{This is a short chapter, just introductory it tells about the interests and nature of the protagonist}
School was coming to an end in about a month, and Sana had already finished her syllabus. In fact, she didn't feel the need to revisit it after thoroughly studying it in class. Instead, she found herself more captivated by designing things. Creating something new was far more intriguing than flipping through the same pages again. Whenever frustration crept in, she turned to cooking. The aroma of spices worked like magic, melting away her stress. She particularly loved the Maillard reaction—the delightful chemical interplay between amino acids and reducing sugars that gave her dishes their rich, savory flavors.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang. It was her friend, as expected. She often came over during exam season, always seeking Sana's help with physics. And Sana, as usual, couldn't bring herself to say no.
Sana's ambitions lay in genetics; she dreamt of delving into the mysteries of DNA after school. Her friend, on the other hand, had her sights set on medical college. Conversations between them often veered into the realm of medicine, diseases, and treatments, fueled by her friend's parents being doctors.
Sana patiently began tutoring her friend.
Hours later, her friend's doubts were resolved, but Sana was drained. The house was unusually quiet—her parents and siblings were out. Realizing they were both hungry, Sana decided to whip up a quick meal for the two of them.
Night had fallen, and they shared dinner together. Sana was utterly exhausted by the end of it. Yet, she found herself calling Ishu, another friend, for ice cream.
Ishu, as always, was a burst of energy. She laughed heartily, teased everyone, but had a heart full of kindness. When she left around 10 PM, the house felt emptier than before.
Sana, alone now, decided to study. However, a strange unease settled over her. Something felt... odd.
She wandered over to the window. The night outside was serene—a full moon lit up the sky, and a gentle chill hung in the air.
As she prepared for bed, the doorbell rang again. Confused, she went to check. Was it Ishu, back again?
Sana opened the door cautiously. A blinding flash of light hit her eyes. Before she could react, a strange sensation swept over her, as if the ground had disappeared beneath her feet. It was terrifying.
When the sensation subsided, Sana found herself standing in front of the same door. Trembling, she opened it and stepped out, only to find herself on an unfamiliar street.
Fear surged through her veins. It was a starry night, but nothing about the place felt familiar.
She turned to retrace her steps, only to discover that her house had vanished. Instead, a pristine river stretched nearby. She couldn't recall any such river in her neighborhood. Its water shimmered under the moonlight, crystal clear and calming. It was rare to see something so untouched and beautiful.
For a moment, her fear eased as she gazed at the tranquil scene. The calmness of the water stilled her racing heart. Judging by the sky, it seemed to be between 1 and 3 AM.
But how had she gotten here? Her memory was blank.
Sana was absorbing the peaceful view when suddenly, she felt a cold hand on her shoulder
"English is not my first language. It is my first time trying my hand at writing something. I will try to write better slowly try to write better vocabulary"