Chapter 1

Zoe woke with the light streaming in from the curtained window. She winced and, groaning, rolled over to face the opposite way, covering her eyes with her soft blanket. She lay there, drowsy, not wanting to wake up. The bed was so soft and comfortable. The sheets and blanket even smelled freshly washed with just a hint of lavender .

All in all it just felt too good to get up. One neuron bumped into another, then another, then a cascade effect began causing her semi-somulent brain to start functioning.

Her and her parents were on vacation traveling to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. She didn't remember falling asleep on the trip down from Athens, Georgia. Her dad had timed the drive to allow them to get to their hotel by four pm so they could unpack and be ready for dinner prior to getting to the park when they opened the next day. It was only about an nine hour trip even stopping for lunch and restroom breaks.

Her eyes still closed, Zoe strained her hearing listening for her parents. They were adamant that they get a double room even though she insisted that, at the age of 13, she rated her own room. They stated that it was safer for Zoe even if they had adjoining rooms and could leave the connecting door open during the night. It wasn't that they couldn't afford it. And it wasn't that her parents were tightwads.

Zoe suspected that it was because they tended to show up a lot more often when she was alone. For some reason ghosts tended to be shy. Zoe still remembered the expression on her mothers face when she was caught talking to Mr. Langford.

*Flashback*

Zoe was eight years old and sitting on the neighborhood park bench listening to Mr. Langford telling her about his kids when her mother came up and sat right where Mr. Langford was sitting. This upset Mr. Langford so much that he vanished.

"Momma! You sat on Mr. Langford!"

"Is that your imaginary friend Sweetie?"

"He's not imaginary! He owns the land here!"

"Oh really? And what does 'Mr. Langford' do with his land?"

"He's a rancher, he raises cows. He said that he started growing crops because the government was buying up everything he could sell because of the war."

"Which war was that Sweetheart?"

"World War two. He told me that, even though he and his family were exempt from the draft, that his two sons, Hiram and Zebadiah volunteered. He misses them a lot and writes to them every week. Although they can't write back as often. Mr. Langford said that he had to hire some foureffs to help out while his sons were gone."

Zoe watched her mom's face cloud over, but she didn't understand why.

"Well, it's time for lunch so let's go home. Okay Sweetheart?"

Unknown to Zoe, her mother would later get onto her laptop and do a little research. A little over an hour later, she shut her laptop and sat back in her chair. The land their subdivision was on was originally owned by a Mr. John Langford, born 1905 and died in 1989. He'd had 4 sons, Hiram, Zebadiah, Moses, and John Jr., and a daughter, Mary. Hiram had joined the Marines in 1941 after Pearl Harbor and had died in combat on Iwo Jima on March 4th, 1945. Zebadiah had joined the army and survived to return home and continue ranching until he died on October 14th, 1998. After his death, the family auctioned off all the livestock and sold the land to a developer.

There were other things that happened that let her parents know she wasn't a regular child. Like the time when they caught her stuffing towels under her door. When asked why she was doing that, she replied "I don't want my stuff to get wet." When they had awoken the next day, they had discovered that the upstairs water line had ruptured and water soaked the carpet.

Or the time when she was laying on the living room floor coloring in her Frozen coloring book while her dad was frantically searching for his car keys.

"Honey?! Do you know where my car keys are?"

Still coloring, Zoe raised her voice and said "They're in the pocket of your light brown coat that's hanging in the hall closet Daddy!" Shocked, but curious, her dad had checked and was surprised to find them exactly where she said they would be.

"Did you see Daddy put them in his pocket Pumpkin?" He didn't think so as he had gotten home rather late that night and Zoe was already asleep, but he was a little leery of her answer given the other things that happened around his daughter. Still coloring, Zoe shook her head.

"So how did you know Sweetheart?"

Zoe shrugged and said "I just know things sometimes."

Those things caused her parents to talk to her about keeping such occurrences in a mental file labeled Family only and never discussed with anyone else.

*End Flashback*

Zoe couldn't hear her parents moving around the room, talking softly so they didn't wake her up like they would normally do when they were on vacation. She also couldn't hear her dad's soft snores he made when asleep. She knew they wouldn't leave her alone to go get breakfast because even when that happened, one of them would stay with her. Opening her eyes slowly, allowing them to adjust to the brightness, she could make out the nightstand with a lamp on it, a chair in the corner next to the wall, a small hallway which probably led to the front door with access to the bathroom. Rolling over slightly, she could see a chest of drawers, then a low area that acted as a desk with a wall mounted flat screen TV above it. Turning onto her right side she could see another chair in the corner and then the open curtains. No other bed, no doors connecting her room to an adjoining one.

