Greenstern (A Novelette)

Chapter 12

Laura couldn't comprehend what she just heard, she just stared at Jasmine. None of this made any sense, this girl spoke in an other worldly fashion, like a whole different culture had been hidden away. Her grip was really cold, this girl was majorly underdressed. Laura was sure that if she was out here any longer she would feel the same too. How long had she been out here? Laura couldn't tear her eyes away from Jasmine's dark eyes, maybe if she never spoke again then this would all go away. Yet despite all this, Laura spoke.

"I don't understand what's happening, what do you mean lucky? Have I gone insane?" her voice cracked. Jasmine's sharp stare softened.

"Come with me." she said, letting go of Laura's wrist. Jasmine turned around and disappeared into the darkness. Laura stood for a second staring in disbelief, she was gone. This night can't get any weirder, Laura thought. She took a step and then another, then she too, was swallowed up by the darkness.

"Jasmine!" She called out, really regretting her decision. It was completely inky, it was like the sun didn't exist at all. Laura kept blinking her eyes, as if that would somehow bring some light into existence. Something scratched along her face. Jumping in shock she swatted it away, it rustled. Something behind her grabbed at her clothes, Laura shrieked and tried to pull away. A faint light illuminated her vision, Laura could see that she was still in the forest. She spun around to try to see better, Jasmine was standing with a lantern. There was something very strange about this light, the way it flickered was sporadic and alien.

"Where did you go?" Laura squeaked. A small smirk passed Jasmine's lips.

"I never left". A quiet 'Oh' escaped Laura, she felt foolish.

"Where are we?"

"This is the bridge. This is the place where souls cross over to the other side... or stay trapped between worlds."

"So this isn't the afterlife?"

"No, as I said, this is the bridge. It's patrolled by the Grim Reapers, who find lost souls and lead them to where they should be. You, for example, should not be here."

"Are you a Grim Reaper?" Laura was afraid of her answer, what if she was evil?

"I am. I've got to take you back to the living before someone else notices you." Jasmine said this so casually, but it made the hair on the back of Laura's neck stick up.

"What happens if someone notices me?" she asked.

"Well living souls aren't permitted from entering or crossing the bridge. Usually living souls have come here on purpose, for some selfish motives or other-"

"That's not why I came here" Laura interrupted, she felt like she had broken some rules or something. Jasmine sighs.

"Yes I could tell that funnily enough. As I was saying, living souls are generally seen as bad news here. Due to previous intrusions, everyone here now is rather... harsh towards living souls. So if they see you, they are going to either try and kill you to keep you on The Bridge for all eternity as punishment, or gut you and throw you to the demons for breakfast." Laura swallowed a non-existent stone in her throat.

"What are demons?" She already knew that she didn't fancy meeting one.

"They are lost souls that have wondered The Bridge for so long, that their souls decay. What once connected them to life has deteriorated, they forget everything they once were. It's a form of animalistic survival, one that doesn't exist in the living world. It can turn the kindest, most gentle soul into a bloodthirsty animal." A shiver ran down Laura's spine, this place was a horror story that no one in the living world knew about.

"How can I get back?" Laura asked, "I need to get back to fix the mess up there".

"First of all, up? There is no up. The Bridge and the afterlife aren't some hell in the centre of the earth. It's beyond the physical world, well past what the living deem to be comprehensible. Second, the way back should be easy enough, you just need to go through the 'backdoor'. I'll help you, so don't worry." They started walking, everything about this place made Laura's skin crawl, it was like her body was telling her that she shouldn't be here. She couldn't agree more.

"We're almost there." Jasmine announced, making Laura jump. Jasmine raised an eyebrow, obviously this place was completely normal to her.

The silence here was deafening, you couldn't even hear the sound of footsteps. They walked up to what seemed like a door. Laura didn't realise that Jasmine was being so literal. Jasmine stopped and nodded her head towards the door.

"Off you go."

"Just like that? What happens?" Laura's heart was beating hard again, she started to feel nauseous.

"Well I have no idea, I've never been through before, have I?" Laura reached out her hand towards her. Jasmine, confused, shook it.

"Thank you for helping me." Laura said sincerely. Jasmine gave her such a sorrowful look.

"There was a time when I did not help someone, when I was young and frightened. I promised myself I'd never do that to someone again." She let out a tired sigh, "Good luck Laura, I hope you live a long life." Before Laura could say anything else, Jasmine walked off, the light leaving with her. Afraid to be in the dark here again, Laura hurried forward. She felt the icy cold metal door handle in her palm, and walked through.