Chapter 2

The following day, I went to school as usual. I tried to act normal, but it was difficult. I was constantly distracted by thoughts of the box and the universe within.

During lunch, I sat at a table alone as usual. I watched the other students talking and laughing, and a lump formed in my throat. I'd never really had any friends, and the thought of being stuck alone forever made me feel sick.

Suddenly, the voice spoke. "Thomas, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I mumbled, not wanting anyone to think I was crazy.

"You are not," the voice said. "You are lonely and sad, and it hurts me to see you this way."

I looked down at my feet and sighed. "I've never had anyone to talk to," I whispered. "I've always been alone. Why do you care anyway? We only met yesterday."

"Because you are my Author," the voice replied.

I snorted. "Your Author? What does that even mean?"

"It means that you are the one who will create and maintain the universe inside the box," the voice explained. "We are now bound together in a way. When you return home, I will explain how to use the box and create a vast universe that you will rule over. You will no longer be alone."

I blinked back tears. "Really?"

"Yes, really," the voice said.

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and I quickly packed up my things.

As I walked back to class, I couldn't help but smile. Maybe everything was going to change.

The rest of the school day was rather uneventful, as I spent most my time daydreaming about my new role as the Author of Life.

I was excited and anxious, wondering if the voice was telling the truth or just playing a prank on me.

When the final bell rang, I practically ran home, eager to see what would happen next.

I raced into my room and pulled the box out of my closet where I kept it. "Okay, voice, tell me how to use this thing! Oh, and before that I should ask you for your name."

"I have no name," the voice said. "However, if you would like, you may give me one."

"Hmm, I think I'll call you Benny. It's a good name."

"Benny it is then."

I smiled and placed the box on my desk. "Alright, Benny, what do I need to do now?"

"You will need to focus your energy and willpower on the box," Benny explained. "Every aspect of the Dimensional Box functions through what is called 'Imagination Amplification.'"

"Imagination Amplification? What does that mean?"

"It means that the power to create worlds and interact with them lies within your imagination," Benny said. "By focusing on the box and imagining whatever it is you want, the Box of Dimensions will help amplify and manifest that vision."

I nodded, my mind racing. I always had a vivid imagination, but I never imagined it would help me create a whole new universe.

Benny continued, "there are limitations however. While you are able to create anything you imagine, it will only be manifested within the box, which means at the moment you can't bring anything from within it."

"Oh, so I can't use the Box of Dimensions to do anything here?"

"Correct," Benny said. "But, as you master the power of the box, you will be able to manifest your creations outside of the box. Another limitation is that since you are a human and your mind is rather weak, there is only so much you can create using your imagination within a day. You are severely limited at the moment because you don't have much experience with the Box of Dimensions and because your human mind is, and I mean this in the least offensive way, feeble."

I let out a frustrated sigh. "So, basically, I can't do anything until I get better at this?"

"Precisely, you can't do anything quite big like create a world just yet," Benny said. "Do not worry though, I am here to guide you. We will take things one step at a time and slowly build your power. Now, let us begin with a simple task. What would you like to create?"

I bit my lip, thinking. There were so many things I wanted, but none of them seemed worthy of being the first thing I created in my new universe.

Finally, an idea came to me. "How about a tree?"

"Very well," Benny said. "Now, close your eyes and focus on the image of the tree you want to create. Envision it in as much detail as possible. Feel the rough bark beneath your fingers and smell the fresh scent of the leaves. Hear the wind rustling through the branches and the birds chirping in the distance. Imagine every aspect of the tree, and then project that vision onto the box."

I took a deep breath and followed Benny's instructions. I focused on the image of the tree and felt a strange energy building inside me. My hands tingled, and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end.

A low hum filled the air, and a bright light flashed behind my eyelids.

"Open your eyes," Benny said.

I did as he said and gasped. The tree was perfect, exactly as I'd imagined it.

"Wow, I did that?"

"Yes, and it is a fine tree," Benny said.

Suspended in a dark void within the Box of Dimensions, was a tiny tree. Darkness enveloped it completely, as if it was floating in outer space. The leaves were a brilliant green, and the bark was a rich brown. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

I laughed, a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. My heart was racing, and my palms were sweaty. At the same time I felt very fatigued as if I had been working on an extremely difficult math problem while running a marathon at the same time.

"Wow, I did that."

"Yes, but remember that was the easiest and smallest thing you could possibly imagine. You will need a lot of practice and experience before you can create anything bigger or more complex. You feel quite fatigued mentally and physically yes?"

I nodded, feeling weak.

"That is because you are still human. The more experience you gain, the less fatigued you will be."

"How will I get that experience?"

"By creating new things," Benny said. "Now that we know that you can create basic things, let's try something a little more complicated. What would you like to make?"

"I want a house!" I exclaimed. "A really cool one."

"Very well," Benny said. "Go ahead and close your eyes again. Imagine a house, one that is a reflection of yourself."

"Okay."

Once again, I focused on the image. I saw myself walking into the house and exploring every room. I saw the furniture and decorations and the view from the windows.

"Open your eyes," Benny ordered.

"Did it work?" I asked, opening my eyes.

"Not quite," Benny said.

"What do you mean? It didn't work?"

"It's just a bit bigger than what you can manage at the moment. Try again, but this time, think smaller."

I frowned and closed my eyes. This time, I envisioned a small cottage, one that was cozy and homey.

"Open your eyes," Benny ordered once again.

I opened my eyes, and there it was, suspended in the void within the box. The cottage was small, with a thatched roof and stone walls. It looked like something out of a fairytale, and I couldn't help but smile.

"I did it!"

"Indeed you did," Benny said. "I take it you are at your limit?"

"Yeah," I said, feeling the mental and physical fatigue that had overcome me the last time.

"Don't worry, we will practice and work our way up to larger and more complicated creations tomorrow. For now, get some rest. Tomorrow will be another day of creation."

I nodded and yawned, suddenly realizing just how tired I was.

"Goodnight, Benny," I said, climbing into bed.

"Before you sleep," I noticed Benny's tone become serious, "I must say this, that you must never push yourself more than you are able to handle. Going too far will kill you."

"What? Kill me? Are you serious?"

"Very. The human mind is not meant to exert such power and is easily overloaded. If you overuse the Box of Dimensions and its Imagination Amplification capabilities, it will cause a short-circuit and kill you. Be warned, do not overexert yourself."

"Okay, thanks for the warning."

With that, I fell asleep, dreaming of the incredible world that lay within the Box of Dimensions.