The night was silent. Adam pedaled through the empty streets, exhausted after another long day of

  work.

  His thoughts wandered, wondering if he would have time to eat before collapsing into bed.

  His life was monotonous, repetitive.

  Until this moment.

  Someone stood in his path.

  He braked abruptly, nearly falling off his bike. A hooded figure stood in the middle of the street,

  surrounded by an unreal, flickering glow. A cold shiver ran down Adam's spine.

  'What do you want?' he blurted out, struggling with growing panic.

  The figure did not respond immediately. Its voice was quiet yet echoed inside Adam's head.

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  'In ten years, Earth will cease to exist.'

  'You have a chance to save your loved ones.'

  'If you come with me now... they will forget about you.'

  His heart pounded.

  This cannot be real. This must be a dream.

  He could turn back. Walk away. Pretend nothing had happened. But the thought that his family

  could die,

  that he would not even have the chance to protect them, burned inside him.

  He had a choice.

  But in his heart, the answer was clear.

  Tears welled up in his eyes. He took one last look at his bicycle. Clenching his fists,

  he reached out and grabbed the stranger's hand.

  A moment of silence.

  And then he was gone.