"No….," I shouted, with my soul drowning in the darkness, but in all the darkness a light seemed to come from somewhere, and my feet started following it, knowing nothing. I subconsciously followed the light. As I walked towards the light, a sense of hope began to fill my heart. It was as if a new path was being illuminated before me, guiding me towards redemption and a chance at making amends. With each step, I felt a renewed determination to right the wrongs I had committed and to find a way to heal the wounds I had caused. I don't know why I did it, but something inside me, asking about doing it, as if it's telling me that beyond that light that are answers to my question, the answers that lead to my death. Walking and walking....., until the light blinded my eyes, making it hard for me to see anything, but in all that light. I could sense a strange calmness and a feeling of weightlessness. It was as if I had entered a different realm, detached from the physical world. As the light engulfed me, I couldn't help but wonder if this was the beginning of my journey towards redemption or the end of my existence altogether.
I sensed someone's touch on my arm, shaking my body. And a voice called my name. "Leona," I heard the voice calling me again and again. The voice was of a person who is long dead in reality but still alive in my memories. I didn't even know what was happening. All I can remember now was the bloodshed of the war and my death at the hands of that person who I trusted the most, "Leana," the voice called yet again. And suddenly, that light that was minutes ago was blinding my eyes, changed and everything turned visible in front of me. But how is it possible that it's not possible, not for a bit? I was dead if I remember, so why am I lying now on my bed in my room that I used to use when I was living with my mother? What's happening? I looked at myself and scanned my hands and legs, and nothing seemed right. Why aren't there any wounds or scars on them? Not even a trace of blood. I'm all clean, and where does the tattoo on my neck go, the one I got on my twentieth birthday?
"Leana, wake up. How long do you want to sleep? It's already noon," says the voice, again. I glanced up and ran into the arms of the owner of the voice. "Mom, you're alive," I said, scanning her, touching her, making sure what I was seeing was all real and not some kind of dream. Relief washed over me as I felt the warmth of her embrace, confirming that she was indeed standing before me. However, confusion still lingered in my mind as I couldn't comprehend why my body appeared untouched despite the traumatic events that had occurred. "I'm very well and alive. You might have a nightmare," she replied, pinching my nose hard, and it hurts. A nightmare, but everything was so real. Not it wasn't a nightmare, everything was real, there was the bloodshed, the dead, all those innocent people and even mine. But if I was dead, then I wouldn't be able to feel any pain. This is all true. I'm alive somehow, and mom is too. But, how? But, how did we survive? How were we able to escape the tragedy unscathed?
"Stop dreaming and go change. Your uncle has a guest coming, you know," Mom said, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Guest who? I don't know what she was talking about, and where am I, and is mom alive too? Are we the only ones that were alive or everyone else? There are so many questions in my mind now. I shook my head, seeing my phone lying on the side table. Yes, my phone can give me the answers to all my questions.
Wait, March 3rd, 2018.
I came five years in the past, but why today? Wait, the guest. Mom said we are having some uncle guests. If I'm not wrong, then today is the day when I met Dan for the first time. Maybe that's why I'm here, to change the events of the future, not only me but everyone else whose life got ruined because of me. It was the same as that day. I had two choices: Dan and Augustas. But I put all my trust on Dan because of his lies and fake kindness and made the worst decision of my life. As I stood there, reminiscing about that fateful day, a sense of regret washed over me. I couldn't help but wonder if today was my chance to make amends and set things right. The weight of the past weighed heavily on my shoulders, urging me to seize this opportunity for redemption. But I'm not the same person as before. I'll choose what's right this time. I will jot the gift that's given to me. This time, I will make sure no one dies because of my mistakes. I vowed to learn from my past and use it as a catalyst for positive change. With determination in my heart, I took a deep breath and stepped forward, ready to face the consequences of my actions and make a difference in the lives of others. I'll change the future this time by rewriting it all again. I will rewrite the future by rewriting my own story, making amends for the pain I have caused and ensuring that my actions bring about healing and growth. This time, I will not let fear or selfishness guide me, but rather empathy and compassion. I am ready to embrace this opportunity for redemption and create a better world for myself and those around me.