"The Neon District"
https://preview.redd.it/h6j5xnthef1d1.jpg?width=1792&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2dac28553adfcd5e9a5762f45cecd76ca2071491
I was inspired after reading another user's experience creating his own world, so I decided to give it a shot. I wanted to create a sort of interactive choose-your-own-adventure cyberpunk story set in 2124 Los Angeles. I prompted ChatGPT to essentially create a story and world that revolves around common themes within a typical CyberPunk setting such as rampant crime, corrupt cops and politicians, massive drug usage, mega-corporations out of control, poverty, and technology blurring the lines between humanity.
One of my favorite video games lately of all time is CyberPunk 2077, so I just wanted to create something similar that I could experience and live through in a different interactive way while also testing out ChatGPT out of boredom. Here are some of the results from the simulation.
I'll denote "USER INPUT" as anything I wrote or input, and "CHAT GPT" anytime it outputs anything.
Rules: I will use minimal intervention / altering and mainly allow the program to pretty much lead me through the story barring any world-breaking narratives or plots:

• CHATGPT:

Setting: Los Angeles, 2124

General Environment

• Skyline: The skyline is dominated by towering skyscrapers, neon signs, and massive holographic advertisements. The upper levels house the wealthy elite and powerful corporations, while the lower levels are grimy, chaotic, and densely populated.
• Streets: The streets are teeming with life at all hours. Neon lights and electronic billboards illuminate the darkness, casting a perpetual artificial glow. The air is thick with pollution, making clean air a luxury.
• Architecture: Buildings are a mix of high-tech designs with futuristic materials and dilapidated structures. Graffiti covers many walls, and it's not uncommon to see makeshift shelters and slums in the shadow of corporate headquarters.
• Technology: Advanced technology is integrated into everyday life. People have cybernetic enhancements, AI assistants, and immersive virtual reality systems. However, the gap between those who can afford cutting-edge tech and those who can't is vast.

Society

• Crime and Law Enforcement: Crime is rampant. Gang wars and turf battles are common. The police are corrupt, often working for the highest bidder, whether it's a corporation or a crime syndicate. Justice is a commodity, and the wealthy can buy their way out of trouble.
• Economy: The economy is dominated by a few mega-corporations that control everything from food and water to security and healthcare. Small businesses struggle to survive. Basic necessities are expensive, and clean water is a luxury.
• Culture: The culture is a blend of hedonism and despair. Nightclubs, brothels, and underground fight clubs offer temporary escape from harsh realities. Art and music are heavily influenced by the cyberpunk aesthetic, with neon colors, dark themes, and digital elements.

Key Locations

• The Underground: A labyrinth of tunnels, abandoned subway stations, and hidden passages used by criminals, hackers, and those avoiding the authorities. This is where Zoe feels most at home.
• Corporate Towers: Massive skyscrapers where powerful corporations operate. They are heavily guarded, both physically and digitally, but hold valuable data and resources for skilled netrunners like Zoe.
• Black Markets: Hidden marketplaces where anything can be bought or sold, from illegal tech and drugs to human organs and stolen data. Zoe frequents these markets to find jobs and acquire tools for her hacks.

Main Character: Zoe

Background

• Early Life: Zoe grew up on the streets, learning to fend for herself from a young age. She quickly became skilled at navigating the dangerous urban environment and developed a talent for hacking and stealth.
• Skills and Abilities: Zoe is a netrunner, capable of hacking into secure systems using her neural augmentations. She is also proficient with small arms and knives, and excels in stealth, disguise, acting, and manipulation.
• Personality: Zoe is resourceful, intelligent, and determined. She has a sharp wit and a knack for thinking on her feet. While she can be cynical and distrusting, she also has a strong sense of loyalty to those she cares about.

Appearance

• Height and Build: Zoe stands at 5'6" with a slim, athletic build. Her frame allows her to move quickly and silently.
• Features: She has sharp features, piercing eyes, and a distinctive look that she can easily alter with makeup and disguises. Her hair is usually styled in a practical yet edgy way, fitting the cyberpunk aesthetic.
• Augmentations: Zoe has several cybernetic enhancements, including neural implants for hacking, enhanced vision, and a subdermal interface for interacting with digital systems.

