Los Angeles,

California,

United States of America,

2024 AD

The Westfield Mall bustled with holiday shoppers, a sea of bags and weary faces beneath twinkling decorations. Eric Johnson navigated the crowd carefully, one hand on his daughter Lily's shoulder to keep her close. His wife Sarah walked beside them, looking at storefronts with a mixture of excitement and exhaustion.

"What do you think, sweetie?" Sarah asked, gesturing to a display of glittering ornaments. "Should we get some new decorations this year?"

Lily shrugged, her eyes wandering. "I guess."

Eric shared a look with Sarah over their daughter's head. At five years old, Lily was usually a bundle of energy and excitement, especially when it came to shopping. Today she seemed subdued, almost lost in the holiday chaos around them.

"You okay, pumpkin?" Eric asked, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Lily nodded, but her gaze had fixed on something across the walkway. Eric followed her line of sight to a toy store window. A plush purple unicorn sat front and center, its rainbow mane sparkling under the lights.

"Oh, that's pretty," Sarah said, noticing where Lily was looking. "Do you like it, Lily?"

The little girl's eyes went wide, but she quickly looked down at her feet. "It's okay," she mumbled.

Eric bit back a smile. He recognized that look - Lily wanted the toy desperately, but was too shy to ask. She'd always been that way. It was a trait that he loved but it did worry him a little. He and Sarah had been trying to encourage her to speak up more, but it was a slow process.

He caught Sarah's eye and gave a slight nod toward the store. She understood immediately, a grin spreading across her face.

"Hey Lily," Sarah said brightly, "why don't we go check out those decorations? Maybe we can pick out a special one just for you."

Lily perked up a bit at that. "Okay!"

As Sarah led their daughter away, Eric ducked into the toy store. He located the unicorn quickly and brought it to the register, joining the line of other last-minute shoppers.

While he waited, Eric found himself thinking about his little family. He and Sarah had met in law school, both driven and ambitious. They'd gotten married right after graduation, determined to build successful careers before starting a family. For years, they'd thrown themselves into their work, climbing the corporate ladder and making names for themselves in their respective fields.

But something had been missing. When they finally decided to have a child, it felt like their whole world shifted. Lily's arrival had changed everything, softening their sharp edges and reminding them of what really mattered in life.

"Next in line, please," the cashier called, jolting Eric from his thoughts.

He stepped up to the counter, placing the unicorn on the conveyor belt. "Just this, please," he said with a smile.

The cashier, a young woman with reindeer antlers perched on her head, grinned back. "Aw, this is adorable. Last-minute Christmas shopping?"

Eric chuckled. "You could say that. My daughter's had her eye on this, but she's too shy to ask for it."

"That's so sweet," the cashier said as she scanned the toy. "I'm sure she'll love it. My little sister has one of these, and it's her absolute favorite."

Eric nodded, picturing Lily's face on Christmas morning. "I hope so. She's been having a bit of a tough time lately, adjusting to kindergarten. I'm hoping this might cheer her up a bit."

The cashier's smile softened. "I'm sure it will. Sometimes the littlest things can make the biggest difference, you know?"

"That's very true," Eric agreed. He paid for the unicorn and tucked the bag discreetly under his coat before rejoining Sarah and Lily.

They'd moved on from the ornaments and were now examining a display of scented candles. Lily was giggling as Sarah dramatically sniffed each one, making exaggerated faces at the various scents.

"Ooh, this one smells like Grandma's apple pie," Sarah exclaimed, holding out a cinnamon-colored candle for Lily to smell.

Lily took a tentative sniff, then wrinkled her nose. "Ew, no it doesn't! It smells like..." She paused, searching for the right word. "Like fake apples."

Eric laughed, joining them at the display. "Well, we can't have fake apple smell in our house, can we? What do you think, should we get one?"

Lily shook her head. "No way. They're stinky."

"Alright, no candles then," Sarah said, putting the offending item back on the shelf. "Did you find one you like?"

Lily nodded, holding up a delicate glass snowflake. "This one. It's sparkly."

"It's beautiful," Eric said. "Just like you."

