✨ Prologue
His steps were slow as he made his way through the narrow alley, a place far too familiar to him. In his hand remained half a piece of stale bread—the only thing that had kept him alive these past few days. He had just returned from yet another job interview, and as always, the answer was rejection. The fake smiles of the employers, the empty promise of "we'll call you later"—he already knew what it meant. It was never a chance. Only an illusion.
His life had long felt hollow. Memories of his past haunted him relentlessly—a father who abandoned him without a shred of remorse, a mother who passed away far too soon, and a sister who had endured torment until the day she chose death over suffering. Now, he was the only one left alive, though his very existence felt like a mistake. Society treated him like filth. Even his old friends, once companions in hardship, had now risen above and pretended not to know him.
He exhaled heavily, shoulders weighed down by invisible burdens. The night deepened, and his weary steps carried him out of the alley toward a deserted neighborhood. Street lamps flickered faintly above him, casting distorted shadows of his frail and weary frame. Deep inside, he tried to convince himself that maybe tomorrow would hold a sliver of hope. Yet, in the depths of his heart, he knew tomorrow would be nothing more than a repetition of the same misery.
Just as he reached the end of the alley, a blinding light flashed from the side. Everything happened too quickly—the roar of an engine, headlights growing larger, and in the next instant, his body was struck with crushing force. The world seemed to stop. Pain coursed through every inch of him, but beyond the agony, a strange calm began to seep into his mind.
He did not scream. He did not cry. He simply surrendered.
In those final moments before his consciousness slipped away, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
"So… this is how my life ends," he whispered, each breath heavier than the last. "I will not complain… about everything that has happened. The pain, the suffering… I accept it." His blurred eyes lifted toward the night sky, barely visible through the haze of blood and tears, searching for a final glimpse of hope. "But… if I am ever given another chance… I swear… I will not waste it."
His body weakened, vision fading to black. Slowly, he closed his eyes, surrendering himself to the darkness—awaiting death, just seconds away from claiming him.
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