Plot Elements

Conflict

• Corporate Rivalries: The mega-corporations are constantly vying for power, using any means necessary to sabotage their rivals. Zoe often finds herself caught in the crossfire, hired by one corporation to hack another.
• Underground Power Struggles: Crime syndicates and gangs are in a constant state of flux, battling for control of territory and resources. Zoe's connections to these groups provide her with both opportunities and dangers.
• Personal Stakes: Zoe's ultimate goal is to uncover the truth behind her parents' mysterious deaths, which she believes were orchestrated by one of the powerful corporations. This quest drives many of her actions and decisions.

Themes

• Humanity vs. Technology: The story explores the tension between human identity and technological augmentation. Zoe struggles with maintaining her humanity as she becomes more reliant on her cybernetic enhancements.
• Survival and Loyalty: In a world where trust is scarce and betrayal is common, Zoe must navigate complex relationships and alliances. Her loyalty to her friends and allies is both a strength and a vulnerability.
• Power and Corruption: The pervasive corruption in both the corporate and criminal worlds serves as a backdrop for Zoe's journey. She constantly grapples with the moral complexities of her actions and their consequences.

USER INPUT
Lets create some additional characters to the story and more world building, starting with her childhood best friend. He's trustworthy, loveable character type. Strong, loyal to a fault, pure, but also an amazing fighter and can be mean to those that do him or his family wrong as quick as any common thug on the streets. What should his name be?
CHATGPT
Let's name Zoe's childhood best friend Lucas. Here's a detailed character profile and additional world-building elements:

Character Profile: Lucas

Name: Lucas "Luc" Raines

Background:

• Age: 20
• Height: 6'2"
• Build: Muscular and athletic
• Appearance: Lucas has short, dark hair and piercing blue eyes. His face is usually adorned with a friendly smile, but he can turn fierce in an instant when provoked. He has several tattoos, each symbolizing different aspects of his life and struggles.
• Personality: Lucas is trustworthy and lovable, known for his unwavering loyalty and pure heart. Despite the harsh realities of their world, he maintains a strong moral compass. He's always ready to stand up for his friends and protect those he cares about, even if it means getting his hands dirty.

Skills and Abilities:

• Combat: Lucas is an exceptional fighter, trained in various martial arts and street fighting techniques. His strength and combat skills make him a formidable opponent.
• Loyalty: His loyalty to Zoe and their close-knit group of friends is unshakeable. He would go to great lengths to ensure their safety and well-being.
• Strategic Thinking: While Lucas may come across as a brawler, he's also a strategic thinker, able to plan and execute complex operations when needed.

Relationships:

• Zoe: Lucas and Zoe have been best friends since childhood. They share a deep bond, built on years of mutual trust and shared experiences. Lucas is fiercely protective of Zoe and often acts as her guardian in dangerous situations.
• Family: Lucas has a younger sister whom he cares for deeply. His parents were victims of corporate exploitation, fueling his disdain for the mega-corporations that dominate their world.

Additional World-Building Elements:

Key Factions:

1. The Vanguard Syndicate:
   • Overview: A powerful crime syndicate that controls much of the underground economy in Los Angeles. They deal in everything from illegal augmentations to black-market goods.
   • Leader: Damien "The Viper" Valdez, a ruthless and cunning leader known for his strategic mind and brutal enforcement tactics.
   • Conflict: The Vanguard Syndicate often hires netrunners like Zoe for high-risk hacking jobs, while also clashing with rival gangs and corporations.
2. NeoCore Corporation:
   • Overview: One of the largest and most influential mega-corporations in the city. They specialize in advanced cybernetic enhancements, AI development, and data security.
   • Public Image: NeoCore presents itself as a benevolent entity, promising technological advancements and prosperity. However, beneath the surface, they are involved in unethical experiments and corporate espionage.
   • Objective: They are always seeking to expand their influence and eliminate any threats to their dominance, making them a constant antagonist in the story.

