This story is honored to my girlfriend Katie who gave me the needed motivation to post this. Stay positive and don't let troubles drag you down!
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CHAPTER 1 – UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL
"NO!" *CRASH* *Thud*
I couldn't feel my body anymore...my vision was fading in and out...why does everything hurt so much?
"Out of the way everyone, step aside!"
There was red everywhere...some of it was flowing from my forehead...and my mouth filled with the copper-like substance...
"You need to save her, please! She doesn't deserve to die!"
I feel a little bit of my nerves in my neck...the broken form of my body very slowly turns to the left side...there were so many people standing there. There was the mother of the child that I pushed to safety...she was tearing up while cradeling the little girl. 'Your child...is safe now...please don't cry...'
"Bring me the defibrilator, fast! Her heart's stopping!"
My breath became narrow...there was so much pain coming from my chest...I was still gazing at the mother and her child. Her child was looking towards my body...and then into my eyes. She seemed so sad... 'I'm glad...that she didn't die...'
"Reanimating her in 3! 2! 1! Shock!"
I could see my chest jerking up from the voltage flowing through it...but it didn't relieve the pain...I was growing more and more disconnected at the second...my vision was going black out soon...I give a last glance towards the pair in the back...the woman broke out in tears, laying on the ground while whaling. The sight of my mangled body...is too much for her to bear.
"DO SOMETHING ALREADY, DON'T LET HER DIE FOR THIS!"
Voices of distraught filled my mind...there were other people shouting at the ambulance to bring me to the hospital already. Nobody wanted to see me die like this...my vision was almost gone, so with the last strength in my body I curled my lips upward as both eyes closed in silence.
"...!?"
Everything became silent...their voices so far away...slumber was taking its place. I silently mouth my last words to her with blood flowing out of the mouth before everything stopped.
"Don't...c-cry...any...more."
And then everything turns black...this is it...I'm sorry mom...dad...I love you.
...
"You know that this wasn't supposed to happen!"
"I couldn't just watch while a friend of mine could have gotten hurt!"
"You put EVERYONE into danger!"
"She was also in...but, she..."
"Please...one casualty is too much, considering said person was supposed to be protected by you."
"I...I'm sorry..."
*Sigh* "It's alright, you...didn't intended this. Let's just hope that she'll take this better than we do."
...
"Okay, 'G'."
...
"…Miss…"
I could hear a voice speaking out to me, it sounded feminine and…Hispanic? Wait, did I land somewhere in Spain!? How am I there, I lived in America, so how-?
"…Miss Layna."
The voice was there again, but slightly louder. I wonder, was she calling out to me? If she did, I couldn't even focus on whatever she meant…I was so dazed. Did I have a hangover from the booze that I secretly kept home? Is that why I was so unfocused? Well, Mom always did warn me of getting addicted. But I always ignored anyone's warnings anyway. Not like they bothered me in a-
"MISS LAYNA!"
Jumping from the loud noise that rang threw the air, I could actually focus again. Some bangs of black hair blocked my left eye but only because I wanted it like that. Everyone always said it gave me a mysterious look. Now, I think this was a dream, because all I could see was white. The ground, the air, no speck of any other color was to be found. Well, almost…
"Finally Miss Layna. *Sigh* I thought you were gone or something. Now that I have your attention…"
In front of me sat a woman in her 40s or so. She had a white business suit on her, brown hair with locks that went down her frame, ending just over her hips. Her eyes were a rather dark version of blue which were covered by a pair of expensive-looking doctor glasses and sported chocolate colored skin. The woman sat on a couch that was light grey and I noticed that I was sitting on a similar one. Between us was a coffee table with a brown clipboard and a vase on it… 'A white tulip. Huh, don't white flowers symbolize death or something?'
"Actually, yes they do Miss. And this flower is here for a good reason. Because you are…well…dead."
Wait. Mysterious lady said what? 'PARDON!?' "Hold on Madam! Are you saying that I am not only dead, but you can also read my thoughts!? What is this place even!?"
She looked at me with a puzzled expression, before frowning slightly. "Yes, you see…The place we're in right now is the space between the world of the living and the world of the dead. To simplify things for you, there had been some…misunderstandings, so to speak. As for your curiosity, I can read your thoughts, but only if you're focusing strong enough on them."
