was entirely in their hands.


    The large wooden doors creaked open, and the group collectively tensed, leaning forward as if about to be let into paradise. Claire motioned for them to enter, and Dan found himself jostling along with the rest, heart pounding in his chest. He was ready for this¡ªfor the adventure, the danger, and everything that came with it.


    #


    Dan¡¯s group had all finally congregated into a space so large and empty that it resembled a hangar for a commercial aircraft. Claire, at the front of the group, began to speak again. Her voice carried unnaturally, even for an empty space like this.


    ¡°As I stated outside, each of you has been selected for a reason," Claire repeated, "now before we move ahead, I need you to stand on one of the numbers you see beneath your feet." Dan blinked, glancing down as bold numbers began to materialize, seemingly painted onto the floor beneath them. There was no clear pattern¡ªno logical order to how they appeared. Some were close together, others scattered randomly across the room, with no visible correlation. Fifty of them, one for each person.


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    He hesitated for a moment, eyeing the two closest to him: a large, blocky 12 and a sleek 28. Something pulled at him, an instinct that urged him to keep moving. As he stepped past the two numbers, his gaze caught on another: 47, positioned right next to a nervous looking woman. He recognized her as one of the people outside who had given him a dirty look. Her caramel skin was complemented by her long black hair, split into two braids pulled over her shoulders. She was already standing rigidly on her number, her equally black eyes staring straight forward, but Dan could tell she had noticed him approaching. She was attractive, standing just a bit taller than him and had wide curves at the hips.


    Without another thought, he stood on 47. He wasn¡¯t sure why. The number didn¡¯t mean anything to him. It just seemed¡­ right. The floor beneath his feet felt oddly cool, solid, but not uncomfortably so. It was quite the contrary actually¡ªthough he wasn¡¯t sure if it was the number itself or something about the moment. Claire watched as the remainder of the group settled on their chosen numbers.


    "Now," she said, pacing slowly in front of them, "Most of what you receive will be the same as everyone else, including the other groups, though based on the style preferences you provided in your tests. However, each of you will also receive one additional item, unique to you. This is where that little ¡®trait¡¯ we were searching for comes in. You all have exhibited extraordinary leadership capabilities, for different reasons. We will need people like you to aid our other residents who will undoubtedly go¡­ astray at times. This world is near perfect, but it is not, because we are all still human beings. We have accounted for that. That being said, we are not designating you any positions of responsibility. Aside from your own nature and your individual item, you will start the same as everyone else. You will live your lives as you wish, just as we promised. Some of you may never lead, and that¡¯s fine. This is simply a precautionary procedure.¡±


    More mumbling passed through the group for a brief moment, before Claire continued. ¡°Since you¡¯ve all been determined based on different aspects of your personalities, no two of you will get the same thing. It¡¯s designed for you¡ªbased on your skills, your instincts, and what you¡¯ll need moving forward. Here, ladies and gentlemen, is your starting point. Get to it, wranglers!" She finished, pausing to let the weight of her words sink in.


    Dan felt his heart race in his chest, his mind buzzing with possibilities. A leader? What would he receive? Would it be a weapon, a tool, something more abstract? And how could something so unique be tailored to him when the numbers seemed random? Did they somehow know what number he¡¯d pick? Was the number even important, or had it called to him in some way? The air around him seemed to hum with anticipation as he waited, eyes flicking to the others, each standing firmly on their own number, for what seemed like eternity.


    A low rumble vibrated through the floor. Dan looked down, startled, as the ground in front of him began to shift. Slowly, a section of the floor lifted, rising into a perfectly smooth, two-foot by four-foot table. The surface gleamed, and on top, neatly arranged, lay an assortment of tools and weapons¡ªeach item meticulously placed, waiting for him to claim.


    He glanced around, seeing the same thing happen to the others. Each person now had a table before them, but no two sets of items looked alike. Dan''s eyes traced the objects on his table¡ªeach piece carefully chosen, though for what purpose, he wasn¡¯t sure.


