As Annalise strode through the night, a scoff erupted from her lips as she reflected on everything that had transpired.
There is no death, no escape—so it seemed.
Must she continue to endure this harsh world where no one valued her? Why did everyone prefer to ignore her? No more. She would not accept this life.
Who was orchestrating this torment? Why couldn't they simply leave her alone and allow her to fade away?
With every thought, water streamed from her eyes. She felt nauseated by her existence and exhausted by life.
For the second time that day, Anna's face was streaked with tears as she marched down the street, observing crowds of people wrapped up in their own lives, as if she were invisible.
Not a single person bothered to check on her and ask why she was crying.
She pressed on tirelessly until she reached the bridge. The cars sped by, indifferent to her plight, allowing her to face her reality in an unbothered silence.
The last thing she needed was someone trying to pull her back. Her final choice was water. If she was yanked back from this, something was wrong. This meant she was bound to live on, even if she had no idea what this reset truly entailed and whether it would allow her to break free from the cycle.
It was a cold, unforgiving night as Annalise stood at the bridge, her gaze fixed on the water miles below.
She had made a resolute decision: if she ended it all, everything would finally be alright. She wouldn't waste another moment trapped in misery, nor would she endure a life of poverty.
This was her third attempt to end it, yet somehow she always returned to the same point just before the leap.
The horror of what she had experienced lingered in her mind.
Why should she continue to live? There was nothing left worth fighting for.
Once, she had lived as a princess, indulging in extravagance without a care. Then everything changed. Her family went bankrupt, and here she was, staring at the abyss, ready to put an end to it all.
Embracing poverty was not an option she could accept. She had been spoiled—getting everything she desired, showered with love and support from her family, surrounded by friends. Now, she had been cast aside, her friends gone, her boyfriend's betrayal fresh in her mind. Her wealth had vanished, and with it, everyone she had relied on.
What was left for her in this life when it felt like it had all crumbled?
As tears streamed down her face, she looked at the water below, a distance that made her heart race. She had tried this before, she reasoned; she could do it again.
Annalise took a step back, then rushed toward the edge but stopped short, her fear anchoring her. Like the times before, doubt clawed at her resolve.
Wiping her tears, she muttered to herself, "I can do this." She took another step forward but halted again, mesmerized by the depths.
"I'm scared," she internalized. "If only I could..." Closing her eyes, she thought of surrendering to the fall. It seemed easier that way. But fear gripped her, forcing her to open her eyes again, biting her lip in frustration.
Should she turn away? Wasn't a life of poverty worse than death? What would those who had once admired her riches say? They would mock her, tearing her down even more. No, she had to see this through.
With this in mind, Annalise leaped from the bridge, diving headfirst into the dark water below.
She clenched her body as she braced for impact, then plunged into the icy depths. With water invading her senses, panic set in as she struggled to find her way back to the surface. Pain coursed through her, and she felt her body waging a war against the water.
Death was a brutal reality, but at that moment, she doubted her ability to achieve it.
The water enveloped her, pulling her deeper into its cold embrace. As she ceased her struggle, her once wide and panicking eyes fluttered close, bubbles escaping her nose as she surrendered to the darkness, letting it wrap around her.
Had she truly escaped life?
Would she not return?
At last, she believed she was gone... free from it all.
Until, "Miss, what are you doing over here?" Annalise snapped back to reality as a police officer approached, his flashlight illuminating her tear-streaked face. He squinted at her. "This area is dangerous. Move to the safer side," he commanded firmly.
At first, confusion washed over her, but then clarity struck like lightning. She was back, back to that dark moment where she had wanted to end it all.
Who was responsible for pulling her back? Why was death refusing to welcome her?
Questions surged through her mind, but answers were nowhere to be found. She had been certain she plunged into the water, fully aware of every agonizing moment of drowning, every desperate struggle to escape.
Yet somehow, she was now here. This was impossible. How had she returned?
Again!?
For the third time!
"Miss, you need to move to a safer location," the policeman said firmly, gesturing in the opposite direction. Annalise stood still, seemingly oblivious to his words.
"Miss!" he called out more forcefully this time.
"Huh?" Annalise finally responded, snapping back to reality.
"I said you need to step away from here. This area is dangerous," he reiterated. Annalise turned on her heel and walked away without a word, leaving the policeman watching her, uncertain if she had a plan or destination.
He shook his head and resumed his patrol, aware that danger could lurk around any corner.
Annalise walked without a clear direction, her mind swirling. She felt utterly lost, moving forward only to escape a torrent of emotions. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to process the overwhelming pain that had consumed her. This year had begun with promise, but now it felt like a curse. She couldn't even find solace in death; anguish was her constant companion.
Eventually, she slowed, catching sight of a shop that was still open. The food displayed outside caught her attention, and her stomach growled in response. She longed to eat, but she had no money.
Just as she considered moving on, a voice interrupted her thoughts. "Youths these days… whenever something goes wrong, the first thought is to end it all."
Annalise narrowed her eyes, her attention drawn to the beggar sitting near the restaurant, an elderly woman.
"What did you say?" Annalise replied, irritation creeping into her tone.
The woman sighed. "Life can be brutal, but thinking of death at every setback is misguided. Everyone faces challenges; there's no situation you've been in that nobody hasn't."
"Like you know anything about my life," Annalise snapped back. "Do people just fall from riches into misery like I have!?"
The beggar remained calm. "Death isn't the answer. Many fail to realize that it doesn't come when you truly need it. Embrace life and push through. You never know what opportunities lie ahead."
Annalise felt a surge of bitterness. Who was this woman to lecture her on life? A beggar who sat idly with a bowl—what could she possibly understand? It was infuriating.
She watched as the elderly woman gathered her belongings, preparing to leave. "My work here is done. Live on, live on, live on…" she said, her words lingering in the air while Annalise glared, perplexed by her audacity.