The realms of the world

The discovery

Chapter 1 - THE DISCOVERY ,
PART 1 - WEDNESDAY WHEELER

Wednesday Wheeler, with his striking blue eyes and tall, athletic frame topped by brown hair, was spending the summer at the beach house known as "Seaside Haven" with his best friends. Indhu Dvivedi, a girl whose confidence matched her beauty, and Zie Tamer, a lean, tall guy with a hint of German heritage, completed their trio.As they settled into Seaside Haven, anticipation buzzed in the air for their traditional game of truth or dare. When it was Wed's turn, he boldly opted for dare, much to Zie's chagrin. Zie suspected Wed of pilfering his earphones, though Wed vehemently denied it.Indhu, with her characteristic sarcasm, quipped in Wed's defense, "Come on, Zie! He didn't swipe your stuff, alright?" She punctuated her words with an exaggerated accent, teasing Zie playfully.Zie, undeterred by Indhu's jest, crafted a dare designed to test Wed's nerve. "Alright, Wed. Since you're so brave, let's see you go into the woods tonight and stick a flag in the ground to prove you were there."Wed, despite his fear of the dark woods, accepted the challenge with a mix of determination and apprehension. As night fell, they equipped him with a walkie-talkie to stay connected-smartphones were strictly off-limits during their vacation."I can't believe you're doing this," Indhu said over the crackling walkie-talkie, her voice a blend of concern and amusement. "Just remember, if you get lost, we're not coming in after you."Zie added with a smirk, "Yeah, and if you see any ghosts, ask them where they hid my earphones."Wed chuckled nervously, trying to shake off his jitters. "Very funny, guys. Just hope I don't stumble upon a bear or something out here."The atmosphere in the woods grew tense as Wed ventured deeper. Branches rustled ominously, and strange noises echoed around him. "Guys, this place is seriously creeping me out," Wed whispered into the walkie-talkie, his voice betraying a hint of fear."Don't worry, Wed. It's probably just a bunch of raccoons having a party," Indhu teased, trying to lighten the mood.Suddenly, the walkie-talkie crackled and went silent, plunging Wed into unnerving darkness. "Uh, guys? Can you hear me?" Wed's voice trembled slightly.On the other end, Zie and Indhu exchanged worried glances. "Wed? Wed, are you there?" Zie's voice carried a note of concern.After what felt like an eternity of eerie silence, Wed stumbled upon a clandestine operation deep in the woods. He squinted through the shadows, realizing with a mix of shock and anger that he had stumbled upon illegal loggers."Hey! Do you guys have permits for this?" Wed demanded, his voice shaking with righteous indignation.The loggers turned on him menacingly, their faces obscured by shadows. "Get him!" one of them shouted, and Wed turned and ran for his life.Through the tangled undergrowth, Wed sprinted desperately, heart pounding in his chest. He found refuge in a forgotten corner of the woods, panting heavily as he tried to collect his thoughts.Meanwhile, Zie and Indhu, unable to reach Wed on the walkie-talkie, decided to brave the woods themselves in search of their friend. "Zie, this is all your fault," Indhu hissed as they navigated the dark paths."I know, I know," Zie muttered, scanning the shadows anxiously. "But we have to find him, no matter what."Back in the abandoned part of the woods, Wed scrambled to his feet, determined to find his way back to Zie and Indhu. He took a tentative step forward when suddenly, he tripped and found himself airborne, floating inexplicably above the ground."Whoa! What's happening?!" Wed shouted in disbelief, his voice echoing through the silent woods.A brilliant green light pierced the darkness, emanating from a mysterious box hovering before him. Acting on instinct, Wed reached out and grabbed it. Instantly, he felt a strange sensation wash over him, and the next moment, he collapsed back onto the forest floor.As Zie and Indhu retraced their steps, they caught sight of a faint trail of green light leading back towards them. Heart racing, Indhu called out, "Wed! Wed, is that you?"Wed emerged from the shadows, clutching the glowing box tightly. He looked shaken but relieved to see his friends. Zie rushed forward, concern etched on his face. "What happened out there, Wed? And where's your walkie-talkie?"Indhu, her eyes filled with worry, approached him cautiously. "Are you okay, Wed? You look like you've seen a ghost."Wed took a moment to collect his thoughts, gazing at the mysterious box in his hands. "I... I don't know. But I think something incredible just happened."