    The first thing that caught his eye was a finely crafted, waxed bedroll. Its forest green color stood out against the rest of the gear, rich and deep like pine needles after rain. The straps were tough, embossed leather, intricate patterns etched into the surface, and the buckles gleamed like freshly polished bronze, shining in the light as if they had just been made.


    He picked it up, feeling the weight and quality in his hands. The waxed surface shimmered, clearly designed to repel water and weather. Without hesitation, Dan unrolled it briefly, checking its length before deciding it would be perfect for carrying the rest of his gear. He placed it back on the table and began setting the other items inside, taking his time as he inspected each piece.


    Dan carefully set the bedroll opened onto the floor, its tough leather straps unbuckled and ready to hold his gear. He reached for the first items he¡¯d be packing, practical yet plain in appearance. A small, cast-iron pan sat near the edge of the table¡ªsolid, heavy in his hands, the kind of tool that would last a lifetime. He slipped it into the bedroll without a second thought.


    Next was a steel canteen, simple but functional, with a matching cup that fit neatly onto the bottom. It clicked into place with a quiet snap, both items sturdy and unadorned. Dan slid it beside the pan, making sure it was secure.


    A single set of utensils: a fork, knife, and spoon followed. They were plain but dependable, with no unnecessary flourishes, just the bare essentials. He tucked them in alongside the other items, noting the reassuring weight of the gear he was assembling.


    Lastly, enough rations to last a week, neatly wrapped in thick paper, and a coin purse filled with various coins of copper, silver, and a couple of gold. The values of which he had yet to find out. There was nothing glamorous about these items, but they were the kind of things that could mean the difference between survival and failure out there in the unknown.


    After securing the basics, Dan¡¯s eyes landed on something a bit more striking. A pair of spurs gleamed in the light, their golden color catching his attention immediately. He picked them up, feeling the surprising weight in his hands. Despite their rich appearance, they were as tough as titanium, built to last. The stars of the spurs had five points, sharp and bold, not unlike the stars on the American flag. He turned them over once before tucking them into the bedroll with care. These weren¡¯t just decorative, they had a purpose, one he¡¯d soon find out.


    Next, his gaze fell on the pistol holster. The leather was the same as the straps on his bedroll, embossed with the same intricate patterns. It was sturdy but elegant, crafted with precision. Dan lifted it, running his fingers over the familiar texture. Instead of setting it aside, he strapped it around his waist, tightening the buckle until it fit snugly. The holster felt like it belonged there, settling against his side with a sense of purpose.


    The revolvers were another sight to behold; silvery and polished to perfection. Their handles were made of fine, light-colored wood, carved with intricate swirls that morphed into ravens on each side. The craftsmanship was beyond anything he¡¯d expected, each curve of the carving flowing seamlessly into the next. He turned the pistols over, appreciating the balance in their weight, before sliding them carefully into the holster. These weren¡¯t just weapons¡ªthey were art, and they fit into his growing collection as naturally as if they had always belonged to him.


    Dan¡¯s gaze shifted to the last item on the table: a beautifully bound leather journal. The cover was dark and smooth, with intricate embossing along the edges, the craftsmanship as fine as anything he had ever seen. The pages inside, thick and slightly yellowed, looked as if they could belong in another time. There were no words written on the pages, at least not yet, but something about the journal felt alive, as if it was waiting for him to make the first move.


    He picked it up, feeling the weight of it in his hands. The journal was heavier than it looked, the leather soft but worn, like it had seen many years of use. A thin cord wrapped around it, keeping it closed. He flipped through the blank pages, half-expecting to see something, anything, that would explain its significance. But nothing. No words, no instructions. Just empty paper. Instinctively, he looked around the table for a pen or pencil, eager to test it out, but there was nothing. A small wave of disappointment hit him as he realized he couldn¡¯t even write in it if he wanted to.


    He stared down at the open journal, lingering on the first page, still curious about its use. Just as he was about to roll it up and set it aside, something strange happened: a faint shimmer crossed the surface of the paper. Dan blinked, watching as words slowly began to materialize, as if drawn by an unseen hand. Brief, cryptic, but undeniably clear: Lead with purpose, or others will lead you.

