Chapter 2: Through the Looking Glass

John sees a world that looks very similar to his own, but with some subtle and not-so-subtle differences.

He sees that the colors are brighter and more vivid, the sounds are louder and clearer, the smells are stronger and sweeter, the tastes are richer and more varied, and the sensations are more intense and pleasurable.

He sees that the people are more beautiful and attractive, the animals are more friendly and playful, the plants are more lush and colorful, the objects are more shiny and sparkly, and the places are more exotic and exciting.

He sees that everything is more alive and dynamic, more fun and joyful, more surprising and unpredictable, more magical and wonderful.

He sees a world that is like a dream come true.

But he also sees a world that is not as it seems.

He sees that the colors are too bright and artificial, the sounds are too loud and annoying, the smells are too strong and cloying, the tastes are too rich and sickening, and the sensations are too intense and overwhelming.

He sees that the people are too perfect and fake, the animals are too tame and boring, the plants are too uniform and bland, the objects are too flashy and cheap, and the places are too crowded and chaotic.

He sees that everything is too much and too fast, too easy and too shallow, too random and too dangerous, too unreal and too crazy.

He sees a world that is like a nightmare in disguise.

John was shocked and confused by the mirror world. He didn't know what to make of it. He felt a mix of curiosity and fear, of wonder and disgust, of attraction and repulsion.

He decided to explore the mirror world and see if he could find anything that would help him understand it better or get out of it faster.

He walked out of his room and into the hallway.

He saw that the hallway was different from his own.

It was longer and wider, with more doors and windows.

It was decorated with colorful wallpapers and paintings, with glittering chandeliers and mirrors.

It was filled with people and noises, with laughter and music.

He saw that the people were different from his own.

They were all dressed in fancy and fashionable clothes, with elaborate hairstyles and accessories.

They were all smiling and talking, flirting and dancing.

They were all happy and carefree, or so it seemed.

He saw that some of the people looked familiar to him.

They were his family members, his friends, his classmates, his teachers, his neighbors.

But they were not the same as he remembered them.

They were changed in some way, either physically or personality-wise.

They were more attractive or more successful, more confident or more popular, more kind or more cruel, more loyal or more traitorous.

They were not the people he knew and loved, or hated.

They were strangers in disguise.

John tries to talk to some of the people he knows, but he soon regrets it.

He tries to talk to his mother, who is wearing a glamorous dress and a dazzling necklace.

He greets her and asks her how she is doing.

She looks at him with a cold and disdainful expression.

She tells him that she is doing very well, thank you very much.

She tells him that she is the CEO of a successful company, that she has a handsome and wealthy husband, that she has a beautiful and smart daughter, and that she has everything she ever wanted.

She tells him that she doesn't have time for losers like him, who are still living in their parents' house, who have no job or ambition, who have no friends or girlfriend, and who have nothing to offer.

She tells him that he should get out of her sight and leave her alone.

She walks away from him, leaving him hurt and stunned.

He tries to talk to his father, who is wearing a sharp suit and a Rolex watch.

He greets him and asks him how he is doing.

He looks at him with a bored and indifferent expression.

He tells him that he is doing fine, whatever.

He tells him that he is the president of a powerful country, that he has a lot of influence and respect, that he has a lot of enemies and allies, and that he has a lot of responsibility.

He tells him that he doesn't care about losers like him, who are still dependent on their parents' money, who have no skills or talent, who have no hobbies or interests, and who have no goals or dreams.

He tells him that he should get out of his way and leave him alone.

He walks away from him, leaving him angry and shocked.