Disclaimer: Still don't own it
I never thought I would be at my own funeral.
As I sit in the back pew, not seen by anyone since technically I was a ghost, I still could not decide whether to cry or laugh. Everyone in the church was dressed in black while I was in the same clothes that I was wearing when I was last alive. If anyone could see me, I would have definitely have stood out.
I watched as my mother, struggling to hold back tears, thanked everyone in the small church for coming. After she was done, the church's pastor gave a short sermon; the usual words that are usually said at things like this and were almost never true. I found the part where he said "my soul was at peace" just plain ridiculous.
I was definitely not at peace; especially since my body still wasn't found.
At least that's what I heard when I walked into the church just before the ceremony started. One of my relatives, a cousin whom I never really saw much of when I was still breathing, mentioned that the police were still looking for my corpse. When I died it was Thanksgiving, but now it was into the next year and my death was still a mystery for the town of Rosewood.
I don't remember what happened when I died. I don't remember what happened with anything since I woke up on the street just a few hours ago. The last memory I had was watching my mom leave for my relatives and my call to Aria. After that there was nothing. It was like there was a hole in my memories that was just there.
I knew I was dead when a car drove right through me and that no one could see me. I was a genius so it didn't take me more than a few minutes to realize I was a ghost. I was still processing it when I stumbled across the church and the service, deciding to just walk in when I saw a bunch of familiar faces.
Looking around, I found it funny that so many people I knew came to my funeral. In the front pews were my mother, my uncle, and Hanna as well as her mother. In the back of them sat Aria, Mike, Spencer, Toby, Ezra, Emily, Paige, and Lucas. The rest of the seats were occupied by the rest of my extended family as well as the Hastings (which really surprised me) though right next to me was Tanner and Holbrook. At the other end, next to them, were Jenna and Sydney.
It was hard to see but Hanna looked like she had been crying and I couldn't believe it was for me. In fact, it looked like everyone had a few tears in their eyes, even Emily who said we would never be besties. Mike looked lost and Aria was clutching his hand for support while Ezra was doing the same for her.
Spencer and Toby sat next to Caleb, whom all three looked surprisingly sad. I wasn't sure what to make of that given my issues with them. Caleb hated me because of what I did to Hanna. Spencer and Toby didn't like me because of what I did to them when I was still on the A Team. So I was a bit astounded that that they were actually unhappy that I was dead.
"I guess Spencer is out of jail," I said out loud. Knowing full well no one could hear me. On my journey here, I screamed at every person and car I passed by with no reaction from anyone. I was surprised to see Caleb whip his head around suddenly as if had heard me.
That caught my curiosity.
Before I could check up on that, the priest asked if there was anyone who wanted to speak for the departed. Which I swear caused me chills since I was right here. I was once again surprised when Hanna suddenly stood up and walked to the podium where the priest moved aside for her. He then took a seat next to the altar.
She looked beautiful in that long black dress that went down to her feet. It was the most conservative thing I had ever seen her in and it covered almost her entire body. Her hair had grown longer since I last saw her and her makeup was smeared slightly which meant that she had been crying. I leaned forward as she began to speak and I felt a pain in my heart which again I was surprised since I was dead.
"Mona was my friend. She was once my best friend, but she harassed me and my friends last year. I forgave her because I now know she was sick and scared because of what was done to her by Alison. I also understand now because I did nothing to stop what was happening to Mona and I will always regret that. Mona helped me find out the truth about everything and I will always be grateful. I hope she is at peace now and happy because she deserved to be after everything that has happened." She tried to keep her voice clear but anyone could tell she was in pain.
After she was done, Hanna returned to the pew and hugged my crying mother before sitting back down.
While it was short, it did cause me to cry which I didn't think I could do. The tears felt real as they poured down my face. There so many things I was feeling that it was just overwhelming. I think the biggest things were guilt and regret which caused me to cry harder. Out of the corner of my eye, it seemed that Caleb was looking back here but I was too into myself to care.
