Death Doesn't Discriminate •|• Sequel To If You Ever Come Back

6 - Learn To Be Lonely

When I opened my eyes again we were standing in the middle of an open space, surrounded by buildings with high ceilings that were supported by the kind of pillars you see in Greek temples.

When I looked closer at the sky above us, I noticed that there was in fact a ceiling, it was just so high that it looked like we were standing outside.

Summer was still holding my hand and looked up at me, smiling a little.

I looked down and smiled back. She let go of my hand and took a step back.

"I'll let you explore by yourself", she said softly. "Trust me, you'll get used to it soon enough."

"Get used to what?", I asked confusedly.

"Being dead." She smiled again and then turned around to walk away, leaving me alone with a sick feeling in my stomach.

I swallowed the lump in my throat before I started to run. I didn't know why I was running or where I was going, I just knew that I had to run.

So I ran and ran until something in my way stopped me and made me fall to the ground. I got up quickly and awkwardly wiped the dust off my pants.

"I'm so sorry", I said quickly. Good job, already embarassing yourself on your first day in Heaven. Only I can do that. "Are you all right?"

The person grunted, standing up again. "Yeah, I'm fine." He looked up at me and his eyes widened in a mix of fear and disbelief.

He stumbled backwards until his back was against the wall, still completely terrified. "Who... You...?"

"Did I startle you?", I stuttered shakily. I offered him my hand, expecting him to grab it, but the person could only shake his head.

After a while he finally shook my hand. I smiled happily while the person's eyes widened in a sudden realisation.

"I'm Dil", I said awkwardly to break the silence.

He chuckled, closing his eyes and shaking his head in an 'I'm such an idiot' way. "Nice to meet you, Dil", he smiled back. "I'm Pete. What brought you here?"

I immediately fell silent and I could feel my smile disappear, memories of my last night flashing through my head. "I- I'd rather not talk about it. Is that okay, Pete?"

"Of course", he nodded. I felt embarassed. I didn't want to make it seem like I was weak.

"Hey, I can introduce you to my friends if you want to", Pete desperately tried to change the subject.

My mouth fell open and I raised my eyebrows. This guy really thought I was cool enough to be shown to his friends? "R- really?", I stuttered.

He laughed. "Yes, you idiot. Come on." He turned around and walked further into the huge corridor until he opened the last door on his right.

I followed closely as he walked through the door. "Patrick?", he shouted. That must be his friend, I assume.

Pete smiled as he saw Patrick and a voice in the back of my mind said they might not be just friends. "Hey Pat, I've brought a friend." A ball of happiness bursted inside my stomach and I couldn't help but let out a squeal.

Patrick just froze, widening his eyes and starting to shiver. Pete rushed over to him.

"Pat, no, it's not him. It's not Dan", he whispered. "I know he looks like him but it's someone else. Look, he looks different. He's younger, he has another eye colour."

I didn't understand any of this. Were they talking about my dad? He never mentioned them...

Patrick slowly started to relax. He awkwardly smiled and walked over to me to shake my hand.