"Is this even reality?" I murmured, staring in disbelief at the grandeur before me.
"This palace is bigger than the museum itself," I thought, bewildered.
So shocked and questioning, I was confused by my thoughts. "Where am I?"
"Omg, this man is too good to be true," I whispered.
It all began on an ordinary day. I was coming home after school when I spotted a ring on the floor. I picked it up and tried to look for its rightful owner. Then I saw an old woman searching frantically on the ground. I guessed she was looking for the ring, so I approached her.
"Hi, ma'am, are you searching for a ring?"
"Yes, I lost it somewhere around here," she replied, her voice filled with worry.
"Here, ma'am, this might be your ring," I said, extending my hand.
"Thank you, dear. But you can keep it. Put it under your pillow and sleep," she instructed.
I was confused but agreed anyway. I went home and did my usual chores. Later that night, as I was preparing for bed, I remembered the old woman's words.
*Knock, knock.*
Someone was knocking at the door. Who could it be at 10 o'clock at night? I opened the door, but no one was there. Feeling a chill run down my spine, I quickly shut the door and turned back. Something fell on my shoulder.
"Ahhh, what is it?" I screamed.
"Oh, just a silly leaf," I sighed in relief, though my heart was still pounding.
Scared, I locked the door and went to my room. I placed the ring under my pillow as the old woman had said. It sounded silly, but curiosity got the best of me. I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.
"Is this a dream or reality?" I wondered, waking up in a place I had never seen before. It was a paradise filled with greenery and the scent of roses.
"Hey, welcome to heaven," a voice greeted me.
"Heaven? I haven't even died yet," I exclaimed.
Surprised, I wandered through this beautiful world, marveling at the decorated houses and happy people.
"Wait a minute, is that...omg?" I gasped, seeing a familiar face.
"Hi, Liza," said my friend, who had died a year ago.
"O—my—gosh," I stammered, tears filling my eyes. "I miss you so much, friend."
"We don't cry in heaven, Liza," she said gently.
Not knowing what to say, I wandered further and saw...God.
"I believed in you. Now I believe even more as I can see you, my Lord," I said, awestruck.
"Sure, dear. Be thankful for your good deeds that brought you here today," God replied.
"Have I even died yet?" I asked, but God left without answering.
Then I saw the same old woman who gave me the ring.
"Wait a minute, ma'am, why did you give me the ring?" I asked.
"To make you feel what it's like to be in heaven, even though it's your dream," she answered.
"Dream? Dream?" I repeated, confused.
"Look behind you," an evil voice said.
I turned and saw my body lying on the bed while I stood beside it. I was...dead?
"No way," I gasped. "But why so soon?"
I tried to touch my body, but darkness enveloped me, as if someone had captured me in a room with no light.
"What is happening? I don't understand," I shouted.
Suddenly, a creepy-looking guy appeared, clapping his hands three times. I felt alive but soulless.
"Ahhhhhhh," I screamed, freaking out.
"It's a dream, dear," a voice reassured me.
"But a dream could be so real. I never thought," I said.
"If a dream isn't realistic, then how is it a dream, dear?" the voice replied.
A loud noise boomed.
"Ahhh..." I woke up in my bed. It was just a dream. I went outside and returned the ring to the old woman, telling her about my dream.
"Your dream is not a normal dream," she said before leaving without another word.
"How could this be?" I wondered, confused again. I went back home, locked the door, and went to sleep.