Key Locations:

1. The Neon District:
   • Description: The heart of the city's nightlife, filled with clubs, bars, and entertainment venues. It's a place where people go to forget their troubles, at least for a while.
   • Atmosphere: The district is always buzzing with energy, illuminated by neon lights and holographic advertisements. It's a haven for both thrill-seekers and those looking to make shady deals.
   • Significance: This is where Zoe and her friends often gather, blending in with the crowds and keeping their ears to the ground for potential jobs.
2. The Wastes:
   • Description: The outskirts of the city, where pollution and neglect have turned the landscape into a desolate wasteland. The Wastes are home to the city's poorest residents, who live in makeshift shelters and struggle to survive.
   • Danger: The area is lawless, ruled by scavengers and rogue gangs. It's a place where only the strong or well-armed dare to venture.
   • Connection: Zoe occasionally visits the Wastes to help those in need or to hide from the authorities when necessary.
3. The Vault:
   • Description: An underground bunker and safe haven for netrunners. It's a hidden, secure location equipped with the latest hacking tools and technology.
   • Community: The Vault is a tight-knit community of hackers and tech enthusiasts who share information, resources, and protection.
   • Importance: This is where Zoe refines her skills, plans her heists, and collaborates with other netrunners on large-scale operations.

Plot Hooks and Story Arcs:

1. The Heist:
   • Synopsis: Zoe and Lucas are hired by a mysterious client to infiltrate a NeoCore facility and steal valuable data. The heist requires meticulous planning and flawless execution, with high stakes and unexpected twists.
   • Challenges: They must navigate through tight security, betrayals, and unforeseen dangers. The job tests their skills and loyalty to each other.
2. The Rescue:
   • Synopsis: Lucas's younger sister is kidnapped by a rival gang seeking leverage against him. Zoe and Lucas must track down the kidnappers and rescue her before it's too late.
   • Emotional Stakes: This mission is deeply personal for Lucas, and his rage and determination drive the story forward. Zoe must balance her tactical mind with supporting her friend through this ordeal.
3. The Conspiracy:
   • Synopsis: Zoe uncovers clues about her parents' deaths, leading her to a massive conspiracy involving NeoCore and the Vanguard Syndicate. As she digs deeper, she realizes the scale of corruption and danger she faces.
   • Revelations: The story arc delves into Zoe's past, her parents' secrets, and the true extent of corporate manipulation. It sets the stage for a climactic showdown against the forces that have shaped her life.

These elements add depth to your story, creating a vivid and engaging world for Zoe and her companions.
USER INPUT
Can you generate an image in an anime/cyberpunk style reminiscant of the style of Ghost In The Shell. Generate our main character Zoe
CHAPTGPT
ZOE

• USER INPUT

let's develop more scenes and characters as well. It would be interesting to have a sort of old underground father type figure to both Zoe and Lucas, someone not related to them but someone that took them in to the underground at a young age and taught them everything they know. He looks after them like family, but he is also a criminal type in the underground world so a mix of good to them, but can be evil to others. Feel free to create other interesting characters and scenes / locations / etc as well
CHATGPT

New Character: Marcus "Iron Hand" Kane

Role: Father Figure to Zoe and Lucas
Background:

• Age: 55
• Height: 6'0"
• Build: Stocky and strong, with a presence that commands respect
• Appearance: Marcus has a rugged, weathered face with deep-set eyes that have seen the worst of the city. His hair is a mix of grey and black, often tied back. His most distinctive feature is his cybernetic right arm, known as the "Iron Hand," which is both a powerful weapon and a symbol of his status in the underground.
• Personality: Marcus is a complex character, blending kindness and brutality. To Zoe and Lucas, he is a protective and caring father figure, offering wisdom, guidance, and training. To others, he is a feared criminal, ruthless in his dealings and unwavering in his pursuit of power.
• Skills and Abilities: Marcus is a master tactician, skilled in combat and cyber warfare. His "Iron Hand" cybernetic arm has multiple functionalities, including enhanced strength, weapon capabilities, and hacking tools. He is also a shrewd negotiator and leader.

History:

• Marcus took in Zoe and Lucas when they were just children, recognizing their potential and providing them with a home in the underground. He trained them in survival, hacking, and combat, instilling in them the skills they needed to thrive in the harsh realities of their world.
• He has a dark past, having been involved in numerous criminal activities and power struggles. Despite his ruthless nature, he has a strong sense of loyalty to those he considers family.

