And If there was a tomorrow

Chapter 11

 Linda woke up after a while, with a clear impression that she had gone crazy. She blinked a few times to try to focus her surroundings because everything was blurry. She sat down with difficulty and, as she tried to stand up, she heard the voice again:

─ Finally.

Linda got scared once again. 'Would that be possible?'

─ It isn't usual, but it's possible ─ she replied, as if she had read her mind.

─ Why? ─ she asked.

─ Because you, my dear, is in the middle of an extremely dangerous game. But I'm on your side. Let me explain.

Linda didn't know if having Death on her side was something good or bad but decided to wait.

─ I can notice you're confused. But I'm neither good nor bad. I just do my job. Just like you do yours. You, as a doctor, can't save everyone. That doesn't make you a bad professional. It's part of the game.

─ You're saying that killing people is your profession, is that it?

─ No, my dear. I don't kill anyone. Their time simply comes, and I show up to collect their souls and to show them the path. Obviously, I can't be in multiple places at once, so let's say that I chose to share this burden with my children.

─ I didn't know Death had children.

─ In some theories, I've always been accompanied by a good death angel and an evil death angel. One of them leads people into light, the other one takes people to...well, you know where.

─ Are you saying that your children help lead people into the paths to heaven and hell?

─ It's not that simple. Perhaps there are other stages, if I may put it that way, but we can simplify as such.

Linda sat down with her hands on her face, rubbing it fiercely, as if she wanted to wake up and find out she had been dreaming or became delirious.

─ You are not crazy, if that's what you are thinking. You are not dreaming either. But you have already dreamt about my children. Do you recall? When you relived the urgency assist?

─ Do you mean the people that I hadn't seen before in the room?

─ They are not people.

─ And what were they doing there?

─ It's a long story, but that's why I'm here. I think you need a few explanations in order to make your decision independently, with no interferences.

─ I don't get it.

─ But you will. ─ she said, in a hefty and deep voice that echoed inside Linda's mind.

She felt like she was participating in a movie. At that moment, they weren't at the hotel room. They were walking through a narrow, foggy, cold, and grey path. A place that should cause goosebumps, but she felt safe for some reason. Death walked by her side and started to explain:

─ Many years ago, humankind was not that sizeable and not scattered all over the globe yet. It was easier to be present and find the path I had to trail to be present at the right moment. As time went by, the number became bulkier, then came epidemics, diseases and wars, and my lone job became unfeasible. That's when I realized I could divide myself, thus my children emerged and started helping me. From time to time, others have emerged, but always in pairs. You met one of these pairs.

─ So, there are others then?

─ Yes. And more can be created, if necessary.

─ For what reason are you telling me all that?