Claire's fingers trembled as she unfolded the aged, yellowed parchment. Her eyes scanned the delicate, familiar handwriting—each word blurring through a flood of unfallen tears.
She sat at the windowsill, the late evening sun casting golden light across her pale face. Her lips parted, but no sound escaped, only the faint tremble of her shoulders as she drew in a shaky breath.
Danny's voice echoed in her mind with every line she read.
Her heart clenched so tightly it felt like it might simply shatter.
She had spent countless nights wishing for a sign—something, anything—that his sacrifice hadn't been in vain.
And now… this letter, written in a time and place that should no longer exist, had found its way back to her.
Hope and despair wrestled within her chest.
Had he truly found a way back? Or was this his final goodbye?
Outside the window, the world seemed to hold its breath.
The setting sun dipped beneath the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of crimson and gold—as if the heavens themselves were bleeding out the last light of day.
The faint ocean breeze carried the scent of salt and distant storms, whispering like forgotten prayers across the quiet room.
And within Claire's trembling hands, the letter seemed almost warm, as though his presence lingered within every stroke of ink.
📜 The Letter – Danny's Final Words
*"My dearest Claire,
If you're reading this, it means I found the gap between fate and freedom.
It's not a place you can see… but it exists in every choice, every heartbeat that dares to defy destiny.
I don't know how long it will take… but I will find my way back to you.
And if I don't… promise me one thing—raise our child to choose their own fate.
Don't let them inherit my chains.
Let them be the first to live truly free."*
"With all that I am—always,Danny."
As Claire folded the letter back with trembling hands, a single beam of light pierced through the darkened clouds, illuminating the distant horizon.
And there, just for a heartbeat…
She saw him.
A figure standing at the edge of reality, smiling.
And then—he was gone.
Or had he ever really left?
🎬 [End of Chapter 28 – The Edge of Forever]