While digging in the garden, Meera's small shovel hit something hard. Curious, she brushed away the dirt and found an old, rusty key. It was heavy and cold in her hand. That night, she kept thinking about it. The next morning, she noticed a small wooden box in her attic that had never been opened. Her heart raced as the key turned in the lock with a click. Inside was a faded letter… with her grandmother's name on it.
She inserted the key into the box. After a few seconds, she heard a clicking sound. Meera's heart started pumping as fast as a horse galloping. Suddenly, the box opened, and inside it, Meera saw a magical wand and an old book.
She picked up the wand carefully. The moment her fingers touched it, a soft glow surrounded her. The book opened on its own, revealing a page that read: "Welcome, Meera. Your journey begins now."
In her hurry to open the book, Meera's finger was cut by the sharp edge of the box. A drop of her blood fell onto the book. The moment it touched the surface, the book floated into the air and its pages began flipping rapidly on their own. One by one, they turned like they were alive, faster and faster. Then, the entire book began to spin and glow. Suddenly, it stopped — and melted into Meera's chest, as if becoming part of her. Within seconds, her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
When Meera opened her eyes, her head throbbed. She pushed herself to her feet and looked around, but saw only darkness. She tried to speak, yet no sound left her lips. As she struggled, a deep voice rumbled through the void:
"Welcome, Meera. You are the chosen one. You have been sent to a new world where mysteries await—things you could never discover on Earth. Now you may speak."
Meera first tried to touch herself, but her hands passed right through her body. She couldn't feel anything—not even the air around her. It was as if she didn't fully exist.
Suddenly, she realized she could speak again. The first question that escaped her lips was, "Where am I?"
No answer came.
After a few seconds of silence, the deep voice returned.
"It is not important where we are. What matters is—do you agree with me?"
There was another long pause. Meera's thoughts raced. Finally, she asked, "What about my existence on Earth?"
The voice answered coldly:
"Everyone has already forgotten you."
Her breath caught. A chill ran down her spine. She whispered her final question: "What happens if I reject?"
The answer came—and it was one so terrifying, so unnatural, it made
Meera's entire being tremble.