Jack's POV
I woke up to the sound of birds chirping. Except, this wasn't my bedroom or my house. The ceiling above me was made of leaves, and I was lying on the ground, surrounded by a dense forest. I sat up quickly, my heart racing. What was going on? I rubbed my eyes, hoping it was all a dream.
The forest was eerily quiet now, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. I stood up, my head spinning. I looked around, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Trees that seemed taller than anything I'd ever seen. Flowers in colors I didn't recognize. The air smelled fresh, like it was untouched by pollution.
I took a deep breath and decided to explore. Maybe I was still asleep and this was just a vivid dream. I walked for what felt like hours, my stomach growling louder than the chirping birds. I had no idea where I was or how I'd gotten here.
Eventually, I stumbled upon a small clearing. There was a stream running through it, and I eagerly took a drink. The water was cool and refreshing, far better than anything from a tap. I crouched by the stream, trying to calm my racing thoughts.
Suddenly, I heard a growl behind me. I whipped around and saw a creature emerging from the trees. It looked like a cross between a wolf and a lion, with sharp teeth and glowing eyes. Panic surged through me, and I scrambled up, trying to figure out what to do.
I remembered I had no weapons, no tools—nothing. The creature growled again, and I backed away slowly. Just when I thought I was done for, it stopped and sniffed the air. Then it turned and ran back into the forest. I let out a shaky breath, my legs feeling like jelly.
I needed to find shelter and figure out how to survive. I spent the rest of the day searching for a safe place. I eventually found a small cave that looked promising. It wasn't much, but it was better than sleeping under the stars.
As night fell, I tried to make myself comfortable. I used some fallen branches to create a makeshift bed and wrapped myself in a large leaf to keep warm. Sleep didn't come easily. I kept replaying the day's events in my mind, trying to make sense of them.
The next morning, I woke up to a strange sensation. It was like a voice in my head, but not my own. I focused on it, trying to understand. It wasn't long before I realized I could actually hear thoughts—other people's thoughts. It was disorienting at first, but I quickly realized it was a valuable skill.
I practiced listening to the thoughts around me. It was chaotic, a jumble of emotions and fragmented ideas. But it was clear that I wasn't the only one in this world, and I needed to find other people.
I ventured out of the cave, hoping to find civilization. The forest seemed endless, but eventually, I came across a small village. The buildings were made of wood and stone, with thatched roofs. It looked quaint, like something out of a fairy tale.
I approached cautiously, my heart pounding. I spotted a few people working in the fields and a couple of children playing. They seemed normal enough, but I was wary. I couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
I wandered around the outskirts of the village, trying to stay hidden. I used my telepathy to listen to the villagers' thoughts, hoping to find someone who could explain what was going on. Most of the thoughts were mundane—gossip about the weather, complaints about chores. But then, I heard something interesting.
"Have you heard about the stranger in the woods?" a woman thought, her curiosity evident.
A stranger in the woods? That sounded like me. I decided to approach the woman who was thinking about it. I emerged from the trees and walked up to her. She was surprised but not frightened.
"Hello," I said, trying to sound as friendly as possible. "I'm... new here. Can you tell me what this place is?"
The woman's eyes widened. "You're not from around here, are you?" she asked.
I shook my head. "No, I'm not. I don't know how I got here, but I need help."
She studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Follow me. I'll take you to the village elder. He might be able to help you."
I followed her to the village center, where a group of people had gathered around a man with a long white beard. The elder looked up as we approached, his eyes narrowing.
"This is the stranger I was telling you about," the woman said.
The elder nodded. "Welcome. I am Elder Thomlin. It seems you have found yourself in quite a predicament."
I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. "Yes, I have. Can you tell me where I am and how I might get back home?"
Elder Thomlin's eyes softened. "You are in the land of Eldoria, a realm of magic and mystery. Unfortunately, I am not sure how you arrived here, but we will do our best to help you."
I was grateful for their kindness, but I couldn't shake the feeling of being completely out of my depth. I had no idea what awaited me in this strange new world, but for now, I was just glad to have found some semblance of safety.
As I settled into the village, I couldn't help but wonder what other surprises this world had in store for me. I had no special abilities—no cheats, no magical powers. But I had my telepathy, and that would have to be enough for now.
Little did I know, this was just the beginning of my adventure in Eldoria.