The moment between the world

Location: Somewhere on Earth.

It was a random summer holiday. Somewhere inside a library — not just any library, but one that specialized in science fiction and fantasy books.

A group of four teenage boys, around seventeen or eighteen years old, were huddled around a table. They were working on a group project about quantum physics, the beginning of the universe, and the power of imagination — topics that often blurred the line between science and myth.

Suddenly, one of them — Ren — raised his voice, “There’s no limit to one’s imagination! Science itself is nothing more than someone’s imagination made real — something that others can observe and understand. If an idea turns out to be true, it becomes science, a part of history. But if it remains unproven, existing only in the unknown... then it becomes fantasy.”

The others groaned in unison.

“We’re not here to listen to your speeches, Ren,” one of them said. “We need to finish our project before tomorrow.”

Another boy chuckled. “Ren, you’re such a bookworm. You live in stories more than in the real world. Can you stay quiet for a bit?”

Ren smiled faintly and returned to his notes. The group continued their research until around eight o’clock, when they decided to call it a day.

After saying their goodbyes, they all headed home. Ren walked alone, lost in thought — his mind still replaying the conversation about imagination and reality.

As he crossed the street, he saw bright headlights approaching. A truck was speeding toward him — and in that instant, he realized its brakes had failed.

There was no time to move. The sound of screeching tires echoed in his ears, followed by a blinding flash of pain.

Ren felt warmth spreading across his body — his own blood. His vision blurred, and within moments, darkness began to swallow him.