Lily beamed at the compliment, some of her earlier shyness melting away.

"All set?" he asked, looking at Sarah.

She nodded, stifling a yawn. "I think we've done enough damage for one day. Ready to head home, Lily-bug?"

The little girl yawned in response, rubbing her eyes. "Yeah. I'm hungry."

Eric checked his watch, surprised to see how late it had gotten. "Tell you what," he said, "how about we stop for pizza on the way home? As a special treat?"

Lily's eyes lit up. "Really? Can we get the one with the stuffed crust?"

Sarah laughed. "I think that can be arranged. But only if you promise to eat some vegetables tomorrow to make up for it."

"Deal!" Lily said, suddenly full of energy again.

"I can't believe how late it got," Sarah said, zipping up her coat as they stepped out into the chilly evening air. "Time flies when you're spending money, I guess."

Eric laughed. "No kidding. Good thing tomorrow's Saturday. We can all sleep in a bit."

"Can we make pancakes?" Lily asked hopefully.

"I think that sounds like an excellent idea," Sarah said. "What do you say, Daddy? You up for some pancake flipping?"

Eric grinned. "Always. But I seem to recall someone promising to help me last time, and then mysteriously disappearing when it was time to do dishes."

Lily giggled, not at all abashed. "I had to go play with my dolls. It was very important."

"Oh, I see," Eric said solemnly. "Well, I suppose dollhouse management is a full-time job. But maybe this time you could pencil in some dish-drying, hmm?"

"Okay," Lily agreed easily. "But only if I get extra syrup."

Sarah laughed. "She drives a hard bargain, this one. Wonder where she gets that from?"

Eric raised an eyebrow. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm a perfectly reasonable negotiator."

"Uh-huh," Sarah said. "Tell that to opposing counsel next time you're in court."

Their banter was interrupted as they reached the car. Eric fished the keys out of his pocket, pressing the button to unlock the doors.

"Alright, munchkin," he said, opening the back door for Lily. "In you go."

As he helped her into her booster seat, making sure she was securely buckled, Eric was struck by a wave of love so intense it almost took his breath away. How had he gotten so lucky?

He remembered the long nights of studying in law school, the stress of bar exams and first jobs. The arguments he and Sarah had had early in their marriage, both of them too focused on their careers to really see each other.

And now here they were, with this amazing little person who had changed everything.

"Daddy?" Lily's voice broke through his thoughts. "Are you okay?"

Eric realized he'd been staring at her, lost in his own head. He smiled, leaning in to kiss her forehead.

"I'm perfect, pumpkin," he said. "Just thinking about how much I love you."

Lily beamed. "I love you too, Daddy. This much!" She spread her arms as wide as she could in her car seat.

"Wow, that's a lot," Eric said seriously. "I think I might love you even more than that, though."

"Nuh-uh," Lily protested. "That's not possible."

"Oh, it's very possible," Eric assured her. "In fact, I love you to the moon and back."

Lily's eyes widened. "Whoa. That's really far."

"It sure is," Eric agreed. He gave her one more kiss before closing her door and climbing into the driver's seat.

Sarah was already settled in beside him, scrolling through her phone. "I called in our pizza order," she said. "It should be ready by the time we get there."

"You're a genius," Eric said, leaning over to give her a quick kiss.

As he started the car and began navigating out of the parking lot, Eric felt a deep sense of peace settle over him. This was what mattered. Not the big cases or the courtroom victories, but these small, perfect moments with his family.

He glanced in the rearview mirror, seeing Lily already half-asleep in her car seat. Her little face was relaxed, one hand clutching the stuffed dog she took everywhere.

"She's out like a light," he murmured to Sarah.

Sarah turned to look, a soft smile on her face. "Poor thing. All that shopping wore her out."

"Think we should skip the pizza and just head home?"

Sarah considered for a moment, then shook her head. "Nah, let's get it. We can always reheat it if she's too tired to eat now. And I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

Eric's stomach growled in agreement, making them both laugh. "Pizza it is, then," he said.