Additional Characters:

1. Lila "Viper" Santos

• Role: Underground Information Broker
• Age: 28
• Appearance: Lila is a striking figure with sharp, green eyes and sleek black hair. She has a slender build and often dresses in stylish, high-tech attire. Her cybernetic enhancements include a neural interface that allows her to access and process vast amounts of information quickly.
• Personality: Lila is cunning, resourceful, and always a step ahead. She has a network of informants and is known for her ability to find out anything about anyone. Despite her aloof demeanor, she has a soft spot for Zoe and Lucas, often providing them with critical information.
• Skills: Expert in data retrieval, espionage, and manipulation. Her cybernetic enhancements give her an edge in accessing secure networks and uncovering secrets.

2. Riko "Ghost" Tanaka

• Role: Elite Netrunner and Rival
• Age: 22
• Appearance: Riko is an enigmatic figure with short, spiky white hair and cybernetic eyes that glow faintly blue. He has a lean, agile build and is known for his stealth and speed.
• Personality: Riko is a lone wolf, fiercely independent and highly competitive. He respects Zoe's skills but also sees her as a rival. He is driven by a desire to be the best netrunner in the city.
• Skills: Master hacker with advanced cybernetic enhancements that allow him to move through digital networks undetected. He is also skilled in parkour and close-quarters combat.

New Locations:

1. The Hub

• Description: The Hub is a massive underground complex that serves as the central meeting place for the city's netrunners and tech enthusiasts. It's filled with advanced tech, servers, and hacking terminals. The atmosphere is a blend of chaos and order, with people constantly exchanging information and working on new projects.
• Significance: This is where Zoe and Lucas often go to gather information, meet contacts, and plan their operations. The Hub is also a place of relative safety, where violence is strictly forbidden.

2. The Sprawl

• Description: A sprawling slum area on the outskirts of the city, characterized by makeshift shelters, narrow alleys, and rampant poverty. Despite its dire conditions, the Sprawl is a vibrant community where people band together to survive.
• Atmosphere: The Sprawl is always bustling with activity, from street vendors selling homemade goods to children playing amidst the ruins. It's a place of both danger and resilience, where the inhabitants have learned to adapt to their harsh environment.
• Connection: Zoe often visits the Sprawl to help those in need and to stay connected with her roots. It's also a place where she can move around relatively unnoticed.

3. NeoCore Headquarters

• Description: A towering skyscraper in the heart of the city, NeoCore's headquarters is a symbol of corporate power and technological advancement. The building is sleek and modern, with state-of-the-art security systems and heavily guarded entrances.
• Significance: NeoCore Headquarters is often the target of Zoe's hacking missions, as it houses valuable data and cutting-edge tech. The building's imposing presence is a constant reminder of the corporation's influence over the city.

New Scenes:

1. The Heist

• Setting: NeoCore Headquarters
• Description: Zoe and Lucas undertake a daring heist to steal critical data from NeoCore. The scene is filled with tension as they navigate through tight security, avoid detection, and hack into the corporation's mainframe.
• Key Moments: Zoe uses her hacking skills to disable security systems, while Lucas provides physical protection and deals with any guards they encounter. The heist culminates in a high-stakes escape, with the duo narrowly avoiding capture.

2. The Rescue

• Setting: The Sprawl
• Description: Lucas's younger sister is kidnapped by a rival gang, and Zoe and Lucas must infiltrate the gang's hideout in the Sprawl to rescue her. The scene showcases the gritty, dangerous environment of the slums and the close-quarters combat skills of the protagonists.
• Key Moments: The rescue mission is fraught with challenges, from navigating the labyrinthine alleys of the Sprawl to engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat with gang members. The scene highlights Lucas's protective nature and Zoe's quick thinking.

3. The Confrontation

• Setting: The Hub
• Description: Tensions rise as Riko "Ghost" Tanaka confronts Zoe, accusing her of stealing a job from him. The scene is set in the bustling environment of the Hub, with onlookers gathering to watch the showdown.
• Key Moments: The confrontation escalates into a heated argument, showcasing the rivalry between Zoe and Riko. Despite their differences, the scene hints at a potential alliance in the face of a greater threat.

