Theo stared out the window, watching nothing in particular, just letting his thoughts circle around how long this boring class would drag on. Seven hours in university today. he felt every minute of it.
He wasn't special - not a genius, not a slacker. Just a guy doing his best because that's what you're supposed to do. Family mattered, his own plans mattered. Politics and drama around him - not so much.
The bell finally rang.
"Alright, that's it for today. You may go" the professor said.
People started packing up.
"Theo!" someone called.
He turned and saw Ronald - childhood friend, almost like a brother. Tall, dark hair, athletic, that confident look he always had. Captain of the football team, and honestly he looked the part.
"Hey, we're going to karaoke later. Wanna come?" Ronald asked, glancing at his girlfriend, Carla.
Carla... she was beautiful in that cool, distant way. Blonde hair, elegant posture, a smile that always felt a bit icy. Theo liked her once, maybe still did a little, but he wasn't an idiot - she was with Ronald, and that was the end of it.
"I can't today," Theo said. "Family dinner. Elena's coming back."
"Oh? She is? Damn, it's been two years. Tell her I said hi. See you later."
"Sure."
Ronald walked off, Carla immediately noticed him and smiled. They started talking. Theo grabbed his stuff and headed out.
His thoughts drifted to Elena - strict but caring, always teaching him something. He missed her.
Outside, the sky was painted orange and red by the sunset. He started walking home, thinking of what they'd talk about tonight.
A scream tore through the air. High, sharp, terrified.
Theo turned. Two men were dragging a schoolgirl to a black minivan.
"HEY!" Theo yelled before he even thought about it.
The men stopped. One of them, the bigger one, stepped forward.
"Problems? Get lost before I break you."
Theo's body moved before his brain did. The girl whimpered - and that was it for him.
He charged, punching the man in the torso, then the head. The guy barely moved.
"You piece of shit!" the man roared and punched Theo so hard his teeth rattled.
Theo fell, tasting blood. Something felt loose in his mouth.
He kicked the guy in the groin out of pure instinct.
"Argh!"
Theo scrambled up, chest heaving.
"Hurry up and finish him!" the second guy shouted.
"Shut up! F*ck!" the first growled and pulled out a knife.
The moment was fast and messy. Pain exploded in Theo's side - the knife went in deep. But he clung to the man's arm, stopping him from ripping it out.
"Leave him! He's done!" the second yelled.
The knife was yanked free, leaving fire in its place. The man turned to run.
Theo didn't think. He just grabbed the knife and jumped on him, dragging the blade across the man's neck.
Warmth sprayed his hand. The man screamed, then collapsed, and Theo fell on top of him, punching and stabbing until his vision blurred.
The second man, shaking, pulled a gun.
Four shots.
One smashed into Theo's lung.
Another tore into his stomach.
A third ripped through his arm.
The fourth hit the car tire behind him.
The girl sprinted away crying.
Theo sagged against the vehicle, breathing in wet, painful gasps. The sunset looked strangely beautiful - almost unreal.
Memories flickered through his mind:
childhood...
Elena yelling at him...
summer by the sea...
school...
friends...
everything he lived...
Elena... sorry. I won't get to tell you anything. But... I hope you'll be proud. I... did something right...
His vision dimmed.
The world dissolved.
Darkness wrapped around him, heavy and soft at the same time. No sound, no floor, no sky - nothing. Just weight and weightlessness switching places, like he was falling and floating all at once.
He couldn't tell how long it lasted.
Then - a cry. Sharp, loud, like a newborn. It cut through the void.
Light followed behind it.
Shapes appeared. Two women. One holding him - literally holding him - the other helping. Their voices sounded muffled, like underwater, but he felt the meaning somehow.
Then he was lifted toward a woman with long white hair. Her blue eyes were gentle. Her skin looked impossibly soft.
She pressed him to her chest.
"...my boy..."
He didn't know the words. He didn't know the language.
But the meaning hit him anyway.
He had been born again.