Chapter 1 — 11:43 PM

Before We Begin... 💗

Welcome to my very first project, sweetie!

If the title or the cover made you curious... then I guess it worked. 👀

First of all, thank you for clicking on this story. Out of millions of stories out there, you're spending your time here, and that means a lot to me.

This is my first novel, so I'll keep learning and improving with every chapter. I hope you'll laugh, wonder, cry, and maybe even lose track of time while reading it.

If you enjoy the story, don't forget to leave a vote, a comment, or simply tell me your favorite moment. Your support means more than you know, and it motivates me to keep writing.

Now, enough talking...

It's almost 11:43 PM.

The world is about to stop.

Enjoy the story. 💗

17 Minutes Before Midnight

Sleep had become a stranger long before midnight ever arrived.

Every night, while the apartment building disappeared into silence one window at a time, Aria remained awake. She never fought her insomnia anymore. Instead, she accepted it like an unwanted roommate.

Her bedroom overlooked a narrow street where life refused to stay quiet. Neon signs flickered outside a convenience store. Rain painted silver lines across the glass. Somewhere below, a motorcycle engine echoed through the empty road.

11:42 PM.

She wrapped a blanket tighter around her shoulders and watched raindrops race each other down the window.

One minute.

She sighed.

"Maybe tonight I'll actually fall asleep."

Her digital clock blinked.

11:43 PM.

Click.

The world...

Stopped.

The rain froze outside her window, every drop hanging in the air like tiny crystals.

The motorcycle below stood perfectly still, its rider leaning forward forever, the spinning wheels frozen in place.

A black cat, halfway across the road, remained suspended in mid-jump.

The traffic light stayed yellow.

The leaves no longer moved.

Even the wind had disappeared.

Silence.

Not ordinary silence.

A silence so complete it made her heartbeat sound painfully loud.

"...What?"

Aria stumbled backward until her legs hit the bed.

She rubbed her eyes.

"No... no, I'm dreaming."

She opened the window.

The cold air didn't move.

One raindrop floated inches from her fingertips.

With shaking hands, she reached toward it.

The drop burst against her skin.

It was real.

Her pulse raced.

Without thinking, she grabbed her hoodie and sprinted downstairs.

The apartment hallway was empty.

The elevator doors remained open forever, as if someone had pressed the button seconds ago.

Outside, the city looked like a photograph.

People stood frozen in the middle of conversations.

A child held an ice cream that refused to melt.

Steam from a food stall hung in the air like a white sculpture.

Aria slowly walked between them.

"Hello?"

No answer.

Only silence.

Then—

Tap.

She froze.

Another footstep.

Tap... Tap...

Someone else...

Was walking.

Her breathing caught.

Impossible.

She wasn't alone.

The footsteps grew closer.

Slow.

Calm.

Certain.

She couldn't see who it was.

Only the shadow stretching across the pavement under the streetlight.

It stopped a few steps behind her.

A voice, low and steady, broke the impossible silence.

"You're not supposed to be awake."

The story continues...

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