Chapter 0 [Prologue] – The End of the Road
The coffin sinks into the depths. My old friend Vincent is gone, it is sad that someone so talented has left us so soon. I believe that all geniuses have a dark side to their minds, unfortunately, my esteemed colleague, was a victim of his own genius.
The gravedigger throws dirt over the coffin and I realize that, like my wife, Vincent has now returned to dust. As his grave is filled, a reflection on the meaning of existence shakes my thoughts; is this the only possible path to reach at the end of this road? In the end, do we all find darkness and return to dust? It is difficult to say if life has any meaning or some hidden purpose, but, according to my recent experiences, I believe there is only one conclusion to these morbid reflections: The only certainty in this mystery we call existence is its end, the end of the road, darkness, death.
The days pass and little by little my life returns to normal, there is just one small problem, the muscle pain, which started shortly after Vincent's funeral. In this state of intense pain, my body feels twice as heavy, my veins burn and I constantly feel tired. These strange pains began to worry me, so I decided to go to the doctor. I don't think it's anything serious, it's probably grief, or rather, the way my body is reacting physically to the recent losses of my friend and my wife. The appointment will be tomorrow, and I'll have answers soon.
I leave the doctor's office knowing that I have little time left to live. Apparently, these pains I've been feeling are due to cancer. Because I don't like going to the doctor very much, this monster wasn't diagnosed before it spread throughout my body. I only have two or three years to live, said the doctor, if a miracle occurs, four years. Because of the state the cancer is in, the operation is impossible, my only alternative would be chemotherapy. The doctor argued that there is a small chance that I can beat this damn disease. However, I don't want to spend the rest of the little time I have left suffering even more from radiation. I prefer to isolate myself and enjoy my last moments of life.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
I spend days reflecting on this damned disease, this Rhabdomyosarcoma, which is slowly eating away at my muscles. I don't feel scared, I strangely feel relieved. In a short time, I will be reunited with my beloved Anna and my old friend Vincent. In a few years, death will come, as it always does for all living beings.
Three months have passed since the funeral, and my daily reflections have led me to create a plan. I've already planned everything, I found a quiet place to go, a small town, in the interior of the extreme south, with around four hundred inhabitants; Beautiful Hills.
My bosses have already noticed that I am acting strangely, and today they will finally know why. At the end of my shift, I tell them about my condition. Everyone is shocked, some insist that I try treatment. I know they just want to see me well, but I tell them that this decision is mine alone and I do not want to fight a useless battle. This is not the path I want to follow.
I ask for retirement. It is clear that my bosses and colleagues are sad that I am leaving the publishing house. However, even though they are sad, they agree and make an agreement that is extremely consistent with the years of service I have provided to them. After all, the invaluable number of writers I have recruited for the publishing house has never been surpassed by anyone. Right after signing my retirement agreement, I say goodbye to everyone and go about my business.
Within a few weeks, almost all of my furniture was unloaded into my new home. Thanks to Rodrigo, my neighbor, I am able to take everything I need. “This must be my final trip” I think as I look at my old Syclone, Rodrigo is by my side, after helping me put old Bob, my beloved dog in the truck, the young man says goodbye and I set off towards my new home.
