Thread: Is this virtual reality? (Princess x Wingshadow)

Edward was, to put it bluntly, a nerd. At 16 years old he spent the vast majority of his time sat all alone in his room at his computer, either browsing the web or playing video games. About the only time he ever went outside was to go to school, where he spent his days alone, just trying to keep his head down and avoid notice from the various clique's. Even the nerd group was a little too social for him truth be told, Edward just...well....he didn't handle people well at all. Unfortunately the inevitable often happened at school, his awkwardness being picked up on, which often resulted in bullying, though he had long since stopped reporting it. What was the point? It wouldn't stop it, if anything it just made things worse in the long run. Honestly, Edward hated his life, at least he hated it as it was right now. Oh he was by no means suicidal, he would never even contemplate that, but he just hated this stage of his life, he couldn't wait for it to be over so he could do whatever he wanted to do. Today was a day just like any other, Edward sitting up in his room when his mother called from downstairs, informing Edward that a package had come for him. This wasn't unusual, he often purchased games online so she just assumed it was another. She was mostly right, it was a game, though it wasn't one that Edward had purchased, he had signed up to beta test for an unusual new game he had come across when browsing the web late one night, a stormy night if he recalled. The scrawny young man came downstairs, picking up the package, somewhat larger than he had expected, then went back upstairs to his room. Upon opening the box he was surprised to discover more than just an installation disc inside. Along with it was some kind of headset, it would cover his eyes and ears completely....it looked like some kind of VR headset from a movie or something. He stared at it for a moment, then just shrugged and went to plug it into his computer before inserting the disc into his computer to install the game. Once the installation was done Edward started up the game, then pulled on the headset. As expected it seemed to be a fairly typical fantasy style game. Oddly enough though, the 'character' that seemed to be formed on the 'screen' he was being shown by the Headset was identical to him. He could maybe understand how the headset might have been able to get an image of his face, but even his build seemed just right as well. Oh well, technology. Edward shrugged, then reached for his keyboard and mouse as the game started, the headset giving him an immersive first person view of the world around him. Whoa....amazing..... It seemed almost real....he could see and hear everything as if he was really there! For the next hour or so Edward moved around the virtual world, just exploring the landscape...everything was so detailed and realistic....it was amazing. He was so engrossed he didn't even hear the sounds outside, the thunder echoing, the flashes of light from the lightning outside of his window. Well....he didn't notice at first anyway. As a storm began to rage outside the house, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck the house, shooting through the electrical supplies and into Edwards computer, engulfing the computer, the headset and Edward himself in a crackle of electricity. The boy winced, suddenly going rigid as his vision crackled and blurred, until he completely blacked out. Edward had no idea how long he had been out, but eventually he started to wake, groaning slightly and slowly sitting up, opening his eyes and blinking. Hmmm....? As his vision cleared he could see the forest all around him....he must still have been in the game. Nnn...my head.... He reached up slowly, intending to pull the headset off to rub at his head....but all he felt was his head. H-huh...? He blinked, then suddenly reached up with both hands, blinking. No headset....he wasn't wearing a headset. H-huh?! He suddenly reached down, finding himself able to feel the grass beneath him, then he could see his arms infront of him. Wh-what..what the hell?! The boy jumped up to his feet, beginning to panic as he patted himself down. This wasn't the game...this was.... No...no it must be a-ow! Edward had pinched himself hard to determine if this had been a dream....the pain indicated it wasn't. Oh god....oh god oh god oh god..... He whimpered as he ran to one of the trees, feeling the bark beneath his fingers. Oh god what's going on? I....it's like....it's like I'm inside the game.....b-but how is that possible?!