"Bert, wake up…" The voice was distant, muffled, like a dream. Who is that?
"Bert, you lazy ass, get up!" It echoed in my ears, tugging at some long-forgotten memory. I knew this voice.
"ALBERT, WAKE UP, YOU DUMBASS! YOUR JOB INTERVIEW IS TODAY!"
My eyes fluttered open, heavy and slow, adjusting to the morning light. The first thing I saw was her. My sister, Rose. Her warm, light-brown skin glowing in the early sun, and her familiar afro framing her face, just like I remembered. And that smile. God, that smile. The one I had missed so much, the one that used to make everything feel alright.
"Finally, you're awake," she teased, her voice gentle but playful. But then, as if a shadow passed over her, the smile vanished, replaced by a look of deep concern. Her eyes widened, filled with worry and fear. Without hesitation, she leapt towards me and began gently rubbing my head.
In a voice so tender, so full of love, she whispered, "I don't know what you dreamt, but it's over now. Your nightmare is over, Albert. Don't cry."
It hit me like a jolt of electricity. This wasn't a dream. I was here, really here. The realization tore through me, and all the emotions I had tried so hard to bury came rushing out.
It was as if a dam had burst inside me. I couldn't hold it back any longer. All the pain, the loss, the unbearable guilt. Every shred of misery that had clung to me like a shadow, I let it all go. My body shook as sobs racked through me, raw and unrestrained. I cried like a newborn, helpless and overwhelmed. And through it all, Rose stayed by my side, whispering soft words of reassurance, her presence anchoring me.
I don't know how long I cried, but eventually, the storm inside me calmed. My breathing steadied. I wiped my tear-soaked face with shaky hands.
Rose, still kneeling beside me, gave me a small, sad smile. "What got you so worked up? I'm sorry if I scared you, waking you up like that, Albert."
I shook my head quickly, trying to clear the fog of emotions. "No, no. It wasn't you. It's just…" My voice trailed off, but then I forced a smile, though my heart was still heavy. "Like you said, it was just a nightmare. But I'm awake now. I'm finally awake."
Her expression softened. "I'm glad," she said quietly, standing up. Her eyes flickered down to where my hand still gripped hers, almost as if I was afraid to let go. I hadn't even noticed. Embarrassed, I quickly released her hand, coughing awkwardly as she smiled.
"Well," she said, brushing off the moment, "I'm happy you're doing better, but… don't forget, your job interview is today! You have to get up. You know Dad will be pissed if you don't land this one."
Her words dragged me back to the present, and my heart sank. "Wait… what day is it today?"
"Uh, it's March 10th," she replied, confused.
March 10th. I had about a week before everything falls apart. Before the apocalypse—what we called 'The Fall.' The end of everything we knew. Other races call it The Culling, where only the strongest survived.
I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening as the weight of it all came rushing back. I won't make the same mistakes. Not again. This time, I won't let them die. Not Mom. Not Dad. Not Rose. Not Eddy, Dougie… any of them.
With determination hardening inside me like steel, I looked up, only to find Rose staring at me, her face etched with concern. "Albert… are you sure you're okay?"
I snapped out of my thoughts, realizing how strange I must have looked. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine!" I said hurriedly, jumping out of bed with far more energy than I actually felt. I walked quickly towards the door. "Don't worry about the interview. I'm not going."
"What?" Rose's voice shot up in disbelief. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE NOT GOING?!"
But I didn't stop to explain. I had no time to waste.
As I ran out of my room, more and more repressed memories surfaced scenes of a better, more peaceful time. Until somehow I ran to my backyard and saw him.
Koda our family dog, laying down sunbathing. He looked just like he did all those years ago, his big head with his white coat and brown spots.
Walking up I said in a shaky voice "K.. Koda, come here."
His head shot up at the sound of my voice, and in one swift motion, he was in front of me.
Happy and waiting for me to continue.
Slowly I brought my hand out, afraid this was a dream. Even after talking to Rose, it was just too good to be true.
Koda looked at my hand slowly coming towards his head and nuzzled his head against it.
Feeling his warmth against my hands filled me with joy.
Getting on one knee I hugged Koda and whispered in a soft tone.
"I won't make the same mistakes again, buddy," I whispered, my voice catching in my throat. "I'm taking you to the top with me this time. No matter what happens, I'll never leave you again."
His fur was exactly as I remembered. Soft yet coarse, warm beneath my fingers. The way his tail thumped against the ground sent a rush of nostalgia through me, so strong it almost hurt.
A memory clawed at my heart, one I had wished I could forget. In the last timeline, I had abandoned Koda. I left him behind to save myself. He had sacrificed himself for me. The guilt weighed down on me like chains. Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes, but I forced myself to swallow them back.
Koda, clueless and innocent, looked up at me with his head tilted to the side, as if trying to understand what was going on. He had no idea. Laughing bitterly, I scratched behind his ears. "You have no idea how much I regret what happened, Koda. This time… this time I'll protect you. I'll protect all of us."
He wagged his tail and licked the tears from my face, his eyes full of the unconditional love only a dog could offer.
I stood up, wiping my face and taking a deep breath. No more tears. No more regrets. I had a chance now—a real chance to make things right. To save my family. To save everything.
"I need to start gathering supplies," I muttered to myself. Water, food, weapons. I needed to be prepared. This time, I'd be ready. I started pacing, ideas swirling in my head, my mind racing with possibilities. Wait… I'm in Northern Virginia. I remember a dungeon opening nearby soon. If I could get there first… if I could clear it before anyone else, I'd earn the first title.
Titles. They were rare. Almost impossible to come by. But if I could earn one—especially the first one—it would change everything.
I glanced up at the sky, a spark of determination flaring inside me. If I could become strong enough… strong like The Pillar… maybe, just maybe, I could save them all. My family. The world.
But I shook my head, pulling myself back to reality. I wasn't a hero. I was just a guy who had already failed once. "Be realistic, Bert. Can a nobody who died a nobody really make a difference?"
But then, as Koda nuzzled against my leg, I smiled, a real, determined smile. Even if I wasn't some legendary warrior, I wasn't going to give up. This time, I would do everything right.
Walking back into the house, I clenched my fists, fire burning in my chest. "Let's get this shit started," I said with a grin. And this time, I wasn't going to mess it up.
This time, we were all going to survive.