Zoe sat up in a panic. "MOM! DAD!" she screamed.

She scrambled out of bed looking around frantically. There was no trace of her parents presence anywhere in the room. She was very shaky, as if she'd had the flu or something. Add to that being terrified about her parents missing and it was surprising that she could stand on her own two feet. She noticed that she was wearing pure white pajamas. She didn't have any pure white pajamas!

"MOM! DAD!" she yelled again, running to the bathroom. They had to be there! Peering into the small bathroom she saw that it was empty. Tears were running down her face and her heart was beating fast. Her stomach was twisting into knots and she was about ready to fall to the floor in a mournfully induced heap when there was a knock at the door.

Zoe stood there, hyperventilating, when the knock was repeated. Hope sprang up that it was her parents, no matter how illogical that would be. Zoe opened the door and was crushed when she saw the person standing there with a huge grin on his youthful face. He didn't seem to be much older than she was. He looked like an old fashioned Bellhop complete with the little cap on his head. He had bright blue eyes and light brown hair and he had an almost inhuman look of cheerfulness on his face. He practically vibrated with eagerness.

"Good Morning Ms. Miller! We hope you had a pleasant nights rest! I have your itinerary right here." He pushed an envelope into her hands and then continued "The current time is 7:40 am and you have a 9 o'clock appointment with Ms. Bright. There will be a cart ready to take you to her office at 8:45 at the hotel entrance. Just take the elevator down. Breakfast is being served in the hotel dining area if you wish to partake. Dinner will be served starting at seven. Tonights menu is in your packet. Have a great day!" He waved goodbye, his hand moving rapidly back and forth before turning and heading down the hallway.

"What about my mom and dad!?" Zoe yelled at him.

The bellhop turned around and, still with that grin on his face replied "Ms. Bright will go over that with you."

Zoe stood there, hiccuping with tears still streaming down her face. She just wanted to collapse in grief but there were answers waiting for her and she was 13, she was no longer a child.

Gathering her will, she pulled herself together enough to function. She had no appetite at the moment so she took off her pajamas and took a long, hot shower. The hotel shampoo and conditioner happened to be her favorite, Shea butter and Vanilla. Her favorite body wash was available as well. After her shower, she was drying her hair while looking into the mirror. She still looked the same, short dark brown hair in a pixie cut like Alice's in the movie Twilight . Her eyes were the same chocolate brown. In fact, she looked like she normally did.

The bathroom cabinet held all of her usual makeup but she had no desire to right now to use any. The way things seemed to be going, she wasn't surprised to find her favorite style of clothes in the chest of drawers.

Since the bellhop had mentioned a meeting, Zoe felt she should dress up a little instead of wearing her usual skinny jeans. After putting on some clean underwear, including a bra that actually fit, she chose a dark blue knee length pleated skirt and a black, sleeveless blouse. A pair of black flats completed her ensemble. Eager to find out happened to her parents, she left the room.

She couldn't find a key card and the area outside her door had no card reader. Looking around she didn't find any locking device, but she did see her name in bright bronze letters on the door "Zoe Bree Miller". A chill ran down her spine and her heart dropped in her chest. It was so confusing.

Zoe walked out into the lobby of the hotel. All the employees were wearing uniforms and eerily near identical smiles. Most guests coming into the hotel were wearing pure white clothes just like the ones that Zoe had woken up in. Others that were now waiting like she was, were wearing normal style clothes. No one in the group she was with seemed to want to talk, which was a little unusual.

Zoe looked around outside and could see the large, multi- passenger resort carts driving around with passengers. There was no other kind of vehicle to be seen, not even bicycles or skateboards. They were driving in all directions along the roads, up on ramps and down exits. She was startled when one pulled up in front of her, so engrossed in watching everything going on around her. She had to assume that it was 8:45 as she didn't have her cell phone or even a watch.

