Chapter 2--The Afterlife
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Trinity smiled. ÒWeÕre everywhere. And nowhere.Ó
Neo was puzzled. ÒWhat?Ó
ÒThey knew youÕd have a hard time with this,Ó she said gently. ÒThatÕs why they sent me to find you. ItÕs always easier to accept being here when you have someone familiar with you.Ó
Neo pulled her close, feeling a sudden flood of emotion. He felt like he did the day he was pulled out of the MatrixÑscared, confused, elatedÉand grateful to have Trinity nearby. ÒYou still havenÕt told me where here is.Ó
Trinity stepped out of NeoÕs embrace and moved to stand behind him, covering his eyes with her hand. ÒDonÕt peek,Ó she whispered. ÒWalk forward.Ó He complied, and together they walked, until she stopped him with a gentle pressure from her hands. She uncovered his eyes, taking his hand and standing next to him. ÒOkay,Ó she said.
Neo opened his eyes. He was standing on the edge of a cliff, the landscape below lit softly by an orange sunrise. There was a large canyon made of red and brown sandstone, and a rushing river flowing through it. Across the canyon, Neo could see a lush green forest. The colors were brilliant, and there was no noise save for the sound of the rapids and the occasional bird-song. A cool breeze ruffled his hair, and brought goosebumps to his bare arms. He felt calmness envelop him like a warm blanket. He smiled.
ÒTrin...itÕs beautiful. But what is it?Ó
ÒItÕs my world,Ó she said simply. He watched the breeze blow her hair, and reached over to brish a stray hair out of her face. She was so beautiful...but something was different. He couldnÕt put his finger on it.
ÒOkay.Ó Neo couldnÕt think of anything else to say. He was still struck by the beauty of his new surroundings, and knowing that it was TrinityÕs world, whatever that meant, made the moment even more profound.
She smiled. ÒYou still donÕt understand.Ó
Neo shook his head.
ÒI created this place. When I was...Ó She paused, searching for the right words. ÒIn our other life, this is the place I would go, in my head. Now, I can actually be here. itÕs reassuring.Ó
Neo sighed. ÒOh, Trinity. ItÕs beautiful.Ó He blinked once, trying to see the code. It was the only way he could make everything make sense--he must still be in the Matrix. Trinity noticed, and laughed.
ÒThereÕs no code here, Neo. ItÕs all real.Ó
ÔBut how?Ó
Trinity sat down, her legs dangling off the edge of the rock ledge. She motioned for Neo to join her. ÒItÕs hard to explain. When I died, I woke up in the white space, the same place I found you. I was told by, well, who I was told by doesnÕt matter. This is the afterlife, Neo. Some people call it Heaven, some people call it Nirvana...but it doesnÕt really have a name. It just is.Ó
Neo shook his head. ÒI donÕt get it.Ó
ÒWe died, Neo.Ó She didnÕt want to put it so bluntly, but it was the most straightforward answer. ÒIn the real world. But this is our real world now. And since itÕs ours, we can create anything we want.Ó
Neo looked around again. ÒWeÕre the only ones here.Ó
ÒIn this place, yes. Everyone has their own place. You could create your own place, if you wanted.Ó
ÒIÕd rather stay here with you. But thereÕs no place to stay.Ó
Trinity grinned. ÒThen make us one.Ó
Neo closed his eyes. Trinity deserves something beautiful, he thought. When he opened his eyes, there was a white speck on the horizon. ÒItÕs there. Do you see?Ó He pointed across the canyon.
Trinity squinted. ÒI see it. LetÕs go.Ó
ÒGo? How?Ó He looked around, but didnÕt see any sign of a bridge or road.
Trinity closed her eyes. ÒJust think about being there. Free your mind,Ó she said jokingly.
ÒOkay, right. Free my mind.Ó He closed his eyes and took TrinityÕs hand.
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Trinity smiled. ÒWeÕre everywhere. And nowhere.Ó
Neo was puzzled. ÒWhat?Ó
ÒThey knew youÕd have a hard time with this,Ó she said gently. ÒThatÕs why they sent me to find you. ItÕs always easier to accept being here when you have someone familiar with you.Ó
Neo pulled her close, feeling a sudden flood of emotion. He felt like he did the day he was pulled out of the MatrixÑscared, confused, elatedÉand grateful to have Trinity nearby. ÒYou still havenÕt told me where here is.Ó
Trinity stepped out of NeoÕs embrace and moved to stand behind him, covering his eyes with her hand. ÒDonÕt peek,Ó she whispered. ÒWalk forward.Ó He complied, and together they walked, until she stopped him with a gentle pressure from her hands. She uncovered his eyes, taking his hand and standing next to him. ÒOkay,Ó she said.
Neo opened his eyes. He was standing on the edge of a cliff, the landscape below lit softly by an orange sunrise. There was a large canyon made of red and brown sandstone, and a rushing river flowing through it. Across the canyon, Neo could see a lush green forest. The colors were brilliant, and there was no noise save for the sound of the rapids and the occasional bird-song. A cool breeze ruffled his hair, and brought goosebumps to his bare arms. He felt calmness envelop him like a warm blanket. He smiled.
ÒTrin...itÕs beautiful. But what is it?Ó
ÒItÕs my world,Ó she said simply. He watched the breeze blow her hair, and reached over to brish a stray hair out of her face. She was so beautiful...but something was different. He couldnÕt put his finger on it.
ÒOkay.Ó Neo couldnÕt think of anything else to say. He was still struck by the beauty of his new surroundings, and knowing that it was TrinityÕs world, whatever that meant, made the moment even more profound.
She smiled. ÒYou still donÕt understand.Ó
Neo shook his head.
ÒI created this place. When I was...Ó She paused, searching for the right words. ÒIn our other life, this is the place I would go, in my head. Now, I can actually be here. itÕs reassuring.Ó
Neo sighed. ÒOh, Trinity. ItÕs beautiful.Ó He blinked once, trying to see the code. It was the only way he could make everything make sense--he must still be in the Matrix. Trinity noticed, and laughed.
ÒThereÕs no code here, Neo. ItÕs all real.Ó
ÔBut how?Ó
Trinity sat down, her legs dangling off the edge of the rock ledge. She motioned for Neo to join her. ÒItÕs hard to explain. When I died, I woke up in the white space, the same place I found you. I was told by, well, who I was told by doesnÕt matter. This is the afterlife, Neo. Some people call it Heaven, some people call it Nirvana...but it doesnÕt really have a name. It just is.Ó
Neo shook his head. ÒI donÕt get it.Ó
ÒWe died, Neo.Ó She didnÕt want to put it so bluntly, but it was the most straightforward answer. ÒIn the real world. But this is our real world now. And since itÕs ours, we can create anything we want.Ó
Neo looked around again. ÒWeÕre the only ones here.Ó
ÒIn this place, yes. Everyone has their own place. You could create your own place, if you wanted.Ó
ÒIÕd rather stay here with you. But thereÕs no place to stay.Ó
Trinity grinned. ÒThen make us one.Ó
Neo closed his eyes. Trinity deserves something beautiful, he thought. When he opened his eyes, there was a white speck on the horizon. ÒItÕs there. Do you see?Ó He pointed across the canyon.
Trinity squinted. ÒI see it. LetÕs go.Ó
ÒGo? How?Ó He looked around, but didnÕt see any sign of a bridge or road.
Trinity closed her eyes. ÒJust think about being there. Free your mind,Ó she said jokingly.
ÒOkay, right. Free my mind.Ó He closed his eyes and took TrinityÕs hand.