Prologue
Author's note: Hi guys! This is an original book inspired by Steins; Gate: anime and ORV web novel but the characters and plot are my own. This is my first draft. I appreciate reviews for improvement and critical analysis, so don't hold back on pointing out mistakes, and suggestions for plot twists are appreciated. I hope you enjoy this. I'm trying hard to build an audience. With Love :) ♥
22 April 2024
Elaina shifted in her chair nervously. Her gaze fixed on the stern face of the publisher sitting across from her, his expression unreadable. The silence in the room was heavy and oppressive as she waited for the publisher to speak. After what felt like an eternity, he set down the manuscript of Elaina's novel and looked at her. She wiped her sweaty hands on her dress.
"So, Miss Elaina, right?" His voice cut through the tension, causing her to swallow hard.
"Yes sir, Elaina."
"Hmm.... I've read through your manuscript." He puts down his glasses and crosses his arms. "I am sorry to say but I found it rather... cliché."
The word hung in the air like a heavy fog, suffocating any hope Elaina was holding on to. "Cliché?" her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes," the publisher affirmed, leaning back in his chair. "The plot feels recycled, the characters lack depth, and frankly, it reads like a fanfiction of some TV show."
Elaina's heart skipped a beat. She sat there frozen, as if somebody dropped a brick on her. She had poured her soul into those pages, only for him to call it cliché.
"But... but I thought the characters were well-developed, and the plot had depth," Elaina protested, her voice wavering with uncertainty.
The publisher arched an eyebrow. "Depth? Your protagonist is little more than a thinly veiled self-insert; the other characters are always afraid and uncertain. Ultimately your genius protagonist comes up with an obvious solution. Though they are a team and your protagonist is a scientist, he has little contribution to the actual time machine, and the romantic subplot is so contrived it's painful to read."
Elaina's cheek burned with embarrassment. "I-I can make revisions," Elaina stammered, desperation creeping into her voice. "I can fix it, I swe-."
Before Elaina could complete her sentence, the publisher spoke again. "Look at the description of this character. Elara Sinclair. Short, thin, frail, brown hair, blue eyes. The regular old Y/A character. I am not sure if any number of revisions can salvage this. I am convinced this is not worth our investment." With this, he passed her the manuscript and gestured to her to leave.
Elaina stood up, tears welling in her eyes as she attempted to give a smile. She had pinned all her hopes on this novel; it was as if her life was worthless now. The only talent she thought she had, was not good enough. All her dreams and ambitions were ripped off her in an instant. What was she living for if not writing?
She stumbled out of the publisher's office, lost and hopeless, clutching her manuscript close to her chest. She gritted her teeth. She walks to the rooftop of the building walked dangerously close to the edge. She looked down at the ongoing traffic, which looked like ants from such a height. She had wasted four years of her life on a useless novel.
"Elaina..." she heard a faint whisper. She looks back to see a man rushing towards her. For a second she thought she saw a blue light flicker in the air ahead of her. Without warning, a searing pain erupted behind her eyes, blinding her. She clutched her head and stepped back. She tripped off the edge of the building. The manuscript pages flew from her hands. She squeezed her eyes shut and let out a scream.
Visions and noises passed through her head as if she were seeing thousands of memories at the same time. Her heart raced. It was too late but she didn't want to die. She waited for the impact but it never came.
Darkness surrounded her, and the pain subsidized just as abruptly as it started. She blinked, but the darkness was so thick that she couldn't tell if her eyes were truly closing. She tried to look around and touched her chest. Horror washed over her when she realized she didn't have a heartbeat. Am I dead? She thought. Frantically she tried to find a pulse on her neck and wrist. There was none. As if she had no physical form at all. She could hear faint echoes of someone calling her name, but her attention was caught by a blue spark in the distance.
The light swirled and twisted, taking shape-but it wasn't human, not exactly. It had no face, no features, just an ethereal form bathed in radiant light. It was just like the last time but more vivid than before. It felt like the shape was trying to reach out to her; for a moment, she thought she could reach out and touch it.
Suddenly, she felt as if she was sucked into oblivion. She saw thousands of lightning streaks pass by her before darkness consumed her once again.