 Chapter 2

    Dan, excited by the materials appearing before them, glanced over at the table belonging to the woman he stood by. Her gear was similar to his, just as Claire had said, but the style had a Victorian flair¡ªpolished brass buckles, leather straps, and lace trim that reminded him of another era.


    Huh, fascinating he thought before deciding to break the ice, ¡°Can you believe this?" He gestured his journal, then turned it over in his hands¡ªrunning his fingers over the embossed leather. ¡°I¡¯ve been dreaming about this for months. Everything is better than I imagined. Especially the ¡®move¡¯ into this place. I really thought the transition would feel¡­ weirder.. I guess?¡± He chuckled, flipping through the blank pages. ¡°But it¡¯s all felt so real, almost too real.¡±


    "Name''s Dan!"


    The woman surprisingly smiled, although faintly. She adjusted the brim of her hat before replying, ¡°Nancy. Yeah, they really nailed the details.¡± Her voice was steady, but Dan noticed a slight tremble in her hands as she opened a small, ornate compass. She had the air of someone who was just told to act natural. ¡°It¡¯s everything I was hoping for, I guess.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t seem very excited.¡± He motioned to the group¡ªall talking loudly, admiring their new gear. ¡°What¡¯s holding you back? Nerves?¡±


    Her smile faltered, just for a moment, before she tucked the compass away into her coat. ¡°No, I¡¯m happy. Really. It¡¯s just¡­¡± She trailed off, adjusting the straps on her bag, avoiding the question. ¡°Leaving everything behind¡­ It''s a lot to process. It¡¯s not strange or anything. In fact I think it¡¯s pretty normal to find this difficult.¡± She sharply cut her words off in agitation.


    Dan frowned, still sensing something unsaid, but recognizing that he was being impolite to a complete stranger. ¡°Sorry, yeah, I get that. Totally¡­¡± he said a bit too hastily. ¡°But we¡¯re free now, right? Isn¡¯t that what this is all about? A fresh start at something amazing?¡±


    Her eyes flicked up to meet his, and for a brief second, her expression softened¡ªguarded, but honest. She gazed back down at her compass, and sighed ¡°Free. You¡¯re right.¡± Her nerves showed once again, despite her attempt to hide them. Not wanting to pry any further, Dan pretended not to notice. When their eyes met again, she snapped the compass shut with an unsettling familiarity. As though she¡¯d had it her entire life. Did the program give some people items they had in their previous lives? That wouldn¡¯t be suspicious, he supposed.


    "It¡¯s beautiful," Dan said awkwardly, pointing toward the compass, trying to keep the conversation going despite the tension. Even though Nancy was guarded, he liked her already. He hoped he hadn¡¯t just ruined any chance at a friendship with her.


    "Thanks," Nancy replied, forlorn, then turned back to her packing with more haste than before.


    Shit


    Dan stepped back to his table and quietly secured his bedroll then strapped it to his back. Silence hung between them, leaving him deflated. He pried too much, he knew. He glanced at Nancy now and then as she packed, the weight of the moment building. Pressure built up in Dan¡¯s chest as he wrestled with himself, debating whether he should try to fix the awkward tension that had just settled between him and Nancy. The air felt thick, and each heartbeat echoed in his ears, amplifying his uncertainty about how to bridge the gap that had formed. He recognized that he was being selfish in his desire to resolve things, yet he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that it would be in bad taste to leave their first conversation hanging in the air like this. The thought of walking away without addressing the tension gnawed at him, a reminder that connections¡ªhowever fragile¡ªwere worth nurturing. Finally, he took the shot:


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I know I can be a bit much. I just¡­¡± Nancy glanced over at him, her brow furrowing as annoyance flickered in her eyes. ¡°I get excited... and it feels good to share that with someone. And that¡¯s selfish behavior, so¡­ Just, I¡¯m sorry. And I¡¯ll leave you alone from here on out.¡± Dan finished by giving her an affirming nod before turning to his things, waiting to leave.


