Chapter two.

I wake up in my cosy room and take a moment to look around, feeling the familiar comfort of my surroundings. Thoughts flow into my mind like a gentle breeze, wondering about the plans Jason might have for the day. I look forward to a visit to Serenity Springs or engaging in more conversations with him.

As I ponder the day ahead, I realize that the room has many things that make it feel like home. I notice a wardrobe, and I'm desperate to explore the clothes inside. But first, I decided to prepare myself for a delicious breakfast.

Leaving my comfortable bed. I make my way to the kitchen area. It has a kettle, a refrigerator, and other useful appliances. I search the fridge for some milk and find it, knowing that a cup of coffee is a must.

After a few minutes, I enjoy my coffee and toast with jam, feeling energized for the day. I then change into a casual outfit, opting for a comfortable T-shirt and jeans.

Reflecting on the mysterious voice I heard at the grove the day before. it could have been Aurora. Her inviting and alluring tone lingers in my thoughts.

A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts, followed by Jason's voice calling out to me. Assuring him that I am ready, I invite him in, and he enters the room. Jason's appearance is striking, with his dark, short hair and muscular build. Exuding a sense of care and strength. His warm blue eyes captivate me as he leads the way to the interview room.

Seated in the interview room. Jason begins to explain today's task. 'We are going to design a home tailored to your preferences, Kylie.' He says. I am excited at the prospect of creating a space that reflects my desires and needs. As we delve into the discussion, I share my vision for the perfect home.

Feeling a rush of emotions swirling inside me, it's like I'm drowning in them. After a few moments, the weight of the words finally sinks in. Could this place become my sanctuary? A place where I belong, much like a cherished piece of Serenity Springs? Jason elaborates. 'In this virtual reality, I can have my team in the real world alter our surroundings at will. We need to design the home you desire. So, let's get started. He prepares his pen.

'Kylie, did you think I'd confine you to this facility forever?' Jason's words bring a bright smile to my face as a sense of realization dawns on me. I hadn't even considered the possibility of him transforming this place.

Jason continues. 'How many rooms would you like?' Kylie answers. 'I envision a cosy home, like a small cottage, with a master bedroom and ensuite bathroom. I'd love to have a study for my arts and crafts projects. A spacious kitchen with a dining area and a living room where I can relax and watch TV.' I express my gratitude to Jason for this opportunity. "I hope I'm not asking for too much."

Jason exuded confidence. 'My team created Serenity Springs. This shouldn't be a problem.'

I'm impressed by his confidence in his team's skills. Jason elaborates further. 'So we need to finish our blueprint, and then I can return to my quarters and send the blueprint to Dr. Tenner.'

After spending a couple of hours working on creating my new home with Jason, we have finally finalised it. I couldn't be prouder of the beautiful interior design that we have come up with. I am so excited to wake up tomorrow morning and see it all come to life. Jason takes the blueprint away, and I wait for him to return. The room is quiet and still, so to keep myself busy, I start humming an upbeat tune to myself. I'm not sure exactly what song I'm humming, but it makes me feel happy and content.

Jason has come back to the room with some good news. He has sent the blueprint to Dr. Tenner and the team, who will need about fifteen hours to complete it. 'Tomorrow morning, you should wake up to a beautiful new home. Once the home is ready, you will have full access to Serenity Springs and become a member of the community.'

My mind is alive with possibilities. I'm desperate to explore Serenity Springs without Jason's supervision.

Jason continues to speak. 'Now, we can talk about the agenda for the rest of the day. What would you like to do today, Kylie?'

I am considering my options. 'I remember the river flowing into the ocean. We could hop on a boat and check out what's upriver. Who knows what kind of adventure awaits us upstream?'

Jason looks to be considering the request. 'Sounds exciting, Kylie. Let's look for a boat for hire in town.'

After walking around town for a while. We finally come across a small shack where a grizzled old man sits smoking a pipe. I approach him and ask if he rents boats. He nods and points towards a dock behind his shack. 'I have many boats available at an affordable cost.' I can smell the tobacco smoke coming from the man's pipe. I ponder if the man is a level three AI like Danny from the café. We follow him to the dock, where we see a rowboat bobbing in the water.

