Standing in front of the graves of his beloved ones, the breeze was silent and gentle, pushing past him, daring not to interrupt the peaceful moment.
His brown hair and jade-green eyes made him strikingly handsome for a boy of twenty, but deep within that beauty lay a boy drowned in sadness.
A bouquet was laid in front of each tombstone.
Joseph Liam
Father and beloved by many.
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Janice Liam
Mother and caretaker of all.
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Jeanne Liam
Sister, daughter, and cutest.
Seeing the engravings brought a sense of comfort to his face, showing how clearly he missed them.
Walking past the graves, he prepared for the day's work ahead.
"Visiting again, kid?" said the gatekeeper.
"Yeah, got to pay homage and respect to my folks," quietly answered Liam Kael.
"I'm home."
Liam had particularly gotten used to saying that, despite all he met was silence. Taking a shower and dressing up in a black suit and tie, he stepped out of what was once his lively home.
"I'll be back."
The ride to the office was stressful but quiet. When he finally arrived, he quietly went into his department before his best friend pulled up a chair beside him.
Nate: How are you doing, bro?
Liam: I'm good. What's happening today?
Nate: The same as usual, but word got out that the company wants to publish your novel.
Liam: Oh, that's nice, but I no longer care.
Nate: What? This is great news! Let's celebrate with drinks!
Liam:"Sorry, Nate. I have plans today," Kael said, eyes on his screen.
Nate: Okay, later, bro.
Nate pushed his chair back to his seat, giving Liam enough space to go through his work in peace.
"Liam, where are you? I have to see you in my office," said his boss.
"Sorry, sir, but Liam has gone home, calling in sick" answered Nate.
"That's a shame. I really need to talk to him," replied Liam's boss.
Arriving back at his once lively home, Liam lay down on his bed, diving deep into his thoughts.
"My novel is getting published, huh? Yet all I feel is sadness at the sight of it."
"This same novel was the one that broke my family."
"I wish I hadn't left the house that day when my folks went out looking for me."
Liam turned, looking at the novel lying beside him, its title showing clearly before him — 'Path of the Heroes'.
"I fucking hate you, you know that, right?"
All he met was silence; the book still lay there.
Pulling out his phone, Liam ordered pizza for dinner, which had become his everyday meal because it held an important memory with his family — Pizza Tuesday.
Ding ding.
Opening the door of his apartment, he met a tall, slender man who served him the pizza. Liam had paid online before the delivery so he could have uninterrupted time.
Pulling up his laptop, Liam scrolled through the internet for any news updates. The only thing that kept him going these days was finding the truck driver who killed his family.
"I really hope they find that guy."
Ping.
"A mail notification, huh?" as Liam glanced at his phone.
Click.
The message came in
"We are pleased to tell you that your novel 'Path of the Heroes' has been accepted worldwide. But before you can receive the first paycheck, we would like you to click the I Accept button for your first payment to come through."
"I doubt they've ever used email before," scoffed Liam before clicking the button.
"I'm so tired from this hectic day, but I need to prepare again for tomorrow."
Liam stood up to take a shower, but he felt a sudden sharp pain in his heart.
"I just need to drink water," Liam said, brushing it off.
As Liam approached the kitchen sink, he poured water into his cup, but it slipped from his hand before he had the chance to drink it.
Liam fell flat, the glass piercing his body.
"I feel pain all over… got to reach my phone and call 911…"
"Kael's fingers twitched toward the phone before falling limp against the tiles."
"Shit… am I dying?"
"Heart attack at age 20… what a messed-up life I've lived…"
Those were Liam's last words before slipping into the darkness.
GASP!
Waking up to the chirping of birds flying in the air, his body was still sore from the heart pain he had felt earlier.
"Still alive, huh?", saying as his eyes were closed
The whole place was silent, allowing nature to take its course.
"I gotta stand up… but this feels peaceful for some reason."
Hearing the sound of the wind and leaves blowing past his face, Liam found everything strange for a particular reason.
Opening his eyes, which had been closed for most of the time, Liam found himself under a tree.
"Huh?"