NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Chapter 1: Prologue
My name is Kyle Preston. I was 17 years old when I died in a car accident. The worst part? It wasn't just me. My dad died too.
It all happened on a normal day. We were driving home, me and my dad sitting in the front while my mom and little sister were in the back. I was on my phone, laughing at something funny I saw online. Without thinking, I leaned over to show my dad.
"Hey, Dad! Check this out!" I said, smiling like an idiot.
He glanced at my phone for just a second. That second was all it took. Bright headlights from a truck blinded us, followed by the sound of metal crunching and glass shattering. After that, everything went black.
When I woke up, I wasn't in the car anymore. I was standing in this dark, empty space, like I was floating in nothingness. Then it all came back to me—the crash, the noise, the pain. That's when I realized the truth: I was dead.
But it wasn't just me. My dad didn't make it either. Somehow, I could see everything from wherever I was. I saw my mom and little sister in the hospital. My mom was crying so much, holding my dad's wedding ring in her hand and whispering his name like it would bring him back. My little sister sat quietly, too scared and confused to understand what had really happened.
It hurt so much to watch. And the worst part was knowing it was all my fault. If I hadn't distracted my dad, if I'd just stayed quiet, we would've made it home safely. My dad would still be alive, and my family wouldn't be falling apart.
I thought that was it for me, that I'd be stuck in this guilt forever. But then, something strange happened. A figure appeared in front of me, glowing softly like a light in the dark. They looked powerful but calm, like some kind of god from a story.
"Kyle Preston," the figure said, their voice steady but kind. "Your life ended because of your mistake, but your regret is true. Because of this, I will give you a second chance."
"A second chance?" I asked, confused. "Why? I don't deserve it."
"Yes," they said, ignoring my question. "You will be reborn in a new world. Your family will be there too. It will be like a new beginning for you and them. But this world will not be the same one you knew. It will be a world of heroes and villains, a world of great power and danger. A world you may know as the Marvel Cinematic Universe."
Marvel? Like superheroes and supervillains? It felt unreal.
"You will also receive a random system to help you," the god continued. "That is the most I can offer, for my own reasons. But remember, every choice you make will have consequences. Use this second chance wisely."
Before I could ask anything else, the space around me started to glow, and I felt myself being pulled away.
As I was sent to this new world, I made a promise to myself: I won't make the same mistakes again. This time, I'll protect my family, no matter what it takes.
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I felt my soul drifting through space and into a bright light. When I opened my eyes, I was crying like a baby in the arms of a young woman. I recognized her face instantly—it was my mom's face, but younger.
"Oh, he's beautiful," my mother said, her voice soft and full of love. Tears welled up in her eyes as she held me close. "He's perfect, doctor."
The doctor smiled and nodded, adjusting his glasses. "A healthy baby boy. You've done wonderfully, Mrs. Preston."
The nurse handed a blanket to my mom, carefully wrapping me up. I was still crying, my baby instincts taking over, but deep down, I couldn't stop the emotions from hitting me. This was my mom—alive and smiling.
"Make sure to get plenty of rest," the doctor advised. "And don't forget to feed him every few hours. He's going to need a lot of care."
"Yes, of course," my mom said, her voice tired but happy.
As she held me, I saw tears fall from her eyes. Her joy made me cry even more, but not because I was a baby. It was because I'd been given a second chance—to see her like this, to make things right.
A man's voice came from the side, and I turned my little baby head to look. It was my father, young and full of life. "He's going to be strong, just like his mom," he said, grinning as he sat beside her.
Hearing his voice again felt like a dream. I wanted to cry out to him, but all I could manage was another loud "Wawawa!"
My mom laughed softly. "Looks like he's already got a strong set of lungs."
The moment was perfect. I didn't know what this new life would bring, but I knew one thing for sure I wouldn't waste this chance.