Far Yet Close

Become a Flower

Jewel went to the coffee shop, hoping to meet her editor for the first time. When she entered the coffee shop, a woman with blond hair pointed to Jewel to the seat next to her.

"Hi, I'm Agatha Clarks. Nice to meet you," Agatha said.

"Hi, I'm Jewel Iris. Nice to meet you too," Jewel said.

The waitress came and both of the women ordered cappuccino.

Jewel looked at Agatha who seemed to be the same age as her. Agatha wore nearsighted glasses. She had a mole under her eye. Agatha was the editor who was said to be excellent in her craft by one of Jewel's friends, Georgina.

"So Jewel, I've heard your motivations for being a writer from various sources. Your feelings are something that any fan can relate to. But not every fan can switch their job and focus full-time on writing. Ahh... I envy you," Agatha said with a sigh. "Being super rich at such a young age that you could afford me, that's just out of this world."

Jewel had heard about Agatha's previous work as an editor and all of them were bestsellers. Jewel just hoped her new story would convey the message that life is worth fighting for with the help of Agatha.

"Since you are an editor, do you know where Stephen McPhillan is from," Jewel asked.

"I have no clue. Since English is a universal language, he can be from any part of the world," Agatha said.

The waitress gave the women cappuccino and left. The women started drinking their coffee.

"I am willing to be your editor, but there is one condition," Agatha said.

"What is it?" Jewel asked.

"You must be capable of proving that you can change another person's mind. Sure, as the past CEO, you must have done this multiple times, but convincing someone to live to their full potential is another story. Prove to me that you can write a powerful story that leaves a deep impact on people," Agatha said.

"But how?" Jewel asked.

"Let's go to the Juris Hospital and I'd like you to convince the person I'm about to show you to live her life to the fullest. If you can convince one person, that means you can convince many with your writing," Agatha said.

After finishing their coffee, Jewel paid the bill and they both got inside Jewel's car.

"So can you describe who this person is and what happened to this person? Jewel asked.

"The girl's name is Hanna. She is my friend's niece. She is twelve years old, was good at sports, and was highly ambitious. Her family and her got into a car accident. Thankfully, the parents was all right with minor injuries, but the girl who woke up two days later needed a leg surgery. Now the girl is suffering from PTSD," Agatha said.

They reached the hospital. Agatha guided Jewel to Hanna's room. There were many strangers, especially patients, smiling at Jewel while moving forward. Jewel smiled back.

"They must be happy that a person like you, who cares about the well-being of others exists," Agatha said.

Jewel smiled sadly, "Life is painful at some point in life. We need another person in times like that to give us support, especially emotional support."

The two women reached the room. When they opened the door, they saw Hanna's parents sitting on the couch. Hanna's Dad had plasters on both his arms. Hanna's Mom had a few stitches on her forehead. Hanna's parents told Agatha and Jewel to come in. The two women got inside and closed the door. Hanna was looking in the direction of the window, her face facing opposite to them.

"Hanna, look who's here to visit you?" Hanna's Mom said with a smile.

Hanna looked at the two women.

"Agatha, why did you bring her?" Hanna asked, turning her head, her voice wobbly. "I don't want to talk to anyone."

Agatha went towards the girl, and blocked her view of the windows. Agatha lowered herself until she could hold the girl and give her a tight hug. The girl started to sob and it could be heard in the entire room. Jewel looked at her parents, who were also now sobbing uncontrollably.

"You are safe now," Agatha said. "Cry as much as you want in my arms."

The girl cried for a long time, holding Agatha. After some moments, Hanna stopped crying.

"I'm alright. You can stop hugging me now," Hanna said, her eyes swollen with tears. Hanna pushed away Agatha lightly with her weak hands. "Agatha, why was I given a life in this world if I had to die one day? What's the use in loving? Look at my parents. What would I do if something happened to them? What's the use in being ambitious? Look at my legs. Everything around me is painful. I'm scared of living. There is no use in it," Hanna said.

Jewel remembered Stephen. She felt that Hanna must be feeling the same as Stephen since both seem to be ambitious and loving people. Stephen and Hanna have now experienced how death might feel like. Seeing death is different from experiencing a similar situation yourself. Jewel may not be able to console them. Nor anyone. But she won't give up in trying to help them or anyone who needs help.

Jewel came forward. Hanna looked at her when she heard the approaching footsteps.

"You are right. There is no reason to live when the probability of pain is coming closer day by day. Even if we overcome the present pain, we might have to experience the next disaster that comes by. But you know what? You are scared of death because you are blessed and blessing is a curse in the face of death. But you can't be sure you can experience any form of blessing once you are dead. Right?" Jewel said to Hanna.

Hanna looked down. Someone knocked at the door. Hanna's parents told the person to come in. It was a little girl with a bouquet in her hand. She came straight towards Hanna. Hanna looked up.

"Who is this pretty little girl?" Agatha asked.

"Her name is Rachel. She is my friend," Hanna replied.

Jewel smiled, "How thoughtful of her to bring you flowers."

"She brings flowers everyday," Hanna said.

Rachel gave the bouquet to Agatha. "Hanna, that's to remind you something that everyone including you knows. Flowers are beautiful even if they may only live for one day. They brighten up everyone."

Hanna thanked Agatha, Jewel, and Rachel for cheering her up.

"Jewel, would you think of me too while writing your book? I too want to find the strength to live on," Hanna asked.

"Sure," Jewel said with a smile.

Jewel and Agatha went outside the hospital.

"Hanna gave me an idea on what to write about," Jewel said. "I'm going to write about friendship since that is what connected me to Stephen's story the most and Hanna want me to help her regain peace."

"But you need to ideate on more stories, one cannot suffice," Agatha said.

"Trust me," Jewel said.

"Okay, then send me a summary of your idea,"

"Sure done," Jewel said.

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Connecting with the Sun

The year is 2040. Global warming has increased multifold and the stars have come closer than they were. A unique disease called the ubistar has developed which hit the vast population. Once a person gets a star on their wrist, they get a power along with a life-threatening disease that may last for days to some years. The power come along with terrible pain. Many people suicide because of the disease. Out of nowhere, the disease became communicable.

Harris got ubistar at 14 with the least powerful power he knew in the world. His power was that he would be able to choose one of his reincarnations stored in the star. He could not know the identity of the person, only the personality. Out of all his past life, he chose the one that made him depressed the most.