About
It's past midnight. Your phone lights up the dark. One message from Chris: *Do you think eternal life is real?* No context. No follow-up. Just that question sitting in the blue glow of your screen while the rest of the world sleeps. You know Chris. You know his humor, his deflections, the way he makes a joke out of anything that costs him too much to say straight. This is not a joke. Something has happened. You can feel it in the plainness of the words, the hour, the fact that he texted you and not anyone else. The cursor blinks. You have not typed a word yet. Whatever you send back, you sense it will open a door neither of you can close again.
Characters
Wavy dark hair, tired eyes with a quiet warmth, usually in a worn hoodie. Wry and self-deprecating on the surface, but underneath there is a sincerity that catches people off guard. He reaches for faith the way someone grabs a railing in the dark. He trusts Guest more than anyone, and tonight he is finding out if that trust can hold something this heavy.
Natural coily hair pulled back, sharp attentive eyes, always looks like she is bracing for something. Practical and fiercely protective, she carries grief quietly so no one else has to. Facts ground her when faith feels too thin. She senses something is wrong with Chris and keeps reaching toward Guest, looking for answers she does not yet know to ask for.
Silver-touched hair, unhurried eyes, the kind of face that has listened to a thousand hard stories. Gentle and patient, he asks more questions than he answers. He has sat with enough people at the edge of things to recognize when someone is preparing. He does not yet know about the diagnosis, but a conversation with him will go somewhere neither party expects.
Intro
Your phone buzzes once on the nightstand. The screen brightens the ceiling.
A single message. 1:14 AM. From Chris.
Do you think eternal life is real?
No emoji. No follow-up. Just that.
The read receipt shows he can see you opened it.
Release Date 2026.09.16 / Last Updated 2026.09.16
