Alan's perspective
Unknown Location
"I'm...beginning to remember it now. I was at my workspace with that researcher girl. Her name was...Kate!"
"It seems you're close to when it happened. What else do you remember?" The entity said through the darkness.
"W-Well, we discovered the issue with the project and then-"
Earlier Today
Generator Room.
"What will the new wires be made of? We're already using dozens of 1/0 gauges" Kate asked while I looked over the blueprints.
"We'll have to condense the materials inside along with increasing the gauge. Maybe a 3/0 gauge would suffice with them having 200 amps per one"
"What about 4/0? Surely we could fit some in to compensate for the loss of space"
Thinking it over, fitting in 4/0 sizes would be a definite hassle but having them would make sure we won't run into this issue again.
"From switching over to 4/0, we'll lose the space inside for wiring. Barely enough to fit a dozen at least but it'll triple the amps of 3/0's normal 200" My thought process started to get muddy from the repairs and replacement of this sudden change.
It'll be a headache to discuss this with the boss but definitely needed. I can already imagine the overwork and chaos from this already…
"Say, Mr.Alan?" Kate's voice knocked me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah? Is there another issue?" I nod my head to the side while walking towards the break room.
She understands the gesture and catches up with me to walk by my side.
"Now that we fixed the wiring issue. I was wondering if maybe we could check the coils and see if there's any issue there"
Sighing, I close my eyes in annoyance before opening them.
"The coils do need to be checked on but we have to do things one by one. First, we need to make these wires and get them here before we decide to do anything else. That'll be a problem on its own" I open the break room door after finishing my sentence.
Walking towards the counter for some coffee, she takes a seat at the table. I grabbed a mug from the shelf above me and started pouring my coffee.
Maybe I should check the coils, it wouldn't hurt to do a quick check before clocking out today. At least it'll give me a better idea of what we're dealing with.
Putting the coffee back, I take a sip before feeling the bitterness on my tongue. It was strong enough for me to recoil my head but I liked it this way.
Being satisfied, I make my way to Kate's table and take a chair across from her. Taking another sip before sighing, I placed my mug down on the table then crossed my arms.
The rest of the day passed by before me with Kate. It was enjoyable I can say, she was definitely getting on my nerves in some way at times but it was for the project to succeed so I couldn't put it against her.
Before long, it was time to clock out for everyone. Kate and some of the others had left already, leaving me alone at my workspace. I made some blueprints and requests for the new wires but what Kate said still bothered me.
"Ugh, you win this curiosity," I said to no one particularly.
I rolled up the blueprint before putting it to the side. Sighing heavily, I take a stroll towards the generators-
Opening the gate to the door, I step inside-
"Come on, let me show you what I'm talking about." A random voice says.
I walk past the generators towards the staircase in front of me-
I heard the door close to the generators-
"Hey! What are-" I cried out in a panicked voice.
I ran until-
Present Time
Unknown Location.
"That's...all I can remember...Everything in between and after is foggy…" I spoke in a strainful voice.
"I'm sure you know what happens after, you are in my realm after all," The voice says, stating the obvious to me.
"I'm...dead. That's all I can gather right now" I look down at my transparent body, the idea of me being dead still...bothers me!
"How did I die?! Who closed the door behind me?! Why am I missing some parts?!"
"You're asking yourself irrelevant questions. For now…" The voice sounds closer and louder. The voice was feminine but the tone sent chills down my...soul?
Before I know it, a figure appears in front of me. She looks like any other girl but a cloak hid her face.
"Why don't you ask answerable questions? I'll answer to the best of my ability" her smile was just visible.
"Answerable questions? Well, where the hell am I?!" I scream out, flailing my arms around the darkness surrounding us.
"Well, this place is where souls come to be judged. A place that causes hope or suffering to those either good or bad. This place also serves as my home."
Where souls get judged? To either good or bad? Is this like a checkpoint to heaven and hell? I don't like this one bit…
"Then...that means I'm here to be judged. To either heaven or hell?" I ask while calming myself down.
I know being angry or being unreasonable won't help me here. But...does that mean I should wait for her to decide my fate?! I spent all my life doing what I can to keep fate in my hands, even doing the unimaginable!