Now it was my turn to frown. "So…I'm actually dead." I was rather talking to myself. I just couldn't believe it… "How did I actually die, and why can't I remember anything about it?"
She was taking the brown clipboard from the table and started turning through the first few pages. In between I could see information about myself, and HOLY ****! There was everything about me! Likes, Dislikes, Personal hobbies, Qualifications, The name of my house cat…? What is Mr. Fluffingtons doing there!? 'Yes, I called my cat so! She's the best thing to hug after a depressing day, so know that I haven't named her like that not without a reason.'
She seemed to have found what she was looking for, as she suddenly stopped and stated the facts. "According to the records from your guardian, you died on the 14th of January, 2017 at 14:42 on the street before your own apartment complex. The reason of your death had been a car accident in which you saved the life of a 7 year old girl by throwing her out of the way...but you died due to a crushed lung and blood loss during the act of heroism. Not to forget your multitude of broken bones..."
…"Alright, so I died a rather cliché-like way, eh? Well alright…is…is the girl at least safe?" Now that I remembered again what happened, there were a few thoughts in my mind. One of them being: 'Why did I have to be the hero AGAIN!?' If you're wondering what I meant, my mother once stated that I have always put the well-being of the people who are precious to me in front of my own. Granted, it was a family thing, but my friends even talked to me about it and demanded that I should tone it down with all the helping. The other thought being: 'What would happen now?'
The lady before me has hold that train of thoughts by replying the moment I had come up with it. "You seem to be taking this much better than most of the other arrivals. And…well, as for now, I personally had been given no information on what will happen with you now. But I can assure you that the girl got out without any permanent or minor damage. Just a few scratches from the rough landing, but that's all."
"Oh thank god, she's safe…" I was relieved that at least one of us had made it out alive. Looking over to the lady sitting across me, I could see her snickering at my choice of words. But…wait…
"And before you start making random assumptions, the answer is yes. You're in heaven, well…pre-heaven, but that's not too important right now." Again reading my mind…scary...
Alright, so (pre-) heaven…looked really clean up here. "Ok, but what is happening now?"
She seemed to smile to herself, stood up and motioned towards me to follow her. What she had been thinking was beyond me, so I just did the same as her and walked silently behind her into the abyss of white nothingness. After what seemed like a short eternity she spoke again. "When I was informed of your early arrival by the higher-ups, I had been given two tasks to follow on a short notice, after that you would be on your own."
Nodding and waiting for her to continue, she put a finger into the air and continued. "The first task was to inform you of your situation and filling up the blank spaces in your own mind before going on with task two." She put up another finger to make her point clearer. "And as we're speaking here, your guardian and our boss are preparing to meet you in personal. No tricks or schemes involved."
As I turned around; trying to look for the place we were at a few minutes ago; my mind got confused when there was nothing left. But what surprised me even more was the moment when we suddenly stopped and she poked me on my forehead.
"Excuse me, but we arrived Miss Layna."
Turning around I saw... a mystic, expensive looking wooden door, with ornaments of gold on it. The fact that it had appeared out of thin air was enough to make my mind run a few kilometers per second.
"I'm sorry to inform you but this is where we will part ways. It was nice making your acquaintance ...albeit that was not only the first but also the last time that we meet. I have my job and it requires me to be very strict with the schedule, so goodbye Miss..."
And with those last words she turned around and walked into a random direction, leaving me in front of the fancy looking door. I did a last check on myself, looking at what I was actually wearing. I had my grey jacket with hoodie and inner pockets still on me, the white t-shirt hanging loosely because of it being a few sizes too big after my mother got it for me. I still loved it with all my heart…The blue, ripped jeans and the grey sneakers had been dusty from my last actions on Earth. I didn't mind it though. What I minded was the blood…or rather the lack of it on my clothes. How I was able to die without any of it staining at least some of my attire in whatever this around me is was beyond me.
My black wool cap was comfortably on my head, and bangs of raven black hair covered one of my ocean-blue eyes. Touching my pale skin, I could still feel those black rings under my eyes. It would take tremendous amounts of sleep to get rid of those, so I decided to not even try it. Putting my hands in my pockets I found my phone in one of them. Okay…it was old…like, really old.
