Chapter Eleven:

I opened my eyes to see gray clouds swirling above me. I smiled. I finally did it. I sat up and saw the familiar landscape. It was a vast field, seemingly having no end. There was no color really. Everything was in gray-scale. I stood up and smiled at the woman beside me.

She didn't notice, however. She was just standing there, fretting and praying. I never got that, why they prayed here. You are already dead. Just because you suddenly start praying now isn't going to change your fate. Your fate was judged off of what you did in life, not death. As far as I could see there was people just standing around, fervently praying or crying.

I started to walk around and search for Pip. I knew if he hadn't already been sorted that he was first in line, so I started running north, up the steep hill that eventually ended at the pearly gates. I ran by the people in line. They stood there somberly having given up and decided it was time to meet their fate.

I ran for hours and hours towards the top of the steep hill. The only thing I liked about being dead was the never being tired thing. When you are dead your lungs don't really need oxygen, so I could run as far as I wanted to. I watched for Pip in the line, hoping he'd still be stuck in it. I was about to give up as I neared the top, but my wish was granted. There stood Pip. He was third in line and looked scared shitless.

"Pip!" I said, relief evident in my voice. He turned around. As he saw me his eyes grew wide.

"Kenny?"

"Pip!" I ran up to him and tackle hugged him. He staggered backwards, but I wouldn't let him fall. Not this time.

"Wait! My spot!" Pip cried as the person that had stood behind him moved up, causing a domino effect. He let go of me and started to run back. I grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him back towards me.

"It's okay, Pip. If I'm going to bring you back, it'll be a lot easier if you aren't anyone's property."

"What are you talking about?" He asked, puzzled.

"I'm bringing you back to life," I smiled confidently at him.

"Nooo!" Pip cried out. "I never want to go back! I'll just receive my punishment and stay!"

"You have to! I have to make it up to you. It's all my fault isn't it?"

He glanced down at his shoes, "Maybe just a little."

"I knew it..."

"It's mostly my mom's fault though! I just... I just couldn't handle it anymore. She beat me and said she was going to send me to military school. And... I just wanted to see my parents. My real parents. To see them again, the loving parents that I once had." Tears started streaming down his face. I reached out and hugged him ferociously. I had missed him so much it was insane. After a moment or so he stopped crying and I let go of him.

"I'm going to barter for your life. I don't care what the price is. And I'll barter for you a better one at that. It's just not your time, Pip. You have so many people to cheer up with your smiles waiting for you. You can see your parents when you die at an old age," I told him.

"But-"

"No butts. I will not fail you again. You've got to let me do it."

He stood there staring at me and thinking for a while before answering, "Okay."

"Come on then." I took his hand and we ran up the hill towards the pearly gates. When I saw a gray bearded man in white robes standing in front of a pearl pedestal we stopped running. We walked towards him slowly. He looked up at us before letting out a huge sigh.

"You again," Peter lamented.

"Heeeeey, Petey! What's up holy man?" I teased him.

He rolled his eyes, "What do you want?"

"To go talk to the Big Guy about this little one," I gestured to Pip.

"Why, might I ask?"

"Official business."

"I get sick and tired of you and that stupid demon boy coming up here and demanding me to let you do whatever! Back when this all started I never was treated in such a manner! I-" Peter was interrupted by the man first in line clearing his throat. Peter sighed, "Fine. Just don't ask me for any favors anytime soon."

"Thank you," I told him.

"Yeah, right. Whatever. Micheal! Take them to the boss!" He yelled before returning to his work.

I heard a great whooshing sound above my head before a figure thumped down on the ground in front of us. He was tall, svelte, and had brown hair that matched his eagle looking feathers.

"Hey, Mikey!" I enthused.

"Hello, Kenneth. What do you need?" He asked.

"For you to escort us to the big G."

"Alright," he said before turning around and heading off to the gates. "Open the gates!" He yelled. The gates were pulled open by two angels using golden ropes. We walked through and they pushed them back closed.