As they drove through the familiar streets of their neighborhood, decorated for the holidays with twinkling lights and inflatable Santas, Eric found himself thinking about the future. What would Lily be like when she grew up? Would she follow in their footsteps and become a lawyer? Or would she forge her own path entirely?

Whatever she chose, he knew he and Sarah would support her every step of the way. That's what family was all about, after all.

They pulled into the parking lot of their favorite pizza place, the neon "OPEN" sign glowing in the darkness.

"I'll run in and grab it," Sarah offered. "You stay here with Sleeping Beauty."

Eric nodded. "Thanks, hon. You're the best."

As Sarah headed into the restaurant, Eric turned in his seat to check on Lily. She was still sound asleep, her chest rising and falling with deep, even breaths.

He reached back to gently brush a strand of hair from her face, marveling at how much she looked like Sarah when she slept. She had his eyes, everyone said, but the rest was all her mother.

Eric thought about the unicorn hidden in the trunk, imagining Lily's face when she unwrapped it on Christmas morning. He couldn't wait to see her eyes light up, to hear her excited squeals.

That's the real gift, he realized. Not the toy itself, but the joy it would bring her. The memory they would create together.

Sarah returned a few minutes later, the heavenly smell of pepperoni and cheese wafting from the boxes she carried.

"Mission accomplished," she said as she slid back into her seat. "One extra-large stuffed crust pizza, plus a side of garlic knots because I'm weak and they smelled too good to resist."

Eric laughed. "You know me so well. Shall we wake the sleeping princess, or make a run for it and eat all the pizza ourselves?"

Sarah pretended to consider it. "Tempting, but I think she'd never forgive us if we ate pizza without her. Even in her sleep, I bet she can smell it."

As if on cue, Lily stirred in the backseat. "Mmm," she mumbled, her eyes fluttering open. "Pizza?"

"That's right, sweetie," Sarah said. "We're almost home. Think you can stay awake long enough to eat some?"

Lily nodded sleepily. "Uh-huh. I'm hungry."

Eric started the car again, heading for home. As they drove, Lily gradually woke up more fully, chattering about what toppings she wanted and whether they could watch a movie while they ate.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

By the time they pulled into their driveway, she was fully awake and bouncing with excitement.

"Can we eat in the living room?" she asked as Eric helped her out of her car seat. "Please, please, please?"

Eric looked at Sarah, who shrugged. "Why not?" she said. "It's Friday night, after all. Let's live a little dangerously."

"Yay!" Lily cheered, racing toward the front door.

As they settled in for their impromptu pizza picnic, Christmas movie playing softly in the background, Eric felt that wave of contentment wash over him again.

This was his world. His family. His everything.

And he wouldn't trade it for anything.

As the evening wore on, Lily's energy began to flag once more. Her blinks grew longer, her words more mumbled.

"I think it's bedtime for someone," Sarah said softly, stroking Lily's hair.

"Not tired," Lily protested weakly, even as she leaned heavily against Eric's side.

Eric chuckled. "Of course you're not. But how about we go upstairs and read a story anyway? Just for fun?"

Lily considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. But a long one."

"Deal," Eric said, scooping her up into his arms and made his way upstairs.

After teeth were brushed and pajamas were donned, Eric settled into the rocking chair in Lily's room, the little girl curled up in his lap. Sarah sat on the edge of the bed, smiling as Eric began to read.

"Once upon a time, in a land far, far away..."

Lily was asleep before they reached the halfway point of the story, but Eric finished it anyway, his voice soft in the quiet room. When he finally closed the book, he looked up to see Sarah watching him with a tender expression.

"What?" he whispered, careful not to wake Lily.

Sarah shook her head, her eyes suspiciously bright. "Nothing. Just... I love you. Both of you."

Eric's heart swelled. "We love you too," he murmured.

They tucked Lily into bed together, each placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. As they left the room, Eric pulled the door closed behind them, leaving it open just a crack the way Lily liked it.

Back downstairs, they cleaned up the leftovers of their pizza dinner in silence. As Eric wiped down the coffee table, he noticed the shopping bags still sitting by the door.

