Short Stories

Afterlife

My chocolate eyes stared intensely in the bathroom mirror. "I'm feeling red eyes today." I grabbed a red contact case and put them in. I nodded in satisfaction.

*Ding* my phone went off. I checked to see who it was and read the text. 'Where are you Griffin? You're late!'

I slowly let my eyes fall on the time. "Crap!" I rapidly replied to my friend, Annie. 'shoot sorry I'm on my way now!' I quickly put my phone in my pocket and rushed out of the house not even bothering to say goodbye to my little brother Leviathan.

Yeah, my parents were weird I know.

I ran down the sidewalk and crossed the street. I hated myself in that moment. I was halfway across the street when I realized, but by then it was too late.

The one time I was late I didn't say goodbye to my adorable little brother. The one time I was in a rush I didn't wait for the light to turn. The one time I wasn't paying attention. Everything slowed down as the sound of a car horn filled my ears.

I moved my head toward the noise and saw the face of Leviathan, his cute little smile when I brought home a treat. Then I remembered the last thing he said to me. Tears flowed down my face realizing that I was never going to be able to make it up to him. His words kept repeating and repeating until everything went black.

"I wish mommy and daddy were here! I hate you!"

* * *

I gasped for air and my eyes shot open. "Oh thank God it was just a dream." I slowly sat up only to realize that I wasn't in my room. In fact, I wasn't anywhere familiar.

I was in a small room that had nothing but the bed I was sitting on and two dim lights on a velvet wall that was covered in golden signatures. The lights were also on either side of a stain glass door. The design was a man walking on a gold path with red trees that formed walls around him; as the leaves fell, they grew darker until they finally reached the ground.

I didn't realize I had already gotten up to observe the door until I heard a cracking sound. I backed away from the door with the cracks that appeared, with every noise I heard. Suddenly, the door shattered and a huge gust of wind filled the room.

A floating hooded figure with a scythe appeared. "Ah, you're awake." It sounded like a male. His voice was deep and husky.

I just stared at him not moving an inch.

The figure took his hand and slowly removed the hood from his head. He was indeed a male. He had short, messy, black hair matched with a short scruffy beard and dark orange eyes. He kinda looked homeless. "You probably have a lot of questions."

I finally relaxed and stood up straight. "just two. For starters, you're a Grim Reaper so are you here to collect my soul or something?"

He rolled his eyes. "This is why I hate humans they come up with some dumb fairy tales to describe things they can't understand." He sighed and finally stepped onto the ground. "I am not a Grim Reaper nor am I here to collect your soul."

He paused for a bit so I replied. "Then you are..."

"Impatient much kid?" He clicked his tongue. "We are called Scythe's our job is to escort you to the afterlife while protecting you from things that want to devour your soul."

I blinked. "Huh good to know." I took a deep breath and thought to myself. 'So I did die that wasn't just a dream.' My heart began to thump loudly against my chest. 'Crap what's gonna happen to little Levi? Mom and dad are never home so how is he supposed to take care of himself he's only six!'

While I was freaking out I heard a cough. I slowly looked back up. "Are you done yet? I'd like to get you to the afterlife so I can move on with my day."