USER INPUT
can you create images in the same style as the original image for the new Characters Marcus Iron Hand, Lila Viper Santos, and Riko Ghost Tanaka, Lucas, etc? Also generate additional images of some of the new locations etc separately.
CHATGPT
LUCAS
MARCUS \"IRON HAND\"
RIKO \"GHOST\" TANAKA
LILA \"VIPER\" SANTOS
THE HUB
THE SPAWL
NEOCORE HEADQUARTERS
"THE VAULT"
https://preview.redd.it/anol60qpef1d1.jpg?width=1792&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fcfb76dc6ac42f816de6148e66d3f3f60f442d64

• USER INPUT

Awesome. Lets start the story now. The story begins with Zoe waking up on a typical Saturday late morning. Friday night was a big night celebrating her childhood friends birthday drinking and partying at their favorite club. She wakes up with a slight hangover and is hungry. she notices several missed calls and messages

• CHATGPT

Scene: Zoe's Apartment - Late Saturday Morning

The dim light filtering through the grime-covered windows of Zoe's apartment barely illuminates the cluttered room. The remnants of last night's celebration are scattered everywhere—empty bottles, discarded clothes, and the faint hum of old electronic music playing in the background. Zoe groans and sits up in bed, rubbing her temples to ease the throbbing in her head.

Narration:

Narrator: Zoe squinted at the holographic display, her vision still slightly blurry. The notifications were a mix of urgent messages and missed calls, each vying for her attention. She quickly scanned through them, her fingers moving with practiced ease over the interface.
Zoe: (mumbling to herself) "Great, just what I need. More problems to deal with..."
She swings her legs over the edge of the bed, stretching and wincing at the persistent hangover. With a sigh, she picks up her cybernetic arm from the nightstand and attaches it, feeling the familiar click as it integrates with her neural network. She taps her wristband, bringing up the missed messages and calls.

Dialogue:

Zoe: (talking to herself) "Let's see... job offers, updates from the underground... and what's this? 'Urgent Opportunity – High Reward.' Sounds promising."
Her stomach growls, reminding her of her hunger. She heads to the small kitchenette, grabbing a protein bar and some instant coffee. As she munches on her makeshift breakfast, she taps the message to read the details.
Zoe: (reading aloud) "High-risk, high-reward job, requiring a skilled netrunner. Substantial payout. Meet at The Hub tonight. Perfect."
Her thoughts are interrupted by a knock at the door. She frowns, not expecting visitors this early. Cautiously, she approaches and peers through the peephole. Recognizing the familiar figure on the other side, she relaxes and opens the door.
Lucas: (with a grin) "Morning, sunshine. You look like hell."
Zoe: (rolling her eyes) "Thanks, Lucas. You’re a real charmer. Come in."
Lucas steps inside, looking as rugged as ever with his scruff and tattoos. He drops a bag on the table and takes a seat.
Lucas: "I brought breakfast. Figured you’d need it after last night."
Zoe: "You’re a lifesaver. So, what’s up?"
Lucas: "Got a tip about a job. Sounds like it could be worth our while. But first, you need to get your head straight. Eat up and let’s talk."
They share a quick meal, discussing the potential job and catching up on recent events in the underground.

Choice Point 1: Zoe's Response to the Job Offer

Option A: Agree immediately and start planning. Option B: Ask for more details and express caution. Option C: Refuse the job and suggest looking for something safer.
Please choose an option by typing "Option A," "Option B," or "Option C."

• USER INPUT

Option B

• CHATGPT

Choice: Option B - Ask for More Details and Express Caution

Zoe: (taking a sip of her coffee) "Hold on, Lucas. Before we jump in headfirst, I need to know more about this job. What exactly are we dealing with here?"
Lucas: (nodding) "Fair enough. It's a high-stakes heist at NeoCore Headquarters. Our client wants us to steal some sensitive data from their secure servers. The payout is massive, but so are the risks. We'll need to get past top-tier security, both physical and digital."
Zoe: (raising an eyebrow) "NeoCore, huh? That place is a fortress. Who's the client?"
Lucas: "No name, just an anonymous contact. But they seem legit. They've provided detailed blueprints and security protocols. Still, I get it if you’re hesitant. This one's big."