    A few moments later, Nancy conceded quietly, to herself ¡°God damnit, Nancy¡­¡± She turned to Dan, ¡°Okay¡­ No. You didn¡¯t do anything wrong. I understand why you¡¯re excited¡ªanyone would be.¡± She paused, her gaze drifting away as if searching for the right words. ¡°I¡¯m just... in a different situation than most. I didn¡¯t exactly choose to be here. This was my last option.¡±


    "You¡­ didn¡¯t choose to be here?" Dan''s voice softened to a near whisper. He stopped himself from prying any further, not wanting to push it. "I¡¯m sorry it had to be that way for you. But, hey... we''re here now, and this may be too much at this point, but, if you¡¯re open to the offer, I¡¯d like to make it up to you with a drink. No obligation, no¡­ anything really. But you can find me at the saloon after this is all over." Nancy hesitated at first, then nodded wordlessly.


    "Great, and don¡¯t worry," Dan added quickly, a small grin tugging at his lips. "I¡¯m not trying to hit on you or anything. We can talk, or not talk; hell, you can leave right after you¡¯re handed the glass¡ªwhatever you¡¯re comfortable with. But if you do decide to hang back with me, I¡¯ll just make it look like we¡¯re together so no one else bothers you. How¡¯s that sound?"


    Nancy seemed like she wanted to say something more, but after a pause, she simply replied, "Yeah... that¡¯d be nice. Thank you."


    "Great!" Dan said, still smiling, the tension between them easing slightly. I¡¯m saying ¡°great¡± too much¡­ cool it "Let¡¯s get through this first, and then we¡¯ll get a seat together in the far corner where, surely, no one will already be." Nancy offered him a small, appreciative smile before turning her focus back to her pack. The weight of their earlier conversation still lingered, but the moment felt lighter now, less strained.


    #


    Dan¡¯s group was herded outside by Claire after everyone had stowed away their new equipment and was ready to go. As the welcome center¡¯s doors closed behind them with a heavy thud, a wave of excitement rippled through the gathered crowd. The crisp air was filled with the earthy scent of hay and the distant whinnying of horses. In the distance, horses lined up, their coats gleaming in the sunlight, waiting patiently for their new riders. Each one was striking to behold, a blend of strength and grace.


    ¡°And now, finally, our last gift to each of you,¡± Claire called out, her voice rising above the murmurs of the group. She gestured toward a pen where a handler stood, surrounded by a variety of horses. ¡°Every one of these horses will suit your needs. None is better than the others. Strictly speaking they are physically the same¡ªthe only real difference being their coats. That said, each horse does have its own personality. Some may not warm up to you as quickly as you¡¯d like, so remember to be careful¡ªbeing kicked by a horse can knock you out cold! Now, make your pick!¡±


    Dan took a deep breath, his heart racing with anticipation as he approached the pen. His eyes roamed over the horses, each one a potential companion for the journey ahead. His gaze finally settled on a pinto stallion, his light brown coat splashed with white, his long mane and tail gleaming in the late afternoon sun. Dan held his hand out for the horse, palm up, the same way he recalled learning in his childhood. As the stallion approached, he exuded a calm demeanor, his large eyes radiating a wisdom that went beyond any horse Dan had ridden before. The stallion gave a confident, calm neigh then nudged Dan¡¯s open palm in acceptance.


    Holy shit this is awesome.


    ¡°Hey, Buddy,¡± Dan said gently. The stallion nipped at his fingers, playfully, in response. ¡°You like that name, huh?¡± Buddy nudged Dan with his muzzle. ¡°That¡¯s it, it¡¯s confirmed. Claire¡¯s crazy,because you¡¯re definitely the best horse here, aren¡¯t you?¡± Buddy shook his head, and Dan was amazed at how they, somehow, understood each other. There was no doubt, this was already Dan¡¯s horse. Although, not in an ownership kind of way. No, they were old friends finally meeting after years of separation. Dan began running his hand along Buddy¡¯s warm neck, feeling the soft, muscled contours beneath his fingers. He then moved toward Buddy¡¯s back, tied his new bedroll and gear onto the saddle, and a sense of peace washed over him¡ªthis was the partner he had been searching for his entire life.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Nancy, standing nearby, selected a quarter horse¡ªshe was a mare: sleek, light brown, with her mane trimmed short, no more than four inches long. A white stripe ran down her face from forehead to nose, giving her a dignified look. She rubbed the horse¡¯s muzzle as she secured her own supplies, a slight smile playing on her lips.


