Have you ever been in a situation where everything seems illogical and you are questioning your own existence? Well, that was my current mental state.
Alberto gave me enough time to sink his words, however it was not possible no matter how hard I tried. I am dead. I am no longer alive. And I am on my way to the afterlife. At first I thought it was sadness that caused the numbness inside me. Of course, people would be sad once they are dead, right?
No. It's wrong. I don't remember a single thing from my life and without the memories; I had no reason to be sad. All I felt was the awkwardness and the amusement a normal child would have after seeing a magic show for the first time. And the fact that Angels, heaven and all those mythical places exist piqued my curiosity. Did I believe in those things while I was alive? Or was I an atheist who propagated that there was no God but only science?
I was also amazed that my knowledge and practical mind doesn't seem to suffer from any memory loss but only forgot the people I know, emotions and my own identity, which actually makes me a person.
If someone asks me about the incidents that happened in the world, I could recollect them; but I don't know how and where I heard of them. It's fascinating yet scary.
"I am sorry to interrupt, but could you please think while walking? If we delay any longer, today's entire schedule would be in a mess. The lady in the administration office is quite strict about punctuality."
I nodded my head like a robot, although a million questions popped up in my head. Administration? Schedule? Are we going to get an admission from some school?
Alberto helped me to get up from the ground and took a fallen leaf from my tangled hair.
"Will I go to hell? Was I a bad person?"
I stared straight at his eyes to identify any emotions that would give away some answer. However, the glint in his orbs never faded, and he still had a smile on his face.
"My duty is to help you reach the other realm, like a taxi driver. You were not supposed to ask any questions in the first place because of the spell we put on you. Still, cases like this happen once in a while and we try to bring the situation under control as much as possible. The Administration Office is responsible for answering all your questions. So if you will please follow me..."
My curiosity was over the moon right now; knowing that I would actually be visiting another realm and entering a world where anything could happen to me. If I was a bad person, then I might end up in the circles of Inferno. Which one would I belong to then? Is Dante even right? Will I be seeing Satan? And why the hell am I only thinking about going to hell? Is my gut feeling telling me that I was a terrible human being?
"You look like a cup overflowing with tea."
Alberto had an all knowing look on his face and his smirk told me he knew each and every answer to my unannounced questions.
Knowing that I wouldn't get any further information from him, I gestured for him to lead the way. God knows where I will end up; literally!
We walked through the corn fields, with the music of nature all around us. The wind rustling through the leaves, birds chirping, bees humming, and the sound of our feet padding through the soiled ground. It was refreshing, but somehow never ending.
"Are you allowed to tell me what this place is?"
I asked, expecting no reply from him at all. However, I was surprised when he turned back and smiled at me.
"Of course. You wouldn't be seeing this place again, anyway. This is an illusion created by the man up there, which acts as a bridge between the realms. The energy is different in each of the dimensions and the sudden change might affect the entire balance of the world. So places like these would neutralize the energy and help our bodies to adapt to the difference."
What he said was completely science, and I was amazed by the brain who came up with all these ideas. How can someone think of such complexities and sophisticated ideas?
"And we are the only people here?"
Although I don't see anyone else in my line of vision, there might be other people somewhere. After all, I am not the only person who passed away at that time. If the statistics are right, then one-twenty people die every minute. So where are they?
"Like I said, it's just an illusion. It is your own brain that created this corn field. For others, it will be different. For example, thousands of others are taking the same path right now, yet we cannot see each other. I have walked through volcanoes, mountains, oceans, cities and even strip clubs."
Alberto chuckled at the end, and I couldn't help but laugh as well. So the guides would share the illusion his client has. How interesting! My past life must have something related to corn fields. Was it my favourite place? Or was I afraid of them? Probably, I will never know.
"Ooh, we are here. "
Alberto halted his strides out of nowhere and turned to me with his signature smile.
"Elevator, steps or Escalator?"
I pondered on the question and decided on Escalator after the scene of Tom going to heaven filled my mind. If I am ending up in hell, then I as well will enjoy my last minutes of freedom in humor.
"Good choice. Most choose elevator and it's so boring."
He clapped twice, and the sound echoed through the field. Suddenly, the ground under my legs started shaking and right in front of me, an escalator swirled its way from the sky. The curved machine was carved with intricate designs and I felt like a princess while stepping on to the beige colored step that started moving once our bodies relaxed.
"Is this escalator from Mitsubishi Electric, Japan? I have heard from somewhere that it is the only company that manufactures spiral escalators."
Even though he shook his head at me with a goofy smile that clearly meant he thinks of me as an idiot, I was amazed by the knowledge I had. I must have been a business woman or someone who was highly educated. Otherwise how would I know such extensive informations?
Just like the last time in highway, my scenery changed out of the blue and I was now surrounded by planets, stars and other space objects.
"Is this an illusion too?"
My eyes were wide as saucers after watching the stars, which I assumed had five pointed ends, but were actually giant balls that were blazing midair without any support.
"Nope. This is a one time opportunity that all dead people get. It's like a tour package. The Angels from Strategy Department suggested this proposal, and the Boss was very pleased. He liked the idea of giving the deceased a chance to see something they have always wondered about. I think you liked space at some point in your life."
I was too dumbstruck to give a proper reply and just decided to enjoy the view while it lasts. The experience was definitely worth dying and the people down there had no idea what they were missing.
As I peeked below, I could see my planet distancing from me and I gave a small wave to mother earth as a token of appreciation for accommodating me all these years.
The machine slowed down once we passed the Ring of Saturn and I thought that we reached our destination. The movement stopped eventually and in front of me was a barely lit ball of gas.
"This is the oldest star in space right now, and it will be dead by the time we reach our realm. The temperature is bearable and if you want, you can touch the surface without getting burned. This is a service I am willing to provide exclusively to you since you managed to snap out of my spell."
Alberto was talking like a real tourist guide, and I smiled at him gratefully. Leaving Earth was definitely worth it.
I reached out my hand and touched the irregular object, only to fall in love with it immediately. The texture was unique and something unexplainable, yet very appealing. There was a calming warmth coming out of the giant ball and to know that it would soon stop existing was making me sad.
"You did a great job."
I murmured at the old thing and patted it twice before my journey continued.
Alberto explained different things on our way and even showed me a Russian Satellite. He assured me that normal humans can never see us and even if they did, their brain would only register it as a harmless asteroid floating through the space. It was all so fascinating.
After some time, he took out a pocket watch with a gold chain dangling from its sides and opened it by pressing a small button.
"Twenty-four years have passed on Earth and we will land in another six months or three minutes according to our time zone."
My jaw slacked on its own, and I stared at him like a complete idiot. Of course, the time zones would be different. Why didn't I think of it in the first place?
Just before I processed the new information, my surrounding changed again, and I was moving among clouds. My vision was blurred and I couldn't even see Alberto, who was standing in front of me. A minute or so later, bricked ground became visible, and I was waiting before a wooden door, outside an old hut with a thatched roof.
"Welcome to the Administration Office."
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