In response to Ghosted

Part One

She looked around at first.  Looked at the nonexistent walls and nonexistent ceiling.  All she knew was the floor.  She just kept staring at it, starting at it, starting at it.  Then she walked, she walked, she ran.  I watched her, waiting for her to find me.  I wanted to go and meet her, but that’s against the rules.  I always have to wait until they are ready, then I can appear.  

“What happened?” She screamed into the nothingness, “Am I dead?” Confusion was etched on her face.

I sighed, 30 centuries and this never changes.  People always ask the same questions and people are always disappointed with the answers.  I appeared in front of her.  She’s as ready as she’ll ever be, I guess.  Before she could react to my appearance, I answered her question, “That’s right, you’re dead as a doornail!”  I thought it would be nice to try and lighten the mood.

“What?” She squeaked out, surprising herself, not expecting to say anything yet.  I guess she didn’t find it funny.  Her eyes looked fearful.  They were small, vulnerable orbs of green grass valleys during a storm.  Then, in the blink of an eye, they were the small sliver of light at midnight, in the middle of a thick forest.  Angrier than the largest old oak tree, and catching me of guard, she bellowed, “How?” 

I paused to gather myself and so I could recognize what she said.  “Are you sure you want to know the rest?” I always ask if they want to know more about their death.  People always think that they do, but when given the choice, they usually decide better of it.  Last time I didn’t give them the choice, I got my first shadow, and I do not want more shadows.  

Shadows are those who didn’t get a choice in their passage to death, they got sad or mad so they stayed around and keep me company - yay.  But really, they mostly just stay to watch over their loved ones because they think they can help them in life.  But the shadows have it wrong, maybe they can help them in life, but they can never see them in death.  Shadows think that life is most important, but death is much longer and more permanent.  Of course, I’m not allowed to tell them any of this.  It’s against the rules.  I would be “straying them away from their choices.”  But whatever, I didn’t make the rules, but I have to follow them.

Now back to my current blaze.  I have no worries of her choosing the wrong direction, as long as there are no interruptions.

“Just tell me!  I’m not some pathetic little baby, I can handle it!” Her eyes were lit fiercely and her voice was stronger than some armies.  Oh, there she is!  Death itself can’t even put out her spark!  She could never be a shadow!  The umbra could never handle her light!  I had to refrain myself from smiling.  Her natural human form glowed so brightly and it almost makes me wish I was capable of having emotions.  

She wanted an answer, though, even if the answer had bad consequences.

“You were on the highway with your fiancée, and a semi truck drifted into your lane.  You died on the way to the hospital due to blood loss.  It was a peaceful death.” It was not a peaceful death.  She died once the paramedics tried to remove a big shard of glass impaled in her toso.  It was slow and painful, but she doesn’t need to know that.  The lie is always better than the truth in this way.  Another something I learned from shadows.

“Oh,” She trailed off, her spark slowly dying like a sparkler.  “Is he…” She didn’t finish, but I knew what she meant.  They all ask this question in one form or another.

“Yes, he’s completely fine.  In a light coma, but he should wake up soon,” that seemed to relax her.  Her focus turned back on to me.

“Are you are death?” 

“What do you think?” I have to ask, it’s the rules.

“Yes?”  

Even though it’s the rules, it really pisses me off.  I didn’t make them, and I hate them.

“I am nothing like death.  He takes lives, I help them!”  You would think after all this time, I would be used to this sard.  But no, it still makes me so upset.  I am nothing like my brother.

My little outburst seemed to make her mad as well.  “Well who are you, then?  I am not going into the light, or crossing the bridge, or whatever it is, unless you tell me!  You have to be death!  Who else would do this to me?” 

I began to feel sorry for her, if I had the ability, that is.  Humans, especially deceased ones, never understand.  “Oh, Stella.  Death hasn’t made a run in 30,000 years,” I paused, “I am Father Time.” 

Her eyes widened and face paled.  

“I know you well, and even though you don’t recognize me, you know me, too.”  That statement seemed to shock every emotion she held right out of her.

“Here,” I gave her the rosary in my hands.  It’s her keepsake.  She apparently never noticed it, given her slight jump, but didn’t question it.  She took it mouthed the Hail Mary quietly under her breath.  

We stood there together, still and quiet.  I watched her delicate hands count the red and silver beads as she whispered her favorite prayer.  She did not look sad or angry or scared anymore.  She is at peace.  

“Come on, I'll show you the way,” I turned, walking to the white, stone road, expecting her to follow.

Part 2

Tony was awake in the car when he and his fiancée were driving back from his parents’ house, even though it was past midnight. Tony was awake and humming the lyrics to the music on the radio, even though his fiancée thought he was asleep.  Tony was awake and admiring Stella’s perfect everything, even though she didn’t notice.  Tony was awake when Stella finally noticed him and turned to give him what seemed like the best kiss they’ve ever had, even though there was unexpected oncoming traffic.  And Tony was definitely awake when he saw that semi-truck drift into their lane and into their car, even though he screamed and tried to jerk the wheel.

Tony was still conscious when sirens whizzed by all around him.  Tony was still conscious by the time paramedics arrived.  He was still conscious when his fiancée struggled to move with a giant piece of glass through her torso.  He was still conscious when she screamed and cried in pain.  He was still conscious when she took her last breath.  He still was conscious when they zipped the black bag around her.  

When he knew she was gone, he was no longer conscious.  He was aware he was alive at the hospital, but he didn’t want to be.  He wanted to be with Stella forever and ever.

The doctors were very busy that day, since the fatal car accident on the highway with a semi-truck.  Seven people were pronounced dead.  Luckily, Tony was basically guaranteed to live.  And really, they had nothing to worry about for Tony.  He, unlike the woman in car with him, was saved by the airbag, and the grace of God, it seems.  Tony did not experience any internal damage, blood loss, or even any broken bones.  He got by with a minor concussion.

But his near perfect health was not enough to save him.

The bright LED lights in the room should have been enough for the doctors to see his stagnant frame.  The blaring heart monitor should have been enough for the doctors to hear his body failing.  The quiet, almost empty room should have been enough for the doctors to know he was leaving.  But then again, the doctors were very busy that day.  

Part 3

“Hello!  Anybody here?  What is this place?”  Huh.  That’s strange.  There is not supposed to be another pick up until 25:72 P.M.  Okay well I’ll just improvise.

“Stella!  Are you here?” Oh, no.  Oh, no.  No, no, no, no, no.  This isn’t supposed to happen!  He can’t be here, it'll mess up the entire balance!