Prologue

Prologue

Prologue

Most 17-year-olds did not expect to be lying on a hospital bed, waiting to die, but Mat wasnt surprised.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

The rhythmic beeping of the machines monitoring his vitals was the only thing keeping him company. He was alone in a room smelling of lemon disinfectant, calmly staring at the white ceiling as if it was hiding all the answers.

Why was he born with a congenital heart disease? Why did he have to die without ever getting a chance at living? Just why?

If the ceiling knew anything it was keeping it for itself.

He had been in and out of hospitals for most of his life. But this time was different, he knew he wasnt going to get any better.

His only hope had been to receive a heart transplant, a feeble hope. He was going to die long before his name reached the top of the waiting list, and a compatible donor was found.

He understood long ago that putting his hopes on a last-minute miracle would ruin the little time he had. It was better to accept the inevitable and enjoy what he could.

Books were all the friends he needed. They narrated a thousand lives, adventures and mysteries. His mind could travel the whole world and beyond, to remote magical realms and people. Things he never got the chance to experience.

Alone in his room, he gave voice to a long list of swears.

Normally he would have worried about what someone might think if they heard him. Now, for the first time in his life, he didnt care.

He was angry at the world, furious. He wouldnt even reach his twenties and the time he lived had sucked.

Why?!

A nurse came to check on him, but one glare and the continuous swearing were enough to make her retreat, he wanted to be alone.

Out of breath from the brief exertion, he returned to stare at the ceiling, at least it didnt lie.

All people had to die and this was his time. There was no hidden meaning. The only answer was that there was no answer. That was it.

Taking a deep breath, Mat cleared his mind and let the anger flow away. Soon his life would end and it was fine. He would be free at last.

With a weak genuine smile appearing on his lips, he truly felt at peace.

Not much later he closed his eyes for the last time, his mother and sister were squeezing his hands. He was out of time. He tried to smile. He wasnt sure if it was for them or himself.

They were saying something, probably crying, he couldnt hear them. Soon after only a long beep remained in the room, announcing the end of his unremarkable life.