PROLOGUE

Somewhere, neither here nor there

The bed creaks under Santiago’s shivering body. Maybe it’s not a bed, but a coffin.

Had he thought about it, he would have preferred to go a different way—saving lost, invisible unicorns or escaping this prison to be free.

But he’d never thought of death that way before.

Especially not of dying here, like this. Lost and alone. At least now he doesn’t have to fight. Doesn’t have to try so hard. People who die are at peace. He could use some peace.

He hears voices, but it’s unclear if they’re real or remembered. What is real, anyway?

He can’t hold on anymore. As sure as the blinding light, death sways closer. Santiago knows it has come for him. He takes a deep breath, embracing the white light. Soon it’ll all be over.

And I’m not afraid.

They say a person’s life flashes by before dying. But it’s not his whole life. Just the events that led to this. The important ones, and the ones Santiago would rather forget.