Chapter 3: 3 – final day – 364/365

Alex screamed, clutching at his left eye. He flailed around, thrashing from the pain and blood-

Wait.

Alex paused, suddenly realizing that something was off.

The pain Alex felt when that old man stabbed him was still clear in his mind. But he didn't actually hurt. Not only that, but something else was off.

He had been lying on his front, but he was on his back now. Not only that, but the surroundings...

A spackled white ceiling. Pictures of him and Mei mounted on the walls. A few certificates and plaques, as well as some pictures she gifted to him when she was younger.

It was his room.

Alex slowly sat up, watching as the covers slid down from his body.

No blood. His pajamas, and not the black suit he was wearing.

"Was... Was it just a nightmare?" Alex clutched his head, trying to wrap his mind around what happened.