Author's Note: This one is really short because I wrote it as kind of an interlude, to begin a transition. So consider this an intermission piece. Or a brief "scene" before the second act.
Chapter Fifteen: This One Won't Die Like The Others
Title from "Knowing That You've Already Arrived' by Tides of Man
And then there is a reference to "What It Is To Burn" By Finch.
He was floating. One of his most favorite things in the world was floating. Not flying, as it required effort. But floating... it was so peaceful. Everything was peaceful.
"Kenny...?"
The fifteen year old felt warm. His eyes opened to bright light and he looked around. He was in heaven this time. He must have had his wings. Kenny yawned and stretched his tired body. He felt great; renewed.
But as he looked around he realized this wasn't heaven. He had never seen this place before and it scared him. The only three places he had ever gone were heaven, hell, and purgatory. Except the couple of times he was thrust into limbo, and limbo was the worst. But this definitely wasn't limbo. It was almost like a personal heaven. Except it wasn't so crystal.
"Kenny, baby, c'mere." The blonde looked toward the opposite direction, he didn't know which way, and felt overwhelming happiness. He had the urge to cry but no tears fell. No one cried in the afterlife.
"Mom?" He couldn't see her. But he could feel her presence all around him. She reached out to him with love and hope and so many feelings he just couldn't comprehend. Couldn't stand to feel. He could smell her... not the stench of weed and cigarette and alcohol... but the sweet perfume she wore. Like vanilla and spice. And roses.
"You're gonna be okay, baby. Everything's gonna be okay."
"I miss you... mom, I'm sorry. I tried, I just... wasn't good enough. Wasn't fast enough. Why... why can't I see you?"
Everything was blinding white and there was nothing he could really make out. But bright red hair came in his vision, and arms held him tightly in a hug. His mom was there.
"I know, I know... and I am so proud of you."
She told him to be strong. She told him motherly nothings. She held him close and never let go. It could have been years or months or a couple of minutes... Kenny could never tell how long he was gone. He'd always go back and no one would remember. He could stay there forever; he really liked eternal peace.
In fact, he didn't want to go. He was happy here. His mom was with him and it was beautiful and warm and nothing bothered him. Maybe this was nirvana; he had heard a lot about that idea. Although it wasn't a life form he took, but rather an after-life ascension, it could be his nirvana. His eight-fold path to eternal bliss.
But like a dream, the warmth slowly dissolved away. His mother's embrace left him empty and alone. His euphoric high was crashing and like a star he was falling faster...