CHAPTER 2

As I stared blankly at the ceiling of my room, the conversation I had with the strange man kept replaying like a tape in a walkman.

He shook his head and said, "No, but you will be needing me in the next 21 days."

He asked me to meet him at the location the next day written on the piece of paper he gave me.

As I contemplated whether I should meet him or not my elder sister, Luna knocked at the door and called me downstairs for dinner.

The pesto pasta my dad made usually makes my mouth water but I couldn't bring myself to eat even a single bite.

I closed my eyes with a firm decision made up in mind;

I wanted to see what that strange man had to say.

I went to bed with a single thought revolving around my head; Does this man know anything about the number on my wrist.

As I woke up the next day, I realized I didn't have school because it was a holiday. I looked at my wrist and saw the number had changed.

It was no longer a 21 but a 20 firmly printed in black.

I quickly got dressed, grabbed an apple and made my way to the location he had given me. The trip was short but I couldn't shake off that dreadful feeling hovering over me.

I knew something bad was going to happen; I just didn't know what.

I finally reached the assigned location and it turned out to be an Italian restaurant called Little Italy. As soon as I entered the aroma of freshly cooked pasta filled my nostrils.

I saw that strange man sitting in the corner waiting for me.

"Hey, you were waiting for me!", I exclaimed.

"No, I was waiting for my lasagna" he replied dryly. I sat down while rolling my eyes.

''You said I will be needing your help for the next 21 days. How will you be helping me? I don't even know you. Who are you? What's your name -"

"Easy there, Ophelia. Remember, curiosity killed the cat? Also not 21 days. Its 20 now. Didn't you look at your wrist this morning. How forgetful of you" He said while shaking his large empty head.

"How did you know about the number on my wrist? Who are you? What do you want from me?" I was filled with these questions and I didn't know how to get all their answers at once.

I couldn't believe what my ears had heard as the words slipped from his mouth.

" I'm Damon. I come from the heavenly world that you humans aren't aware of. I'm Xavier's guardian angel. The number on your wrist was printed by me. I have chosen to assign you with a very important mission which deals with life and death literally. You are chosen to go back in time and prevent him from committing suicide.''

For the first few seconds I sat their frozen. It was like time had stopped and I couldn't bring myself to move. And then suddenly, I broke out laughing.

"And yeah I saw pigs flying over my head today. Even a five year old won't believe what you just said''

That maniac smirked and said, " I knew this would be your reaction. I know it's hard to believe what I'm saying but please just hear me out. You will have 20 days to make Xavier change his mind. Also you won't be alone. I'll give you a remote and you can press the button whenever you need me."

I sat there, rolling my eyes; not believing a word he said. However I was curious why I was given only 20 days and he said that it took 20 days for Xavier to make this decision.

It was in the last 20 days that my classmate was planning to take his life and no one knew.

I still didn't believe what Damon had said and asked him to leave me alone. All this information, even though I don't know till which extent its true, made me really overwhelmed.

Suddenly he snapped his fingers and everyone froze. The sound of people talking, the slurping of their soups and maybe even my heartbeat for a few seconds. They all froze.

I closed my eyes, waiting for whatever it was, to approach me.