'I was rather poor, ok? My boss aka. douche only gives me so much money, so I couldn't afford any of these fancy new ones on the market. And before you ask me, no, it isn't a Nokia….but it's just as durable. It also kept quite a lot of music in it and had Bluetooth! Wait, why am I talking to myself like this?'
Speaking of music, my pair of headphones was hanging lazily around my neck. Candy Apple-Red. Wireless. Rather expensive and a one-time buy. I don't want to brag about it…
Alright, I looked rather 'decent' so I hoped her boss was not too strict about any dress codes. Still shabby, but not lower class. Breathed in, breathed out. 'You can do this!'
I extended my right hand to knock on the door, so that they were informed of my arrival. 'Just knock once and-'
"YOU SAID I COULD TRAVEL WITH HER! WHAT HAPPENED WITH THAT!?" A loud female voice boomed from the other side, making me flinch rather violently. Could that be her boss she was talking about? 'Oh god, please no…'
"I told you that we're only assisting her Hana, not staying with her. You should start thinking….*Sigh* What am I saying, you never were the kind of person to think before you act." An old-sounding voice spoke with a lot of authority in his tone. Then that must be the boss. Wait, didn't that lady say that my guardian or so was also meeting me? So, I guess it's her. That 'Hana' person is my guardian then.
"But C'MON 'G'! You always have a stick up your butt! Give me a chance to join her, I'll make sure that she kicks ass and takes names with no drawback what. So. EVER!" 'G'…wait. Does she mean 'G' as-!?
"Most of your 'promises' had ended with me doing night-shifts and extra paperwork due to the resulting aftermath. Anyway, I don't think we should keep our guest of honor waiting, isn't that right Miss Layna?"
Now that caught me off-guard. I knew that the lady from before had the ability to read my mind. But now their boss had figured out that I was eavesdropping on their conversation just like that!?
'*Sigh* I really am horrible at this.'
Having no point in hiding left, I gripped the handle of the door with my right hand and opened it slowly…
"AAHHHHHH! You look even cuter in person, I wish you were even smaller and had a high pitched voice and OH GOD YOU'RE ADORABLE!" …Only to get instantly pulled into a hug from the woman that was shouting earlier. She pulled me close to herself and it became rather hard to breathe, so other random guy who was with her that's called 'G' or so, help me!
"That's enough Hana! You don't want to also have her second death on your cap, do you?" Oh thank god for the save…hold on, what was he talking about? I'm confused, help me…again…
The girl had finally let go of me so I could breathe again. After a few calming breaths, I looked to my right to find her standing beside me while scratching her head with an awkward grin and closed eyes looking towards my direction. She wore a white silk dress with a golden rope around her waist-line. Her skin was really smooth and she was barefoot.
'Alright, at least no dress-code to worry about.' Short strawberry-blond hair and that…halo gave her a rather unique appearance which finished the attire.
"Ah, sorry about that Jessie. I get carried away by cute stuff…a lot." Oh, so that's why she hugged me. I'm not that cute…
…Am I? Also, Jessie? What was up with that?
"Trust me Miss Layna, she thinks almost everyone and everything is cute. I speak out of experience. Please don't try to pay much attention to her behavior. She can get carried away at a fast rate."
Watching in front of me I could see a wooden office desk with a lamp, a few pencils and a small while tulip in a vase on top of it. Not to forget that literal MOUNTAIN of documents that was neatly piled up there as well. Behind the desk was a guy that looked… rather familiar. Short, white hair. An elderly, yet rather caring face. The deep, baritone voice that could send chills down your spine. Wait, is that…
"Strike Commander Morrison!?" I realized my mistake after it happened, so I covered my mouth with my right hand and quickly spilled so many apologies that I couldn't keep count with them. Some could have been counted as innuendos, though none of them registered in my mind.
While 'G' was chuckling a bit, the other girl in the room started to snicker, which ended in her laughing her ass off on the floor, crying out of pure amusement that this scene consisted of. "OH, oh man, BWAHAHAHA! I…I can't…this is pure gold! AHAHAHAHA!"
After what seemed a short eternity, both parties seemed to have calmed down; one more, one less (guess who…) so the only man in the room decided to save me from my own embarrassment. "Actually no, but me and Hana over there love to see our guests' reactions when they spot their favorite wanna-be-parent sitting across them."
