Only in Death did he Find Me

Chapter 3 {Turning the Tables}

wake up

His voice pulsed inside of her where it didn't belong. She rejected it because of the pain it had caused...he had caused. But she obeyed, unconsciously opening her eyes to the dead world she had felt apart of now for eternity. "Easy there." An older man's gruff voice filled the space near her, his large hands helping her to sit up. Her breathing became heightened as she recalled the pain she had experienced.

Emotion strained her face as she glanced around to take in her surroundings. There were only three survivors within the group now. But she had clearly recalled many more. Even the people she had woken were no longer there. Instead there was the old man beside her, a woman, and another boy older than her. They all looked sickly, worn down and dressed in the same white garbs as her.

"Why are there so few of you?" She asked wearily. "Some left, some ate the food. Take your pick." The punk looking girl supplied dryly. Natalie felt an immediate twist of dread in her stomach. These people had denied the food, but they weren't any closer to salvation.

The tables were many, but not infinite. Every minute it seemed that at least a hundred people passed through. The voice had told her that if she ate the food her soul would be owned by someone. But what else could they do? They were starving and exhausted, no one could resist forever.

'Hello?' she thought to herself, but no one answered. Could she only communicate out loud? "...Try to not eat the food if you can," she told the strangers huddled together. "You gonna follow your own advice lass?" The older man beside her spoke, and she didn't know why but she could see genuine concern for her in his eyes. She gave him a silent nod before departing from the area. Her whole body ached from the miles she had travelled before, from the lack of food or water left in her system.

"Are you there?" She spoke quietly, her gaze moving over her shoulder to ensure she wasn't heard. But her eyes caught on the faces of ghostly people approaching the tables. They all looked different, but their expressions were the same as hers. Life was cruel, did the afterlife have to be like this too?

yes

Natalie tensed and shivered, the whisper always coming to her like he was right behind her. She was afraid of this man, but he had helped her and was currently their only option. "Can you help us leave this place?"

no, only you will leave, the rest will be sold

"No," she blurted in argument. Doing so was dangerous now because of the world she was in. But it was hard for her to hear something so insane and not react immediately. She tensed, but tried for more information. "I mean...m-maybe?" she offered because she was afraid that if she agreed with him it'd create some kind of contract. "How would I go about leaving then?"

nothing, i will come for you soon

"Who are you?"

how disappointing for you to so easily forget

She had heard those words before from Oliver. She was reminded of his words; that he had wanted to prevent this journey, to stop her from suffering as he had. Did that mean he had eaten the food? Or had he found a way to escape?

"Do you know Oliver?"

no, but i've changed my mind about the others you're so concerned with

"...What will happen to the others when you come?"

i will eat their souls

"What?!" Natalie's voice was so loud and alarmed that she drew the attention of the older man. He stood up and approached her, but she had her back to him.