Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

2 Magic ball

Noah had to pinch his arm three times to assure himself that it wasn’t just one of his crazy dreams. The pain stung badly as the skin on his arm reddened. As unbelievable as it may sound, he’s definitely inside a Magic Ball that has a fully functioning live farm—a world connected to him, yet it was somehow different from the one he’s used to living in. It was as if a tiny world existed inside his very own.

His heart squeezed, probably from the overwhelming feeling he’s currently experiencing. He couldn’t help but feel mesmerized at the rawness of the scene unfolding in front of his very own eyes. He didn’t know how much time he wasted loitering on the same spot. Heck, he wasn’t sure if the time here is the same as that of the one in the Magic Ball.

The sky was clear of any clouds as the warm wind blew his brown hair away from his sweat-damped forehead. The bright sun shone without hesitation above him. Noah had to close his eyes for a second from looking directly at it.

All Noah wanted was to make sure to get a good feel of the place; to familiarize himself in its surroundings, but his legs were glued firmly on the ground. He couldn’t bring himself to take a single step.

Noah took a deep breath, inhaling, and exhaling afterward as his heart rate finally ceased its race. After numerous minutes of staring into nothingness, he began walking underneath the enormous tree beside the wooden cabin. It was bigger than he thought. Mostly at three or four times his height.

Finding shelter from the sun underneath the trees’ shade, Noah noticed it had the same thick, lush green leaves that he had seen from the outside. He tried touching its bark, a tingling feeling ran up the tip of his fingers at how tangible it was. The enormous tree was rough, adequately sturdy, and firmly rooted in the soil. He titled his head above, and wild fruit hanging on its branches met him. They were glittering jewels—only that they look ripe and ready to be plucked anytime.

Noah roamed his gaze and found a mysterious pond whose waters were as translucent as that of the Magic Ball’s crystal layer. He can see accurately what was happening underneath it. What amazed him most is that the fishes looked like they were flying instead of swimming.

Because of the sun’s heat, the pond’s water was tempting enough that Noah wanted to dive in and go take a swim.

Kneeling, he submerged his hands, cautious enough for he still doesn’t know of its contents. Slowly, he felt the cooling sensation of the cold water. There wasn’t anything unusual about it. A school of fish gathered and swam excitedly around his palms. Noah withdraws his hands and casually wiped it on his pants. The cabin near the enormous tree crossed his mind. Now that he’s done inspecting the tree and pond, Noah’s curiosity grew for the cabin. Were the contents he saw outside as real as the ones he saw with the pond and tree? Noah decided there’s only one way to find out. He pushed himself to a stand and ran towards the direction of the cabin.

Arriving infront of the cabin’s door, Noah stared at the knob. Noah suddenly felt afraid. What does he know about this world? This place could turn out to be a curse rather than a blessing. What if it’s different from what he’s expecting? A thousand possibilities await behind the closed wooden door, and Noah was too afraid to peek inside of it.

Sighing, Noah thought nothing would be done if he just stood there like a statue. Taking yet another deep breath, he hesitatingly turned the knob.

The door creaked as he pries it open. To his relief, the contents were exactly the same: an iron cabinet and a shelf filled with books. Sunlight served as his illumination even if there wasn’t any form of electricity inside the cabin. Everything he touched felt authentic—to the dust that lingered on the book’s pages and the smooth feel of the iron cabinet. Even the wind that came from the slight space of the open window felt real and refreshing. Noah took his time exploring the whole place. He took a step backward, and upon opening his eyes, he found himself inside his car, the Magic Ball enclosed in his arms. He was still drenched and had no idea how he got out.

The Magic Ball was just the right size to be held by one hand. Noah took one look inside, “the same contents,” he said while starting-up his car and placing it safely on the seat beside him.

The next day, after finishing his load of work earlier than the rest, Noah found himself infront of a shop. When he opened the front door, the bell atop jingled. The cashier greeted him with a warm smile. Many types of equipment needed for fishing overflowed anywhere he looked. Noah noticed a fishing net on a nearby shelf, and instantly remembered the strange pond in the Magic Ball. An idea grazed his mind. Pondering for a minute, Noah left the shop with his new gear: a fishing net. He opted to use it to catch fishes in the mysterious pond. Maybe he would try and sell it? There’s no harm in giving it a shot. 

“Puppies for sale!” a little boy shouted as Noah passes by him. Three little puppies inside a box wagged their tails in unison.

The brown color one was quietly poking its head out of the box.

German Shepherds? Noah thought while trying to pat the brown one. The white puppy barked loudly at Noah, while the black one suddenly bites the brown’s ear in an attempt to play.

“How much for these?” Noah inquired.

The boy smiled as his mother appeared behind him. After telling the price for each puppy, Noah had questioned why they were selling them. The mother explained that the puppies were initially the offspring of their family dogs. As of the moment, they can only afford to feed two dogs. Her youngest child was always in and out of the hospital. No matter how hard it was to give-away such precious puppies, the mother decided that she needs more funds to cater for her daughter’s sickness. Noah didn’t ask another question as he gave them a few bucks from his wallet.

“I hope they’re cared for,” she said while cradling the puppies like her own children before handing them in Noah’s arms. He nodded and bid his farewell to the both of them, his eyes lingering on the boy behind his mother’s legs.

Noah thought that the farmyard inside the Magic Ball should serve enough as a shelter for the three of them. Maybe he can raise them well inside. They have plenty of room to move and run around than staying in his cramped apartment. But the question that lingered in Noah’s mind is how he will able to bring them inside? If his hands can penetrate through the crystal layer, how about an animal, or let alone an object itself? The last time he went inside, he had no memory as to what happened with his backpack. He never had the chance to retrieve it.

When he arrived home, Noah placed the box gently on the floor. The puppies jumped out giddily. He didn’t notice the brown puppy was already resting on his sofa. His mind was too preoccupied with knowing how to get them all inside the Magic Ball. He did manage to go back inside once after the trip, though every object he takes with him gets left behind in this world. Except for his clothes, that is.

The brown puppy jumped down the sofa and nestled its head on his knees. “Say, how do I even take you guys inside?” the white puppy tilted its head as if answering him. Noah tried pushing the fishing net past the crystal layer, but only his fingers slipped inside. He scratched the back of his head.

It was nerve-wracking!

He’d been trying his luck ever since he got back from his trip, but to no avail, he had yet to succeed in bringing with him an object inside.

Sighing deeply with his eyes closed, he crossed his arms as the white puppy growled at his pants. The image of the white puppy got embued in his mind. He heard the puppy’s whimper, and his brow creased. Noah thought that maybe he should relax his body to clear the fog in his head.

Inhaling deep, he exhaled five times with one breath. It was a method he learned on the internet that helps relax your breathing. The white puppy’s whimper turned into loud crying. When Noah opened his eyes, half of the puppy’s body was already breached the crystal layer of the Magic Ball.