"See you later!" a black-haired young man named Adam left the restaurant after greeting his friends and made his way to the university across the street.
Finally! Today's the day I get my degree and apply to the highest paying company, he thought, heart pounding with excitement.
I even got another offer from that international firm last week—$30,000 a month starting salary, plus a promotion to section chief later. That's life-changing money.
He glanced both ways before crossing the street. The traffic lights were red, so he stepped onto the crosswalk.
I should accept their offer. They're offering the most, and it's not just about me anymore. His steps grew faster. My family has sacrificed so much for me. It's time I give them the life they deserve.
At the university gate, Adam scanned the crowd for his girlfriend.
"Weird. She said she'd wait for me at the gate." He reached into his pocket but realized—his phone was missing.
"Ugh, seriously?" he groaned. He hurried back to the restaurant.
Fortunately, his friends were still there, and his phone was safe. Adam grabbed it, thanked them, and left in a rush.
"Phew." He exhaled. "Losing this would've been a disaster—my entire life's on it."
He called his girlfriend as he jogged back toward the university, distracted by the ringing tone and the crowd ahead.
"Hey, where are you? No, you're not at the gate—oh, the other gate. Okay, I'll wait for you at—"
Adam didn't see the truck.
It hit him at full speed. His body flew several meters before crashing to the asphalt. His vision faded to darkness as his life slipped away.
—
When Adam opened his eyes, the sharp scent of antiseptic hit his nose. Bright lights stung his vision.
Where... am I?
He tried to move, but nothing responded. Not his fingers, not his legs, not even his tongue. Panic set in.
He lay like that until a nurse noticed his open eyes and rushed out. A doctor soon entered and began a check-up—but Adam passed out mid-examination.
The next time he woke up, he saw familiar faces—his mother, his childhood best friend, and his girlfriend—standing beside the doctor.
Tears welled in his girlfriend's eyes as she whispered his name.
The doctor leaned in. "I'll ask a few questions. If you understand, blink once. Okay?"
Adam blinked.
"Good. Do you know who you are?"
One blink.
"Is your name Riley?"
Two blinks.
"Ronald?"
Two blinks.
"Adam?"
One blink.
The doctor nodded. "And her?" he pointed to Adam's mother.
One blink.
"Your teacher?" Two blinks.
"Your aunt?" Two blinks.
"Your mother?" One blink.
Then came his girlfriend. "Your sister?" Two blinks.
"Your classmate?" One blink.
"Your girlfriend?" One blink.
"Great." The doctor moved on to Adam's best friend. "Is he your brother?" Two blinks.
"Your classmate?" Two blinks.
"Your friend?" One blink.
"Very good." The doctor turned to the group. "He doesn't appear to have amnesia."
"How long until he recovers?" his friend asked.
"Let's discuss it in my office," the doctor said gravely.
Inside, the truth came out.
"Adam's injuries are beyond repair. His spine, ribs, lungs—shattered. It's a miracle he's alive. But he may not have long. He'll remain in the hospital, paralyzed, for the rest of his life."
His mother and girlfriend broke into tears. His best friend quietly signed the treatment forms.
Days turned to weeks. His girlfriend and mother visited daily. His friend came when he could. Former classmates sent their regards but moved on with their lives.
Adam learned his girlfriend received a job offer overseas but delayed accepting it for his sake. Knowing he had no future to offer, Adam made the hardest choice—he broke up with her. It devastated him, but he wouldn't let her throw away her life.
Eventually, the visits slowed. Only his best friend came now and then.
Adam asked about his family. His sister had dropped out of school to help at a small shop his mother opened. His father took out massive loans to cover hospital bills.
Adam lay awake each night, crying in silence. He had dreamed of giving them a better life—but had become their burden instead.
One night, a stranger approached him.
He spoke of a government-sanctioned gene experiment—an unpublicized medical trial offering money to families of terminal patients.
With nothing to lose, Adam agreed.
He and twelve others were relocated to a secret facility. At first, Adam held on to hope. If it worked, he might live again. If not, at least his family would be cared for.
But there was a third option: failure and survival.
The experiment wrecked Adam's body. He became hypersensitive to pain. He lost his sight and smell. He could no longer even cry.
Pitying his state, the scientists offered him an end—painless, they promised. They'd ensure his family received the money.
Adam agreed, asking only to die under the stars.
They injected a final serum and left him alone in a forest clearing.
As he lay there, Adam recalled his life. Every choice. Every moment. Regret mingled with acceptance.
His breath slowed. His heart stilled.
And then—
—
"...fr… one… get…"
A voice.
Adam's ears twitched. His eyes fluttered open. He blinked—and light flooded his vision.
He was sitting in a high school classroom.
"...!"
Startled, he fell off the chair.
"Adam! Are you okay?" his teacher called out.
He looked around in disbelief.
This... this is my old classroom. My old school!
He touched his face. His limbs moved. His voice worked.
"Yes," he said aloud, his voice trembling with awe. "Yes!"
I can move. I can talk. I can see!
Was this a miracle? A second chance? A dream?
He looked to his right—there sat his best friend, scribbling in his notebook, just as he remembered.
"This is real!" Adam shouted, tears in his eyes.
He stood up and ran out of the classroom.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?!" his teacher shouted after him.
But Adam didn't stop.
This time... I'll live differently.