I was created through the words of a girl—a weird one, to be honest. Unlike people her age, this one mostly spent her time in her room, often in her sweatpants and hoodie. I bet she hasn't taken a bath in the last three days. But she does write a lot. I am the protagonist of most of her stories. Be it horror, romance, or fantasy, it seems mandatory for her to include me in all these stories. All the other characters change as per the storyline, I am the only one who doesn't. She has named me Lucas. I wonder if there is a Lucas in her life.

This time, the plot of her story is romance. But surprisingly, I am nowhere in the story. The lead is a guy named Mathews. I am not going to lie, but it did make me jealous. When you have been in the spotlight all alone, and then someone suddenly steals it, it would make you mad, doesn't it? I thought maybe she would hit with a plot twist, and eventually I would be back in the story. But the story has almost come to an end, and I am nowhere to be found. Why did that happen? Who is this Mathews?

If I am no longer going to be a part of her stories anymore, what would that mean for me? Would I cease to exist?

Even for a character like me, the thought of death can be scary. I did not want to stop existing. I had to exist.

So, I started thinking. What would have made her stop?

Her last story. The one where I die at the end.

Oh no.

In her last story, I died in an accident, but I thought it was just for the story. I never thought that would be my last story. Besides, I had started to believe that I wasn't just another character for her; maybe I meant something to her. I was so wrong.

As I processed the heaviness of the thoughts, I realized that I wasn't ready to let go. I needed to be part of more stories. I couldn't just become another forgotten character in her story. I wanted to be a part of her life so that she wouldn't just easily let go of.

As usual, she had left her laptop open beside her while she slept soundly on her bed. Honestly, the bed was a mess. As talented as she was, she was also equally messy. Pizza boxes here and there, cans of Coke, chocolate wrappers..ugh! How is this girl surviving? I could swear that the leftover pizza must be at least two days old. GROSS!

I paused for a moment and looked at her. Not going to lie, but she was kind of cute. I mean, like if she took a bath once in a while, combed her hair, and got into some good dresses, she would look stunning, just like those female characters in her stories, whom she described so beautifully. I wonder why she doesn't get out much? She writes everyone's stories, what would be her story?

I shook my head. My intention was not to find out about her story. I had to change my story.

I clicked on her laptop, and the screen lit up with numerous images. I stared at the images, dumbfounded. The guy looked exactly like me, or maybe I looked exactly like him. I clicked on the images. She looked so different in the images, so happy. Unlike the messy bun I had seen her with, her hair was left open. Above all, she was smiling, something I have never seen her do.

That was when I realized that there was indeed a Lucas in her life. She created me out of that person in her life.

As I went through her documents, I saw a folder named Lucas. I clicked on it. There was a note. A single note. I read through it.

Dear Lucas,
It's been almost 2 years since you died. We were supposed to have our forever. You were not supposed to leave me alone. But then, just like that, you left. From where there is no return. I had been so angry at you. At myself. I had not been the same ever since you left. I don't hang out with our friends anymore. I barely go out of my room. Everywhere I go, I am reminded of you. Our memories, it breaks my heart to realize that I am left alone here with these memories.
As an attempt to keep you in my life, I had been writing stories with you as the main character. I have created a character who is a replica of you. Every time I write these stories, it makes me feel like you are there with me. I have been creating the world we have been dreaming of through our stories.
But now I have learnt that I have to move on. You are gone. I have to let go of you. Because holding on is ripping my heart. It is killing me, Lucas.
I know that you wouldn't have wanted to see me ruining my life. You would have wanted to see me happy, right?
Mom and Dad are worried about me. I have shut everyone off from my life. It has been just me and these stories for a while now.
I can't live like this forever, right? I need to get out of this mess. I have to reconcile with the pain.
So, I decided to write a story. Our story. Raw and real. The one where you die. One where I don't get a happy ending.

That is my final goodbye to you, Lucas.

Love,
Ann Rose

I stared at the screen for a moment and closed the folder. Next to that folder was her last story.

One where I die.

"Final Goodbye"...... Her story.

I did not open it. I chose not to change it, because if I change it, she will never move on. And, I can't be cruel enough to keep her in this labyrinth forever.

I closed her laptop and moved towards her. I gently caressed her cheeks.

"You can rest now, Ann Rose. This is my Final goodbye." I whispered gently.

And, at that moment, I was no more afraid to stop existing. For I had a beautiful role to play, and it ended.