Life after Death: The Afterlife of Hezekiah Chamblee

Chapter Three: Welcome to the Nexus

Hezekiah's POV

Back in the Afterlife Station...

For anyone who isn't familiar with how the afterlife works, here's a quick summary based on my catechism lessons from my days at a Catholic nursery school.

Heaven is for those who have stayed faithful to God to the end of life. It's also for the stillborn and aborted babies and kids who haven't had a chance to choose right from wrong. In heaven, there are streets paved of pure gold, unbelievable real estate, and people from Biblical times all the way to now. And if you've been faithful to God and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior while staying on the path of righteousness, then you'll have full access to the heavenly city. There's a lot to do there other than singing and playing harps and people are reunited with their loved ones.

As for hell (aka, the lake of fire and brimstone), it's for the people who haven't been faithful to God and haven't repented of their sins. Sadly, the ones who have committed suicide are also there since God doesn't like it when people end their lives. In hell, there's nothing but endless torment, burning, screaming, and fires all around. No one can escape hell and if you're not living right and aren't sorry for your misdeeds; hell will be your home and you won't be able to escape.

To sum it all up, folks, there's a heaven to gain and a hell to shun (to quote Ty'Reek's grandmother).

Funny that I was taught all of that (Alongside purgatory which is complicated to explain) back in nursery school but wasn't fully aware of another world of the afterlife known as the Nexus. "What do you mean that I'm heading to the Nexus?" I asked plaintively, staring into the eyes of Louis, Salgiel, Abaddon, Azrael, Gabriel, and Michael as they huddled around me. "I mean, I never knew such a thing exists."

"Well, the Nexus is for people of your caliber," Gabriel (him resembling Chris Evans) commented. "It's like an alternate version of the land of the living, but similar to heaven since there are no wars, conflicts, illnesses, famines, or death. For the most part, Nexus is a place for people who haven't truly known of their purposes, killed off before their time, or wished out of existence by the ones who hated them the most."

That explained a good part of it.

"Hezekiah, both God and Lucifer are fully aware of the situation and they knew that you weren't given a fair chance in life," Michael (a close resemblance to Sebastian Stan) said. "As for your life and the afterlife, there's been a special circumstance that will be explained once you are fully settled in the Nexus. It's all so confusing, my cohorts and I fully agree with that statement. But there's no question that you weren't simply meant for hell- which is for the best since you are pure-hearted and loyal to God's commands."

"But unfortunately, you're also not meant for heaven either," Abaddon added.

"What about a chance for a second life?" I couldn't help but ask.

Azrael gave me a sad smile which confirmed my answer. I wasn't qualified for reincarnation and I was dead as a doornail. "Sorry, bud, but that's not happening either," he replied.

I closed my eyes. This wasn't what I had expected at all, folks. Then again, who can say what could happen with my upbringing in a home where I was seen as gum on someone's designer shoes? I mean, Mom and Dad had waited until after my graduation to had me killed. And other than Cameron, my late friend Chance, and the various servants who ran the house; I had no connections with anyone at all. So in a way, I guess I felt like that Evan guy from "The Butterfly Effect" back in the alternate ending where he killed his unborn self so his friends and parents could have great lives without him.

I nodded twice as I took two deep breaths. "Well, then. I guess it's time to make my way to my new life," I commented.

Three minutes later, I was standing in front of a set of white double doors with the archangels and Salgiel behind me. "Behind these doors lie the world of the Nexus," Gabriel intoned. "Once you cross over, there's no going back. Are you ready for your new life?"