Chapter-1 [ The Threshold of Fate]

My name is Ethan Avery. I am seventeen years old, and tomorrow, I'll turn eighteen. I became an orphan at a very young age and have lived alone ever since. My life lacks excitement; I often sit in my room, daydreaming about something—anything—interesting happening.

"Ethan," I muttered to myself, checking the pantry, "looks like I'm out of supplies for tomorrow. Better head to the supermarket."

I stood from my bed and stepped outside. Glancing up, I noticed the sky was overcast, dark clouds swirling ominously. "Better make it quick," I thought, hoping to avoid the impending rain.

After hurriedly grabbing what I needed from the store, I started my jog back home as the first drops began to fall. The rain quickly intensified, turning my jog into a sprint. Just as I reached my building, a loud clap of thunder startled me. My foot slipped on the wet stair, sending me tumbling down. As I rolled, a sharp pain erupted in my head, and I could feel warm blood trickling down my face.

"Am I going to die like this?" I gasped, lying crumpled at the foot of the stairs. "If there's an afterlife, I need to ask God—why? Why this colorless existence?"

My vision blurred, fading to black, but just as I was about to surrender to the darkness, a brilliant light enveloped me, and I lost consciousness.

(Author's Note: Friends, this is my first attempt at writing a novel. Please forgive any mistakes. Thank you!)