Chapter 1: Introduction
Henry's apartment wasn't much to look at, but to him, it was a sanctuary. An escape from the world that had never given him more than a glance—and usually a dismissive one. His small, cramped space filled with paraphernalia from a thousand unfinished projects, the once pristine walls now adorned with collages of Lois Lane and Superman. Their eyes followed him everywhere he went, watching over him with a silent, knowing smirk.
But tonight, things were different.
As Henry shuffled through the stacks of newspapers and coffee-stained manuscripts, his fingers brushed against something hard and smooth. It was a small, glossy stone, encased in a dusty protective sleeve like something out of an Indiana Jones movie. Curious, he pulled it out and examined it closer.
The Dream Stone was as real as it looked, with a vibrant blue swirl pulsing in the center.
Henry sat down on his worn-out couch, holding the stone between his fingers. He couldn't believe his luck.
Henry had spent years researching the Dream Stone, scouring old libraries and dusty bookstores for even a mention of its existence. But to actually hold it in his hands was a whole different story. The possibilities raced through his mind, his pulse quickening as he thought of all the things he could change.
Henry closed his eyes and held the stone up to his forehead. “Make Lois Lane my wife,” he whispered. “Make Clark Kent disappear. Make me her husband instead.”
The stone vibrated sharply against his skin, and for a moment, all was still.