"Oh, I almost forgot," he said. "I should go hide that unicorn before Little Miss Curious finds it."

Sarah nodded. "Good idea. I'll finish up here."

Eric retrieved the toy store bag and headed for their bedroom closet, where they kept their stash of Christmas presents. As he tucked the unicorn safely away, he imagined again how Lily's face would light up when she saw it.

Returning to the living room, he found Sarah curled up on the couch, scrolling through her phone.

"Hey," she said, looking up as he entered. "Today was nice."

Eric chuckled, running his fingers through her hair. "Agreed. Though I think my wallet might disagree with the 'nice' part."

Sarah laughed softly. "Hey, Christmas only comes once a year. We're allowed to splurge a little."

The peaceful moment was shattered by a sudden, piercing noise from outside.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Eric jerked upright, startled. "Is that the car alarm?"

Sarah frowned, sitting up as well. "Sounds like it. Maybe a cat jumped on it or something?"

The alarm continued to blare, cutting through the quiet night. Eric sighed, pushing himself off the couch. "I'd better go check it out before it wakes up the whole neighborhood. Not to mention Lily."

"Want me to come with you?" Sarah asked, already reaching for her shoes.

Eric shook his head. "Nah, I've got it. Probably just need to reset the system. I'll be right back."

He grabbed his keys from the hook by the door and stepped out into the cool night air. The alarm seemed even louder outside, echoing off the surrounding houses. A few lights had already come on in the neighbors' windows.

Great, Eric thought. Just what we need – angry neighbors right before Christmas.

He jogged down the driveway, pressing the button on his key fob to silence the alarm. The noise cut off abruptly, leaving an almost eerie silence behind.

As Eric approached the car, he scanned the area, looking for whatever might have set off the alarm. A stray animal, maybe, or a fallen branch from the big oak tree that overhung their driveway.

He saw nothing out of the ordinary. The car sat undisturbed, its dark surface reflecting the glow of the streetlights. Eric frowned, circling the vehicle. No scratches, no dents, nothing to indicate why the alarm had gone off.

Weird, he thought. Maybe the system's just glitchy. I'll have to get it checked out...

His train of thought was interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind him. Eric turned, expecting to see Sarah coming to check on him.

Instead, he found himself face to face with a stranger.

The man was disheveled, his clothes ragged and dirty. His hair was long and unkempt, partially obscuring his face. But as he stepped into the pool of light cast by the streetlamp, Eric felt a jolt of recognition.

No. It couldn't be.

"Well, well," the man drawled, his lips curling into a sneer. "If it ain't the hotshot lawyer himself."

Eric's blood ran cold as the pieces fell into place. "Marcus Reeves," he said, fighting to keep his voice steady. "What are you doing here?"

Reeves grinned, showing yellowed teeth. "What, no warm welcome? After all we've been through together?"

Eric's mind raced. Marcus Reeves – convicted of armed robbery and assault nearly a decade ago. Eric had been the prosecutor on the case. It had been one of his first big wins, sending Reeves away for a long sentence.

A sentence that clearly hadn't been long enough.

"You shouldn't be here," Eric said, taking a step back. His eyes darted toward the house, wondering if Sarah had heard anything. "You're violating your parole."

Reeves barked out a harsh laugh. "Parole? You think I give a damn about parole?" His eyes were wild, unfocused. "You ruined my life, you sanctimonious prick. Took everything from me."

Eric held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Look, Marcus, I understand you're angry. But this isn't the way. Let's talk about this reasonably—"

"Reasonably?" Reeves spat on the ground. "There ain't nothin' reasonable about what you did to me. Ten years, Johnson. Ten goddamn years of my life, gone."

"The jury made that decision, not me," Eric said, trying to keep his voice calm. "I was just doing my job."

"Your job," Reeves sneered. "Must be nice, havin' a job that lets you destroy people's lives and still sleep at night."

Eric's heart was pounding. He needed to de-escalate this somehow, needed to get Reeves away from here. Away from his family.

"Marcus, you shouldn’t have come here," he said. "My family has nothing to do with this. Why don't we go somewhere else, talk this out?"

