Ava sat by the window, sipping her tea as she watched the sky darken. The weather report had warned of an incoming storm, but she had hoped it would pass by without incident. Now, she could see the clouds swirling in the sky, and the wind was picking up.


    Her cat sat on the arm of the couch, hissing in fear as she watched the storm grow closer. Ava reached over and petted Tyche, hoping to calm her down, but the cat only grew more agitated.


    As Ava watched the storm, she noticed the TV flickered on. She had been certain she had turned it off earlier and felt a chill run down her spine.


    She got up from the couch, her tea forgotten and walked towards the TV. As she got closer, she could see that it was playing a news broadcast. The newscaster''s voice was urgent, warning people to take cover from the incoming storm.


    Ava felt a knot form in her stomach. She had never been one to be afraid of storms, but something about this one felt different. She looked out the window again and saw that the storm had grown even stronger.


    Tyche let out a loud yowl, and Ava turned back to the TV.


    She saw a very young woman with a perfectly symmetric face, a stoic expression that hid the fear of the inevitable speaking: ''Greetings, citizens of the world. I''m Chloe, speaking on behalf of Pi timeline. Don''t be afraid.''; her voice was flawless. Her young face appeared on every device worldwide, speaking in each language, correspondent of its location. Voice of an angel professing the judgment day.


    ''Your timeline has been selected to be eliminated. Your governmental choices, lack of mutual respect, and disinterest in protecting your world and preserving a future for your children have made your reality an eligible danger to our world. Here at Pi, we work hard to give a better world to all our citizens, with no countries, religion, greed or hunger. We are children of a healthy planet Earth. We are the dream that came true. We regret that you have not felt the righteousness to protect what is most needed - time. The deletion of .245863150 will be completed within the next hour. The only thing we can assure you of is that there will be no pain. There will be no regret. Your loss will be clean.’; the young woman paused, and her eyes switched fast to the left. This message was not previously recorded. It was live.


    ‘All you have built, discovered, created, memories and dreams in this reality will be archived and preserved in our database. Nothing is really lost.’; another pause, but her eyes were still fixed on the camera: ‘Besides you, Ava Garcia. We will mourn you. Remember you. You shall be gone, but your memories will haunt us as we have failed you. Rest in peace, citizen of Earth Pi. Please, enjoy your last moments with those you love the most, Tyche. We remember and care. Thank you for your sacrifice. Until we meet next time.'' The screen repeated the message, and the stoic staged voice could be heard under the silent scream of a time-space vortex swallowing the world slowly. At the same time, tornados, thunders and earthquakes ravaged the globe in each corner.


    This was the end that Eske warned her about, and Ava couldn''t comprehend why she was not afraid.


    Ava woke up in a cold sweat, her heart racing. She couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off, that something terrible was about to happen. Or had it happened? An odd sense of deja vu. Her phone rang, and it was Alice, a friend from high school.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ''Hello?''; Ava answered, her voice slightly groggy.


    ''Ava, hi! It''s Alice!''; Alice said, trying to contain her excitement. ''Listen, I have some incredible news.''


    ''What''s up?''; Ava asked, her voice starting to sound more awake.


    ''You sound weird. Are you all right?''


    Ava started to tell her about the dream she had just had. As she recounted the details, she could feel her friend growing more and more disinterested.


    ''So let me get this straight.''; Alice said with a chuckle. ''You had a dream where someone offered you entrance to some sort of paradise, perfect world, whatever, but you turned it down because of your cat? And then the world ended? Sounds like a real blockbuster.''


    Ava felt hurt by her friend''s response. She had hoped for some support or understanding, but instead, she was met with ridicule.


    ''It wasn''t just about the cat. They really wanted to save me, but I said no. I didn''t understand.''; Ava said, her voice trembling. ''It was about making a choice that felt true to myself, even if it meant turning down something that seemed perfect. It was really perfect, and I sacrificed for her. And he tried to help me.''; Ava tried to hold on to her tears.


    ''He? Was it a wet dream? If it is smut, please keep going.''


    ''No, just a guy with cat eyes and in a suit, and he explained to me that some people didn''t have second chances, and I was one of them. But then his wife made me soup. Just like my grannie used to do. And..., I woke up.''


    Alice sighed. ''Look, Ava, dreams are just dreams. They don''t mean anything. You shouldn''t worry yourself over something so silly.''


    Ava knew her friend meant well, but she couldn''t shake the feeling that her dream held some deeper meaning. She didn''t know what it was, but she knew it was important.


    ''You''re right. Sorry to have bothered you with silly dreams, as you said.''


    ''Before you hang up, you are coming tonight, right? Day and I have been working with genetic discovery now and, finally, have some extraordinary results. So, we''re hosting a gala event next week.''; Alice said. ''It''s going to be amazing, and I''d love for you to come and bring a plus one or two!''


    Ava was silent for a moment, taken aback by the invitation. She knew how important this event was for Alice and how much it meant to her and Day to raise funds for their project.


    ''I don''t know, Alice...''; Ava said, her voice hesitant. ''I''m not sure I''m the right person to bring to such a prestigious event. Is all science, and I''m more..., not so science person.''


    ''Nonsense!''; Alice exclaimed. ''You''re perfect. And besides, I could really use a friend there to help me get through the night. You know how Day gets when things don''t go his way.''


    Ava chuckled nervously. She could be a supportive friend, even in a fancy setting like a gala event. But she disliked Day. She couldn’t bear to be in the same room as him. She couldn’t understand how others around her couldn’t see who he really was.


    ''Okay, Alice.'' Ava said, smiling. ''I''ll do it. The fuck, I have nothing to lose.''


    Alice laughed. ''Deal! You''re going to look amazing. I''ll send you all the details, and we''ll make it a night to remember. Who knows? Maybe you cross paths with your cat man.''


    She ended the call and sat silently for a moment, contemplating her dream. She knew she couldn''t ignore it, even if it seemed absurd to others.


    As she looked over at her cat, she realized that she would always prioritize the things that truly mattered to her, even if it meant facing the end of the world. She smiled, feeling a sense of peace wash over her, knowing that she would always stay true to herself, no matter what. And someone, somewhen, would also be watching over her because she was one of them. Always.