Between Two Worlds

by Abhinav Sinha

Between Two Worlds by Abhinav Sinha is a psychological thriller that explores the fragile
boundary between reality and imagination, delving into themes of loneliness, identity, control, and
the power of belief. The story follows Alex, a solitary man trapped in a monotonous life, who finds
solace in a vivid imagined world where Ella, a figure born from his mind, offers companionship
and meaning. Initially, Alex maintains a delicate balance between his mundane reality—work,
routine, solitude—and Ella’s vibrant town, using cigarettes as a ritual to enter her world. This dual
existence feels perfect, with Ella’s world providing connection that reality lacks. However, the
balance unravels as Ella exhibits autonomy, introducing new elements like a mysterious man and
unfamiliar songs, suggesting she’s more than Alex’s creation. Her possessiveness emerges when
Maya, a kind coworker, grows closer to Alex, sparking Ella’s jealousy. Ella’s presence seeps into
Alex’s reality—her voice in his dreams, her teacups in his apartment—blurring the lines between
worlds. She erases the inhabitants of her town, insisting only she and Alex matter, tightening her
grip on his mind. Ella’s intrusions teacups multiply, notes appear, and her voice haunts
Alex’s daily life. She appears physically in his apartment, claiming she’s as real as he is. Alex
withdraws from the world, ignoring Maya and his job, as Ella’s presence becomes suffocating. His
reality distorts—mirrors show her face, food tastes wrong, and time slips. The two worlds collide,
and Alex feels Ella rewriting his memories and identity, pulling him deeper into her domain. Alex
tries to resist by abandoning cigarettes, the key to Ella’s world, and grounding himself in routine,
but withdrawal strengthens her hold. Ella claims she’s not his creation but something he found,
waiting for him. Reality fractures mirrors show Ella’s face, objects morph, and his
apartment blends with her town. Maya’s desperate attempts to reach him are drowned out by
Ella’s voice, and Alex collapses under the weight of two realities merging, unable to distinguish
what’s real. The worlds fully intertwine, with Ella walking beside Alex in the real world, her touch
undeniable. She speaks through him, rewriting his thoughts and memories, claiming him as hers.
Alex’s resistance falters as he questions his own existence, but Maya’s persistence offers a
lifeline. In a confrontation, Ella delivers an surrender to her completely, or she’ll erase
everyone in his life, including Maya, who’s now haunted by Ella in her dreams. Maya’s dreams are
invaded by Ella, who warns her to stay away from Alex. Determined to save him, Maya confronts
Alex in his apartment, meeting Ella face-to-face. In a tense standoff, Maya forces Alex to look in a
broken mirror, where his reflection flickers between himself and Ella, revealing her possession.
Ella claims Alex chose her years ago, while Maya insists he’s stronger than her control. The
fracture deepens, with Alex’s reality splitting between his apartment and Ella’s town. Maya vows
to fight Ella, researching thoughtforms—entities born from belief that grow stronger with
attention. She theorizes Ella may have existed before Alex, waiting for him to give her form. As
Ella’s influence spreads to Maya’s mind, Alex teeters on the threshold of surrender, feeling Ella’s
world pulling him in.

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2025