For a moment, something like uncertainty flickered in Reeves' eyes. Then his gaze hardened, and he reached into his jacket.

Eric's breath caught as Reeves pulled out a gun.

"No more talk," Reeves growled. "No more justice system bullshit. This ends now."

Time seemed to slow. Eric was acutely aware of every detail – the cold sweat breaking out on his skin, the rough texture of the driveway under his feet, the distant sound of a dog barking.

He thought of Sarah, probably wondering what was taking him so long. Of Lily, sleeping peacefully upstairs, unaware of the danger just outside.

"Marcus," Eric said, his voice low and urgent. "Think about what you're doing. You don't want to add murder to your record."

Reeves' hand tightened on the gun. "Don't you get it? I got nothin' left to lose. You saw to that."

"That's not true," Eric insisted. "You're out now. You have a chance to start over, to build a new life."

"A new life?" Reeves laughed bitterly. "You think it's that easy? Nobody wants to hire an ex-con. Can't get a decent job, can't find a place to live. Everywhere I go, people look at me like I'm trash."

Eric's mind raced, searching for the right words. "I know it's hard. The system isn't perfect. But there are programs, resources—"

"Save it," Reeves snarled. "I don't need your damn pity."

He raised the gun, aiming it squarely at Eric's chest. Eric's heart hammered against his ribs, every instinct screaming at him to run, to fight, to do something.

But he couldn't move. Couldn't risk provoking Reeves into firing, not with his family so close.

"Please," Eric said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I have a daughter. She's only five."

Something flickered in Reeves' eyes – pain, maybe, or a hint of the man he'd been before prison had hardened him.

For a moment, Eric dared to hope.

Then Reeves' face twisted with rage. "And what about my kids, huh? You ever think about them when you were busy puttin' me away? They grew up without a father because of you!"

"I'm sorry," Eric said, and he meant it. "I really am. But killing me won't change that. It'll only hurt more people."

Reeves' hand trembled slightly. "Shut up. Just... shut up!"

Eric could see the conflict in the other man's eyes, the battle between anger and reason. He took a cautious step forward, his hands still raised.

"It's not too late, Marcus," he said softly. "Put the gun down. We can figure this out."

For a heartbeat, it seemed like it might work. Reeves' arm lowered slightly, his grip on the gun loosening.

Then a voice rang out from the house. "Eric? Is everything okay out there?"

Sarah. Oh God, no.

Reeves' head snapped toward the sound, his eyes wild. In that moment of distraction, Eric saw his chance.

He lunged forward, grabbing for the gun. Reeves, caught off guard, stumbled backward. They grappled, Eric's larger frame giving him an advantage. But Reeves was wiry, fueled by desperation and rage.

They stumbled, crashing into the side of the car. The impact sent a jolt of pain through Eric's shoulder, but he didn't let go.

"Sarah, call 911!" Eric shouted, praying she would hear him and stay inside.

Reeves snarled, twisting in Eric's grip. They spun, Eric's back now to the house. He could hear Sarah's panicked voice, the sound of a door opening.

"Stay back!" he yelled, not daring to take his eyes off Reeves.

They struggled for what felt like an eternity, neither able to gain the upper hand. Eric's arms burned with the effort of keeping the gun pointed away from himself and the house.

Then, suddenly, Reeves' knee came up, catching Eric in the stomach. The air rushed out of his lungs, his grip loosening for just a second.

It was enough.

Reeves wrenched free, stumbling back a few steps. Eric, gasping for breath, looked up just in time to see the gun leveled at his chest.

There was a deafening crack, and suddenly Eric's world exploded in pain.

He staggered back, confusion mixing with the agony spreading through his body. What had happened? Why did his chest hurt so much?

Eric looked down, uncomprehending. A spreading red stain bloomed across his shirt.

Oh, he thought distantly. I…I've been shot.

His legs gave out, and he crumpled to the ground. He could hear Sarah screaming, the sound oddly muffled as if coming from very far away.

Reeves stood over him, gun still raised. "Shoulda stayed outta my way, Johnson," he snarled.