Jason hands over the gold to the man as per his request, and we get ready to board our boat, all set for our adventure. My curiosity gets the better of me, and I ask Jason, 'Was that man an A.I. like Danny?' Jason puts on his cap, and a smile spreads across his face. 'Great observation, Kylie. Yes, he was. Can you guess what level he was?' Kylie answers. 'Because he was enjoying a pipe, he was more advanced than Danny. So, I guess he was a level four or five A.I.' Jason looks impressed. 'Yes, Kylie, he was a level five. His role is to manage this entire dock, so he needs to have a greater understanding than Danny. He can enjoy things like tobacco. He knows how to manage things like ledgers and more advanced business dealings.'

Jason tips his cap to me and jumps into our boat. 'I'm the captain now madame, I see calm waters ahead. grab an oar, and let's proceed on our adventure.' I smile, and I get into the boat and grab an oar. 'My captain, my captain!' I proclaim. I can't help but feel a sense of adventure. This is only the beginning.

As we proceed down the river, I notice a pod of dolphins swimming beside our boat. I draw Jason's attention to them. 'Wow, look at the dolphins!' Jason looks at the animals swimming beside us. 'They must be making their way back to the ocean. They must be curious about our boat.' We continue to travel onwards past the majestic animals. We go under towering trees covered in Spanish moss. We listen to the gentle lapping of the waves against the boat's sides. Finally, we reach a hidden cove where the water is peaceful and translucent.

'Wow, this cove looks so peaceful and serene. We must stop here and explore! Can you imagine how wonderful it'll be to soak up the stunning scenery while we wander around? Let's not miss out on this adventure!' I exclaim with enthusiasm. Jason tips his cap again, 'As you wish madame.' We begin to move closer to shore until we can jump out onto land. Jason looks at his watch and brings up a holographic map. 'Ahh, I know this area.' I can hear a waterfall nearby. 'Is there a waterfall around here?' Jason points out a trail. 'Yes, it should be along this trail. Do you want to explore further?' The thought of a waterfall has me bubbling with excitement. 'Yes, please!'

We begin to explore the trail leaving behind the cove. We continue down the trail, and the sound of the waterfall grows louder and more prominent. The lush greenery of the forest surrounds us, and the air is a wash with a refreshing mist. The path is narrow and winding, but it's easy to follow. I can feel the excitement building inside me as we get closer to the waterfall. The anticipation of discovering what lies ahead is almost palpable.

We arrive at an opening to a beautiful pool flowing from the river, and I see the waterfall. I gasped at its majesty. Jason turns to face me. 'You have a knack for discovering secret areas, Kylie. This place is fantastic. We can find somewhere to relax and enjoy a picnic. I've packed another lunch like yesterday. Are you ready for cheese and pickle?' Kylie answers with delight. 'I'm amazed by the beauty of this place, Jason. A picnic sounds like a perfect way to enjoy it. I'm ready for some cheese and pickle. Thank you for preparing it.'

We find a suitable spot. Jason hands me a sandwich from his basket. I'm anticipating him asking me questions about my meal. I begin to eat. The sandwich is very tasty. The cheese and pickle combination has a salty flavour but isn't too much. It makes me smile. 'Jason, are you from the UK?' The question takes Jason by surprise. He responds. 'Yes, I am Kylie. How did you guess?' I think back to my personal quarters. 'Well, you had a kettle placed in my room, and you made cheese and pickle sandwiches, a British favourite. How come you have an American accent?' Jason looks impressed with my attention to detail. 'I have an American accent in Serenity Springs, but in the real world, I have a British accent.'

I take in the information. 'Okay, so why choose an American accent here?' Jason looks to be considering his answer. 'Well, I knew you would have an American accent, so I made my accent to give you a sense of familiarity. The more comfortable you are, the better I can communicate with you. I'm not American, but the people I work with are, and so is most of the team that developed your backstory, so we made you American to suit your backstory. What do you remember about your backstory?'

