Raghav Sharma tightened his grip on the steering wheel as the highway stretched endlessly ahead.
The engine of his new car hummed softly, smooth and steady.
Just two weeks ago, he had finally bought it after years of saving. It wasn't a luxury car, but to him it felt like a small victory in life.
He glanced at the passenger seat.
A white cake box sat there carefully, tied with a pink ribbon.
Riya would be thrilled.
Today was his daughter's tenth birthday.
The thought brought a warm smile to his face.
He could already imagine her running toward him the moment he walked through the door.
"Papa! Did you bring the cake?"
Raghav chuckled quietly.
"Yes, princess," he muttered to himself. "Your favorite chocolate cake."
The evening sky was turning dark as clouds gathered above the highway.
Traffic was light.
Raghav drove calmly, not in a hurry.
His life wasn't perfect, but it was peaceful.
A loving wife.
Two wonderful children.
A stable job.
Sometimes it felt boring… which was why he escaped into isekai novels whenever he had time.
Stories where ordinary men died and woke up in magical worlds.
Adventures.
Freedom.
Power.
He shook his head and laughed softly.
"Those things only happen in stories."
Suddenly—
A blinding flash of headlights appeared in his rearview mirror.
A car was speeding toward him.
Too fast.
Way too fast.
Before Raghav could react—
BANG!
The violent impact shook his entire body.
Metal screamed.
Glass shattered.
His car spun wildly across the road before slamming into a tree with a thunderous crash.
For a moment…
There was only silence.
Then pain exploded through his body.
"AAHH—!"
Raghav gasped as agony shot through his chest and arms.
His vision blurred.
The taste of blood filled his mouth.
He tried to move.
But nothing happened.
His legs…
He couldn't feel them.
A cold wave of terror crept into his heart.
My legs… why can't I move my legs?
Broken glass covered the dashboard.
The steering wheel had bent inward.
Every breath sent stabbing pain through his ribs.
Through the blurry haze, he heard footsteps approaching the car.
A shadow appeared beside the broken door.
Someone leaned closer.
At first he thought he was hallucinating.
Because the face he saw… was impossible.
"Raghav…" the woman whispered.
It was his wife.
Meera.
His loving wife.
But something in her voice felt… wrong.
Cold.
Detached.
She looked inside the wrecked car and asked quietly,
"Is he dead?"
Raghav's heart skipped a beat.
What…?
His mind struggled to understand.
Why would she say that?
This had to be a dream.
Or a hallucination caused by the pain.
Another figure stepped beside her.
A man.
Tall.
Familiar.
As the man leaned closer, Raghav's blurry vision slowly focused.
Recognition hit him like a second collision.
This man…
He had seen him before.
Years ago.
On his wedding day.
Meera had introduced him with a smile.
"This is my best friend."
The man looked down at Raghav's broken body and frowned slightly.
"Still breathing."
Meera sighed impatiently.
"Unbelievable… even after that crash."
The man bent closer to Raghav's window.
Their eyes met.
Cold indifference stared back at him.
Then the man said calmly,
"We need to hit him one more time."
Raghav's mind froze.
Why…?
Why would they do this?
His vision darkened as the pain became unbearable.
Somewhere far away, he heard the sound of an engine starting again.
Headlights turned toward him.
For the first time in his life…
Raghav truly felt fear.