She would have sworn that the driver was the same guy that had knocked on her door earlier except that this one had dark hair. She climbed on and sat all the way to the other side to make room for everyone else. A nice elderly lady scooted next to her and smiled down at her. Once the cart was full the driver smoothly pulled into traffic without issue. Zoe enjoyed the ride. The temperature was perfect even with the breeze from the speed of their vehicle. The sun shinning down made her feel better even if she didn't feel it on her skin.

Zoe looked at the buildings around her. They all seemed to be made of nearly the same material, possible marble, the darkest of which was light grey. Shortly, the cart pulled up to a large office building with large, silver letters stating 'Processing Center' where everyone started getting out.

As they entered the door they noticed a large receptionist style desk. Zoe and the rest of her group walked up and stood behind the lines. The lines moved very rapidly, which surprised Zoe. Her surprise was intensified when she got closer and noticed that, as each person reached the desk, they were handed a sheet of paper without even having to identify themselves. When her turn came she received the same treatment.

Moving away from the desk, she looked down at her paper and noticed that the sheet had her name at the top along with Ms. Bright listed as her 'Processing Specialist' and an office number, 1240. Underneath was a black and white map with red arrows showing the direction of travel. Zoe was easily able to orient herself and started off, almost running with the desire to find her parents.

Exiting the elevator on the 12th floor, Zoe followed the arrow on the sign that was on the wall in front of the elevator doors showing offices 01 - 50 on the left. All the doors looked alike but Zoe was able to easily find 40.

She knocked before entering, her parents insistence on manners had been drilled into her since she was two. A slightly familiar voice said "Come in!".

Zoe opened the door and stepped in to the office only to stop flatfooted and have her jaw drop open. Standing behind her desk was none other than Professor McGonagall. Except, instead of a robe and witch's hat, she wore a dark blue pencil skirt with a conservative, long sleeved, aqua blouse with a collar.

"Well, do come in Ms. Miller." the McGonagall clone said.

Zoe entered the room and shut the door. "I'm sorry Ms. Bright, it's just that you look and sound like Professor McGonagall from the Harry Potter movies.

Ms. Brights eyebrows rose in exactly the same manner that the professors did in the movies, which raised the weirdness level significantly. "Indeed. Well, that would be a good thing wouldn't it?"

Zoe nodded "I guess so. But how is it possible?"

"Well Ms. Miller, it would be because your mind is warping your perception of what your other senses are telling you. You see me as McGonagall because you are trying to find something familiar."

Zoe was feeling nervous now "Okay, Ms. Bright. I'm officially weirded out right now."

Again with the eyebrows "You, Ms. Miller? The girl who can speak with ghosts? Or who just 'knows things' sometimes?"

Zoe was shocked. Unless her parents had told this lady about the things she could do, she shouldn't have known about them! Her parents! Oh God, she forgot about her parents! How could she have done that? Even for the very short time since she entered the office?

"My parents! Where are my parents!" she exclaimed as tears once more started running down her cheeks.

Ms. Brights face assumed a sad expression as she gestured for Zoe to take a seat in one of the chairs facing her desk as she herself sat. Zoe didn't want to but did anyway. Ms. Bright placed her joined hands on her desk and leaned forward slightly.

"Ms. Miller, since you've been here have you experienced any encounters with ghosts? Have you had any 'feelings' about things?"

Zoe shook her head. Normally, even if she didn't see any ghosts, she could feel them when they came close. And she usually would get feelings about things, especially if she were prompted. She'd felt nothing since she'd woken earlier. Usually she had to concentrate to ignore the little nudges and things that would pop into her head. Factor in the fact that this Ms. Bright knew things that no one else should know. Add to that her current enviroment... Normally a very intelligent girl, she could only blame recent events on how slow her brain was functioning.

She started crying harder and hiccuping as she realized the truth "I... I'm... d...dead a... aren't I?"

Ms. Bright rose from her chair with an empathetic look and walked around her dest to where Zoe was. Gathering the blubbering girl into her lap, she hugged her, letting Zoe cry herself out. Her ability to feel compassion was one of the reasons she was one of the best at processing 8 to 16 year old souls.

Eventually, Zoe stopped crying and, instead, sat curled up in Ms. Brights lap. Finding her voice, she quietly asked "Where are my mom and dad?"

Just as softly, her voice laced with sympathy, Ms. Bright answered her "They survived Dear."

And, without prompting continued "You died when a drunk driver ran a red light and impacted the area of the car you were sitting in while you and your family drove down I-75."

