Update: here is the revised version of chapter 1. Please refer to the bottom for the issues that will be explored in this novel.

In a way, death is easy - simple as drifting into a deep slumber. What is rather more difficult is the subsequent event.

When one dies, one would expect the soul to rise to the heavens, or to descend into the embrace of hell. Should one be more exotic, his or her life may be recycled in an infinite loop of reincarnations, forever repaying the sins of the previous life.

And if one was a skeptic, then death should be the ultimate end.

What one should not expect is to have three antique doors shoved into one's face, with a floating clock counting down from exactly one minute. What one should not expect even further, is to have a floating wooden plank engraved in golden letters flying about one's head with a written instruction:

"Choose one of these doors, or suffer the consequences".

What one should definitely not expect – is to have the three doors labeled: 'Heaven', 'Hell', and 'Request a Meeting with God'. Because that implies one can choose to go to heaven or hell, which means Moriarty probably did not go to hell – a sad thought, of course – but it also means I could have stolen Watson's money to buy that new pipe a few years back, instead of giving it to his ex-wives.

However, that is the exact situation I am now encountering. Standing on a white cloud, which is unexpectedly normal given the situation I am in, I stare at the three doors admittedly more confused than when I was solving the most evil crimes being committed in London.

Interesting.

I stare at the doors and notice the gigantic clock starting its countdown…59…58. The ticking sound echoes around the space like it would in a Cathedral-like structure. It was quiet, but exceptionally clear that each second is passing into the next.

"So what are the consequences?" I decide to voice my question aloud in the case that someone who might find it amusing to watch a lost confused soul is hiding somewhere.

I did not expect to hear a reply, but a muffled laugh from behind one of the doors betrays my expectation.

Of course, it should really come as no surprise that - even in the Afterlife - people are as frustrating as ever.

"Who is there?"

"No one in particular, Mister Sherlock Holmes," replies the voice "but I do advise you not to try discovering what is the consequences are."

40…39…

Holding in my slight anger, I proceed to examine the three doors in detail. There is no one in spite of the voice.

Hallucination?

"I am not an hallucination Mister Holmes."

"Then where are you, my good sir?" I inquire with a slight edge to my voice, a truly rare occurrence that surprises even myself.

"I am here, Mister Holmes. Simply not having a physical form does not mean I do not have a voice."

"But how can that be? Voice is created by the existence of the vocal chord, sound cannot exist without a form, sir." I reply succinctly, more to entertain my invisible conversant than hoping for a serious conversation. After all, I need him to give me information on my situation.

"Well, Mister Holmes, you are walking on a cloud with a flying clock and a floating plank about your head. I think it's time you employ that deductive skill you pride so much in your living days. It is time to choose, Mister Holmes"

30…29…

The ticking continues to echoes. My focus shifted from the man to the clock.

He is right, now is the time to think. I close my eyes and begin the familiar process of shutting out the world and drift into my thoughts. So what he implies is that in this place we are not bound by the rule of physics, or maybe there is a rule, but not one from my living days? On the other hand, this could simply be a dream.

20…19…

Never mind if this is a dream. If it is, no decision here will matter. If it is not, it seems the wrong decision can lead to a disastrous situation. So now that my observation skill cannot be applied to this place, what shall I do?

12…11…

Think, Sherlock, think. Focus!

I screw up my eyes. Sweat trickles down my temple.

Here is the fact: I do not know if heaven or hell is better for me. By conventional wisdom, I should choose heaven. But conventional wisdom is clearly not trustworthy if I can choose which to enter. I also do not know what happens if I "request a meeting with God". I do not know anything. But I have to choose.

"4…3…"

This is it then - a roll of the dice; a toss of a coin. This is a game I cannot win by deduction. This is a true game of chance.

I now open my eyes and peer into the mist of wispy white clouds beneath my feet, thinking.

My chances are always with knowledge. What sounds like the option that will give me the knowledge to survive this game of afterlife? Yes. This is not logical, but this is the best I can do. This is it.

"…2…1"

I look up, walk forward, and open the door labeled "Request a Meeting with God".

Complete darkness envelops me as soon as I set my foot into the door. Expecting anything to happen at anytime, I keep myself alert. Looking around, I half expect to see the source of the mysterious voice. There is still nothing. I took another step. Something must be about to happen now. My eyes dart around. Left, right, up, down. Sweat trickles. Mouth dry…

Silence.

Then someone slaps me in the face.

Please note the first 4 chapters will be a simple lead-up to the heavy philosophies in the latter chapters. If you are only interested in philosophy, feel free to scan through c1-4, and read seriously from chapter 5 onwards.

Issues that I will explore in this novel, the number of chapters can change, but for now it explains the depth of each subject:

1. A simple touch upon the concepts of: Time, Duality, and Hope (4 chapters)

2. Good and Evil (~2 chapters)

3. Emotions (~1 chapter)

4. Morality (~3 chapters)

5. Truth and Knowledge (~4 chapters)

6. The Failure of Logic and Mathematics (~4 chapters)

7. Language and Concepts (~5 chapters)

8. Paradoxes (~2 chapters)

9. Consciousness (~3 chapters)

10. Meaning of life (~1 chapter)