Devil in Disguise

Chapter Five

Alice POV

           I was in a meadow with the most gorgeous flowers surrounding me. I looked down to see that I was wearing an eggshell white dress that cascaded down to my feet. I sat down and watched the sun rise before me. I was in awe; everything was beautiful.

           Something hit me. This was heaven, wasn’t it? I died and now I’m in heaven. Who knew so much coffee could kill you?

           I lived only 23 short years, though. I was supposed to live more. Despite that fact, my eyes were dry; I had no desire to shed a tear right now. All I wanted to do was relax in paradise for as long as I could.

           I lay down and watched the dark sky turn lighter. I could hear birds chirping around me. For some reason, their tune was getting louder and less extraordinary. The beeping grew more intense. Where was that coming from?

           I felt my paradise crumbling around me. What was going on? I tried to steady myself but eventually, I was falling into a dark pit in the ground, tumbling toward impending doom.

           I woke with a gasp. I was breathing hard; my heartbeat on hyper drive, my forehead beaded with sweat. I looked down to see myself in a hospital gown. The beeping was coming from the machine next to me. Its monotone sound was a nuisance compared to the birds' lovely songs. I looked at my wrists which were entwined with IVs.

           “Well,” said a voice next to me. I jumped at the sound. I saw Devin sitting in a love chair across from me. “You’re quite a riot when you’re sleeping.”

           All the puzzle pieces clicked. I groaned. “Oh, no.”

           “What’s wrong?” he questioned.

           “I swear I wasn’t that bad of a person! I don’t understand why I’m here. I was a police officer, for crying out loud.”

           “What are you talking about?”

           I continued my rambling. “I mean, I understand why you’re here. It’s not like you were role model of the year, but what did I do? I may have fibbed a little, but how could that put me here? I thought you people were forgiving!”

           “Alice,” Devin walked over to my bed. “Where do you think you are?”

           “Hell,” I said back, confused. “Where else would I be?”

           He tilted his head back and laughed. “You . . . think . . . you’re in hell?”

           “Well, you’re here, so it’s obviously not heaven.”

           I heard a chuckle from the back of the room. Someone else was in here.

           “Chief,” Devin said in between his fits of laughter. “Can you explain this?”

           “She’s had a lot of meds. She’s going to be a little weird for a bit.”

           I widened my eyes. “Oh my god, Chief Todd? You’re here, too? They must really be picky this time of year if they think both of us deserve to be here,”

           By now, Devin was literally on the floor laughing. “This is just great,” he choked. “They need to give you meds more often, Alice.”

           “What are you talking about?” I suddenly felt drowsy again. I wanted to go to sleep.

           “Why don’t we let you rest? We can talk later about your . . . er, situation,” Chief Todd said.