Choice Point 2: Zoe's Next Action

Option A: Accept the job but suggest taking extra precautions and planning thoroughly. Option B: Contact Marcus "Iron Hand" Kane for his advice and see if he has any additional information or support. Option C: Investigate the client further to ensure their legitimacy before making a decision.
That's all i have so far but this was a super cool way to pass some time on a Sunday. I am considering starting a parallel story similar to this but a horror-survival one, similar to something like the original Silent Hill etc.
What do you guys think - Anyone interested in seeing how this develops?!

i am now 26 as of today! woo-hoo! i came across this adorable lil baby as i was shopping at walmart yesterday, and instantly knew i needed her for my birthday 🥳 her name is fluffy. and she’s incredibly soft and she is me if i were a plushie 😂🩷 i even gave her a matching nose piercing so we can twin 😂✨ also wouldn’t let me show the video but she lights up and makes “twinkling” sounds which is extra adorable 😍

[Self-note: "///" means a change in the scene took place] …Suddenly an unknown person appears behind Veer.
"Yo! Mind if I sit with you guys for lunch." ...
"Yes, we mind. Please fuck off." Said Veer with a playful sarcastic tone while not knowing who was standing behind him.
"Bruhhhh," Abhi replied with a discouraged tone.
Wait, it's him, we can get to know him right now. Veer better not ruin this opportunity. Dep and Kevin thought to themselves.
"He is just goofin' around. Come sit with us." Kevin reassures him while displaying a forced smile.
"What, why are we letting someone sit with us? Asked Veer without realizing who was behind him.
"Turn around you freaking moron" Dep whispered to Veer.
Ain't no way. It's him, it's Abhi.
"Damn, almost got me ha-ha." Said Abhi with an awkward smile while standing behind Veer.
" cough my bad cough I just can't help myself. Gotta do a little bit of trolling ya know..." Said Veer after realizing that the key to unlock the truth had walked towards them with its own two legs.
"It's all right… If y'all forgot about me, I'm-". "Abhi! Your Abhi. We know you mate. Only one person had an intro we didn't immediately forget the next minute." Said Kevin.
"Yeah, everyone was shocked. Are you really from Rakvill?" Veer asked nonchalantly.
"Yes." Answered Abhi bluntly, in a second, he continued: "Also, it's been a few hours so I could have forgotten some of y'all names by now. Can I double-check because the last thing we want is not knowing each other's names for years to come right?".
"Yeah, it's fine." Said Dep.
The three of them were going to reintroduce themselves but Abhi started speaking before they even got a chance to.
"Veer, the Orange-haired skinny dude who likes MMA." Said Abhi while pointing at Veer who was sitting next to him.
"Damn! That's a description." Said Veer. "I'm sorry, that's just how I memorize things.
It's a habit… actually more like an instinct."
"Okie dokie." Said Veer.
"Kevin, the big black buff dude. I mean, the dude with long black hair who likes going to the gym?"
"I'll take that as a compliment ha-ha." Said Kevin.
"And… Deep?"
"Nuhuh, it's Dep. Also, why don't I get a Memory Description as well, huh?" Said Dep.
"Oh sorry, I'll try next time." Replied Abhi.
"Heh, so you are gonna forget my name again? So bad, at least you could have mentioned my pretty brown hair." Said Dep in a silly grumpy tone while pouting her lips.
"Stop pulling his leg." Said Kevin.
"Ha-ha, it's fine." Said Abhi.
"By the way, Is Abhi like a shortened name? I go by Dep, shortened from Deepika, so is your real name Abhishek or Abhijit?" Asked Dep
"No, it's just Abhi; which literally just means 'Now' Quite funny, isn't it."
"Pretty cool yeah." Said Veer.
"Nice, so when did you come to town?" Asked Kevin in an attempt to pry into the mystery behind Abhi.
"Just a few months ago... I also have a part-time job after school." Said Abhi.
"Oh, so did you leave Rakvill around the end of last year?" Asked Kevin.
"Maybe…. I don't exactly remember." Answered Abhi.
"Really? Wasn't that around the time the war had ended?" Said Veer.
Kevin subtly looks at Veer, gazing at him with his piercing eyes. Expressing displeasure over Veer asking that question.
"I don't know, by the way, my job gives me a house to live in as a bonus," Said Abhi, perhaps in an attempt to divert from the trio's questions.
"Hey, that's pretty cool, I do hear about some hard jobs giving these types of facilities from my father." Said Dep with an energetic tone to Abhi.
