Human breathes. They grow, eat, study, work and pay. As a mere human, I came into a conclusion that my life is just a cycle, where happiness never visits nor in my dream, it won’t knock. But I still choose to continue my life. Maybe all of us created to have this slightest hope inside our heart.

Tonight, the moon was shining so bright upon the starry night sky. While I was browsing on these reference books I borrowed from the library, I heard a thud sounds outside my small room. It wasn’t really a big deal, unless someone is living alone in an apartment like me. I remembered closing the windows from the living room so it isn’t the wind. What was that sound? A rat? Or… a thief?

If I stand up, it will create a creak sound, then the person outside my room will know that I am aware of his presence. However, if I didn’t do anything, I’ll be dead without a fight. No. No way. I still want to live. I don’t want to end like this!

I dashed towards the door and locked the doorknob. I could feel all my nerves numbing, from my trembling lips to my fingers. Hairs on my skin are marched and my lungs fluttered. Negatives thoughts clogged in my brain, I couldn’t think of anything besides me dying in any possible way. There was nothing I can use to secure the door except my body. In my room there were only bed, table, books, small wardrobe, pens and dirty clothes. What will I do if the door breaks?

I travelled my eyes while catching my breath then saw my cellphone above my desk.

‘Police. That’s right! I’ll call for help!’

I ran towards my desk. No. running isn’t the best word to describe it. It was as if I don’t have my legs, I was crawling. When I got my phone, I felt a sudden relief. But that relief lasted just for a second.

“Soleil.”

There are two things that almost knock my heart down. First, someone is standing behind my back even though the door is closed. Second, he knows my name. They said that if death is near, your past reminisce inside your head. However, as I slowly looked back, my brain didn’t create any images at all. It is blank. Nothing. Black.

“Soleil, come with me.”

In front of me, there was this guy in black. I couldn’t clearly see his face because he was wearing a black hood, from his head down to the ground. The only one visible was that golden key on his chest. My voice trapped in my throat; no matter how I wanted to shout, I couldn’t manage to do so.

“My name is Gideon. And I am here to take you to the world you are belong.”

'A flash blinded me. My vision turned black and I feel like drowning down in a deep blue sea. What is this? A dream? '

“Soleil? You can open your eyes.” A voice awakened me from my Pandora box. Thus, I went back on the surface of my consciousness.

Green. Trees. White. Big palace. I am standing in a high place where I could see a kingdom I only saw in a fairytale book.

“Fascinating, right?” I tend my eyes towards the man who is standing beside me, rather, an old man with his gray hair, wrinkled skin and blue eyes. He is wearing clothes I don’t see in my daily life. It is something that gave him grim reaper looks.

Am I dead?

“W-Who are you? Am I…dead?”

This old man chuckled. He set his eyes back on me before he answered, “I am Gideon, the key holder of the door between human world and this kingdom. And it was me who brought you here Soleil. Welcome to the land of Alipia.”