Octa-Hedron

Chapter 1- The Encounter - Part 1

Matthew suddenly woke from his fitful sleep, his heart racing from the vivid dream that had haunted him. He lay still for a moment, trying to catch his breath, the images from the dream still vivid in his mind. It felt as if he had glimpsed into another world, one both strange and hauntingly familiar. As he blinked in the soft morning light filtering through his window, Matthew turned his gaze to the mirror opposite his bed. The reflection that stared back at him was a stark contrast to the vibrant boy he once was. At just twelve years old, he felt like an old man, his body weakened by the relentless grip of a terminal brain tumor. His skin pale and drawn, and his eyes sunken and tired. He looked like a ghost of his former self, haunted not just by illness but by the dreams that seemed to whisper of another world beyond his grasp.

Sighing softly, Matthew turned away from the mirror. He didn't want to see the reminder of what he had lost or the uncertainty of what lay ahead. Instead, he focused on the present moment, gathering his strength to face another day. The dream lingered in his thoughts, its meaning elusive yet strangely compelling. He knew deep down that these dreams were more than just random images—they held a significance he couldn't quite grasp, a connection to something larger than himself.

With a deep breath, Matthew swung his legs off the bed, feeling the cool touch of the floor beneath his feet. Each movement was a reminder of his frailty, but also of his resilience in the face of adversity. As he prepared himself for the day ahead, the dream's details began to fade, leaving behind a sense of curiosity and wonder that would linger in his thoughts throughout the day.

Matt stood at the window, gazing out at the world below. The sun had just risen, casting a warm glow over the city. He could see the trees swaying gently in the breeze, and the distant hum of traffic rose up like a distant chorus. He took a deep breath of the fresh air, savoring the feeling of the sun on his face. He looked out at the farmyard, and for a moment, he forgot about his illness. He imagined himself running through the fields, playing with his team. He imagined a future where he was healthy and happy. As he took in the beauty around him, Matt felt a sense of profound gratitude welling up inside him. He knew that life wasn't always easy, but moments like this made it all worthwhile.

But then the reality of his situation hit him again as he turned away from the window, his phone beeped with a reminder to take his medicine. He looked at the clock and saw that it was 7:10 AM. He had to take his pill before breakfast, so he went to his bedside table and opened the medicine box. He took out the pill and swallowed it with a glass of water and caught sight of himself in the mirror again. The new pill was his latest treatment. It was supposed to help control the growth of his brain tumor. Despite this, Matt couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the world around him. It was like every moment was a gift—a chance to experience something new and beautiful. He knew that he didn't have much time left, but he was determined to make the most of it.

After he took the pill, Matt went to his desk and looked at his science assignment. He had been working on it for a few weeks, but he hadn't finished it yet. He knew that he had to finish it today. He took his phone from the drawer and He saw his phone's screen lock picture. It was a picture of him and Cindy, his best friend since childhood. They were both holding the football trophy from when Matthew used to play football.

Matt walked down the stairs to have breakfast, each step a reminder of the athlete he used to be. Not long ago, he would have raced down these same stairs in his practice uniform, bursting with energy and excitement. He remembered how his mother used to call out after him, cautioning him to slow down, but he never listened. He loved the feeling of the wind rushing past him, the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Those days felt like a lifetime ago. 

He could still recall the match where everything changed. It was a crucial game, and he had pushed himself to the limit. He had felt a strange dizziness during the second half but had brushed it off, determined to lead his team to victory. Then, in the final moments, everything went black. He woke up in the hospital, surrounded by worried faces and the sterile smell of antiseptic. No one knew it was coming. It happened so fast; one moment he was on top of the world, and the next, his life had turned upside down. The diagnosis was a terminal brain tumor. The news had shattered his world.