I kept my head low the rest of the service. I think others also talked about me, maybe Paige and Emily, but I was just too wrapped up with my thoughts to care. Eventually the service ended and I could hear everyone leaving the church in groups. The casket was removed to be buried and soon I found myself alone in the church.
It wasn't fair that I was dead.
I was going to college. I was up for head of the class alongside Spencer and Andrew. I had plans for my career in computer science. I was getting out of Rosewood and putting all this behind me. I had a future.
And now I was dead.
While I wallowed in self-pity, I could hear the Church doors open and someone walk inside. I looked up to see a man walking up to the podium who clearly wasn't dressed for a funeral. He was almost fat, white skinned, and his eyes were covered up by dark sunglasses. He was dressed in a pair of grey shorts with a matching star wars t-shirt and brown sandals.
I kept watching as he looked around and the smile he had seemed like he was amused by something. It was not smug like the looks Alison gave you but it was up there. Finally having enough, I stood up and turned to leave when he suddenly spoke.
"Going somewhere Ms. Vanderwaal?"
I was stunned and turned towards him, seeing that he was staring right at me. I could only gape as he just looked at me with an even more annoying smile.
"You can see me?" I asked. I wasn't sure whether to be happy or nervous because whoever this guy was, he gave me a very strange feeling.
"Oh yes quite well. You really do stand out in a place like this." There was an accent to his voice that I could not pick up on though it had a bit of seniority to it. Like this was someone with authority.
I was always a smart person. Spencer never won all the awards because I brought home my fair share of academic achievements. So as I stared at the weird man in front of me, it did not take me long to figure out why he could see me and who he was.
"Are you here to take me?" I tried to keep the nervousness out of my voice but failed miserably.
"You really are smart Mona, but no. You are a complicated case right now so you're not going anywhere," There was just a hint of tone apologetic in his voice but the rest was pure amusement.
"What do you mean? Why am I not in the afterlife?" I fought to take a step back when he moved towards me with his hands in his pocket like he was just hanging out.
At one time, I used to go to Church with my mother. When I grew older and life started sucking because of Alison, I stopped because I refused to believe that any God could allow the existence of Alison DiLaurentis. While wasn't an outright Atheist, I did think there was other side in some way.
"Well Mona, I'll just get straight to the point because I am a very bust being. You weren't supposed to die and now we have a problem," he stated.
"Wait….what? What do you mean I wasn't supposed to die? Who are you?" I demanded and having some courage to raise my voice at him.
"Who I am doesn't matter. Though I will happily say that I am not a part of the Heavenly Host or the Fallen. As for why you weren't supposed to die, there was a screw up of sorts during the writing of your story and now we are not sure what to do with you." The way he said it, I was now an inconvenience to him.
"How can you not know what not to do with me? Can't you just take me where I am supposed go?" I did not know what was going on and I hated that.
"So you want to go to Hell?" The Man casually asked. My eyes widened and I struggled to answer him.
I know I was not a good person these past few years. I also know I did some pretty horrible things to a lot of people. But I also knew that they paled compared to what some others around me did, especially Alison. But I refused to believe all that would condemn me forever.
"You were a very bad girl Mona and you deserved to be punished for it. But since you were never supposed to die, you would have eventually been redeemed and lived a happy life. By unexpectedly dying, you future eternity is now screwed up. So until there is a decision on what to do with you, you are sticking around for a while," His tone indicated there was no arguing with him but I couldn't help it.
"But why wasn't I supposed to die? What happy life? What am I supposed to do since I am dead? I am a Ghost!" I was practically shouting at the being who just looked like he was bored; like my mother did when I was in my screaming fits as a child.
"To your first and second questions, can't tell you. For what you're supposed to do now, well you're a smart girl, figure it out. Good luck."
And with that, he was gone.
Author's Note: This story was a direct reaction to last week's episode and something I will be working on and finish hopefully by the time of the premier. This will obviously be speculative AU and pure Mona-centric. I am looking for a pre-reader to any volunteers would be great. I also haven't forgotten about "The Odd Couple" and plan to update soon. Please R&R!