Karl woke up earlier than usual, feeling a sense of unease. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. He tried to brush it off as mere paranoia, but the feeling lingered.
As he rolled out of bed, his phone rang, shrill and insistent. Karl groggily reached for it, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He glanced at the screen, but the caller ID showed "Unknown".
Karl hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to answer it or not. But something compelled him to pick up.
"Hello?" Karl said, his voice husky from sleep.
"Meet me at the mall at 6:00," a low, gravelly voice said, before the line went dead.
Karl's eyes widened in surprise. Who was that? And why did they want to meet him at the mall?
Despite his reservations, Karl felt a spark of curiosity ignite within him. He decided to go to the mall, if only to satisfy his curiosity.
As he arrived at the mall, Karl looked around, trying to spot the mysterious caller. But there was no one in sight.
Just as Karl was about to give up, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Richard, the same person Karl had thought was dead.
Karl's eyes widened in shock. "Richard? But...but you're dead!"
Richard smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm afraid that's not true, Karl. I'm very much alive."
Karl's mind reeled as Richard led him to a quiet café on the outskirts of the mall.
"Who are you, Richard?" Karl asked, his voice shaking with confusion. "What's going on?"
Richard leaned in, his eyes locked on Karl's. "I'm an eternal being, Karl. I've lived countless lives, in countless worlds."
Karl's eyes widened in stunned silence. "What? That's impossible!"
Richard chuckled. "Not for me, Karl. I can travel between realms, between dimensions. And I've come to this world, to meet you."
Karl's mind was reeling. Eternal being? Realm travel? It sounded like science fiction, but the look in Richard's eyes told Karl that this was real.
As Karl sat there, trying to wrap his head around the impossible, Richard smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"I know it's a lot to take in, Karl," Richard said. "But trust me, this is just the beginning of an incredible journey."