I'm in A Novel?

Chapter 40

Andy once again found herself enveloped in the familiar darkness of her dream, a pitch-black realm where silence reigned and solitude wrapped around her like a heavy cloak. She walked forward with an air of assurance, as if an invisible path stretched out beneath her feet. Over time, she had grown accustomed to this eerie setting—there was no sign of discomfort or fear on her face.

As she took steady steps, her gaze caught sight of a figure in the distance—a girl perched on a weathered bench, illuminated faintly by an unknown light. Intrigued, Andy approached, her heart a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The girl's appearance was unsettling; she had no face, yet Andy sensed a warm smile emanating from her featureless visage. A sense of peace washed over her, negating the usual dread one might feel in such a stark environment.

Drawn toward the girl, Andy hesitated, pondering whether to break the silence. Before she could formulate her thoughts, the girl spoke, her voice echoing gently in the stillness. "Why don't you sit beside me?" The girl, devoid of facial features, seemed to beckon her.

"W-who are you?" Andy stammered, a flutter of recognition stirring in her mind. There was something unsettlingly familiar about the girl, though she couldn't quite place it.

"Hmm, I suppose you have every right to ask me that," the girl responded, her tone contemplative as if she were weighing the significance of the question. As she spoke, Andy felt an unusual connection, sensing that the girl was somehow aware of her innermost thoughts.

"I'm the author," the girl proclaimed, playfully quoting herself with her fingers as if it were an enigmatic declaration.

"The author?" Andy echoed, confusion knitting her brow. She struggled to grasp who the girl was referring to.

"Yes, the very author of the novel in which you're currently a character," the girl replied succinctly, tapping the empty space beside her with an inviting gesture.

Without a moment's hesitation, Andy took a seat beside the girl, enveloped in the strange comfort of her presence.

"I'm the author of 'Beautiful Colors,'" she reiterated, and the name struck a chord deep within Andy, causing her to gasp in astonishment.

"Y-you mean that? For real?" Andy's voice trembled as disbelief etched across her face. "I... I'm speechless," she admitted, grappling with the weight of the revelation.

"I'm just here to check on you," the author said softly. This was not just any novel; it was her labor of love, a piece of her heart woven into every word, and she wanted to ensure her character was thriving.

"I'm happy," Andy replied sincerely, her gaze drifting toward the author. "How do I put this? I’m content with having found my rightful place, but at the same time, there's a tinge of sadness over leaving my real world behind."

"What if I offered you a chance to return? But understand, this time, there's no turning back," the author asked, her tone laden with a sense of gravity.

"I won't return to that world again, Miss Author. I have accepted this reality as my own. Yes, I feel sorrow for the world I left behind, for my childhood and the friends I cherished, but I am who I am here. This place has given me the happiness I longed for, and I harbor no regrets." Her voice held a steadfast conviction, resonating with the truths she had discovered in her new life.

"Okay. That’s exactly the answer I was hoping to hear. You're my one and only reader, after all. I’ll leave this world in your capable hands," the author replied, a gentle smile spreading across her featureless face as she waved farewell to Andy. Andy, overwhelmed with gratitude, waved back, warmth filling her heart.

In that moment, a brilliant light illuminated the darkness, revealing the cover of the book that had shaped her existence. A tapestry of vibrant colors spilled forth, depicting a lush field adorned with blooming flowers, two figures facing each other with joy etched across their expressions. She recognized herself standing across from Kayden, their laughter tangling harmoniously in the air, a testament to their cherished bond. The smile on Andy's face felt unshakeable.