Name: Auden Bellamy Buencamino
Age: 19
Cause of Death: Blunt Force Trauma to the Head
15th of May, 2021, almost past the closing hour of Demoiselle CinnaMan. An accident concerning an explosion took the lives of some bystanders and some workers. It was broadcasted all over the state, which garnered much attention. The same day, Auden took the first ride at the Middel train station and five more people.
The cold breeze of the air cradled her weakening body. She turned her head back to where she's from. Tears formed in her eyes. A pink and purple sign flickered through the night, Demoiselle CinnaMan.
"I died here."
Noah came to her rescue. He held her tight, before she even falls. His warmth enveloped her icy body as they both watched the bakery from afar.
"Five of the people you saw today died at the same time as you did. After death, souls are gathered to live in the same place they died. This town you live and see right now is the same town you were in before sans your memories with it."
"How about my parents, family, friends? Why are there no records of them here?" She looked at the papers upside down, front and back, but none showed anything about her personal life. Her questions remained the same. Who was she?
Auden shuffled photos through photos of her up to her death. The graphic images embedded through her head, trying to remember every detail about her life as much as possible. It was all she had left. It was her only hope.
"We don't see those parts of our memories anymore, Aud. We are here to live a life after them." Noah took her shaking body in a tight hug. Nevertheless, she felt at home.
"Isn't it unfair?" She whispered within his hug.
"It is, Aud, but this is a blessing to me." Noah whispered the last words. She didn't bother asking, she was just taking all the comfort he had offered.
After Noah calmed her, they decided to walk home. The pathway glimmered with the moonlight and nothing more. The stillness of the night gave her peace. She felt exhausted mentally, emotionally, and physically. "So, one can still be tired after life?" She thought to herself and smiled a little.
The moonlight guided them home, and soon she bid Noah goodbye after the long night. Auden cradled herself in silence. The envelope laid flat on her coffee table. She couldn't feel sad about anything except for dying.
A little past nine, she decided to stroll the house she found herself in. It was small yet cozy. Perfect size for two people. Was this her house before too? She took a book from the coffee table. There were signs of usage as well as a bookmark that had peeked out of the leaves. This could be the book she was reading before she died.
Paper Towns. She read the first pages and decided to skip to the bookmarked page. "The easiest way to solve a mystery is to decide that there is no mystery to solve." – Page 111. Auden smiled bitterly as she continues reading.
She looked around her and sat on the wooden floor. "So, this is what happens when you die. What happens after this?" She hugged herself in a fetal position. Trying her best to remember something drifted her to sleep.
The following day, a loud knocking woke her up. Auden found herself still in the same place where she cried last night. Her head hurt, and her eyes are puffed. The banging on her door didn't stop until she opened it in reflex. Not minding her appearance, she took the door wide open.
"Good morning, Aud," greeted Noah, who sounds chirpier than the last time she saw him. She took her time examining him; bold brows, pointed nose, and clear skin. She almost envied his noble face.
"What's with the banging?" She left the door open as a sign for Noah to let himself in.
"I thought you're ready. It's half past the hour of our shift. Aren't you going to work today?" She instantly looked at her clock, and it showed that Noah was telling the truth. They were already late.
Quickly, she jumped out of her senses and ran towards the bathroom door. She screamed at the top of her lungs the moment icy water hit her. Regardless, her body rapidly adapted. She didn't count the droplets like she did last night. Even if this was life after death, she needed to earn her wages.
After suiting up to her uniform, she ran towards Noah. She saw him talking to the old cookie lady. She felt her skirt pocket and found the crumpled cookie she forgot to eat yesterday. It all dried together with her skirt when she put it in the laundry last night.
"Aud, this is Mrs. Wiley." Big smiles filled both Noah and Mrs. Wiley's faces.
"Mrs. Wiley, thank you for the cookies yesterday. It was great."
"I heard that you just got here yesterday. That's why I gave you some cookies. I'm glad that you enjoyed it." The old lady's face is full of happiness and gentleness.
With that remark, she remembered her sudden death. She couldn't stop the questions about her past life that are running through her mind.
"Don't be sad, child. Take this cookie with you and get back to work. You're running late."
"Thank you, Mrs. Wiley." She made a mental note to eat it on break. As if on cue, she felt herself being dragged once again.
Noah's dragging brought them to the bakery. Just like the other day, people were piling up by the opening of the shop. They pushed through the crowd until they managed to land their feet inside the bakery shop.
"Good morning," Noah greeted everyone happily. She smiled her best to match Noah's enthusiasm. They both sashayed towards the kitchen area. Unlike yesterday, where she was given a bucket and a mop, today Noah gave her a fresh out of laundry apron.
"What is this for, Noah?" She went on examining the clothes she was given before she put two and two together. This is the same apron the baristas were wearing. "Barista?"
"Yup. Your counter will be the third on the left. Take your spot, I have to go now." Noah left her in a spin. Great! She didn't even know what to do.
She looked around the busy employees and found her sweet spot. There she found a short guide of how to. There was also a heap of lists of bread and beverages as well as how to make them.
Stumbling through her feet, she managed to serve her first customer, who wanted nothing but bundles of baguettes. She never thought that this could be easy. As if she's in her whole element, smiling and attending to customers.
"I'll have a cookie and bottle of milk, please." She looked forward and found no one. She looked down and saw a cute little girl in pigtails wearing a pink tutu. She was adorably cute.
"Hi there, I'll get your order in a jiffy." Auden smiled sweetly at the little girl, but she kept wondering how that kid died. She was so young and beautiful. Knowing that everybody around her has died already didn't help her curiosity. Were they like her when they first got to Middel?
Just as requested to do, Auden took a freshly baked cookie from one of the trays and poured the little kid a glass of fresh cow's milk. "Here's your order, young lady. Would you like some assistance?" The little girl nodded and walked towards a nearby empty table.
"You're alone?" She couldn't help but wonder. The girl nodded and picked the cookie from the platter. "I am. I woke up down the last block last week. Since then, I've been eating my breakfast here. Oh, and lunch too, plus dinner."
She couldn't help but giggle at the little girl's remark. She watched her softly as she took a big gulp of milk. "Come by my counter this noon. Let's get lunch together." A little addition to her friends' list would hurt no one.
"Okay, lady." Auden left the little girl at peace. She walked back to her counter and served a ton more people. She also observed that the custard cake is what everybody wanted among all types of dessert.
The sun moved from one side of the bakery shop to the other, declaring that the time had passed.
She felt her calves heavy and tired from standing. Her apron also spewed out crumbs and sauces. She may have caught it while serving the guy who almost ordered everything.
"You can change your apron in the break room." She turned towards the woman. Auden noticed her awhile ago but never had the chance to crack a conversation "Hi, I'm Olivia. Been here for three years. Go change your apron before the sanitary inspector comes, quick."
In a blood rush, she hurried down the hallway. She found the break room, but she forgot to thank or even introduce herself to Olivia. Quickly, she changed her apron and tied her locks in a low messy bun. Back to the counter she went, just right after the inspector entered.