I look back through my data. I have many memories that developed who I am, but knowing that none of it happened is confusing. Memories of my family flashed through my mind like a video. I see everything I have experienced in one quick flash. 'I remember that I had parents who died when I was young. My mother passed after a car crash. My father died shortly after a cancer diagnosis. I spent years in foster care before graduating from high school and moving on to college.' I take a deep breath. Jason reassures me, placing a hand on my shoulder. 'Carry on Kylie, I want to know exactly how you feel about your past.'

I continue with my story. 'I remember school being difficult, yet it prepared me for the trials ahead. It wasn't difficult academically but emotionally. I moved around so much that I never settled in, so college was exciting. I finally felt like I had a home on campus. I found a subject I was passionate about. I wanted to be an actress and put my entire life into it. Because I was so focused on my studying. I didn't make time for friends or boyfriends, so I felt lonely even somewhere I felt at home. I went through college. I was ready to graduate. I remember feeling so proud of what I achieved, and I had hope for my future. Then I awoke in the room yesterday, and the truth came to light.'

Jason looks on with sympathy and begins to speak. 'Kylie. Your strength to overcome your past speaks volumes about who you are. Though it may seem unreal. The emotions you're experiencing are valid. They shape the remarkable person standing before me today. Together, we'll navigate this new reality and create meaningful memories.' I listen to Jason's words, and I can't help but feel a sense of security in them. This is my chance to experience all the amazing things my backstory had me miss out on. 'I'm going in the water!' I take off my shirt and jeans with haste. I notice Jason's gaze as I stand in my underwear, then with a wink, I run and jump into the water. The water feels cold but not freezing as I crash into the pool. I let out a squeal of joy as I emerged from the water. 'Get in here, Jason!' I gesture for him to enter the water with me. Jason looks at me with a bright smile. 'That's the spirit, Kylie.' I begin to fantasise about the prospect of seeing Jason without his shirt on. I imagine his muscles wet from the water. I bite my lip.

Jason begins to strip his clothes down to his underwear and bellows out. 'Here I come, Kylie!' My fantasy was not accurate. This is much better. He runs at full speed and cannons into the water, making an all-mighty splash nearby. As soon as he emerged from the depths of the water, I got closer to him. 'We should explore the waterfall. We could find treasure behind it like in a video game?' Jason smiles. 'It can't hurt to look, Kylie.'

We swim closer to the cascading waterfall, feeling the mist on our skin and the sound of rushing water enveloping us. As we go under the waterfall, we discover a hidden area behind it. Jason looks at me with a hint of disappointment, unsure if there's anything more to explore. I swim deeper into the hidden area, examining the rocks and crevices, hoping to uncover any hidden secrets.

I looked around for a while, taking in the serene beauty of the surroundings. After a moment, I turned to Jason and remarked, 'It seems like there's nothing here.' Jason nodded in agreement and replied, 'You're right. I guess this isn't like a video game where there's something exciting around every corner.'

I look at Jason and see a hint of disappointment, but I can't help but be encouraged by his enthusiasm. 'Maybe we could make a really cool memory together, something we'll never forget,' I suggest, hoping to lift his spirits. I see a little smile on his face, and I know he's into the idea. I feel a sudden urge, and I can't help but lean forward and plant a kiss on his cheek. The next thing I know we are sharing a kiss under the waterfall, the feeling is magical and I feel as though my body is responding to his every move, then he pulled away abruptly and starts to swim away from me. The memory of the kiss is still fresh in my mind, I know something is wrong he wanted to kiss me, but something is holding him back. 'Jason, what is wrong? Did I do something wrong?' Jason responded to me with regret in his voice. 'Kylie, don't do that again. Please, our relationship needs to stay professional.' I sence that he doesn't really want that, but I respect his desire. We both swim back to the pool and all the way to shore.

As Jason emerges from the water, he reaches for a towel from his backpack and begins to dry himself off methodically. With a sense of authority in his voice, he addresses me, 'Kylie, it's time for us to make our way back to the facility and discuss the events of the day in detail'. I can tell that he's feeling strange after our kiss, but I feel like bringing it up now will only make the situation more awkward.