The Beginning

The Second Chance

The sky was dark and heavy with storm clouds, rain pouring relentlessly with no sign of stopping. Walking down the water-filled streets, I finally reached the building. Though, calling it a paradise seemed more fitting—it was the only place in the world that offered me peace.

As I stood at the door, I hesitated, staring at the termination letter in my trembling hands. A wave of emotions surged through me, but with determination, I turned the knob and stepped inside. Crossing the threshold, I entered what felt like a different world, one that had shielded me from the harshness of reality.

Inside my bedroom, my eyes landed on the mirror, where my disfigured face stared back at me—a cruel reminder of the past. The accident had happened when I was a teenager. Growing up in an orphanage had never been a problem; we had food, clothes, and the necessities of life. But everything changed the night a fire broke out on the first floor. Flames consumed everything, leaving behind only ashes and scars. I survived, but at a cost—half of my face burned beyond recognition, my left ear robbed of hearing, and my left eye of sight.

Despite my injuries, I pursued my education, refusing to let my circumstances break me. But the world was unkind. After the fire, the surviving children were relocated to different cities. I was one of them, sent to a new orphanage where I was treated as an outcast. My scars made me a target for cruel jokes, my food was stolen, my books torn apart. Loneliness and suffering became my closest companions. But I endured—driven by nothing but sheer will to create a better life for myself.

And now, that life had crumbled. The termination letter in my hand felt like a hammer, shattering all my years of struggle. Everything I had built, everything I had fought for—it was gone in an instant.

I walked back to the living room, taking one last look at the space that had been my haven for the past few years. Then, without hesitation, I stepped onto the balcony. The cold iron rods pressed against my hands as I climbed onto the railing. Looking up at the stormy sky, I searched for a glimmer of hope—a sign, a miracle. But even the heavens seemed to acknowledge my decision. The constant rain and roaring thunder felt like a farewell.

Closing my eyes, I let go.

Time passed… or perhaps it stood still. I wasn't sure. I remembered falling, remembered the sensation of weightlessness, the rush of wind against my body. They say your life flashes before your eyes in your final moments. And it did—all 42 years of it. Forty-two years of struggle, loneliness, and an endless battle to prove my worth. No one to share my burdens, no one to support me. Just a desperate, unfulfilled wish for a better life.

But something was wrong. I wasn't feeling pain. I couldn't move, couldn't hear, couldn't see. The only thing left was my mind—trapped in an abyss of endless thoughts. Was this death? Was I in heaven or hell? Had my soul simply ceased to exist?

Panic crept in.

Then, suddenly, a flash of light.

When my vision returned, I found myself standing in a valley. A crystal-clear stream flowed gently beside me, birds chirped in the lush trees, and vibrant flowers swayed in the breeze. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue, and the warm sunlight caressed my skin. It was breathtaking. If this was paradise, I was ready to stay for eternity.

"No, child, this is not paradise," a voice said.

Startled, I turned to find an old woman sitting on a chair made of flowers, vines, and branches. Her presence radiated warmth, and her voice carried a soothing melody.

"I brought you here to apologize for my grave mistake," she said gently.

The moment her words reached me, I felt something shift within. A weight I hadn't even realized I carried was lifted from my heart. Years of regret, sadness, and pain seemed to dissolve, leaving me lighter than I had ever felt before.

I took a deep breath, something I hadn't done in what felt like ages. For the first time, I truly let go.

Tears welled up in my eyes and spilled over.

How long had I carried these burdens? How many dreams had I abandoned because of my circumstances? How many times had I wished for a second chance?

And now, in this strange, beautiful place, I finally allowed myself to cry.

And I cried for a long, long time.

The old woman's sweet, melodic voice filled the air. "You have suffered a lot, my child. There were many times I wanted to reach out to you, but I couldn't. The gods' domain has rules."

Her words confused me. Why was she apologizing? Why did she want to help me? What mistake was she talking about?

Sensing my turmoil, she continued, "A grave mistake was made by one of the gods responsible for your fate. Your life was never meant to be filled with suffering. What should have been a life of happiness, love, and comfort turned into one of anguish, pain, and hardship."

I froze. A mistake? My entire existence—every struggle, every tear, every lonely night—was because of a mistake? Was I angry? Of course, I was! Anyone would be! I had spent my life wondering what crime I had committed to deserve such misery, only to learn that it was nothing but an error made by a damn god.

My body trembled with rage, helplessness washing over me. But before I could spiral further, I felt warmth—a gentle embrace. The old woman had pulled me into a hug, her hand softly patting my back. Time seemed to stand still. With every gentle tap, I could feel my anger seeping away.

Wait… my back?

I stiffened in shock. I could feel my body—my hands, my legs, my face. My hearing and vision were restored. I was whole again.

The old woman smiled. "The god responsible for this mistake has been punished, and I was entrusted with the duty of rectifying his error. That is why I brought you here."

I listened, stunned, as she continued. "Gods have rules, and we cannot interfere with the living world. So, I waited for your death and brought your soul back. As part of our apology, you will receive five wishes in a new life—a life in a world of magic, where you will find family, friends, love, and happiness."

Magic? My mind went blank. A world of magic?

Memories of my childhood surfaced—nights spent reading Harry Potter, my only escape from reality. I had always related to Harry, a boy who suffered but was eventually whisked away to a magical world. How many times had I wished for my own Hagrid to take me away from my hell? But as I grew up, I gave up on those dreams, finding solace only in books and movies like Fantastic Beasts and Dumbledore vs. Grindelwald. They brought me fleeting peace before I had to return to my cruel reality.

As if reading my thoughts, the old woman smiled knowingly. "Yes, a world of magic—one that you know well. A world where you will find fantastic beasts, Harry, Dumbledore, Snape… all of them. I will send you there with your five wishes."

My heart pounded. Was this real? Could I truly start over in a world of magic? Could I finally have the life I had always longed for?

For the first time in forever, hope bloomed in my heart.