There's nothing but a blank, misty yet bright atmosphere. Thana stood in the middle of infinite heaven-like space, holding nothing but a paintbrush. She looked at it, confused until she decided to lift it up in the air and randomly swipe it as if she's painting an imaginary picture.
She doesn't know what made her do that, but she did it anyway, and the results stunned her; through the stroke of her brush, color almost true to life formed on the empty space. She thought of nothing but the magical meadow, and it painted exactly a picturesque scenery for her.
It is such a lovely place that she barely recognizes, yet it's stuck in her head as if it's part of a memory.
"Wow."
It was the only thing she could say as she was beyond awestruck by the breathtaking magic her brush could do. It was a moment when Everything went suddenly calm and still for Thana until someone decided to speak with a voice full of thrill and excitement, "that's amazing! Do you love the gift I lent you?"
Thana recognized the voice almost immediately that the ray of sunshine on her face disappeared instantaneously, and dark clouds hovered above her as her expression turned dull. Slowly, she turns around and meets with the old man that started it all.
The trouble she went through for drinking the tea he served and listened to his fairytale.
She gripped the paintbrush tightly, almost breaking it in half if she put in a bit more strength as the first thing that came to her mind was nothing but thoughts of murdering him. Maybe if she was fast enough, she could stab him right in the eyes with the brush.
The brush is the only weapon she needs.
And so she did, she ran at him with full speed, past the mist, and with a murderous expression. She clamored with eagerness to reach him until she sees him hold his right palm up to make her stop.
Thana slows down, looking around her to see that she had made no progress at all. The distance between her and the old man was still the same. It looked as if she hadn't moved a step closer at all.
"What?" she bellowed furiously, her right eye twitching for her burning passion and confusion. Everything around her doesn't feel right. There's something suspicious about the place that's surrounding her. And no matter how persistent the thought is running through her mind, she hopes to shrug off the possibility.
Still, she can't help but blurt it out loud.
"Bloody hell, am I actually dead?"
She shrieked madly, pulling on her short hair that went back to normal from the last she remembered of it randomly changing into something unusual. The ground Thana was on is nothing but white, cloud-like nothingness. She can even see her reflection, which was weird.
"I'm in heaven?" she whispers in disbelief to only earn her a loud scoff from the old man. He slaps the air and his face twisted into something much more twisted than he usually looks as he breaks into fits of laughter.
Thana glares at him while he tries to speak in between his mock and laughter, "do you honestly think the angels will allow you to take one step in the gates of heaven?"
"No. But it doesn't matter; I'm dragging you to the pits of hell with me, you despicable old man," she spat, jaw clenching and ears fuming red.
The old man motioned his hands to calm her down, but Thana would only bare her teeth while breathing heavily like a lion. He scratches his head full of thin, aging white hair.
"You must have a lot of questions-" the old man started calmly.
"I don't want to chat with you. I just want to stab your eyes, old-timer!" Thana growls, making the man shiver.
The old man could only blink before continuing, ignoring Thana's rage and insult, "firstly, my name is Otto. The Otto of the book you're currently stuck in."
"Well, that's a stupid name. And that's a barmy joke!"
Otto chuckled, "I know, but that really is my name. And what I said is far from a joke; I'm an author, remember? You're really in a book, and you're stuck there until you fulfill your mission."
"-hold that thought, I meant missions," Otto finished with a mischievous smile.
Thana stared at him as if she had just heard words coming from a mentally unstable man's mouth. Thana sighs in regret for her foolish decisions that got her into this trouble. She pushes her hair away from her face, blowing hot air as she thinks again. What had urged her to step into that bookstore and talk to this crazy old man?
But as she looks around the white nothingness, it's unbelievable to be in a place like this. At first, Thana concluded that she really is dead being in such a serene place.
"Where am I right now?" she asked Otto, who never looked away from her. He still had the crooked smile on his face, which he dropped when she asked the question.
"This place is called the limbo. It's peaceful, isn't it, but we can't be here for long. In fact, I brought you here to tell you briefly about your mission in the new world you're in."
Thana groans irritatedly, "again with this mission; with this new world. What in the bloody hell are you talking about? Limbo? You really do sound insane."
Otto opens his mouth, but Thana cuts in, "-you know what, I don't know why I ended up in the middle of the forest, but I can somewhat forgive you for that. Just bring me back; I want to go back home. Right now."
Thana holds her palms out, warning him before he can finally reply to her, and she proceeds, "you have no idea what I've been through. Was it to your enjoyment to put me into so much difficulty in that forest? I do not know what you are, god or whatever, but this is enough. I've had enough bad luck in my life to go through some more of this ridiculous game you're on. Bring. Me. Back."
After Thana successfully let go of her frustrations, she didn't feel quite satisfied. She wanted to let out more, but she felt tired and wanted to rest her mouth, giving the old man the chance to speak.
The silence between them was calm after the storm. Otto remained silent for a few more minutes to make sure that Thana was done, and she wouldn't cut him off before speaking anymore.
He cleared his throat and smiled, "Thana, you can't go back to your world."
Thana's eyes grew wide, "and why is that?"
"Because you're already dead."