Zoe started crying again. Not just because she died, but because she knew the grief that her parents would be going through with her gone. She felt anger build up inside of her, anger at the drunk driver that took her from her parents. The feeling didn't become too strong even though Zoe wished that it would. It didn't take long for the anger to fade away until Zoe just felt empty and numb.

"So, where am I then?"

"You're in Purgatory Dear. We process souls to move on to their next destination, their next reality."

"Next reality? I thought purgatory was a place of punishment."

"Of course Dear. There are untold numbers of realities in the Multiverse. Souls from your reality are gauged as to their abilities and are matched to realities that need those abilities. It could be as simple as a talent for raising plants, or as salient a talent such as yours. Most of the souls that arrived would be given a mass orientation before being processed, a short film as it were. Some are even returned back to your home reality, being 'reborn' I believe is the current term. But for you and those like you Dear, get one on one processing. As for punishment, mortals can be silly at times."

"You mean that, those people on the cart with me were like me?"

"In a manner of speaking Dear. Those with you today were all psychic to one degree or another, however none of them were at your level, none of them were Deathtouched."

Zoe felt her body grow cold and tingly at being called Deathtouched.

"What does it mean, Deathtouched?"

"You, young Zoe, are one of the few people from your reality that can not only see, but interact with, spirits that haven't crossed over yet. Those that haven't entered Purgatory because they still have attachments to your home reality."

Zoe's heart was still an open wound "It sucks I can't see my parents."

"I understand Dear. Many have felt the same way."

"Does the hurt ever go away?"

"No Dear, but it will lessen as time goes on."

"Will I remember them when I get to the new reality?"

"Most souls don't remember their previous lives Dear. But you, being what you are, will. You'll remember the emotions you had but they will be diluted."

Zoe thought about it for a while, comfortably curled in Ms. Bright's lap. She couldn't go back, that was obvious, but she was scared about what would happen next. A new reality was quite a lot to take in. Knowing that she would at least remember her parents helped, even it it would be bittersweet. It was probably best to just get it over and done with. She hugged Ms. Bright, thanking her for comforting her while she was distraught.

"So," Zoe said as she sat up, wiping away the remaining tears threatening to run down her face and straightening her clothes "When do I start getting processed?"

Ms. Bright helped Zoe to her feet and chuckled "We've already started Dear."

Instead of walking around the desk to her chair, Ms. Bright chose to sit in the one next to Zoe and turn slightly to face her. Zoe looked a little surprised so Ms. Bright explained "Processing just means helping you to adjust to what's happened to you and prepare you for your next big step. By answering your questions, I've already begun. And I must say that you've been handling it much better than most adults."

"Even with my meltdown?"

"Even so, and completely understandable. At least you didn't start throwing furniture around in denial."

"Seriously?"

Ms. Bright nodded. That made Zoe feel a little better.

"Now, you can stay here until you're ready to venture onward. Your hotel will provide anything you need. There are many entertainment venues to explore, movies, parks, kayaking, and such. There are many restaurants to choose from if you don't wish to dine in your hotel. There's no charge for any of the services here. When you feel ready, you only need to let the hotel staff know and they will assist you in getting to the departure point."

Zoe interrupted "I don't have to leave now?"

"Oh no Dear, we'd never force you to leave until you're ready.

"Do you have anyone who refused to leave?"

"There have been a few before, but they changed their minds as time went on. Some souls take a while to find their equilibrium."

"And the departure point?"

"Simply a great many doors inside a large building nearby. You simply walk up to a closed door, open it and step through. It doesn't matter what door you step through, it will take you where you're supposed to go."

"And where is it that I'm supposed to go?"

Ms. Bright's face fell slightly and replied "We don't know." Zoe was feeling apprehensive about the admission.

"You don't know." she said slowly.

Ms. Bright shook her head "No, we don't. We get people from all different realities, some of whom have been here before. That's the only time we learn where they ended up. Remember, there are an untold number of realities out there. A very few never come back."

"And the ones that never come back?"

"We assume they have joined with The Oneness."

"You mean God?"

"God, The Supreme Being, The Ultimate. By whatever name you wish to identify it with. The underlying Power that seems to run everything, everywhere."

Ms. Bright straightened up a little and said "While most souls won't remember their prior lives or Purgatory, you will to a certain extent. Remember my movie analogy. As for remembering this place, all you'll be able to recall will be impressions."

