Time's Fleeting Embrace: A Crown of Silver

After five years in prison, the first thing Anya did was book a sky burial.

“Ms. Anya, this is for your sky burial service. After your death, your body will be sent to the Tianshan Mountains for the ceremony. You need to pay the deposit first, and the remaining balance within two weeks.”

Anya nodded, pulling a plastic bag from her faded denim jeans. She carefully counted the crumpled bills and coins she’d saved up in jail, her movements clumsy, before finally handing over the deposit.

She’d been diagnosed with late-stage cancer in prison, with barely a month left to live.