ep 3

Rewritten Destiny

Episode 3 — Platform 7

The photograph burned in Ethan’s pocket.

Even after leaving the library, he could still feel the cold paper against his chest like it was alive.

72 hours left.

The words repeated in his mind with every step.

Rainwater splashed across the empty streets as Ethan, Noah, and Mia walked toward the dormitory together. The storm had grown worse, and thunder echoed above the city skyline.

Noah shoved his hands into his hoodie pockets. “Okay, someone explain what’s happening because you two are acting like you saw a ghost.”

Ethan exchanged a quick glance with Mia.

“We’re fine,” Mia answered softly.

“Terrible lie,” Noah replied immediately.

Normally Ethan would laugh.

Tonight, he couldn’t.

Because every second beside Noah felt fragile now.

He remembered the original timeline too clearly—the sound of Noah shouting his name, the violent impact, the blood on the train platform.

Noah was supposed to die.

But now Mia was disappearing instead.

Ethan stopped walking.

“I need to go somewhere.”

“At midnight?” Noah asked.

“Yes.”

Mia looked uneasy. “The station?”

Ethan stared at her. “How did you know?”

She hesitated.

Then quietly said, “Because I had the same dream again.”

Silence.

“What dream?” Noah asked.

Mia looked pale under the streetlights.

“The train accident.”

Ethan’s heartbeat froze.

“You remember it too?”

“Not everything,” she whispered. “Just pieces. The station… the rain… and someone screaming.”

Lightning flashed across the sky.

For a split second, Ethan saw the reflection of the man in the black coat standing across the street.

Watching them again.

Then darkness returned.

“He’s here,” Ethan muttered.

“Who?” Noah asked.

But Ethan was already running.

Rain soaked through his clothes as he crossed the road, chasing the shadow through narrow alleys lit by flickering neon signs.

The stranger walked calmly ahead, never rushing, never looking back.

Almost as if he wanted Ethan to follow him.

“Stop!” Ethan shouted.

The man finally halted near the entrance of an abandoned subway tunnel beneath the city.

Water dripped from broken concrete ceilings.

The stranger slowly turned.

His face remained hidden beneath the black hood.

“Who are you?” Ethan demanded.

The man tilted his head slightly.

“You were not supposed to survive.”

The voice was distorted—the same voice from the phone call.

Ethan clenched his fists. “What do you want from me?”

“To restore balance.”

“What does that mean?”

The stranger stepped closer.

“When fate changes… someone else pays the price.”

Ethan’s stomach tightened.

“Mia?”

The stranger remained silent.

“No!” Ethan shouted. “I won’t let anyone die again.”

“You already failed once.”

Suddenly Ethan’s head exploded with pain.

Images flashed violently through his mind—

A train speeding through darkness.

Mia crying.

Noah lying motionless on the platform.

And Ethan himself standing beside the black-coated stranger.

Smiling.

Ethan stumbled backward in horror.

“What… was that?”

The stranger’s voice dropped lower.

“You still don’t remember the truth.”

Then the tunnel lights shattered all at once.

Glass rained onto the ground.

Ethan covered his face instinctively.

And when he looked again—

The stranger was gone.

Only a single train ticket remained on the wet floor.

Destination:

Platform 7.

Departure Time: 11:47 PM Tomorrow.

A cold breeze rushed through the tunnel.

Then Ethan heard footsteps behind him.

“Mia?” he called hopefully.

But it wasn’t Mia.

Noah stood there, completely drenched from the rain, breathing heavily.

“You ran off like a maniac,” Noah snapped. “What is wrong with you lately?”

Ethan stared at him silently.

Then noticed something terrifying.

Blood.

Fresh blood slowly trickled from Noah’s left hand.

“Noah… your hand…”

Noah frowned. “What?”

He looked down.

The cut across his palm was deep—as if made by shattered glass.

But Noah looked confused.

“I don’t remember getting hurt.”

Ethan’s chest tightened.

Because in the original timeline…

That exact injury happened the night before Noah died.

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