The idea for Leo's story really sparked from wondering what would happen if those 'almosts' weren't just memories, but actual doorways. What if every time we messed up, especially in a way that felt a little bit like trying to invoke something, we weren't just facing the consequences, but seeing the countless other paths that those failures could have created? This book is an exploration of that very concept, diving headfirst into the idea that our mistakes might be more powerful, and more revealing, than we ever imagined. My aim with this book is to take a seemingly simple premise – a student trying to get by – and twist it into something that makes you question your own reality. It's about the butterfly effect, yes, but seen through the lens of ritual, of intention gone awry, and the eerie beauty that can sometimes be found in the paths not taken. I wanted to create a narrative that is both thrilling and a little bit thought-provoking, prompting you to consider the myriad lives that might exist alongside our own, just out of sight. So, pour yourself something comforting, settle in, and get ready to peer through the cracks with Leo. I hope you find his experience as compelling and unsettling as I did while writing it. Think of this preface as the quiet hum before the ritual begins, a chance to set the stage and invite you into a world where every failed attempt is a glimpse into another possibility. I'm genuinely excited for you to meet Leo and to see what's on the other side of his rather unexpected academic endeavor.
