Chapter 1

I don't know how long I've been here, my eyes fixed on the stars. I've always dreamed of becoming an astronaut, of traveling through space, discovering unknown worlds. Who hasn't dreamed of meeting other species, of living extraordinary adventures? But that dream never had the chance to come true. I passed away because of a rare disease, cystic fibrosis, which stole my breath and made my body weak. And I inherited my mother's fragility; so from birth, I only knew life in the hospital.

Still, despite the illness, I was lucky to meet some amazing people. The nurses and doctors who took care of me truly loved me. Thanks to them, I got to live almost like a normal kid. I remember my birthdays, especially my fifteenth. That day, everyone in the hospital, along with my parents, had chipped in to buy me a cell phone. I remember it like it was yesterday. I cried tears of joy, so happy to have something that allowed me to live like others. With that phone, I could finally go on Snapchat, watch videos, and, most of all, read. That's how I discovered fanfiction.

Reading stories, imagining fantastic worlds, helped me escape my bubble, even when I was confined to a sterile room. At night, I dreamed of worlds full of adventure and magic, where my illness had no power over me. My favorite? The witcher 3. I remember the mysterious forests, the villages hidden under the snow, and that soft song Priscilla sang. Her melody, like a promise, said that beyond all hardships, everyone could hope to find their soulmate. That idea comforted me, as if, even with my isolated life, that dream was still possible.

That day, outside, I could see the first snowflakes falling through the window. They danced softly in the wind, like little stars coming down from the sky just for me. Their movements were slow, peaceful. It felt like they had come to accompany me on this final journey.

But that joy didn't last. The inevitable moment arrived, that day when I was at the end of my strength. Barely awake, I felt the end approaching, and I wanted to say something, but the words stayed stuck in my throat. In front of me, my mother was crying, my father held back his tears, and the nurses, my friends, were there, their faces devastated with sadness.

My mother, through her sobs, said, "Forgive me, sweetheart." Her voice was broken, the words almost whispered. My father came closer, putting a trembling hand on my shoulder. "Son, even if you leave us… know that we love you more than anything." His voice broke too, and I saw tears streaming down his face, despite all his efforts to stay strong.

The other nurses and some of the doctors were crying too. After all these years, they had seen me grow. To them, I was almost part of their family.

As I felt my strength leaving me, I managed to whisper, "Thank you… because of you, I had a big family." My own tears fell, but I kept smiling, like one of my favorite heroes.

The world around me blurred; faces faded into a soft haze. But beyond this blur, I thought I could see lights, like stars, dancing and inviting me forward. Just before I completely slipped away, a strange warmth ran through my hands, and something new, something gentle, wrapped around me.

The beep… beep… beep of the machine slowed, drifting away until it became just a faint sound. Then, complete silence. In this endless calm, a new warmth surrounded me. A soft, dim light, like a candle's glow. Maybe I was finally beginning this journey into a world I'd imagined so many times.