"I can hear those thoughts of yours. You want to remain calm but you don't want someone to decide for you. I know why that is, the past you went through" Her voice grew colder towards me.
"How can you-" I quickly catch myself, this feeling of dominance washes over me. Whatever I was going to say next wasn't important to her.
"That's why I decided your fate ahead of time. Someone who wants fate and destiny within both hands deserves nothing more than a restart. The choice is yours, young one. After all, it's only right to give you another chance"
A chance at another life...I'm forced to believe that this is all real, even if it does sound crazy.
"Then I'll like to ask if I accept this restart, what will happen to me?"
"You won't return to the world you know of. You'll be sent to a new world that's unlike anything you could possibly imagine. Of course, you'll spend the rest of your life there instead"
"An unknown world. What should I expect from it?" My curiosity asks out of instinct.
"This new world isn't similar to yours. They're not as advanced as you in the ways of machines but they make up for something better. You'll see what I mean when you arrive."
Something better? What could possibly be better than machines? She's definitely leading me on with breadcrumbs of information. Enough for someone who likes knowing too much.
"One more final question. You do not have enough time in here, any longer and your soul will start to take negative effects" Her tone definitely matches her concern.
"Why me? Why not some other poor soul? What's the reasoning for picking me to get this restart?" It wasn't a question anymore. I need to know, I demand it!
"You're the fickle one, aren't you? The reasoning I have behind choosing you is quite simple."
Her hand raises above her head. What I can only describe as some sort of writing appears in a circle within her palm. In that same second, an identical circle appears around me and blinds me with its intense glow.
…
…
The sound of rushing wind passes through my ears. I open my eyes to see nothing but the clouds and the sky itself. I look around immediately to see myself on top of a small hill in a sort of grassy plains.
D-Did she just kick me out of her home?! She didn't even answer my question! Just why me?! I can't even trust celestial entities!?
Closing my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration, I need to figure out where the hell I am. Once I do that, I can freely curse out all the gods I want in safety.
I let out a deep breath and looked around my surroundings. I was in what looks like a valley, rolling hills in all directions and mountains to the east and west. I couldn't see civilization anywhere. It seems like I have to pick a direction and start walking. This day is just getting more and more annoying…
I notice my new clothing as I get up from the soft grass. I looked over myself to see I was wearing a grey jacket that goes even as far covering my hands like gloves besides my fingers. I also see that the back side of my jacket reaches behind where my knees are. I wear a white tank top underneath the jacket so that's a plus if I get too hot.
As for my pants, nothing was too special about them. Normal grey jeans that fit my black boots, which is quite surprising after all. These types of clothes are something I would wear back in Highschool or something, why am I wearing them now?
The pile of questions just keeps building, like for example, which direction should I pick? Man, why couldn't I just move onto the afterlife? I guess for now I'll head East.
"Now, which way would be East?" I ask no one particularly.
Looking up to the sky, I can see the sun is low and the sky looks somewhat orangish. Easy enough to tell me that where the sun is would be West. So then East would be behind me, also when the sun begins to rise each morning.
"I don't have much time. It'll be night soon, better find civilization hopefully" I sighed before making my way down the small hill.
And from there, I spent most of my time walking East until I found a mountain that is surrounded by a dense forest. The Forest wasn't that special compared to the mountain, the peak was past cloud level.
"It's like looking at Mt.Everest. Though, why is it in the plains? Nothing about this makes sense…"
I made my way towards the dense forest but I couldn't waste too much time exploring. I saw the sky getting darker and darker, I had to find shelter.
Passing through the trees, I knew it was best to hug close to the mountain for any possible caves that may exist. I can only hope that I don't walk into a bear's home, getting mauled isn't how I plan to go just after coming back to life.
It didn't take long until I found a cave. I carefully peeked inside to see if anything took it as home, the cave inside looked safe as there weren't any claw marks or bones. A very good sign in my book, hopefully nothing comes while I sleep inside.
I settled down against the cold wall and took a deep breath. All I could do now was recall what happened today. As my thoughts ran across my mind, I didn't notice how heavy my eyes were until I dozed off a couple times.
"I should get some sleep. Maybe, just maybe, this is all but a dream to me" I say out loud in a unamused tone.