Otto woke up with a jolt, eyes snapping open at the sound of the morning alarm. He stared blankly at the ceiling, motionless in his bed. There were no windows; only fluorescent lights which flickered overhead, casting the room in an artificial white light. He sat up on the hard mattress, swinging his legs over to the side. Another empty bed stayed untouched beside his own; its occupant had long since been executed just as he was going to be. The sounds of the guards’ footsteps echoed through the halls, along with the occasional clang of their batons against the bars. In this life, that was how his execution day started.

 

In another life, Otto’s eyes fluttered open at dawn. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, painting the room a soft red, his fiance’s favorite colour. Sitting up slowly, he looked to his right, smiling softly at her as she slept. Even after years of dating, she still continued to take his breath away. The only sounds of that peaceful morning were their synchronised breathing and the birds chirping a lovely melody just outside. He yawned as he stretched before deciding to lay back down and rejoin his wife in sleep. In another life, that was how his wedding day started.

 

In this life, a prison guard stopped in front of Otto’s cell, sneering at him as though he was the most revolting piece of garbage the guard had ever laid eyes on.

“Already awake?” the guard scoffed, rummaging through his pocket. He pulled out a key ring, taking one of the keys between his stubby fingers before unlocking the cell door.

“You must be awfully eager for your execution,” he commented with a smirk. “For the record, so am I.”

In this life, a pair of handcuffs snapped closed around Otto’s wrists.

 

In another life, a ring was gently put on his finger. His fiance stood before him at the altar, admiring him with a deep affection reserved only for him, like he was the only person in the world at that moment. She smiled, the corners of her mouth and eyes crinkling with mirth; that smile which made his heart melt whenever he saw it. 

 

“Do you, Mister Otto, take Miss Kallen as your lawfully wedded wife?” the officiant asked.

“I do,” Otto replied, returning his wife’s smile. 

This was it, the moment he had been waiting for.

“And do you, Miss Kallen, take Mister Otto as your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do,” Kallen confirmed, squeezing Otto’s hand tighter, like she was unsure if he was real or not. 

Otto squeezed back, a reminder that that moment was real and happening.

“Then you may now kiss the bride.”

In another life, Otto had never been happier.

 

In this life, Otto walked down a narrow hallway, guards on either side of him. Their footsteps echoed in the corridor. The ground was cold, stinging his bare feet as he walked. He was led to a dull, lifeless room, identical to every other part of the prison.

 

In the center of the room was a metal table and chair. Plates of food covered every last square inch of the table’s surface: from breakfast, lunch, dinner, to even dessert. Tears welled up in Otto’s eyes, not out of joy, but of hopelessness. No matter how much he ate, no amount of food could fill the void in his empty heart.

 

In another life, Otto walked arm-in-arm with his wife. The sound of corks popping rang out as pop hits filled the air in celebration. Cheers erupted as the newly-wedded couple cut into their wedding cake, pulling out a slice for everyone to see.

 

At a side table was a buffet spread for all to enjoy, as well as plenty of liquor. Otto and Kallen both dug into the lasagna, one made by Otto’s mother, specifically for their wedding. Tears of pure joy streamed down Otto’s face, a fact which was not lost to Kallen. They bantered throughout the whole meal, laughing at jokes and getting others involved in pointless debates. For the first time of many in his life, Otto’s heart was full.

 

In this life, a grave stands in the middle of a desolate cemetery. Moss covers its surface, making the inscribed words unreadable. Withered flowers lay in front of it, their plastic wrapping dirtied with mud. The grave stays there: untouched, unloved, and forgotten — abandoned even by the one he loved most.

In this life, Otto is alone for eternity.

 

In another life, a large marble gravestone stands tall, its surface shining with the morning sun, and even in the pale moonlight of dusk. Every month, a middle-aged woman comes by to place new flowers, usually white lilies, before the gravestone. She takes a few minutes to freshen up the grave, leaving it as pristine as it was when it was placed there. 

In another life, the words inscribed on the marble are a testament to a couple’s love:

“In loving memory of Otto and Kallen, together for eternity.”