Highfall (22 page)

46

Not knowing what to expect, Stefan packed his tiny bag.  He was finally given back his shoe-laces, the watch he had completely forgotten about and his red Swiss Army pocket knife.  That was all he got back.  Unfortunately no-one could give him back the lost time or his lost love.  No-one could repair the holes in his soul, mend the smashed pieces of his heart and beautify his ugly youth.  

Stefan signed the release papers.  He had a strange feeling that he was signing his agreement to the termination of his life.  That “game over” sign from video games came to mind.  Now it was official.  Now he was no longer a criminal.  He was no longer a drug addict either.  All the negative tags were taken off him.  Starting from today people would be entitled to judge him on the basis of his wealth and appearance.  Starting from today they would try to put a price tag on him instead.

No prisoner in history had perhaps walked so slowly towards the exit as Stefan – ever.  He dragged his heavy feet and tried not to lose his mind.

The sharp sound of the metal door opening brought him back to his senses.  He looked up and his eyes were blinded by the sunny light of day.  The door closed behind him with an equally unpleasant metallic clang.  Now he was on the other side and he felt extremely vulnerable.

Stefan dropped his hand, which he had lifted to protect his eyes from the sun, and looked straight ahead.  At first he thought that he had completely lost his mind and was hallucinating.  So he rubbed his eyes.  Then he counted to ten and opened them again.  Either it had not worked, or it was no hallucination.  What he saw was precisely the same as before...

Annika was standing a few yards away from him.  She was holding his book and looking straight into his eyes.  Annika was real and she looked perfect. 

Stefan felt a huge lump in his throat and he could not breathe.

No, this was definitely not a hallucination… or was it?

THE END

Thank You Dear Reader,

Thank you so much for reading this book. I truly hope that it did not disappoint you.

I will be really grateful if you take few minutes and write an honest
review on Amazon
. Your opinion is very precious.

I wish you to love and be loved.

Regards,

Ani

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ani has been writing since her teenage years.  Back then she did not realize that it was more than a passing phase, interest or hobby.  That is why she listened to the left part of her brain and studied business instead :)

When she finally became wiser Ani left her 11-year corporate career behind and decided to follow her passion.

Now she is a self-published author and blogger.  Her first book of short stories called
Emotional Moments
became an Amazon bestseller in 2012.

You can get in
touch with her through her
website
(
www.anialexander.com
) and
Twitter
(@Ani_LifeProb).

You may also sign up to
her list
-
she will keep you updated (and give you a free ebook).