Chapter Text
Destiny could be a wondrous thing.
My parents were the biggest example of this fact. Maman, a Turkish woman from an Anatolian city, and Papa, a Parisian gentleman.
They first met in Canada as exchange students. Pining for each other but never making a move, they spent one semester being friends before returning to their respective countries, thinking they would never cross paths again. To their surprise, years later, they quite literally bumped into each other in Switzerland.
Papa was a romantic man and always relayed that moment in a way that made Maman blush and roll her eyes.
“The flames had dimmed to embers, only to rekindle again the moment I saw her in the breakfast aisle, holding a jar of Nutella.”
“Must have been a sight with my Crocs and pajamas.”
Papa laughed at Maman's words and pressed a kiss on her temple.
“I saw you during the finals, mon cœur. Nothing could have driven me away after that.”
Maman shrugged, smiling.
“True enough.”
Years after that encounter they were married with two children and still disgustingly in love.
It was a nice story but did not really appeal to me. I had studied and worked all my life, only to do it more as an adult in the IT department of some company. Life was boring and repetitive. Finding a spouse and settling down sounded even more monotonous.
I wanted something exciting, something different – to learn and discover with fervor.
But dreams do not come true.
That’s what I was thinking as I fell asleep in my bed in Istanbul, warm and safe—
Wake up.
It's cold.
Wake up.
I can’t. It's cold and I can’t open my eyes.
Why are my legs numb?
Wake up, or you will die.
I want to sleep.
The voice seemed to sigh and suddenly—
Warmth.
My eyes flew open and I started gasping. Sitting up, I hugged my shivering torso and rubbed my arms for friction. Only then did I take a look around to see that—
I was shrouded in darkness.