    ¡°You figured out her name already?¡± Dan called over to Nancy.


    ¡°Cadence,¡± Nancy yelled out in reply, her smile becoming a giggle as Cadence breathed into Nancy¡¯s face causing her hair to fly into it and tickle her. Dan¡¯s smile grew, feeling a bit warmer as he saw genuine joy from Nancy for the first time.


    #


    Claire gave the group a final once-over, nodding approvingly. Introductions were over. It was time to set everyone loose. The other Lucid employees had gathered around her, waiting. Now that the excitement was over, it was clear that Claire was in charge of everyone. Which in hindsight, Dan admitted was obvious given that she introduced the ¡°leadership¡± group.


    ¡°That¡¯s it. You¡¯re now free to explore, wranglers! There¡¯s an inaugural party happening tonight at the pub. Drinks are on the house tonight only. There are also complementary rooms for anyone who wishes to stay, or you can begin your adventures if you¡¯re feeling eager.¡± Her tone was as gleeful as ever, though finality was there. She had made her offer; the rest was up to them.


    Dan turned to Nancy. ¡°Ready?¡±


    Nancy looked down the road toward the pub. Laughter and the bustle of adventure filled the air. ¡°Whiskey, one ice cube.¡±


    ¡°Intriguing choice. Why only one cube?¡± Dan chuckled, as they began their trek.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t water down the whiskey, but it does bring out the aroma,¡±


    ¡°Huh, I think I¡¯ll try that. Thanks for the lesson!¡±


    They guided Buddy and Cadence toward the pub. As they approached, the building¡¯s wooden facade creaked under the weight of the festivities growing inside. The porch was lined with people, some already deep in their cups, but Dan and Nancy slipped through the crowd with little notice. They tied their horses to a post and stepped inside.


    The pub was warm, its low ceilings and flickering lamps creating an intimate, if rowdy, atmosphere. They found a table near the back, away from the worst of the noise. Their server came over, took their order with a gentle smile, and then went off to fetch it with confident professionalism.


    Dan grabbed his glass, ¡°So how do we do this?¡±


    Wordlessly, Nancy swirled her drink, took a quick sniff inside of the glass then sipped with a loud slurp. Dan followed suit, and though he hadn¡¯t doubted Nancy, he was surprised at how much the single ice cube augmented the whiskey experience.


    ¡°Holy shit!¡± Dan gasped after swallowing, ¡°That¡¯s excellent!¡±


    ¡°Told you,¡± Nancy said, smirking at him.


    ¡°Where did you learn that?¡±


    ¡°My dad taught me. He worked at a craft distillery.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to stay with you then,¡± Dan said, then trying to backtrack said, ¡°I mean, just saying I appreciate your opinion. Not that I think you¡¯re staying with me after this.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Nancy said, awkwardly. ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°You ever think you¡¯d end up in a place like this?¡± he asked, eyeing the lively crowd to change the subject.


    Nancy let out a small laugh, shaking her head. ¡°Not exactly. I was a coder and gamer in the real world¡ªspent more time behind a screen than in places like this.¡± Her voice softened slightly. ¡°So much time, actually, that I fell in love at work, too. Not a client, someone I worked with.¡± It was an innocent statement, but she stiffened a bit after saying it.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t turn out well, huh? You don¡¯t have to explain. But, I understand, that can be rough.¡±


    Nancy regained her composure, ¡°No. I just lost him last year. He got sick.¡±


    Dan¡¯s eyes flicked toward her, his expression shifting from curiosity to quiet understanding. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± she replied, though her gaze remained fixed on her drink. ¡°I came here¡­ not for adventure or a new life, but to find someone who can give me closure.¡±


