Here’s a glimpse into the world of Waking Up. This prologue sets the stage for Benjamin Michaels’ journey into a future unlike anything he expected. Let me know what you think!
Prologue
The mahogany desk felt out of place in the sterile white office. Benjamin Michaels sat hunched over it, his once-powerful frame reduced by months of illness. He signed the final documents with trembling hands, the effort both exhausting and bitter.
Clara Harris, the trust manager, adjusted her glasses and slid another paper across the desk. “This secures the trust, Mr. Michaels. The assets will transfer to your daughter Bianca, as outlined. She’ll oversee everything until revival.”
“Until I wake up,” he corrected, his voice a rasp. He glanced at the brochure beside him: Cryonic Preservation—Your Future Awaits. The glossy image of a sleek silver pod felt like a cruel promise, but it was his only hope. Stage 4 pancreatic cancer had at the present no treatment. His only hope was the future..
His wife Priscilla stood by the window, her arms folded tightly as she stared out at the skyline. “Ben, are you sure about this?” she asked, her voice breaking slightly. “This isn’t… normal.”
He sighed, running a hand over his gaunt face. “Nothing about this is normal, Pris. But it’s the only chance I’ve got.” He turned to Clara. “Everything’s secure for her too, right? The house, the fund?”
Clara nodded. “Yes, sir. Priscilla will have full access to her fund. She’ll be taken care of.”
Priscilla turned back to face him, her eyes glossy but determined. “I don’t care about the money, Ben. I care about you. What happens if this doesn’t work?”
Ben’s lips tightened into a thin line. “It will work. It has to.” His gaze softened for a moment. “This isn’t just for me, Pris. It’s for Bianca, for us. A future.”
Clara cleared her throat gently, sensing the weight of the moment. “The preservation facility is ready, and your revival instructions are encoded and secured. All that’s left is your signature on the directive.”
Ben let out a breath, his gaze shifting to the city below. The world churned on, oblivious to his fight against time. He scrawled his name on the final line and pushed the papers back to Clara. His hand lingered for a moment. “Tell Bianca I did this for her, too. She’ll understand one day.”
Clara gathered the documents, hesitating for just a moment. “Good luck, Mr. Michaels.”
Priscilla moved to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder. He glanced up at her, the faintest smile playing on his lips. “Luck? I don’t believe in luck. I believe in hard work. And control.”
Stay tuned for more excerpts! You can pre-order Waking Up here:
If you don’t have an e-reader, I recommend buying one! I use Kindle myself, but Pocketbook claims to be compatible with all formats.. I actually read all books on my Kindle as it has backlight and is very convenient.. Just google e-reader. 😉
Harald