Chapter 1 – Another World

                                                                  (Somewhere else)

The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange, when Nativity hurried out of the house. The neighborhood where Claudete lived was simple, with busy streets and voices echoing through the narrow alleys. Inside the small house, Claudete was sprawled on the bed, eyes closed, pretending not to hear the order Nativity had given before leaving.

Nativity: (yelling from the door) Claudete, come wash the dishes!

Claudete: (grumbling, eyes still shut) I’ll gather my strength, Nativity.

Nativity rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips.

Nativity: (annoyed) Fine, but I'm going out, and when I come back, I want those dishes clean!

Claudete: (mumbling) Alright, N.

As soon as the door closed, Claudete turned in bed with a victorious smile.

Claudete: I'm just going to sleep! Sleep overtook her quickly, and soon she was lost in a wonderful dream.

Claudete: (waking up abruptly) Ah! What a wonderful dream I had!

She barely had time to stretch when a loud noise echoed through the house.

Nativity: (furious) CLAUDETE! WHY ARE THE DISHES STILL DIRTY?!

Claudete blinked, confused, only to realize she had completely forgotten the chore.

Claudete: Ah… I forgot.

Nativity: (gritting her teeth) Go wash the dishes now!

Claudete: I need to gather my strength!

Nativity: (even more irritated) No! Go wash them now, you lazy thing!

Claudete: (grumbling) Fine, bitter soul.

Dragging her feet, Claudete went to the kitchen and began to wash the dishes, muttering to herself.

Claudete: (while scrubbing a plate) Bitter soul... can't a person sleep in peace in her own home?

Nativity: (yelling from the living room) What are you mumbling over there, Claudete?!

Claudete: Nothing.

Nativity: GOOD!

Claudete: (whispering) You’re just a bitter, lazy...

Then she suddenly shouted:

Claudete: Nhama, Nhama, Nhaaaaaa!

(Later that night) Claudete was lying on the couch, phone in hand, ready to watch her favorite drama.

Nativity: Claudete, “Live the Love” is starting!

Claudete: I’ll watch it on my phone.

Nativity: Alright.

The phone’s screen lit up her face when, suddenly, everything around her went dark. A strange sensation ran through her body, as if she were being pulled into an unknown place.

When she opened her eyes again, she was no longer in her living room.

(Inside Vide’s realm) Claudete found herself in a vast, nebulous space, where everything shimmered with an ethereal glow. The air was thick and pulsing, almost alive. She looked around, a chill running down her spine.

Claudete: (confused) Where am I?

A voice echoed from nowhere, filling the space with a mysterious tone.

Mysterious Voice: You always dreamed of living the lives of the characters you saw on TV, didn’t you?

Claudete: (looking around) Who's speaking?

A figure appeared before her. He was tall, cloaked in darkness, his eyes glowing like stars.

Vide: I am Vide, and this is the space where everything happens.

Claudete: (nervous) Am I dead?!

Vide: (rolling his eyes) No! Unfortunately, you're not dead yet.

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