'So that was it' she thought bitterly. Everyone that she thought cared about her actually despised her. They were only nice to her so they could use her.
With the clarity afforded her by her spirit form and the ability to see all that transpired in her hospital room while her body lay motionless, she could see them now for what they truly were – entitled, vain, selfish, greedy, and cruel.
She sneered. Her siblings were not even 1/10 as amazing as they thought they were. And definitely, not even that smart.
They thought that they had managed to fool her all her life. But had they really? No, she realized she'd always been aware of their shortcomings. But she was blinded by filial piety and familial love. She believed that blood was thicker than water and that family should take care of each other.
But no more. Being a spirit had removed the blinders she was wearing and finally revealed the sad awful truth. Now, if there was only something she could do about it before it was too late.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Sathanas watched as Elvira looked around bewildered. He could hear her thoughts and feel her emotions. Well, he could if she had any. She seemed numb at the moment.
This wasn't exactly unheard of, but it was rare. Most humans would have given in to despair by now. But he'd realized from the moment he began watching her that she was different. What remained to be seen, however, was just how different she was.
He'd get the chance to find out sooner than he thought.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
As Elvira pondered her family's betrayal and her husband's treachery, she again felt a presence watching her. But this one felt much different than the previous one. That one had been merely a flicker. She wasn't even sure what she'd really felt.
Suddenly, a soft glowing white light appeared before her. It was comforting and beckoned her affectionately. She felt inextricably drawn towards the fist-sized ball of warm light.
Instinctively, she knew what it was and recoiled.
"No." she said suddenly stopping herself. She couldn't go yet. There was too much to do. Too much to live for.
The light grew larger as if a portal was opening. She felt the pull again, a little stronger this time but still gentle as if trying to coax her.
A reassuring voice, calm and mellifluous seemed to emanate from the warm glow. "Come home, Elvira." It spoke to her in a way that melted her will.
As if sensing her resistance, out of the portal stretched a hand beckoning her towards the entryway. Her senses were becoming dulled, and she felt helpless to resist that outstretched hand. She wanted to grasp it. She wanted it to pull her into that comforting light.
An extraordinarily handsome man was the owner of that hand. He smiled reassuringly as he stepped partway out of the gateway. His gaze was mesmerizing, and he projected an aura of serenity and trustworthiness.
"Come home, Elvira. All of your troubles will be over. All of your worries will disappear. No more pain. No more anxiety. No more frustration." He soothed.
She could feel her will dissolving like sugar in water. His words sounded so convincing and so delicious. She inched closer to him. his melodious voice caressed her mind, soul, and heart. She just wanted to give in and melt into peace and tranquility.
"No." she protested weakly. But her resolve was wavering. She was having a hard time remembering why she wanted to stay in the Mortal Realm with all of its pain.
"Do not be afraid." His voice was hypnotizing. It caressed her in the manner of a parent comforting a small child who'd had a nightmare. It embraced her and made her feel safe and secure.
He sensed her hesitation, so he intensified his aura of welcoming peace. He'd met a few who resisted over his centuries as a Reaper. It was mostly out of fear. But this woman was different. She was calm. But no matter. They all gave in eventually. She wouldn't be able to resist him for long.
His beautiful smile broadened. It was as if the sun had suddenly broken through the clouds. She felt as if everything made sense now. Waves of peace and serenity washed over her.
"I…I can't. Work." It was getting more difficult to form coherent thoughts and sentences. Her thoughts drifted into nothingness. She mouthed words but her voice was lost in the tranquility. It was worse than being in the void.
All she wanted to do was float and sleep. To give into that compelling mesmerizing voice. to embrace the peace that he offered.
She was numb and dispassionate in the void. She wanted to feel the safety and comfort offered by the gorgeous man of light.
He misunderstood her utterance about work. "You don't need to work."
"I want to." She didn't like how whiny her voice sounded. She'd been a decisive and determined businesswoman in life.
"There is no more work to be done." his silky whisper, stroked her ears. She was starting to believe he was right. She wanted to be seduced by the idea of luxurious rest.
"No more work. Just rest. Peace." He repeated a little firmer this time.
"But I like to work." She managed to blurt out.
He was starting to get irritated, but he didn't let it show. He was on a strict time crunch. He needed to reap at least a hundred more souls in the next few hours to make his quota. And she was putting him way behind schedule.
He preferred the ones who were unaware they were dying. It was simple. He just showed up, held out his hand, and when they took it, he took their soul to Heaven. Or to Hell. Whichever. It didn't matter to him. It was not his decision anyway.
The ones that knew they were dying, however, often resisted. They had all sorts of reasons for why they needed to stay. But none were compelling enough to actually make any difference.
Most humans had a few threads binding them to life in the mortal plane, but they were thin and easily broken like spiderwebs. They were tenuous at best.
Elvira's were different. The strings that tethered her to the mortal world were thicker than most. More like cords than threads.
They were not only thick but comprised of multiple cords twisted together like steel cables. This would make them exceedingly difficult to cut.
And, most importantly, there were more than a few.
It would be so much easier if she came with him of her own accord.