Some people view life as a blessing, but I'm not one of them. As I stood beneath the old oak tree in the park, I felt the cool night air on my skin, and my heart pounded with a mix of fear and resignation. Today was my 18th birthday, and I had decided it would be my last.
The rope was in my hands, rough and heavy. I threw one end over a sturdy branch and tied a secure knot. My hands trembled, but my resolve was firm. I had been fed up with my life for as long as I could remember. The constant pain, the never-ending struggle—it was too much. I slipped the noose around my neck and took a deep breath.
"Some people view life as a blessing, but I'm not one of them" I whispered to myself, closing my eyes and preparing to step off the wooden crate beneath me.
"I really can't deny that..." a cold voice replied from above.
My eyes snapped open, and I looked up, startled. There, perched on a branch like a shadow, was a boy. His amber eyes glowed in the moonlight, and his expression was unreadable. He wore a strange outfit, a mix of green and black, with a mask hanging at his side.
"Who... who are you?" I stammered, my voice trembling.
He jumped down gracefully, landing softly on the ground. "My name is Xiao," he said, his tone still cold. "And you shouldn't be doing this."
Before I could respond, he swiftly cut the rope with a flick of his wrist. I stumbled back, gasping for breath as the noose fell to the ground. My heart raced, not from fear of death, but from the shock of his sudden intervention.
"Why did you stop me?" I demanded, anger and confusion swirling inside me.
Xiao's eyes softened slightly as he looked at me. "Because you don't belong here. There's somewhere else you need to be."
Before I could protest or even comprehend his words, he grabbed my arm. In an instant, the world around me shifted. The park, the tree, the rope—they all vanished, replaced by a breathtaking landscape. Mountains loomed in the distance, forests stretched as far as the eye could see, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of wildflowers.
"Welcome to Teyvat," Xiao said, releasing my arm.
I looked around in awe, my earlier despair momentarily forgotten. "Where... where am I?"
"This is another world," Xiao explained. "A place where you might find a reason to live."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Was this some kind of dream? Or a cruel joke? But the warmth of the sun on my face and the soft grass beneath my feet felt too real.
"Why bring me here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Because sometimes, a change of scenery can change everything," Xiao replied, his expression serious. "Here, you might find new purpose, new friends, and perhaps... a new life."
As I took in the beauty of this strange world, a spark of hope flickered inside me. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for me to find happiness here. With Xiao by my side and the promise of new adventures ahead, I decided to give life one more try.