Return by Death

Adam slowly opened his eyes, his vision coming into focus as he realized he was lying on a worn-out park bench. The evening light was soft and gentle, and a cool breeze carried the faint scent of wet earth and fresh grass.

Above him, the sky stretched wide and unfamiliar—a mix of soft blues and muted grays that hinted at a new day beginning.

For a moment, he sat very still, trying to understand where he was and how he had come to be in such a strange place.

He looked around, noticing every little detail: the rough texture of the bench beneath him, the dew-covered leaves rustling in the nearby trees, and the quiet murmur of distant birds.

His eyes then wandered to his scattered belongings. Bags, notebooks, and a few personal items lay haphazardly on the cold, hard ground near the bench.

These small objects were silent witnesses to something momentous that had just taken place—a moment that had shattered his old world and thrown him into a life that was both painfully familiar and entirely new.

As Adam slowly rose from the bench, memories he had long tried to forget began to seep back into his mind. He remembered the day his life took a darker turn—a day when everything fell apart.

In his previous life, he had been an ordinary office worker whose world had been ruined by one powerful man: the city's mayor. This man and his family had played a cruel role in destroying Adam's family, leaving behind only a bitter taste of loss and sorrow.

The memory was sharp and painful, and with every breath, Adam could feel that old anger and hurt bubbling up inside him.

Lost in his thoughts and the heaviness of his past, Adam began to gather his belongings. His hands moved slowly as he picked up each item, and his mind was far away—recalling the harsh moments when his life had spiraled into misery.

He remembered how, back then, everything had changed in a single moment, and how the actions of one man had led to endless heartache.

The weight of those memories pressed down on him, and he could almost feel the icy grip of regret and despair on his heart.

His quiet contemplation was suddenly shattered by the sound of mocking laughter. Two boys appeared from behind a cluster of trees, their eyes glinting with mischief.

One of them smirked and said in a teasing tone, "Hey, we thought you'd already left your village after kickout from university." The words cut through the air, harsh and unkind, echoing the very humiliation that had once scarred Adam during his university days.

Adam tried his best to ignore their taunts. He focused on his task of collecting his scattered things, wishing he could simply disappear from their cruel attention.

But the boys were not so easily satisfied. They began to follow him, their laughter growing louder and more mocking with each step. With every taunt, a familiar sense of dread crept over Adam.

He could feel that old, painful memory of humiliation returning, the kind that had once made him feel small and powerless.

Before Adam could collect his thoughts, one of the boys suddenly lunged forward. In a flash, the boy swung his leg hard and struck Adam sharply on the waist.

The blow was unexpected and painful, and it sent Adam stumbling forward. His bags flew from his grasp, scattering across the rough surface of the road.

A searing pain shot through him, and he instinctively reached out his hands, only to find that they were now marked with fresh scratches—small cuts that stung and reminded him that this was not a dream.

The boys burst into even louder laughter as they watched him struggle. "What's the matter? Are you getting angry? Look at you, letting it all out," one of them jeered, his words dripping with cruelty.

For several long seconds, Adam stood there, dazed and hurt, his eyes fixed on the ground as he tried to understand the sudden rush of pain and humiliation.

The laughter of the boys echoed around him, merging with the soft sounds of the early morning, creating a bitter contrast between the peaceful surroundings and his inner turmoil.

Just as the boys began to relax their mocking tone, a small group of people appeared on the scene. Their arrival seemed to make the boys pause, and sensing that things might soon escalate, the two mischievous youngsters quickly backed off.

However, as they retreated, one of them threw a parting curse over his shoulder. "Don't think this is over… this is just a glimpse of John's power. Your real hell is about to begin." The words hit Adam hard, like a cold wave washing over him.

The mention of John—the man who had ruined his life—stirred a mix of fear and burning anger deep within his heart.

Standing alone again, Adam knelt on the pavement and gently examined the scratches on his hands. He ran his fingers lightly over the fresh marks, feeling the sting of the pain with every touch.

In a soft, almost trembling voice, he muttered to himself, "Is this a dream or is it really happening?" The question lingered in the quiet air, full of uncertainty and fear, as if the very fabric of reality was blurring before his eyes.

Before Adam could delve deeper into his thoughts, a kindly stranger stepped forward. The man's face was kind and lined with concern.

"Kid, you shouldn't stay here too long… there are too many thugs around," he said in a gentle yet firm tone. His eyes were warm and caring, and for a moment, Adam felt a small spark of hope. Bowing his head in gratitude, Adam replied softly, "Thank you, sir. I'll be on my way."

With the stranger's help, Adam began to pick up his belongings once more. The act felt almost symbolic—a small step towards regaining control over a life that had been thrown into chaos.

As he gathered his scattered items, he could not help but whisper under his breath, "This doesn't feel like a dream… Have I truly leaped back in time to the very moment when everything began?" The question was filled with both wonder and dread, for it meant that he might have been given a chance to change the course of his life.

As Adam resumed his journey down the quiet street, his mind was a swirl of emotions.

The soft rustling of the leaves, and the distant sound of traffic all formed a background that contrasted sharply with the turmoil inside him. His heart pounded as the memory of John Walker came flooding back. John was not just any man—he was the one who had destroyed his family and had been the architect of his past misery.

Now, John was also the man destined to end Adam's life in the future. The mere thought of him ignited a fierce, burning anger inside Adam—a deep desire for revenge that promised to one day set things right.

Yet, even as the fire of vengeance burned within him, Adam knew he was not ready to face John Walker just yet. He was still wounded, both in body and in spirit, and his mind was clouded by the pain of past failures and humiliations.

For now, his only thought was to find a safe haven—a place where he could rest and gather his strength. The night was slowly drawing near, and the city was beginning to stir in its own quiet way.

In the midst of his troubled thoughts, a comforting memory surfaced. Adam remembered a time when a dear friend had offered him shelter during one of the darkest periods of his life.

The thought brought a small, fragile smile to his lips. That friend had been a beacon of hope when everything seemed lost, and now, that memory gave him the strength to move forward.

With renewed determination, Adam clutched his belongings tightly and began to walk, his steps slow and steady along the empty road.

The street was dimly lit by a few scattered streetlights, their soft glow casting long shadows on the pavement. The air was cool, and every small sound—the rustling of leaves, the distant hum of a car engine, and even his own footsteps—seemed to echo the uncertainty of his new reality.

At one point, as he passed a quiet corner of the street, Adam paused for a moment to look up at the starry sky. The night was clear, and the stars shone brightly, as if offering him guidance in the darkness.

For a brief moment, the beauty of the night soothed his troubled mind. But the peace was short-lived. The harsh memories and the reminder of his ruined past soon crept back, and the warmth of the stars was replaced by the cold realization of the life he had lost and the challenges that lay ahead.