"Well, it's work at a steel factory, so it's as hard as it gets around here, no pun intended." Said Abhi while softly chuckling.
The rest of the group also lets out a giggle which eases the atmosphere a bit.
"Great, by the way, I wanted to ask if you know anything about incident 99 of Rakv-" Kevin gets interrupted while finishing his sentence.
"Heyyy Abhi, wanna try some of Paneer Tikka?" Veer interrupted that question, giving Kevin the same piercing gaze he received from him just moments before.
"Oh thanks, Veer but I'll have to pass, you don't have much food left."
"Ay, don't worry 'bout it, I ate plenty. You can eat as much as you want. Well, I wouldn't mind sharing your food either, my parents don't want me to eat the Mid-day meal, and the food lady rats me out if I get some without my parent's permission, so I really would like to try some. Equivalent Exchange ya know." "Ha-ha, Alright then I'll appreciate your Paneer Tikka, my friend," Said Abhi in a light-hearted comical tone.
"Ha-ha, go ahead, it's all yours." Veer slid his tiffin box towards Abhi, and then Abhi joined his hands and said a quick prayer.
He takes a bite of the food and, for a second sits there silently staring at nothing.
"Wow, it's amazing, Veer. Thank your mom for me please." Said Abhi while slowly chewing the bite in his mouth.
"Sure, though my chef made the dish, not my mom." Said Veer.
"Oh… Well, say thanks to your chef as well then." Said Abhi in a silly tone
"Sure ha-ha." Veer chuckled back at Abhi. "I need to go to the bathroom real quick. I'll be right back" Said Abhi, then he slowly stood up and walked away.
The group gazed at Abhi while he slowly walked towards the building, they did not speak a single word until he finally entered the school building. As soon as he was out of sight:
"That was sudden." Said Dep while gazing at the entrance of the building where Abhi was last seen.
"Kevin, you dummy, what if he left because of you." Said Veer with a stern irritated voice. "What did I do?" Said Kevin while creasing his eyebrows in confusion.
"Weren't you piercing me with those gloomy eyes of yours when I was asking Abhi about the exact time he left Rakvill?" Said Veer
"Yeah, asking that question was too personal, too quick. He could've become suspicious of why you were digging for information so hard." Replied Kevin.
"So why did you go straight to asking about incident 99? Wouldn't it be even worse?" Said Veer.
"..." Kevin knitted his eyebrows while he thought about Veer's words in silence.
"Fair point, my bad. So how do we get this information from him without raising suspicion?" Said Kevin.
"I agree, asking about the incident 99 might be a bit too personal for him. Then what if we…" Dep proposed a plan to 'naturally' get that information out of Abhi.
"That works" Replied Kevin and Veer together.
///
A few minutes later, Abhi walked out of the school building. He then walked towards the tree the group was sitting under and greeted them.
"Hey, I'm back." Said Abhi, but to him, everyone seemed to be deep in a conversation and didn't notice him. He sits down silently on his own beside Veer.
"Yeah, and do you think this has something to do with the incident 99… Oh hey didn't see you there Abhi." Said Veer turning to look at Abhi while acting as if he took a pause from a deep conversation.
"Hey..." Said Abhi with an awkward smile. He starts to eat his mid-day meal again, alongside a little bit of the Paneer Tikka Veer kept aside for him. "Hey Veer, thanks for keeping a share of your food for me." Said Abhi.
"No worries, enjoy." Replied Veer with a Gentle smile on his face.
Veer, Dep, and Kevin all three look towards each other for a second, and in the next instance Dep who was sitting opposite Abhi speaks up.
"What happened today was crazy right?"
"You mean the stuff with the president?" Replied Abhi with a confused expression.
"Yeah, we were just talking about that. Even after a few hours I still can't believe what happened." Said Kevin while looking straight at Abhi with his gloomy eye.
"Yeah, a warning about a terrorist attack from the president of the country is a pretty wild thing to happen on the first day of the school." Said Abhi with a small chuckle.
"Not just that he even gave the students a task isn't that just feral." Said Dep with her eyebrows flared up high, showcasing a shocked expression. A bit too shocked.
"Yeah, he talked about the task of collecting information regarding the terrorist attacks and all that." Said Veer flamboyantly. A bit too flamboyantly…