But Eric barely heard him. The world was growing hazy, darkness creeping in at the edges of his vision. He thought he heard sirens in the distance.

Reeves swore and ran, disappearing into the night. Eric lay there, each breath a struggle.

Sarah. Lily. Are they safe?

He wanted to call out, to make sure they were okay. But he couldn't seem to form the words.

I'm sorry, he thought. I'm so sorry.

An image of Lily's face swam before him. Her gap-toothed smile, her eyes shining with excitement.

I won't get to see her open the unicorn.

The thought brought a fresh wave of anguish. He'd missed so much already, working long hours at the firm. And now he would miss everything.

Lily's first day of school. Her graduations. Walking her down the aisle someday.

The darkness was closing in now, an inexorable tide. Eric tried to fight it, but he was so tired.

I love you, he thought fiercely, hoping somehow Sarah and Lily would know. I love you both so much.

The last thing he saw before the darkness took him was Lily's face, smiling at him.

Then there was nothing.

***

“Wake up!”

Dot jolted upright, his heart pounding. Sweat plastered his shirt to his skin as he gasped for air. The room spun around him, unfamiliar yet achingly familiar at the same time.

"Dot! Are you okay?"

A voice cut through the fog in his mind. Dot blinked, trying to focus on the face hovering above him. Kiel. It was Kiel. His brother. No, not his brother. But...

"I... what?" Dot mumbled, struggling to make sense of the jumbled thoughts in his head.

Kiel's brow furrowed with concern. "You were having a nightmare. A bad one, from the sounds of it. You kept thrashing around and mumbling."

Nightmare. Yes, that must be it. Just a bad dream. But why did it feel so real?

Dot sat up slowly, his head spinning. He pressed his palms against his eyes, trying to sort through the fragments of memory swirling in his mind.

"I was... someone else," he said hesitantly. "In another world. It was so strange, Kiel. There were these things called cars, like carriages that moved on their own. And weapons that could kill from far away. Guns, they called them."

Kiel frowned. "That does sound strange. Must have been quite a vivid dream."

Dream. Of course. That's all it was. But why did it feel like so much more?

Dot's hand moved unconsciously to his chest, probing for a wound that wasn't there. He remembered the pain, the shock as he looked down and saw blood spreading across his shirt.

But it wasn't me, he thought. It was... someone else. Wasn't it?

"Dot?" Kiel's voice snapped him back to the present. "You sure you're alright? You look pale."

Dot forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... shaken up, I guess. It felt so real."

Kiel nodded sympathetically. "Dreams can be like that sometimes. Especially after everything you've been through lately."

You have no idea, Dot thought. But he couldn't bring himself to explain. How could he, when he didn't understand it himself?

"You were saying some names in your sleep," Kiel said, watching Dot closely. "Sarah? And... Lily, I think?"

Dot's breath caught in his throat. Sarah. His wife. And Lily... his daughter. No, not his. Eric's. But who was Eric?

"I... I don't know," Dot lied, hating the taste of it on his tongue. "I don't remember."

Kiel didn't look convinced, but he didn't push. "Well, try to get some rest. It's still a few hours till dawn."

As Kiel turned to go back to his makeshift bed, Dot called out, "Wait!"

Kiel paused, looking back. "Yeah?"

Dot hesitated. He wanted to tell Kiel everything, to pour out all the confusion and fear swirling inside him. But the words stuck in his throat.

"Thanks," he said instead. "For waking me up. And... for everything."

Kiel's expression softened. "That's what brothers are for, right?"

Brothers. The word echoed in Dot's mind as Kiel settled back onto his pallet on the floor. They weren't really brothers, not by blood. But in all the ways that mattered...

Dot lay back down, staring at the ceiling. Sleep seemed impossible now. His mind raced, trying to make sense of the memories that didn't belong to him.

Eric. He had been Eric. A lawyer, with a wife and a little girl. Living in a world so different from this one. A world without magic, without classes and skills. A world where he had been... happy.

But I'm Dot, he thought fiercely. I'm Dot, and this is my world. Isn't it?

