Adrian Weiss, a 27-year-old man who works as a researcher. Since he could remember, Adrian hadn't found any meaning in his existence. Everything he did until becoming a researcher was purely out of obligation, so as not to disappoint the people around him.
Although he wanted to die, he didn't want to stay alive either. He felt an enormous emptiness in his chest, for he never managed to do the things he wanted, and he never found a clear reason to continue his path until the day of his death.
When he was eleven years old, his father, who was drunk at the time, beat his mother to death in front of him. He wanted to help, he wanted to save her, but even so, he stood there, just watching. After that, his father was arrested, while Adrian was thrown into a miserable orphanage, where the smell of mold mixed with the silence of those who had already given up on life. His only refuge was reading.
Years passed, he studied, and studied, only trusting in the possibility of making someone proud.
***
Adrian was in his office reading a book, its name was: Wheel of Fate. The book was interesting, but kind of generic, as it was just another transmigration story. Adrian closed the book and then thought:
— Uff... The protagonist is annoying and optimistic, if I were in his place, I wouldn't show mercy to anyone...
He left the house, apparently to go shopping... After around thirteen minutes of walking, Adrian arrived at the supermarket. After entering the place, he picked up some groceries, like milk, processed hamburger meat, and other basic items.
Adrian headed toward the cashier, to buy his food.
— Good morning. — said Adrian, with a morbid and lifeless tone.
— Good morning! Everything okay? — replied the girl, letting out a warm giggle.
Adrian coldly ignored her, waiting for her to scan all the items.
A minute passed, and then two minutes passed, until someone invaded the place...
It was an armed man, perhaps a robber? A lunatic? Adrian didn't know, since he was too well-dressed to seem like an ordinary criminal.
Without even having the chance to react, the man aimed and shot Adrian.
One. Two. Three. Four shots.
He fell quickly to the ground. The only thing Adrian could think was:
— What?!...
The sound of the screams vanished. Only silence remained — and in the silence, Adrian realized there was nothing else. No pain, no guilt. Just the void.
— Where did everything go wrong? Did I make a mistake during my life? Is it all over here? Shit... — said Adrian. He wasn't thinking, nor speaking, it was just a void of pure dead darkness.
***
Some moments passed, and he finally managed to hear something, it seemed like the voice of a woman screaming. Adrian could also hear other voices, saying:
— You can do it! Just a little more strength!
— Almost there... just a bit more.
Then, all went silent again.
Some more time passed, Adrian still floated in the darkness. Until...
NGHAAAAAH!
A loud cry burst out, and a flash of light occurred.
Adrian opened his eyes and saw a ceiling — made of stone, rudimentary, but firm. The sound of voices returned, now closer, clearer. One male, another female.
— How cute! He's so beautiful!
— He looks just like you, darling.
— What will his name be?
— Let's see... It could be Heinrich, Heinrich Venturi.
Confused, Adrian tried to look at his hands. They were small. Fragile. The hands of a newborn baby.
He was speechless.