Zoe felt sad "So I won't remember you?"

Ms. Bright frowned and shook her head.

"Well crap."

Ms. Bright continued "One of the things we do know is that your new reality will suit you and you it."

"I guess that's one bright spot."

"That covers everything, but if you have more questions, feel free to stop by. You are my only client until you move on so I'm available whenever you need me."

Zoe raised an eyebrow "What if you're sleeping?"

Ms. Bright smiled "Dear, I don't sleep. You don't need to either but it's what you're used to, so you do."

That was an eye opener for sure. Zoe stood and walked to the door. Before opening it, she turned and faced Ms. Bright. "Thank you for everything Ms. Bright. I hope to see you if I ever come back here again."

Ms. Bright smiled "I feel the same Dear."

After Zoe returned to her hotel room she sat and simply thought about things. She was dead. She didn't feel dead. She'd talked to ghosts before and the coherent ones told her that they didn't feel any physical sensations.

She could feel her stomach growl. If she didn't really need to sleep, did she need to eat? Deciding to set aside deep, philosophical questions for now, Zoe headed back downstairs and into the dining room. She ordered a double cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate shake.

Everything was amazing! Probably the best food she'd ever had. After finishing her food she realized that, while she wasn't hungry anymore, she didn't feel full either. Curious, and wanting to experiment, she ordered the same thing again and was able to eat it all without feeling full. Not being a glutton, she decided to forgo a third meal.

She stood up and headed outside to walk around and think some more. She realized that, while things like the food was wonderful, there wasn't that sense of satisfaction accompanying it.

And that was it. She was only playing at being alive while she was here. And until she moved on that wouldn't change. She realized that she knew. It was time to move on.

She headed back to her hotel and walked up to the concierge desk. The man behind the desk was dressed in the same uniform as the bellhops, with the same smiling face. Except he had one of those pencil thin mustaches that curled up at the ends.

As she approached, she saw the man stand a little straighter and focus his attention on her. When she reached the desk, the man greeted her. "Ms. Miller! What a pleasure! And what can I do for you?"

"I'd like to move on please." She answered. She was surprised at how easy it was now that she had decided on a course of action. It was interesting to watch the concierge's face form into an exultant expression and his smile became a huge grin.

"Splendid!" he crowed and then his hand hit a little brass bell on his desk. One of the bellhop clones suddenly appeared next to Zoe and waited for instructions from the concierge. He didn't have long to wait.

"Ms. Miller is ready to move on! Please help her get to Departures!"

The bellhop grinned and got an even happier expression on his face, if that were at all possible. The concierge gave her a slight bow as the bellhop led her away and out the front doors.

A small golf cart waited for her there with another clone. Her escort waved bye to her as her driver took off. Her driver bowed his head as she got out at a large building with a huge sign the same style as the processing center saying 'Departures'.

Zoe was astonished at the sheer number of people walking into the building through the expansive number of glass doors attached to it's front. Queuing up, Zoe made her way into the building and followed the throng until she saw a man walk through one of the doors, the door closing itself after he entered.

Well she thought she did say any door. With that, she grabbed the door knob and twisted it. Opening the door she saw a bright, white light shining in her eyes. She hadn't noticed a light when the man had opened it scant seconds ago, but maybe it was because his reality wasn't going to be hers. The light seemed to fill her with joy and beckoned to her. Smiling for the first time since she arrived, Zoe stepped through into the light, not noticing the door shutting behind her.

In an office not far away, Ms. Bright felt Zoe's presence disappear from her awareness. Such a brave soul she thought. Then she sat down to await her next client.


A/N: I surprised myself when, thinking of which story to work on after finishing The Unplanned Detour, I found myself working on this story. I hadn't planned on it, really.

I had the idea of a young girl with abilities similar to ones from the TV series Medium dying and waking up in Zootopia. Now, I've read several of those types of stories where the protagonist dies and wakes up in Zootopia, but I wanted to do something a little different and had the bright idea of having her pass through Purgatory.

I started imagining it as a business like place and then decided to base it on a movie I saw once called Defending Your Life. It's actually a romcom and if that's your thing, give the movie a shot.

This story may not be updated regularly like my other story, at least until I finish The Unplanned Detour.

Nick and Judy will be making a much larger appearance in this story. I have plans wrings hands and cackles.