Uhm...what? "Okay. Now I am confused. Can you help me out or…?" In all seriousness, my mind was blank at this point. Nothing made sense anymore. The halo on top of Hana's head, me having a chance of dying 'twice' in this...lucid dream or reality or whatever! And let us not forget the 'fictional' person sitting right in front of my eyes IN THE FLESH! What is going on!?
"For starters, 'G' thinks that if he changes his own appearance to somebody that our guests would feel comfortable with, they'd less freak out about what we're telling them. As for your past questions, literally everybody up here besides the typical outsiders can read your teeny, little thoughts! And also, yes, that is a real halo."
To prove her point she tried to grab said object above her head...only for the hand that was reaching out to phase through it.
"Plus….'G', do you wanna introduce yourself or are you gonna leave all the work to me?" So this wasn't how he really looked, alright then. Also he was right. I always imagined Commander Morrison as some kind of stepfather or even as my actual dad.
...Sorry dad, no offense towards you.
I know, weird, but he has that little something in him that would make even him seem like a good parent. That is a lot of information to take in but they weren't done yet, so…
"Giving me all this paperwork and still can't do a few simple tasks without complaining…" With a tired sigh he stood up and walked towards my rather small form. Now that I got a good look on him, he looked like Soldier: 76 without his mask and that scar on his face.
Plus, he was wearing an expensive looking suit that was almost completely white, except his tie, which was a mild grey. Even his shoes were colored white and his whole attire had no speck of dirt on it. He even had the voice of Fred Tatasciore, the English voice actor for him in the game!
"I'll take that as a compliment. I did a rather good job on copying his appearance, didn't I?"
I decided not to question it as to how he can actually change his looks as my own mind reminded me of the fact that literally everybody in this place could read whatever was going on in my brain. Not a moment later he stopped moving and was towering above my form. As Hana's boss stood just a few feet before me, he was looking down at me with a friendly warm smile. He extended a hand to me and I waited a moment to shake it before he spoke up again.
"Hello once again, Jessica Layna. It's nice to make your acquaintance. I'm 'G'. The Boss of all workers around here and chairman of heaven. But first and fore-mostly, God."
...
"Uhm...Jessie?"
…WHAT!?
(To be continued…)
(Fire Me): Hello everybody on the Internet! If you happen to stumble upon my little work right here, I just wanna point out that the first 2 to 3 chapters will mostly be the prologue of the story. But I wanted to make it a little more creative, so any information about Jessica and the Story will be thrown around the progress of the story here and there.
Jessica: "You know, instead of throwing me right in there you could have given me a chance to introduce myself towards our readers."
That was a possibility, but I didn't feel like it was right…so the awkward beginning is due to the style of the story. But don't worry, I'll reveal enough information about you sooner or later. So don't sweat it.
'G: "He does have a point. We don't want to build in too many clichés into the story itself. Remember, you said it yourself. Not in the story, but in your old lifetime you always complained about fanfictions having too much of those."
Jessica: "…Fair enough. But could you do me a favor Fire?"
Uhhh, sure. Ask away!
Jessica: "Could you get Hana away from me, she's crushing me!"
Hana: "Can't do, Jessie! I just can't help it, you're just so cute that my mind goes on its own!"
…*Sigh* sorry Jessica, but you're on your own. Anyway, I got to start writing on the next chapters so the story gets at least some progress. *Awkward silence* But anyhow! If you have an opinion on how you think this story is doing, feel free to send a review! Also for any questions you dear readers have, I and the rest of the OC-cast will be happy to answer them! Have a good day everybody!
Jessica: "TRAITOR! You can't just leave me here with her!"
'G': "…Am I chopped liver or…*Sigh*…you know what, I'm just gonna stay over here for now. See you in the next chapter Fire?"
You bet on it! Also, enjoy your free time with your guardian Jessica!
Jessica: "Wait, come back! I'm not done with you!"
Hana: "Awwwww! You look SO cute when your face gets red out of anger, come here you!"
Jessica: "NO! WAIT! SAFE ME! PLEASE! NOOOOOO!"
'G': "Why doesn't this surprise me anymore...?"
The Sir's out! (Regular updates are not to be expected yet, but I'll focus on the writing a bit more, so you guys don't get too disappointed!)