semicolon

2: The voice on the bridge

Alright then, enough thinking. Let's do this and get it over with before I change my mind.

"And is that a bad thing?"

I froze and couldn't move. I was even too afraid to look behind me. That's definitely a voice I don't recognize.

Oh, please don't let it be a stranger who has to watch this happen.

Or worse, try to get me to change my mind.

I turn around, and there is no one. Was I hallucinating?

"No, you're not."

The voice was soft yet powerful and echoed in the vast emptiness around me. It seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

"What in the name of God? WHO IS THIS?" I shouted, looking around me, a bit off balance.

"You can't see me, but I'm right before you." They replied.

I turned to face the darkness in front of me, but there was absolutely nothing there.

"Why can't I see you?" I asked hesitantly.

There was a slight pause before they added, "Because you haven't made the decision just yet."

I was taken aback. Who the hell is this? And why can't I see them?

Oh, no.

"Are you, like, the angel of death or something?"

They paused again.

"Hello?"

They finally said, "Let's just say... or something."

For some reason, I felt relief all of a sudden, even though I enjoyed being on my own and having this experience as a sole ranger. Fighting for once for my own well-being.

"You think this is the way to your happiness?" They asked.

To which I replied, "It definitely is a way out of my misery."

"Fair. Then do it. What are you waiting for?"

I paused to think about it for a second.

"It actually now feels weird that I have an audience."

And it's true. It feels awkward to do it in someone else's company. Or, some thing.

"Well, I believe we'll meet in just a second so you can go ahead for us to know each other more."

Now, this weirded me the hell out. Is this like the devil? Or am I being reverse-psychology tricked by an angel? Is this my ill brain playing tricks on me?

Oh, I can't handle this kind of mental issue at the moment. I'm at full capacity.

"I want to say I have always had voices in my head. But you sound different. Could this be my ill brain playing tricks on me?"

"It's not. I really am here."

I didn't know what to say.

"Maybe you can start by telling me, why are you doing this?"

"Why would you want to know?"

"Just curious."

Their tone was so calm and steady. Not manlike or ladylike. It felt like they weren't rooting for this to happen, nor rooting that it doesn't.

The silence grew even more, making me more uncomfortable. This was a bit therapeutic before this voice appeared. I really hope this isn't my brain, or else it'll make this hard. I was so glad to feel like it was easy.