Chapter 1 The Talk
The warm breeze kissed Daniel's skin as he peered through the window at the bustling metropolitan city of Washington. A diverse tapestry of people moved with purpose along the sidewalks, and the distant sounds of cars and vehicles hummed in the background.
Lost in thought, Daniel contemplated the myriad possibilities and uncertainties that life held for him.
"Young Master Daniel," the butler's voice interrupted his musings, "your father is calling for you. Doctor Albert Pertagon is waiting as well."
With a slow shake of his head, Daniel replied, "Inform my father I'll join them shortly." The butler, respectful as always, left the room, leaving the door ajar. Daniel continued to gaze at the city, a realm of endless potential.
Sighing once the butler departed, Daniel turned his hover chair, facing the inevitable meeting with his father and the doctor.
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"Daniel, there you are," his father greeted upon his arrival. Seated on the living room couch, his father motioned toward the dark-haired man in the white tuxedo beside him.
"Apologies, Father," Daniel said, meeting his father's gaze before acknowledging Doctor Pertagon, "Good Afternoon, Doctor Pertagon." A slight bow accompanied his words, a gesture of respect.
His father sighed, "No need to apologize, my son. Accompany Dr. Pertagon for the check-up. I have a meeting with foreign delegates until dinner."
As Daniel approached the sofas, his father stood, patting his hair before shaking the doctor's hand and bidding farewell.
His father, Antonio L. Ferer, was a caring yet hardworking man, the head of the revolutionary electrical company, Atlas.
Despite his occasional strictness, Daniel understood the depth of his father's emotions, especially after the loss they both endured. His father's dedication to work served as a coping mechanism.
With his father gone, the doctor and Daniel began the routine check-up, discussing pain, physical therapy updates, and the unchanged nature of Daniel's condition over the past three years.
Post-check-up, the doctor bid farewell, reminding Daniel of the next appointment scheduled for the following week. As the doctor exited the living room, Daniel slumped onto his hover chair, staring at the ceiling. "Is there even a purpose to all this? These check-ups and the like?" he pondered.
A maid entered, inquiring about Daniel's dining preferences. Despite the desire to decline, Daniel knew the consequences of doing so. Opting for solitude, he requested to dine in his room and made his way there.
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When he entered his room, the meal awaited him by the window overlooking the city. House workers had adapted to his preferences, even including a cupcake, a discreet addition ordered by the head butler no doubt.
Connecting his holo-watch to the holographic monitor beside his bed, Daniel indulged in the latest world news. As he browsed, Rewind Online, a virtual reality MMORPG, dominated the headlines. The RW Tournaments, akin to the Olympics of virtual gaming, held the world's attention.
The news anchor's excitement resonated as they covered the ongoing battle in the tournament, captivating Daniel's attention. Adjusting the volume, he immersed himself in the clash between Terrian, a humanoid warrior with flaming wings, and Rumia, a mage proficient in water and ice spells.
The announcer's fervor matched the intensity of the battle, capturing every twist and turn. When Terrian succumbed to Rumia's powerful spell, the crowd erupted. Daniel, entranced, raised the volume to savor the announcer's final words. As the awarding ceremony commenced, Daniel's holo-watch rang, signaling his designated rest time.
Sighing, he powered off the HoloTV, acknowledging the futile hope of playing the game his heart yearned for. Sleep claimed him that afternoon.
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Atlas Corp. CEO's Office, 3:12 pm
"Are you sure it would help?" Antonio inquired.
"Of course. If you want, I can send you formal reports of recovery through this method," Dr. Pertagon responded, readying his Holo-watch.
Antonio sighed, "No need. Do what you must. I'll send for the request." Standing up, he glanced through the office window. Dr. Pertagon affirmed his understanding, noting the skepticism lingering in Antonio's demeanor. Yet, for his son, Antonio was willing to explore any avenue of potential relief.
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The Ferer residence stood as an imposing structure, its architecture blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. The mansion's grandeur extended beyond the physical, hinting at a legacy marred by both success and tragedy. The sprawling estate harbored an air of silence, occasionally broken by the rustle of leaves in the nearby woods.
Daniel's eyes, framed by the window's edge, traced the distant line where the woods met the city. He often found solace in this view, a portal to a world he yearned to explore but couldn't. His thoughts meandered through the realms of possibility, drawn to the allure of the forest that seemed both near and unreachable.
The butler's discreet knock pulled Daniel from his contemplation. "Young Master Daniel, may I come in?" The butler, a figure of both authority and compassion, entered with a tray bearing a warm cup of tea. The aroma wafted through the room, mingling with the subtle scents of the woods.
"Thank you, Winston," Daniel acknowledged, his gaze lingering on the woods once more. The butler understood the unspoken melancholy that draped itself over Daniel's shoulders. It was a burden carried not only by the young master but by the entire estate
As Winston arranged the tea on a nearby table, he chose his words with care. "Master Daniel, I've known this estate since your grandfather's time. It has witnessed joy and sorrow, prosperity and loss. The woods, they hold secrets, don't they?"
Daniel looked at Winston, curiosity mingling with the weight of his unspoken words.
"Secrets?" he questioned.
"Indeed," Winston continued. "Legends speak of a time when the woods were a realm of enchantment, a place where the mystical and the mundane danced together. But tragedy befell, and a veil of mystery settled upon these lands."
Daniel's eyes widened with intrigue. Winston's tales, a blend of folklore and estate history, became a soothing balm to the loneliness that echoed in the mansion's halls.
"There are stories of spirits," Winston added, lowering his voice as if sharing a forbidden secret. "Some believe these spirits still linger, trapped between worlds, awaiting a chance to reconcile their past."
The notion of spirits intrigued Daniel. The woods, which seemed like a distant dream, now held an additional layer of mystery. The cup of tea warmed his hands, grounding him in the present yet tethering his thoughts to the ethereal tales woven into the fabric of the estate.
"Winston," Daniel began, his voice a mere whisper, "do you think there's more to the woods than meets the eye?"
The butler's gaze held a knowing twinkle. "Young Master Daniel, the woods have seen more than we can fathom. Perhaps, in their silence, lies the key to unlocking the mysteries that bind both the past and the present."
As Winston left, leaving Daniel alone with his thoughts, the woods outside beckoned, and the secrets hidden within the mansion's legacy whispered promises of discovery.
The story of the Ferer estate, entwined with the enigmatic tales of the woods, unfolded like a tapestry waiting to reveal its intricacies.
Daniel's connection to nature, forged in his pre-accident days when he roamed the great outdoors, lingered as a silent testament to his unquenchable curiosity.
The vibrant hues of flora, the rustle of leaves beneath his feet, and the distant calls of unseen creatures were memories etched in his mind.
His knowledge of botany and zoology, acquired during those explorations, now served as a bridge between the confined walls of his room and the untamed beauty that lay beyond. As he sipped the tea, the subtle notes of herbs invoked memories of hands touching delicate petals and fingers tracing the contours of leaves.
The woods, once a realm of joy and adrenaline, had transformed into a realm of mystery and potential reconnection. The tales of spirits, once relegated to folklore, whispered through the rustling leaves, inviting Daniel to unravel the threads that bound his destiny to the heart of the estate.
Promising himself that he would explore these mysteries, Daniel glanced at the holographic monitor beside his bed. Rewind Online, the virtual realm where possibilities knew no bounds, awaited him. It was a world where he could once again traverse the landscapes he so dearly missed.