    Dan frowned slightly. ¡°Closure?¡±


    She reached into her pocket and pulled out her compass. Dan hadn¡¯t noticed her pull it out from her saddlebag earlier. ¡°This thing,¡± she said, holding it up. ¡°It¡¯s supposed to guide me. Probably meant to help me find my way.¡±


    Dan stared at it, the needle spinning lazily in a direction only Nancy seemed to understand. ¡°You must have given precise answers in your tests if you already know that.¡± he said. He pulled out his journal, ¡°Not me. I think I just wanted to be surprised.¡± He began feeling the worn leather, and flipped it open. ¡°And so, this is my little piece of mystery,¡± he said, showing her the blank pages. ¡°I haven¡¯t figured out how to use it yet.¡±


    Nancy raised an eyebrow, leaning closer. ¡°You haven¡¯t checked it?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°No clue what it does. But when I opened it earlier, words appeared on the first page.¡±


    ¡°Maybe try asking it something,¡± she suggested, curiosity lighting her tone.


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, like you said, it¡¯s your mystery.¡±


    Dan shrugged, giving it a shot. ¡°Where do I go next?¡±


    Immediately, the pages of the journal shifted on their own, writing slowly appearing on the parchment. Dan and Nancy watched in awe as a map appeared¡ªrevealing with clarity the path Dan and Nancy had taken from the welcome center to the saloon. Yet, every location they hadn¡¯t visited was still blank. They also noticed that it was marked with two small stars¡ªone blue, one turquoise¡ªindicating his and Nancy¡¯s locations.


    Nancy¡¯s eyes widened as she stared at the page. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ incredible.¡± She seemed almost mesmerized by the display of information. ¡°Wait, why is it including me and not everyone else in the saloon?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­ maybe it¡¯s just because you¡¯ve been with me?¡±


    ¡°Okayyy¡­¡± she said, disbelief now showing in her expression.


    ¡°No, really. I know we just met, but please believe me when I say I don¡¯t know why.¡±


    Nancy¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Ask it who you are.¡±


    ¡°O-okay,¡± he muttered, then looked down at the journal, ¡°Who am I?¡±


    Once again, the journal¡¯s pages flipped to a blank entry, and sure enough, there was a detailed breakdown of his identity, surprisingly including his attributes¡ªstrength, agility, intelligence¡ªeverything laid out for him.


    ¡°Wha- it¡¯s like a video¡­ game?¡± Dan said, confused and intrigued.


    He looked back at Nancy, who was still gazing at the character description, but something in her expression had changed.


    ¡°This could really help,¡± she whispered, almost to herself. Then, as if she¡¯d been caught off guard by Dan¡¯s presence, she turned to him. ¡°Dan¡­¡± Nancy began, then stopped as if questioning the rest of her request, ¡°Do you think you can help me get to where I¡¯m going? Wherever this compass is pointing?¡±


    Dan leaned back, his eyes twinkling with a blend of excitement and bewilderment. ¡°Of course. That¡¯s what I¡¯m here for. Adventure, right?¡±


    Nancy let out a breath, a hint of relief crossing her features, but still betraying her hesitation. ¡°Then I guess we¡¯re partners.¡±


    Shadows grew as the sun slid further behind the horizon. The noise from the party had grown louder, but it felt distant now. The two stood, then made their way outside, where the burnt orange glow signaled the end of the day. Saddling up onto Buddy and Cadence was far easier than the two had expected. Like riding a.. well .. horse Dan thought in surprise. He turned his journal toward the fading light, and they began riding out of town, Nancy¡¯s compass their guide. As expected, the map revealed more of their surroundings as they traveled along. For the first time, their journey was truly beginning.


    Dan and Nancy rode until the sun had gone, and night encompassed them. Dan noted a small clearing on the map¡ªthe perfect spot for a night¡¯s rest.


    ¡°Looks like we have our camp for the night,¡± he said, pointing to the mark.


    Nancy nodded, and they hopped off of their horses. As they reached the clearing and set up camp, the stars overhead blinked into existence, the moon lighting their path forward into the unknown.