"Regrets I got a few but then again", my ringtone went off. Looking at the caller id, I knew it was going to be a pain. I accepted the call with as much vigor as I can at two in the morning.
"Hey Al, we need ya over hear pronto!", shouted the ever angry man, "Dan called out and we need a pair of hands!"
"Really Joe, after the ten hour shift", before I could continue, Joe let out a whistle.
"Look here Al I rather not write a report about you going AWOL now", Joe said as he click his tongue.
Begrudgingly I agreed and made my way to work on a day off. Bricks of lead encased my feet as I dragged myself to my car. The engine cursing out words only it knows and the flash of lights was enough to wake the dead. I drove off into the night.
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While I can say that the traffic wasn't as bad now, I can say that this is a load of bull. Dan the kiss up calls out three times this week and Joe can. My thoughts stop when high beams flash into my rearview mirror causing me to swerve into a tree.
"Noooooooo!", I shouted.
My heart was racing, I was fighting to breath, a numb tingle ran throughout my body, and all I could see was white. Sitting in the white void for what felt like hours gave me time to think. "Am I dead?!"
"Heh, heh, heh", cough out a voice, "Eh something like that."
My vision began to focus and what I did focus on was a short, bald man eating a wedge of cheese. The robes he wore look tattered and whatever color had it been before faded into white. What stood out from the man, besides the cheese, was a long beard being dragged across the floor. This rope of red hair was attached to a tired yet jolly face munching away at the cheese.
"Something like...", my words got caught in my throat.
"Ah sorry.", the man apologized as he stuff his cheese wedge into his robe, "My meals can be quite appealing."
"So I am. No am I. I'm dead aren't I", I managed to stammer.
"I guess it's true what they say, hearing is the first to go. No you are not dead, rather you're in a state of inbetween.", prattled the old man who I'm guessing is someone more than what he seems.
Getting the feeling back in my legs I walk towards the old being. As I got closer, memories start to replay in my head. Every choice, every failure, what few victories I had, and all the diary products I've eaten. I paid no mind to the last one. Reaching within a few feet to the being caused me to collapse into a heap. "What is going on!"
"A second chance my dear boy!", slurred the being as he drank some milk.
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It was dark and cold. I saw no sign of the odd man nor could I see anything really. Pressure was all around me and I started to lash out. With each swing I managed to chip away at the darkness until a small crack appeared. Clawing at it I felt warm air rushing in. Knowing that freedom was on the other side I gave it full force until the crack opened wide enough for me to exit. The air was indeed warm yet the sky was still painted black. What little light came from the moon and with this I could tell my surroundings.
Decrepid. Vines growing on stones, a thick mist covering the ground. The stench of stagnated water filled my nose and the chirping of insects bellowed load in my ears. The grass felt dry under my feet which was odd since I last had boots on. The lunar light crept behind me. Turning I read the words.
"Here lies Alaric 'Sid' Stronghead"