One

~New York

On a hot May afternoon, the city's famous street was unusually quiet. The sun blazed down, casting long shadows as a sleek vehicle sped down the empty road, its engine humming with urgency. Behind the wheel, she gripped the steering tightly, her eyes focused and determined. She knew that even a minute's delay could derail the one-month entertainment plan she had meticulously crafted. There was no room for error, no time to lose. Every second counted.

Elsa, a bright-eyed medical student, had been eagerly awaiting her summer break when her friends stumbled upon the adventure of a lifetime—a one-month escape they discovered through a discreet travel agency. This wasn’t just any trip; it was an expedition into the unknown, a journey to places where the boundary between life and death blurred into a fine line. The plan was to scale treacherous mountains, dive into the mysterious depths of the oceans, and disconnect from the world entirely. No phones, no internet—just raw, unfiltered experience.

The catch? They had to sign a waiver that released the agency from any responsibility if things went south. It was a gamble, a test of courage, and the thought of it sent a thrill down Elsa’s spine. She wasn’t one to shy away from danger; in fact, it called to her, whispered promises of adventure and discovery. But convincing her father to let her go? That was the real challenge.

She knew how protective he was, and convincing him to let her go seemed impossible.

Now, she was just fifteen minutes away from the airport, her heart racing as the anticipation built. Suddenly, her phone rang, breaking the tension. Suppressing a smile, she took a deep breath and answered the call, bracing herself for what was to come.

"Dad, you've called me three times in the last forty-five minutes," Elsa said, trying to keep the frustration out of her voice.

He had finally agreed to let her go after countless pleas, but now the worry had set in. She could hear it in his voice, the way he repeated himself, as if afraid that once she stepped onto that plane, he wouldn’t be able to protect her.

She sighed, half-listening as she expertly navigated the road.

"I promise, Dad, I’ve got all your advice locked in. But I really have to go. Once I get to the airport, I’ll be turning off my phone, and you won’t be able to reach me. But don’t worry… nothing’s going to happen to me," she said, her voice softening with love.

"Alright, take care, and God willing, everything will be fine," he finally said, reluctantly letting her go.

She ended the call and tossed her phone onto the dashboard, still connected to Bluetooth. Her mind wandered for just a second, but it was enough. Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of her car. Her heart jumped, and she slammed on the brakes, but it was too late—the car hit him.

"Oh God..." she whispered, her hand flying to her forehead in disbelief. She scrambled out of the car, her pulse racing. A young man lay on the ground, face down, blood streaming from a deep cut on his forehead. His face was already covered in blood, and he was groaning, barely conscious.

Elsa looked around, her mind spinning. The street was empty—no witnesses. Her eyes darted to her watch. Only ten minutes left before her flight, and the hospital was in the opposite direction. If she took him there, she would miss the flight for sure, and all her plans would be ruined.

She stared at the young man, torn. His moans of pain filled the silence, making the choice unbearable. She could save him, take him to the hospital where he might have a chance. But if she did, her dream of this adventure—one she had fought so hard for—would be lost.

She hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing down on her chest. What kind of person would she be if she left him there? But what about the trip, the freedom, the escape she so desperately needed?

Her heart pounded, time slipping away with each agonizing second.

"I can't miss this trip. I'm sorry," she muttered, stepping back as her hands trembled while opening the car door.

The voice of her conscience echoed sharply in her mind, “If you’re leaving him here to die, do you even deserve the degree you’re going to earn next year?” Shame surged within her, the thought gnawing at her resolve. No, she had sworn to serve humanity. She couldn’t just leave someone to die like this.

Determined, she turned back, hurriedly placing the young man in the car. But as she slid into the driver’s seat, panic flared— the key was missing. She exhaled deeply, her gaze shifting toward him.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling. The young man was wiping his face with a tissue, oblivious to her concern. The moans that had filled the air earlier were gone, replaced by an eerie silence. Elsa’s heart quickened—something was off.

"You weren’t even walking, and now..." The words froze on her lips as he turned to face her. For a moment, she was struck speechless, entranced by the sheer beauty of his features. His thick, upward-set hair shimmered with a color that seemed to shift between honey and brown, or maybe something else entirely—something she couldn’t quite place.

Strands of his hair fell across his broad forehead, likely tousled from his fall. She found herself unable to tear her gaze away from his face. His eyes, larger than normal, blinked rapidly, blood seeping into them, obscuring their color. His lips, finely carved as if by an artist’s hand, and his proud, steep nose... Words failed her as she tried to capture his perfection. Even his lips seemed tinged with an unknown hue, though she couldn’t decipher what it was. She almost smiled at the absurdity—this was a boy, yet he possessed an otherworldly allure.

"Will it be cleansed by your nose?" she thought, her mind spiraling into strange territories. He wasn’t smiling, but she could tell that if he did, deep dimples would appear in his cheeks. She realized her hand was still on the key as she stared at him. His eyes were now clear, and he was gazing directly at her. In that moment, when he opened his eyes fully, it felt as if time itself had stopped for everyone except him.

The stranger pulled a device from his pocket—something resembling a mobile phone—and took her picture. Then, he began speaking in a language she didn’t understand, the world around them seeming to freeze. It was as if he existed in a different reality, disconnected from her entirely. He slipped the device back into his pocket, blinking again, and suddenly, time resumed. Elsa’s eyes locked onto his.

"There’s magic in his eyes," she thought helplessly, yet unaware of how dangerous that magic could be for her. The stranger’s gaze held her captive, and as the light in his eyes met hers, a strange enchantment overtook her mind.

Everything around them transformed into a surreal landscape. He spoke again in that foreign tongue, and Elsa found herself nodding, completely under his spell. The car moved at his silent command, heading in a direction she hadn’t intended. Her eyelids felt heavy, as if glued open. She had no idea that she wasn’t just leaving town today, but the very planet—on a journey so long and with such a beautiful but cruel companion, that returning might be impossible.

They drove until they reached a place cloaked in darkness, even in broad daylight. She couldn’t understand why the light couldn’t penetrate there. It felt as though they had reached the end of the world, even though they were only half an hour away. The place was hidden from the eyes of the world. They both stepped out, and the stranger looked into her eyes again, blinking twice. Elsa fainted, collapsing into his arms.

A brilliant light descended from the sky, enveloping them. The ground shook, and when the light faded, they were gone. The place they had been standing slowly dissolved, as if someone had tucked it away inside a small, invisible ball. All that remained was the road, leading people back to their ordinary destinations.