1 Chapter 1

One chapter left.

Saving the draft on his computer, Russel Ferrer stands up from his chair and stretched his stiff body a little. He grabbed his black hoodie, headphones, and face mask hanging inside his closet and wore it. Before writing the most important part of his best-selling story, Russel decided to go to the nearest convenience store first to buy an expensive bottle of wine, chocolates, and chips. He will need those snacks to celebrate his accomplishments for finishing the last chapter of his book series. After this, Russel will send his draft to his editor, book a plane ticket, pack his things, and enjoy a whole month of vacation.

After paying at the counter, Russel put his headphone on his ears and put rock music on a high volume. As he walked on the familiar asphalt road, Russel sometimes stopped in his track to do a mini dance or sing the lyrics of the song playing on his headphone out loud with feelings. Since he was wearing a face mask, Russel didn't care if people will throw weird and annoying glances at him.

Checking the time displayed on his phone screen, Russel did not notice a group of teenagers running on the side road. The biggest boy in the group harshly bumped with Russel, making him lose his balance. That huge boy did not even throw a glance at Russel and continued running to catch up with his friends.

Russel wanted to curse that boy when he suddenly felt his body getting hit with something. Everything happened so fast that the only thing that registered in Russel's mind was the fact that he was now laying on the road. His body was aching from head to toe. He wanted to speak and complain, but his body did not move. Russel felt like his body was not his anymore.

Russel saw the people who look at him weirdly a while ago were now surrounding him. He can't understand what they were saying. He can only see some of their gestures. A middle-aged woman looked like having an argument with the police. There was also a woman who held his wrist and tried to communicate with him. Unfortunately, Russel can't hear or understand them.

And then, Russel feels something wet was coming from his head. The liquid flowed quickly on the ground. Russel forced himself to focus his eyesight on that liquid just to see what it was. The liquid was quite thick and it has a dark color red. When Russel realized what it was, he was thinking of a single thought.

He's dying.

'So this is it? I'm already dying?'

It was amazing what goes through your head when you discovered that you were dying. Russel suddenly remembered the embarrassing moments in his life, the first rejection he received when he tried to court the prettiest girl in their school during high school, and the sad feeling when his pet dog died. Then Russel suddenly remembered the time when he first wrote his story.

He never thought that it would become a popular story in just one week and would be published by a popular book publisher in town. Russel was just feeling bored at that time and randomly wrote a couple of chapters of his story, post it online, and turned off his computer. Russel had already forgotten that story he posted online until someone called him and asked for him to sign a contract with them so they will have the privilege to publish his books. And that was the start of his life as a writer.

And after having these thoughts, Russel's list of regrets suddenly flashed in his mind.

He did not have a chance to drink the expensive wine he bought earlier.

He lost his chance to have a vacation after a long time of making himself a hermit crab just to finish every chapter of his book.

He did not yet water his cactus collection placed on the window at the right side of his room.

And most importantly...

He's not yet finished typing the ending of his story!

Russel only needs to type four paragraphs to end his book series. And after that, Russel will give the draft to his editor, he will enjoy himself on an island while enjoying the relaxing atmosphere and his fans will also rejoice. It should be a win-win situation.

Not like this!

Russel wanted to lift his hands. So he gathered his remaining strength to do it. But due to a rapid blood loss, Russel only managed to gently lift a finger. His eyesight was also getting blurry. Russel chose to close his eyes instead and wait for his life to end.

'If miracles do exist, then please hear me out. Just let me finish my novel before I die. I just want to leave something as proof that a man named Russel Ferrer exists in this world.'