Grandpa pressed a cold, silver key into Elias's palm. It clicked against his fingers, startling him. He looked up to see Grandpa’s eyes closing slowly.
Elias tried to stand, but his legs felt heavy like wet sand. He whispered, 'Wait,' but the room was already growing quiet and dim.
He wrapped his hand around the key, feeling its jagged teeth bite gently into his skin. The clock on the wall ticks loudly, marking time that seems to stop completely.
Elias leaned closer, holding the key tight against his chest to keep the memory warm. He blinked hard, refusing to let the silence swallow the moment.
The key suddenly glowed with a faint, golden light, swirling up like dust in a sunbeam. Elias gasped, watching the sparkles dance around the room instead of fading away.
He placed the glowing key under his own pillow and smiled, feeling the warmth spread through the dark blanket. The room feels safe, and the story begins anew.