Something alive.

I reached for it.

The world began to fracture.

And the light went out.

But this time, I did not wake up.

I just held on.

And the truth was finally revealed.

In the dark.

Where it had always been.

Waiting for me.

To open the door.

And let the light in.

Even if it burned us all.

The door opened.

And the light was blinding.

“Claire,” the voice said.

“It is time.”

I stepped through.

And the story began again.

But this time, I had the knife.

And I knew exactly where to strike.

To end the loop.

To save my family.

No matter the cost.

The end was near.

But the beginning was already here.

And the secret mother of his children was finally ready to fight.

To the very end.

And beyond.

The phone buzzed.

“Now.”

I struck.

The screen went black.

And the world was silent.

Except for the sound of my own heart.

Beating.

Beating.

Beating.

Until the end of time.

And the beginning of the truth.

The phone in my hand suddenly lit up again in the dark.