"Oh yeah, I was a bit scared when he talked about all dat. I also noticed something; the teacher said that the info video is extremely important for everyone yet she didn't take roll call to confirm everyone is present." Said Abhi.
"Probably because only one specific person's life was supposed to be influenced by that message." Mumbled Veer softly while looking at the ground.
"What did you say?" Asked Abhi in confusion.
"It's nothing just… just forget about him, let's talk about you. So Abhi, you are from Rakvill yourself, right? So do you think today's video had something to do with the Incident 99?" Said Kevin in a subtle friendly tone with an unusual glint in his usually gloomy eyes and a bright smile on his face. Slightly too bright…
All three of them subtly looked at Abhi's reaction with razor-sharp attention, they planned to get Abhi to talk about incident 99 on his own while partaking in a normal conversation they fabricated in order to avoid any suspicion. But the reaction they got was… unexpected.
"I… I don't… I don't know… I don't know." Abhi stumbled upon his words, his posture was relaxed yet completely still with not a single ounce of movement. His eyes were… empty and pointed in the same direction, without a single blink. It seemed like he was thinking about something yet it also seemed like there was nothing but darkness behind those dark brown eyes. His pupils suddenly dilated, eclipsing most of his eyeballs.
A full 10 seconds passed and all three of them looked at each other, concerned about Abhi's suspended state of silence.
"Abhi... ABHI! Are you ok?" Veer held his shoulder and shook him out of his previous state.
"I need to go today?... Oh wait… yeah, I'm fine. Just phased out I guess, happens sometimes." Replied Abhi while rubbing his eyes with his wrists.
He was acting as if he just woke up from a deep lucid dream.
For a second the three of them looked at each other with uncertainty.
Could this be a sign of us pushing him too much for information? They thought, still subtly signaling each other to keep going forward.
"No way bros just daydreaming that deep." Said Dep in a joking tone.
"Haha, it do be like that sometimes yawns." Replied Abhi.
"Here, have some water" Kevin extended his water bottle towards Abhi.
"Thanks mate but I got some water with me, I'll be fine." Abhi politely declines Kavin.
"Alright, though I've wanted to ask you something." Said Kevin while putting down his water bottle.
"What is it?" Abhi asked with creased eyebrows.
"Why did you reveal you are from Rakvill? You are aware that there are a lot of stigmas against the people of Rakvill right? Even if everyone assumed you came here legally, they might still treat you with indifference."
Abhi didn't immediately reply as he was drinking out of his water bottle.
"Yeah actually, you could've just kept it a secret right?" Veer said while collaborating with Kevin in his efforts to dig for information. As Abhi finished drinking his water and closed its lid Veer and Kevin subtly looked at each other as they were eagerly anticipating the result of their collaborated efforts.
Abhi finally speaks: "Well, if I'm being honest… I just heard all of your colorful intros, with loads of hobbies and interesting backgrounds. But I just can't remember anything special about myself so in the moment, I just blurted out my own background in an attempt to make myself sound interesting." Answered Abhi with his head facing down towards the ground and his left hand fiddling with his hair with a shy demeanor.
Kevin, Dep, and Veer looked at each other for a second and started laughing out loud. "Uhm! Is that really so funny?" Asked Abhi while looking mildly confused.
"No, we just… still laughing... we just thought there would be a deeper reason behind revealing your homeland to the entire class ha-ha." Said Dep while laughing.
"Well, that was all ha-ha," said Abhi while awkwardly smiling back.
All of them had a few seconds of laughter together. As they calmed down, Dep realized that Abhi had his guard down while laughing, and used this opportunity to get more information.
"Wait a second, I just realized another thing about your intro, you didn't say your last name while introducing yourself, is there a reason for that?" Asked Dep with a soft tone and a genuine smile.
Abhi suddenly stopped moving again... "Cough Uhm burp Sorry guys I have to go to the…. I'm gonna have to leave right now, let's talk some other time." Abhi didn't answer Dep's question and instead packed his stuff and jogged towards the school building.
........