4

The pounding of my heart echoes in my ears as I make my way down the stairs, my mind racing with questions and confusion. How could I still be alive? Was there some kind of mistake? I thought I had accepted my fate and made peace with it, but now I find myself thrust back into the realm of the living, unsure of what to do or how to feel.

As I reach the ground floor, I hear voices coming from the lobby. I take a deep breath and step out into the open, trying to appear calm and collected despite the turmoil inside me. Two men in suits are standing near the front desk, their heads bent together in conversation. When they see me, they turn to face me, their expressions unreadable.

"Miss, we've been looking for you," one of them says, his voice formal and clipped.

"I'm sorry," I reply, my voice shaking slightly. "I must have...lost track of time."

The two men exchange a glance, and I can tell they're not convinced. But they don't press the issue, instead motioning for me to follow them out the door.

As we step outside, I'm hit by a wave of bright sunlight and the smell of exhaust fumes. It's a typical city morning, bustling with activity and noise. But everything feels different now, somehow. The air tastes sweeter, the colors more vibrant, the sounds more alive.

I follow the men down the street, my mind whirring with questions and doubts. What had happened to me? Was this some kind of miracle? Or a cruel twist of fate? I try to push the thoughts aside and focus on the present moment, but it's difficult. The world seems both exhilarating and terrifying, full of endless possibilities and potential dangers.

As we approach a sleek black car parked by the curb, one of the men opens the door and gestures for me to get in. I slide into the back seat, feeling like a stranger in my own body. The two men take their places in the front, and the car pulls away from the curb, leaving behind the only life I've ever known.

As we speed through the city streets, I can't help but wonder what the future holds. Will I ever be able to go back to my old life? Or will I be forever haunted by the mystery of my own survival? Only time will tell.