When Reality isn’t Enough

This world isn’t real — it’s just a shadow

“Allen, can you get me a stool from our attic?”, said Allen’s mother.
“Sure”, responded Allen, in a mundane tone.

Reluctantly, Allen put down his phone and climbed to the attic. Allen was a hard-working young boy and had real-life goals but lately, was dissatisfied with his life. He dreamt of becoming the best tennis player in history and pursuing the career he wanted. He had a small circle of two friends, Mark and Harry, who would never make each other feel alone.

The attic was a little dusty, with the sunlight casting its rays through the small window. Just a little cleaning and it would make a fine place to dream and write. As Allen made his way to the window, stumbling over forgotten items, he noticed the attic was filled with the family’s neglected possessions — torn sofas, broken chests, old chairs, and an empty bookshelf.

Allen’s eyes caught a key lying on the empty bookshelf standing behind the stool. He brought the stool down to his mother in the backyard where she was harvesting fruits from the trees but put the key in his pocket.

Allen knew that the key he found out was not suitable for the doors in the house, so he went up to the attic. He checked several old cupboards, and drawers, until finally, the key worked on one of the chests that was lying at the very behind.

“Wait…what’s that?!”, Allen said to himself as he opened the chest and saw what was inside. He approached the unfamiliar cardboard and began to wonder what it was. He decided to take it to his bedroom and find out what it was. As Allen lay down on his bed and began to investigate about the cardboard, he figured a small button popping out from the corner. Allen wondered what this was until he decided to press this button. With his heart thumping and holding his breaths, he bore down on the button.

In no time, the world around Allen rippled and his surroundings dissolved in a blur. With a soft pop, he reappeared in a new location, with a zephyr atmosphere. Allen smudged his eyes while figuring out where on earth he was transported. He saw a huge tower in front of him, resembling a pyramid shape with slight curves, a building with three floors surrounded by a surreal garden beneath.

“Wait! That’s the Eiffel — Am I in Paris?!”, he said in a blasting voice. Just as Allen was staring at the surroundings, a soft voice appeared from a distance. “Isn’t that Allen Grandal?”, said a strange voice. “Yes, he sure is!”, said another stranger in an excited way. The two strangers approached Allen and questioned, “Excuse me, are you Mr. Allen?”. Allen turned towards the stranger and responded, “Yes, I am. Why though?”. “Allen it’s us. Didn’t you recognize us?” “It’s me Mark.” said one. “And it’s me Harry!”, said another.

“Harry, Mark, I remember them. They were my friends when I was a kid.”, said a confused Allen. “You guys have grown so big! I still can see the band I gave you as a kid!”, said Allen happily. “You’ve grown big too; messy hairs and sharp jawlines is what you’ve got.” said the friends. When Allen heard his description from his friends, he was shocked that he had grown so big, in addition, to that he was transported here.

“You’re living your ideal life here, we suppose. Wouldn’t you take us to your home?” said the friends in an unexpected way. Allen didn’t know where his home was in this strange place. He looked blank in front of his friends until Harry interrupted, “I’ll transport you to your home in my car.” “Okay! Done!”, said Harry in a tenseless manner.

Allen and his friends reached Allen’s home. It would be rude to call it a home, call it a mansion. Allen wandered through the massive halls of his mansion, the trophies reflecting his every dream fulfilled. But as he touched each one, a sense of emptiness touched him back. His eyes fell on a photo of his younger self with his parents and friends.

He was haunted by continuous voices in his head “You were meant for greatness, but not like this,” his mentor’s voice echoed. “I miss you, Allen. Come back to us,” his sister’s voice pleaded. “This world isn’t real — it’s just a shadow,” his inner self warned. Allen, confused with this dilemma, decides to press the button back to reality. Allen was not convinced about his future self, but at the same time, the dissatisfaction about his reality held him back.

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