He remembered growing up on the streets, scrounging for food and dodging the city guards. He remembered meeting Kiel, how the older boy had taken him under his wing, taught him to read and write.

But he also remembered law school, late nights poring over case files. He remembered holding Sarah's hand as she gave birth to Lily, the overwhelming love he'd felt when he first held his daughter.

Two sets of memories, two lives. How could they both be real?

Dot's head throbbed. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the conflicting images flashing through his mind.

Cars zooming down paved streets. Horse-drawn carriages clattering over cobblestones.

Tall buildings of glass and steel. Stone houses and thatched roofs.

Courtrooms and legal briefs. Apothecary shops and herb gardens.

Eric. Dot. Two names, two lives. But which one was real?

Both, a small voice whispered in the back of his mind. They're both real. You're both.

But how was that possible? People didn't just live two completely different lives in two completely different worlds. Did they?

Dot's thoughts drifted back to the nightmare. No, not a nightmare. A memory. He'd been shot, he was sure of it now. He remembered the pain, the fear, the regret as he lay dying in his driveway.

I'm sorry, he'd thought. I'm so sorry.

Dot's eyes stung with unshed tears. He blinked them away furiously. This was crazy. He was Dot, a thirteen-year-old orphan living in a world of magic and monsters. He'd never been married, never had a child. He'd certainly never been shot.

And yet...

He could still hear Lily's laughter, could still feel the warmth of her small body as he hugged her goodnight. He could smell Sarah's perfume, could see the love in her eyes when she looked at him.

It had all been so real. Too real to be just a dream.

Dot rolled onto his side, curling into a tight ball. His chest ached with a grief he didn't understand, for people he'd never actually known. Or had he?

None of this is real, he thought. That crazy lady did something to me, that ritual, it must be from that!

But deep down, he knew that wasn't true. Something had happened to him, something impossible and terrifying and wonderful all at once.

He'd lived another life. He'd been another person. And somehow, those memories, that life, had found their way into his mind.

But why? And how?

Dot's thoughts were interrupted by a soft blue glow. He blinked, wondering if he was imagining things. But no, there it was – a glowing blue box floating in the air before him.

What's going on? he thought. I'm only 13, class assignment isn't supposed to happen until my 16th birthday…

Despite his confusion, a thrill of anticipation ran through him. This was it - the moment he'd dreamed of for years. The chance to unlock a powerful class that could change everything.

Please, he silently pleaded with whatever force controlled these mysterious boxes. Give me something strong. Something that can keep Kiel safe. Something that can protect us from that crazy [Sacrificer] lady.

The box flickered, text scrolling rapidly:

[Class Assignment in Progress]

[Analyzing Candidate...]

[Standard Classes Incompatible]

[Searching Alternate Options...]

Dot's breath caught in his throat. Incompatible? But how? Why? He'd never heard of anything like this happening before. Was it connected to the strange memories of another life that had invaded his mind? Or perhaps it was a consequence of the [Sacrificer]'s bizarre ritual?

A mix of fear and excitement coursed through him. If he wasn't compatible with standard classes, what did that mean? Would he end up with something rare and powerful? Or would he be left with no class at all?

The box pulsed, more text appearing:

[Unusual Spiritual Resonance Detected]

[Accessing Restricted Class Database...]

[Narrowing Selection...]

Dot's eyes widened. Restricted classes? He'd heard whispers of such things, abilities so rare and potent that they were kept hidden from most people. Could he really be in line for something like that?

The blue glow intensified, filling the small room with a light that only he could see.

[Candidate Assessed]

[Optimal Class Match Found]

[Initiating Class Awakening...]

This is it, Dot thought, a giddy excitement bubbling up inside him. Whatever happens next, my life is going to change forever.

The box flashed brightly, then settled into a steady glow. Dot's heart pounded as he read the final message:

[You have been assigned the Necromancy Class]

For a moment, Dot just stared at the words, unable to process what he was seeing. Necromancy? That... that couldn't be right. Necromancers were dark magic users, feared and hated by most people. How could he possibly be a...

[Heretic].