15 years later...

  The only sound around me was the steady, indifferent beep of the life monitor. Each beat seemed to tap lightly on the dwindling time within me. I no longer felt the weight of my body, just an overwhelming exhaustion, and a dull pain in my hand from the countless needles that had been stuck into me over the past few days. My chest felt crushed under an invisible stone, heavy enough that I couldn't breathe without the help of machines.

  I never thought death would come this soon.

  Thirty years old, the age when people are supposed to be living their brightest years—I was slowly fading away.

  I looked back at my life, trying to find something memorable. But all I saw was a series of monotonous days repeating: go to work in the morning, come home tired at night. A stable job, just enough salary to live on, a body slowly deteriorating from stress and sleepless nights. No achievements, nothing that made me feel I ever truly lived.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  In my delirium, the image of years ago appeared like the last beam of light in my memory:

  That dream. That man.

  He had said that one day, he would come back and take me.

  Was it... today?

  Or was it all just a delusion of lost childhood, a beautiful dream I had woven to resist the harsh reality?

  My eyelids grew heavy. All sounds became distant, as though echoing from another world. Only my mother's sobs, desperate and faint, echoed in my ears.

  "Open your eyes, Emily... please... don't leave me..."

  I wanted to say something. A farewell. A hand to hold. A smile. But I couldn't.

  I was falling. Light as ash in the wind.

  And then... the darkness swallowed me.

  A New Beginning.

  The real journey has finally started, but answers are still scarce. What is this new realm? Who’s pulling the strings behind the scenes? And most importantly, why him?

  Your support keeps the story going, so likes, ratings, and follows are hugely appreciated ????