A Chance In Life

Year 2015

Noah woke up with a gasp.

His body jolted upright, his breath coming in short, panicked bursts. His hands gripped the thin blanket over him, his fingers trembling. He could still hear the mechanical voice echoing in his mind.

> [SYSTEM MESSAGE: A CHANCE IN LIFE]

Reverting time… Year 2015.

He forced himself to breathe, his vision adjusting to the dimly lit room. But something was… different.

His heart pounded as he looked around. The familiar scent of old wooden furniture, the soft hum of an electric fan, and the faint light streaming through the small window, it was all too familiar.

He knew this place.

This was his childhood bedroom.

Noah's eyes widened as he scrambled out of bed, his legs nearly giving out. His body felt… lighter. Stronger. He rushed toward the old mirror beside the cabinet, his heart hammering in his chest.

What he saw made him freeze.

A sixteen-year-old version of himself stared back.

His face was rounder, his skin smoother, free from the stress lines he had grown used to seeing in his reflection. His black hair, once dull and unkempt, was now thick and lively. He touched his cheeks, his hands shaking.

This isn't a dream.

He had really… gone back in time.

---

Noah staggered back, his mind racing.

"How did this happen…?" he whispered, gripping the edge of his desk to steady himself.

Just yesterday, no, just moments ago, he had been in 2024, drowning in regrets. His father was dead. His dreams were shattered. His life was a mess.

But now… he was back.

The weight of that realization hit him like a freight train.

His father, he was still alive in this timeline.

His family hadn't reached the point of desperation yet.

He still had time.

A chance to change everything.

Noah's breath hitched. He pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the wild beating of his heart. It was overwhelming, the mixture of relief, fear, and the enormous responsibility that came with this second chance.

He knew the future. He knew what was going to happen if he let things unfold the same way.

His father's illness.

His family's struggles.

His own failures.

He wouldn't let it happen again.

This time, he would do things differently.

---

Just as he was lost in thought, a voice called out from outside his room.

"Noah, son! Are you awake?"

Noah froze.

His throat tightened. His breath caught in his chest.

That voice…

It had been so long since he last heard it.

Tears blurred his vision as he stumbled toward the door, his hand shaking as he reached for the handle. When he pulled it open, he nearly broke down.

His father stood there.

Daniel Quinn, alive and well.

His father was healthy, smiling, wearing his old white sando and checkered shorts, just like Noah remembered from his childhood.

It was like seeing a ghost, but one that made Noah want to run forward and hug him.

"Noah?" his father asked, raising an eyebrow at his son's wide-eyed expression. "Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"

Noah swallowed hard, his throat dry. He wanted to speak, to say something, but the emotions were too much.

Then, before he could stop himself, he lunged forward and wrapped his arms around his father.

"Papa…" Noah choked out. "You're still here…"

His father was startled but chuckled, patting Noah's back. "Of course, I'm still here. Did you have a bad dream?"

Noah didn't answer. He just clung to his father, his body shaking.

It had been so long since he had last hugged him.

So long since he had last felt this warmth.

And he swore to himself, he would not let this slip away again.

---

After a few moments, Noah managed to compose himself and let go. His father gave him a confused look but didn't question it further.

"Come on, have breakfast."

Noah wiped his eyes and nodded. "Okay, Papa."

As his father walked away, Noah stood there, taking deep breaths. His mind was still reeling, but he knew he had no time to waste.

He had eight years before 2024, the year everything fell apart.

This time, he had to prepare.

And as if responding to his thoughts

> [SYSTEM MESSAGE: A CHANCE IN LIFE]

Welcome, Noah Quinn. You have been granted a second chance.

Loading system functions…

Noah's eyes widened as a blue screen appeared before him, floating in midair.

It had stats, skills, and a mission panel.

His heartbeat quickened.

So this was his advantage.

This system wasn't just giving him a second chance. It was giving him the power to change his future.

Noah clenched his fists, his determination burning.

This time, he would do better.

---

End of Chapter 2

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