Dear Future Me,

I know this might sound weird, but if you're reading this, congratulations! You've finally done it! No, not saving the world from ghouls or becoming a hero or anything that fancy—I'm talking about the one thing you've been dreaming of since puberty hit like a freight train: breaking your virginity. Yeah, I know, it's awkward, but let's be honest. You've spent more time thinking about this than you have about training or studying.

You remember high school, don't you? Those were the days. You'd sit in the back of the class, pretending to pay attention, but really, your mind was somewhere else—like on Sarah Winters. Ah, Sarah, with those blue eyes that could freeze your soul and a smile that could melt it right back. I'm pretty sure you had a permanent case of "schoolboy crush" on her, and who could blame you? She was the kind of girl who could make you trip over your own feet just by walking by.

Then there was Emily Harper. The quiet one, always buried in a book. You thought she was mysterious, like one of those heroines in the novels she read. And then, one day, she looked up, caught you staring, and gave you that shy smile. I bet your heart skipped a beat. Heck, it probably did a full somersault.

And let's not forget Olivia Carter—the one who actually talked to you. She was funny, smart, and completely out of your league. But there you were, thinking, "Maybe, just maybe, she likes me." Yeah, right. Keep dreaming, buddy.

Anyway, I hope by the time you read this, you are the best forensic scientist like you always dreamed of being, you've moved past all those crushes. Maybe you've found someone who likes you for the dork you are. Someone who doesn't mind that you're more interested in saving the world than in going to parties. Someone who understands that you're a hero, even if you don't feel like one.

So, here's to you, Future Me. May your life be full of adventure, excitement, and a whole lot less awkwardness than it was back in the day.

Sincerely,

Past You

Kael Reed wiped his tears as he folded the letter, looking at the ruins of what used to be his home. He managed to find it under a pile of rubble along with his beloved childhood toys and other stuff.

" How could I have let this happen?" he sniffled , his eyes full of tears.

It was funny how life turned out. Back in high school, he was just a kid with crushes and dreams of something more—now, he was part of a special trained team GSG (ghoul swat guardians) that protected the city from ghouls. But unfortunately for him he wasn't able to protect the remaining members of his family,and now they were just a mere memory in a pile of rubbles.

It was now personal. Ghouls had taken his parents from him, slaughtered them right in front of his eyes when he was just a boy. That night had changed everything. From that moment, Kael had vowed to hunt down every last one of those monsters, no matter the cost.

Kael wiped his tears and tucked the letter into his jacket pocket. Fighting ghouls wasn't exactly the career path he'd imagined, but someone had to do it. He stood up and slung his weapon over his shoulder, ready to head out.

****Weeks later*******

" Quickly , we need to occupy block 3,6 and 9 of sunset valley, there's a Ghoul attack detected , be there pronto!"

" Yes sir," Kael responded slumming the receiver.

The night was thick with tension as Kael and his team moved through the darkened streets. They were hunting a particularly dangerous group of ghouls that had been terrorizing the city. His teammate, Jen, was beside him, her eyes scanning the shadows.

They were armed to the teeth, each member of the team carrying specialized weapons designed to take down ghouls.

Kael's own weapon, a massive sword known as "The Reaver," was strapped to his back. It was forged from a unique metal that could cut through even the toughest ghoul flesh. On his hip, he carried a sidearm that fired rounds infused with a rare toxin deadly to ghouls.

"Ready for this, Kael?" Jen asked, her voice low but steady. She held her own weapon, a pair of energy blades that crackled with blue electricity. They could slice through a ghoul's armor-like skin with ease.

Kael flashed her a cocky grin. "Always. Besides, it's just another night, right?"

Jen shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "You're too relaxed. That's why you're still single, you know?"

"Hey, I've got plenty of time for romance after we save the world," Kael shot back, though deep down, he knew she was right. His life was all about the mission. Maybe that's why the letter from his past self hit him harder than he wanted to admit.

Suddenly, a guttural growl echoed through the alleyways, sending a chill down Kael's spine. The ghouls were here.

A massive figure stepped out of the shadows, towering over the team. This was no ordinary ghoul. It was a Predatory Ghoul, a monstrous beast with armor-like scales covering its body and glowing red eyes that pierced the darkness. Its claws were as long as swords, and its teeth were jagged, capable of ripping through steel.

"Shit," Kael muttered, gripping The Reaver's hilt. "That's a big one."

The team sprang into action, fanning out to surround the ghoul. Kael charged forward, The Reaver humming as it activated, its blade glowing with a faint blue light. He swung at the ghoul, aiming for its neck, but the beast was fast—too fast. It dodged the strike and countered with a swipe of its claws.

Kael barely had time to react, raising The Reaver to block the attack. The force of the blow sent him stumbling back, his arms vibrating from the impact.

"Damn it!" Kael growled. "This thing's tougher than I thought."

Jen was already on the move, her energy blades slashing through the air as she darted in, aiming for the ghoul's legs. The blades struck true, cutting deep, but the ghoul didn't even flinch. Instead, it roared in anger, spinning around to swipe at Jen.

"Jen, watch out!" Kael shouted, but she was already in motion, flipping backward out of the ghoul's reach. Her eyes met Kael's for a split second, and he saw the determination there. They had fought too many battles together to let this one be their last.

Kael gritted his teeth and charged again, this time aiming lower. He swung The Reaver in a wide arc, slashing at the ghoul's legs. The blade connected, carving a deep gash in its armor. The ghoul howled in pain, its red eyes blazing with fury.

"I've got it distracted! Now, Jen!" Kael shouted.

Jen didn't hesitate. She leaped into the air, her energy blades flashing as she brought them down in a powerful strike aimed at the ghoul's head. But just as she was about to land the blow, the ghoul moved with impossible speed, grabbing her mid-air and slamming her into the ground with bone-crushing force.

"Jen!" Kael's heart sank as he watched her body hit the ground, motionless. Rage boiled inside him, and he charged the ghoul with a roar, The Reaver swinging wildly. He landed blow after blow, each strike fueled by his anger and desperation. But the ghoul was relentless. It shrugged off his attacks like they were nothing more than mosquito bites.

With a savage roar, the ghoul's claws sliced through the air, aiming directly at Kael. He barely had time to react before the razor-sharp talons raked across his chest, shredding through his armor like paper. The impact was brutal, a savage force that felt like his entire ribcage had been split open.

The force of the attack sent him crashing to the ground, his ribs snapping under the impact. Agonizing pain erupted in every nerve as he felt the claws twist inside him, tearing muscles and crushing bones. Blood gushed from the gaping wounds, pooling around him as he struggled to breathe.

Kael's vision darkened, spots dancing before his eyes. He tried to move, but his limbs refused to obey—his broken bones grinding together with each feeble attempt. The ghoul didn't relent. It slammed a massive fist into his side, and Kael felt his ribs crack further, sharp fragments stabbing into his lungs. He coughed up blood, his mind reeling from the unbearable torment.

In one final, brutal motion, the ghoul lifted Kael by the throat, its claws digging into his flesh as it stared into his eyes with cruel satisfaction. Kael's body convulsed in shock and agony, his strength draining away as the ghoul's grip tightened, bones crunching under the pressure. Darkness crept in at the edges of his vision, the world fading as the life was slowly choked out of him.

This was it. The end. His last, broken breath escaped his lips, and everything went black.

No… not like this…