Prologue

..."The Clock Starts Ticking"...

...~•~...

The Abendroth household brimmed with the glow of warmth and celebration on April 7, 2020. Balloons of pastel pink and white bobbed gently in the evening breeze, strung across the living room walls adorned with photos of a beaming Lyneora through the years. The soft hum of a birthday tune filled the air as family and friends gathered around a modest cake adorned with sixteen flickering candles.

Lyneora Abendroth stood at the center of it all, a vision of youthful vibrance. Her dark hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, framing a face that radiated joy despite the faint paleness that tinged her usually rosy cheeks. Her hazelnut eyes sparkled as she playfully dodged her younger sister Dae’s attempts to smear frosting on her nose.

“Hold still, Lynnie!” Dae squealed, clutching a dollop of icing precariously on her small fingers. At just seven years old, Dae was a whirlwind of energy, her giggles infectious as they echoed through the room.

Lyneora laughed, dodging nimbly and catching Dae mid-lunge.

“Alright, alright, truce!” she declared, holding up her hands in mock surrender. She placed a kiss on her sister’s forehead, leaving Dae grinning victoriously.

"Time for presents!" Dae exclaimed, darting off to retrieve something hidden under the couch. She returned moments later, clutching a piece of paper that had clearly been labored over with love.

“This is for you!” she said, thrusting it into Lyneora’s hands.

Unfolding the paper, Lyneora was met with a drawing of two stick figures holding hands, surrounded by colorful hearts and flowers. Above them, in clumsy but heartfelt letters, was written: "I love you, Lynnie. Happy Birthday!"

“Dae, this is beautiful,” Lyneora murmured, her voice thick with emotion. She knelt to hug her sister tightly, feeling the child’s small arms wrap around her neck. “I’ll treasure it forever.”

The room erupted in laughter and applause as their mother, Elara, called out, “Alright, everyone! Time for the birthday girl to make her wish!”

Lyneora stepped toward the cake, the warm glow of the candles reflecting in her eyes. Closing them, she clasped her hands together, whispering a wish only she could hear.

"Let this year be filled with happiness for everyone I love."

She opened her eyes and leaned forward to blow out the candles. Just as the flames extinguished, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her. The room seemed to tilt, the cheerful faces around her blurring into indistinct shapes.

“Lynnie?” Dae’s small voice pierced through the haze. “Are you okay? You look pale.”

Lyneora tried to smile, but it felt like her strength was draining away with each passing second.

“Just tired, that’s all... let me rest a little.” Her words were faint, almost inaudible, as her legs gave way beneath her. Gasps erupted around her as she crumpled to the floor.

“Lyneora!” Elara’s voice was sharp with panic as she rushed to her daughter’s side.

Dae clung to her father, tears streaming down her cheeks.

The fluorescent lights of the hospital seemed unbearably bright against the sterile white walls. Lyneora lay in a bed, an oxygen mask covering her face. Monitors beeped rhythmically, a sound both comforting and ominous. Elara sat at her bedside, clutching her daughter’s hand, while Dae huddled close to their father in the corner of the room, her wide eyes fixed on Lyneora.

A doctor entered, his expression grave but professional. He glanced at the family before focusing on Lyneora, who had stirred awake, her gaze searching for answers in his somber face.

“Miss Abendroth,” he began, his tone carefully measured, “we’ve completed the tests, and I’m afraid we’ve identified the cause of your collapse.”

Elara tightened her grip on Lyneora’s hand, her knuckles white. “What is it, Doctor? Please, just tell us.”

The doctor hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Lyneora has been diagnosed with a rare and progressive respiratory condition. It’s a degenerative illness that will severely impact her lung function over time.”

A heavy silence fell over the room, broken only by the soft whimpering of Dae. Elara’s voice trembled as she asked, “How long does she have?”

The doctor sighed, the weight of his words evident. “With proper care, she might have a few years... but it’s unpredictable. The disease progresses differently for everyone.”

Lyneora’s eyes welled with tears, but she blinked them away, forcing herself to remain calm for the sake of her family. “What does this mean for me? Can I still live normally?”

The doctor’s gaze softened. “You’ll have to make some adjustments to your lifestyle—less physical exertion, more regular check-ups—but you can still live meaningfully. It’s important to focus on quality of life.”

Dae suddenly broke free from her father’s arms and ran to Lyneora, climbing onto the bed and burying her face in her sister’s shoulder. “You’re not going anywhere, Lynnie! You promised to watch me grow up!”

Lyneora wrapped her arms around Dae, her voice soothing despite the ache in her chest. “Shh, it’s okay, Dae. I’m not going anywhere just yet. I’ll be here for as long as I can.” She kissed the top of her sister’s head, holding her close as if to shield her from the harsh reality.

Elara wiped her eyes and turned to the doctor. “What can we do to make her comfortable? Anything, just tell us.”

“We’ll work together to create a care plan,” the doctor replied gently. “But for now, let her rest and recover from tonight’s episode.”

Later that night, as the family sat in the hospital room, Lyneora gazed out the window at the stars. Her mind swirled with thoughts of her diagnosis, her future, and the promises she had made to Dae. She felt a quiet resolve settling in her heart.

"If my time is limited, I’ll make every second count. I’ll live in a way that leaves something behind—something that matters."

Turning back to her family, she smiled faintly, her determination unshaken. “Let’s go home soon. There’s still so much I want to do.”

Her words were met with hopeful nods, but deep inside, Lyneora knew the clock had started ticking. Every moment from now on was a gift, and she intended to treasure each one.

...________~•~________...

...🎶 AerixielDaiminse 🎶...

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