It all started with a pop-up ad.
I was hunched over my laptop, scrolling through what felt like the millionth job site of the day.
After months of nothing but "Thank you for your application, but…" emails, I was ready to take anything that didn't involve flipping burgers or walking someone's dog.
That's when it caught my eye: "Internship Opportunity: Help Save Endangered Species. Paid Position. Immediate Start."
Endangered species? Immediate start?
I sat up, my fingers hovering over the touchpad. It was exactly the kind of break I needed, especially since my Zoology degree wasn't exactly opening doors like I'd hoped.
Sure, I had a passion for animals, but finding work in my field felt like spotting a unicorn (spoiler: they're harder to find than you'd think).
I clicked.
The page loaded, revealing a polished website featuring images of lush forests, misty mountains, and all sorts of exotic-looking animals.
The details were vague, but it had all the buzzwords I loved: conservation, ecological protection, hands-on experience. At the bottom was a button that read, "Apply Now".
"Here goes nothing," I muttered, and filled out the form with more enthusiasm than I'd felt in months.
The next morning, I got an email that nearly made me spill my coffee.
"Congratulations, Carl Suis! You've been shortlisted, if you're ready click the button for an online interview."
I clicked the link, and a video call screen popped up. A man appeared—well, half a man. The video only showed his chin and a very impressive mustache.
"Hello, Carl!" he boomed, the camera finally adjusting to reveal his whole face. He looked like the kind of guy who'd either be leading an expedition into the Amazon or judging a beard-growing competition. "Ready for your interview?"
I nodded, trying not to let my nerves show. "Absolutely! I'm really passionate about animals, and I—"
He cut me off. "Great, great. Let's jump right into it. What would you do if you encountered a basilisk in the wild?"
I blinked. "Uh, a basilisk?" Maybe this was one of those creative thinking exercises they use to see if you can think outside the box. I decided to roll with it. "Well, I'd… probably avoid eye contact. You know, to prevent the whole turning-to-stone thing."
He chuckled, twirling his mustache. "Smart man. Next question—what's your strategy for handling a misbehaving chimera?"
I forced a smile. "I'd say… separate the parts? Maybe offer the lion head some steak and distract the goat half with some, uh, leafy greens?"
He seemed pleased. "Interesting approach! Last question—are you willing to relocate? This job might require a change in environment."
I laughed. "As long as I don't end up in Narnia, I'm good." He laughed too, and I thought I saw something in his eyes, like he knew a joke I didn't.
"Fantastic, Carl. We'll be in touch."
The screen went black. For a second, I just sat there, replaying the bizarre interview in my head. Basilisks? Chimeras? Was this some kind of prank? But before I could dwell on it, my laptop pinged.
"You've been accepted! Click here to confirm your internship. Relocation arrangements will be made immediately."
I stared at the email. The pay listed was eye-popping, and it all seemed too good to be true. But then again, after months of nothing, here was my chance—no, my golden opportunity. Without a second thought, I clicked [Accept].
And that's when things got… weird.
The second I hit the button, my laptop screen flashed bright white, and a loud whoosh filled my ears. I yelped, scrambling backward, but it was too late.
The world around me spun, like I was caught in some kind of virtual tornado. My room dissolved into a blur of colors, and I felt a tug, as if I were being pulled through the screen itself.
When I finally opened my eyes, I was standing in the middle of a forest. And not just any forest—this one looked like something out of a fantasy movie.
The trees were massive, their leaves a shimmering blue, and flowers glowed with an otherworldly light. I stumbled back, nearly tripping over a giant mushroom the size of a small dog.
"Uh… what?" I fumbled for my phone, praying I had a signal. Nope. The screen just read—Unknown Realm.
Okay, deep breaths, Carl. Maybe it's just some… high-tech relocation thing. A really advanced job orientation. Yeah, that made sense. Sort of.
I opened up the GPS, but before I could get any further, a shadow swooped overhead, and something large and feathered dived straight at me.
"What the—!" I ducked, but too late. A griffin the size of a small car snatched my phone right out of my hand and flew off, screeching like it had just won the lottery.
"Wait! Is that a griffin? No! Come back!" I shouted, but it was gone. I was left staring at the empty sky, feeling very, very lost. And, if I was being honest, a little panicked.
"Okay, Carl, think," I muttered, hands on my hips as I scanned the area. "Big mushroom, glowing flowers, thieving griffin… Where exactly am I?"
Before I could decide what to do next, I heard rustling behind me. I turned, expecting another griffin or maybe a friendly forest critter. Instead, I was met with the strongest smell I'd ever encountered—like burnt rubber mixed with rotten eggs.
"Oh no. Please, no." I backed up, but it was too late. A skunk-like creature with fur glowing neon green (because why wouldn't it?) aimed its tail at me. The next second, I was engulfed in a cloud of noxious, glowing smoke.
I stumbled, coughing and waving my arms. "This is definitely not how I imagined my relocation day going!" My entire body felt like it was tingling, and when I finally blinked the tears from my eyes, I looked down. My skin—and clothes—were glowing a bright neon green.
"Great. Just great." I kicked at the dirt, realizing my hands left glowing trails in the air. "I'm a human glow stick. Awesome."
As I scanned the surrounding, my mind still struggling to catch up with reality, a chill ran down my spine. Something in the distance caught my eye, a shadow that shouldn't have been there.
Then that's when I saw it.
A chimera. A real, living, breathing chimera stood before me.