#10 A Tall Wall Between Us

When I woke up, everything was simply too white for my tired eyes. I gulped hard. Was I dead and in heaven? Truthfully, I wasn't entirely disappointed. Maybe I could finally meet my parents. But then a dark figure appeared in front of me, blocking the bright light in my eyes.

Using all my strength, I raised my hand to get a better look. My heart skipped a beat. The most handsome man on earth stood before me, a wide smile on his perfect face despite looking tired with bags under his eyes, a brisk beard compared to his usual clean-shaven look, and his once authoritative shoulders now slumped with exhaustion.

I realized I had survived that fateful night. My last fading memory was correct. My savior was Jake. I don't know how he found me, but I was glad to be alive. Dead men tell no tales. With this third chance at life, I promised to do better.

"Jake?" I whispered, immediately followed by a cough. It was then I realized how weak I was.

"Here, take some water," my aunt offered. She looked