A bright, white light filtered down on top of us and our surroundings. It glowed brightly from the top of the steeple that adorned the giant temple. The temple sat in the middle of Heaven, shining it's light down on the inhabitants. We followed the gold road that lead to the massive marble doors of the temple. We finally made it all the way and stood in front of the doors. Pip looked around in awe of the beauty that was surrounding him.

"Open the doors!" Micheal commanded. The doors were opened by two angels that stood vigil inside the temple. "Kenneth, you know the rest of the way so I shall take my leave. Good luck."

He walked out and the angels slammed the doors shut. I glanced over at Pip to see him staring in awe at the inside of the building. The ceiling was vaulted and paintings reminiscent of those in the Sistine Chapel adorned the walls and ceiling. Everything was finished in gold and silver and the floor was white marble. It was more beautiful than anything on Earth could ever wish to be.

I grabbed his arm, "Come on."

He nodded and followed me. His nervous tremors increased with every foot closer we became to the pair of doors at the end of the hallway. I reached out and grabbed his hand and we walked the rest of the way hand in hand until we stood in front of those impressive marble and gold doors that lead to God's chambers.

I lifted my hand to knock, but the doors swung open before I could. Pip and I both jumped back in surprise. God was sitting at his desk with a huge smirk on his face.

"Hello again, Kenny," his hollow voice rang out.

"Hi, God," I manged to blurt out, my heart still racing from the doors.

I pulled Pip by his hand into the room and the doors slammed shut behind him. He looked around nervously before his eyes nearly bugged out of his head when he saw God. He went slack- jawed. I remembered I had almost the same reaction when I first saw God. It was hard not to when you found out that he was really part hippo, cat, squirrel, and only he knows what else.

"It is okay, my child. Calm down," God said.

Pip swallowed hard, "Okay..."

"Now, Kenneth. Why are you gracing me with your presence on this fine day? You choke on a piece of chicken like last time? I gave you molars for a reason, you know."

"I came because I have something to ask you."

"What, my child?" He asked.

"I was wondering if you could do me a favor."

"Are you seriously asking me for a favor?" He looked at me skeptically.

"Yes..."

"Hmmm, go on. I am interested in hearing what you have to say."

"I want... I want you to give Pip his life back."

"What? Are you serious?"

"Yes, yes I am! Please, God, please!" I let go of Pip's hand and dropped to my knees to beg.

"Well, this is definitely a change. I've never seen you act like this before."

"I'll be like this all the time if that's what it takes!"

"Oh, no, Kenneth. You have your personality for a reason. Get up." I stood up and grabbed Pip's hand again. God looked directly at Pip, making him squirm. "You, Phillip. Do you want your life back?"

He froze up and just stood there staring for a moment. I squeezed his hand supportively and he finally shook it off. "I... I do not want my life back," I gasped but he continued on, "but I do want to live. Just... just not the one I was leading."

God gazed at us for a moment before a smile appeared across his face, "I will do it."

"Really? Thank you, thank you!" I exclaimed.

"Don't thank me yet. You might not like the conditions that come with it," he warned.

"Conditions?" I asked.

"In return for Phillip's life, you must give up your immortality."

It was my turn to be slack-jawed. I had always said that I wish that I could die, truly die, but now that the prospect was sitting in front of me it was quite frightening. I want to live. I don't want to die and stay dead. It was a terrifying thought... but I can't live life knowing that someone close to me died and it was my fault or that I had a chance to saw them, but didn't. The choice was obvious.

"I accept that condition," I said confidently.

God smiled, "Now for the other condition. I cannot just reanimate Phillip's body after being dead for days. It would just be against nature and everyone he knew would not accept it. I will have to instead jump time back to before this all started. In return for this you must never talk to Phillip again."

"What?" I yelled. I looked over at Pip. He looked conflicted. I reached over and pulled him up to me. I finally found someone who doesn't care where I came from or what I do, that just likes me for me and now I have to give him up? It just isn't fair. I looked down at his face, memorizing his blue irises and the way his bangs were tousled on his head. Guilt surged through my body and I knew I could not let him just stay here. He was probably better off without me anyway, considering I was a major contributor to this whole situation. I hugged him as hard as I could before kissing him.

"I accept."

"Good choice."

-.-.-.-.-

A.N.: Only one more chapter left, guys. ;]