CHAPTER 1 THE LONG SLEEP

Graham was a quiet man who often stayed alone. He worked hard but never felt happy. His mind was always full of thoughts. He wanted peace, but peace never came. At night, when others slept, he stayed awake, looking at the ceiling and thinking about everything — about people, time, and life. Sometimes he wished to disappear for a while and rest where no one could find him.

One evening, his close friend Burton came to visit. Burton saw that Graham looked tired and pale. “You need rest,” Burton said softly. Graham smiled weakly and said, “Rest never comes to me. My mind never stops.” Burton tried to make him laugh, but Graham’s face stayed sad. “Sometimes,” Graham whispered, “I wish I could sleep for a hundred years and wake up in a better world.” Burton looked at him in surprise. “Don’t say such strange things,” he said. But Graham only smiled again. “Maybe one day, sleep will take care of me.”

That night, Graham felt very weak. He drank a little water, lay down on his bed, and closed his eyes. His heart beat slowly. He whispered, “At last, I can sleep.” And he did. He did not move again. In the morning, Burton came to see him and called his name. “Graham! Wake up, my friend!” But Graham didn’t answer. His face was calm, his hands soft and warm. He looked as if he were dreaming.

Burton brought doctors to his house. One doctor said, “He is not dead. He is sleeping — but in a strange way.” Another doctor touched Graham’s wrist and said, “His heart beats, but he does not wake. It is a kind of deep sleep. We must take care of him.” Everyone was confused. Days passed, then weeks, and Graham didn’t open his eyes.

People started talking about him. Some said it was a miracle. Some said it was a mystery. Others whispered that he was cursed. But Burton stayed beside him, hoping his friend would one day wake up. Time passed slowly.

After many years, the world began to change. Machines became faster. People forgot old stories. But somewhere in a quiet room, Graham still slept peacefully. His body did not grow old. His face looked young, as if time had stopped. Scientists from a new age found him one day. They were surprised that after so long, he was still alive.

One scientist said, “This is impossible. He should be dust by now.” Another said, “Maybe he is special. Maybe he has a secret inside him.” They decided to keep him safe in a clean room with soft light and fresh air. People started calling him The Sleeper. Children heard stories about him in school — the man who never woke up.

Years became decades. Decades became centuries. The world outside changed completely. People built new cities, new roads, and strange flying machines. But The Sleeper still rested, silent and still. His name became part of history.

Then, one morning, something changed. A small sound came from the room. The air felt different. The machines near his bed started to beep. One of the young scientists ran to look. “His eyes moved!” she cried. Others gathered around. Graham’s fingers shook slightly. His lips moved as if trying to speak.

Inside his mind, Graham was dreaming of bright light and strange voices calling his name. The world he once knew was gone. But something — maybe life, maybe destiny — was asking him to return. His heart began to beat faster. His body, which had rested for hundreds of years, was ready to wake.

And in that moment, far away from time and history, the Sleeper began to stir. The story of his second life was about to begin.