Digital Experience
Lain's vision began to blur again. She wasn't worried; she knew what was
happening and hated every minute of it. She was entering the Wired, that
strange digital universe that was connected with the present 'real' world.
It never looked different; it was always bright white, as far as the eye
could see, with the occasional suicidal person's death replaying.
Lain blinked. Wait...there are no dying people here. There's no bright
white light, either. She looked around. Her surroundings were forest-like,
with strange animals that she didn't recognize all around.
"C'mon, guys! Hurry, or we'll never find Arukenimon!"
Lain stiffened at this unfamiliar voice. She'd never heard anyone actually
talk in the Wired. She'd only seen their deaths. Who was the speaker?
As if to answer her questions, an adolescent boy with tan skin and burgundy
hair held back by goggles appeared in front of Lain. He was wearing grey-green
shorts, yellow boots, a blue T-shirt, and a jacket with flames and a fuzzy
collar on it.
"Whoa," he let slip, seeing the girl in front of him. "Who're you?"
The schoolgirl stepped backwards in fright. She didn't want to talk to
him. He was in the Wired, so he couldn't be alive. She didn't want
to talk to any more dead people.
"G-get away from me!!" she managed to scream before her connection with
the Wired was cut off and she disappeared.
Motomiya Daisuke stared at the spot in front of him where the strange girl
used to be. He scratched his head, puzzled. "Who was that?" he mused aloud.
"Who was who?" a dark-haired boy in a grey uniform asked, coming up behind
him.
Daisuke turned around. "I could've sworn there was somebody right in front
of me a minute ago. Did you see her, Ken?"
Ichijouji Ken shook his head. "Nope."
In the midst of her thoughts, Lain accidentally bumped into someone in front of her.
"Oh...I'm sorr-" Lain began to say, but her breath caught in her throat. Standing in front of her was the very same boy she had seen in the Wired the previous day.
Realization dawned on Daisuke's face. "You! You're the girl from yesterday!" He turned to the grey-clad boy next to him. "See, Ken! I told you I saw someone!"
Lain began to back away from the pair. "Don't come near me," she warned him, shaking in fear. "I don't want to see you anymore! You're dead!! You can't be here!!!" Lain's fright got the best of her and she took off running towards her school.
Ken and Daisuke stared after her.
"What was the matter with her?" Ken managed to ask. "You're not dead."
Daisuke shook his head. "Ken, you live near some really weird people."
The End...Or Is It??
(Yes, I know it's cheesy, but it works, right?)
