Waiting Room

Where it Began

As he fell, his stomach pulled towards the ground and butterflies surged through his bones. The falling sensation didn't slow down as time dragged on. He started to think, Who am I? Where am I? Suddenly a name popped into his head. Asher. "My name is Asher." The words sounded odd aloud, like it was a stranger taking and not himself. Whether it was hours or seconds that passed by, Asher didn't know. But eventually the smooth walls of darkness opened up around him and a light shone through. Asher closed his eyes and braced himself for the impact of hitting the ground.

Nothing happened. Asher opened his eyes one at a time, scared at what he would see. Although, he merely found himself standing in one piece at the top of a grassy hillside. A few ponds were scattered here and there in the distance, and a lone oak tree stood behind the nearest one. Other than that there was only green grass and grey sky to be seen. Asher couldn't even see the space where he apparently fell through. "I must be dreaming," he thought to himself. Shrugging, he slowly walked over to the nearest pond. Its waters were as black as obsidian yet had a strange shine to it that seemed unnatural. Asher knelt down by the pond and peered at his reflection. Shockingly blue eyes stared back at him from a slightly familiar face. So this is what I look like, he thought. Asher had neat brunette hair that shone in the sun and cheeks dotted with freckles. "At least that fall didn't kill me-I hope," he said aloud.

"What, is there something wrong with being dead?" Asher could hear a child's voice right behind him. It was so close he could almost feel the stranger's breath against the back of his neck. He sharply turned around but nobody was in sight. Asher waited a few more seconds, his pulse beating in this throat.

"I don't want to die. I am not dead!" The same voice was right behind Asher again. He hesitated before turning around and timidly said, "Who's there?" A cold, dark feeling of dread trickled down Asher's spine as he slowly turned around again. Hovering at the edge of a pond was a little girl dressed in old Victorian clothes. She was void of all color and slightly blurry, like an image from an old fashioned camera. Her eyes were sullen and long dark hair covered her shoulders. She kept flickering and sometimes repeated the same dark phrases.

'Um...excuse me miss. What's your name? Can you tell me where we are?" said Asher finally. After a long pause, she spoke in an icy voice. "You're stuck in limbo, just like the rest of us. This place is a waiting room for people who aren't quite dead and aren't quite alive," she said with a depressing tone. "Some of us are spirits that have unfinished business or just can't accept that we're dead. Then there's people like you." The girl proceeded to jab Asher in the chest, and a cold feeling of dread dripped from the spot where she had touched him. Using her free hand, she gestured to the space behind her.

Asher looked around again at the valley and was surprised to notice hundreds of other ghosts roaming around. They swarmed everywhere but seemed to stay away from the foreboding oak tree. Asher looked back at the girl and asked "What do you mean people like me?" She only smiled and held out her hand. A cloudy image appeared above her palm, and as it formed Asher realized what it was of. "Hey that's me. And I'm in a hospital bed. What kind of sick joke is this?"

"That's your real body, right now. I guess you've been undergoing a risky surgery. At least you have a slight chance to live, unlike the rest of us," she sighed bitterly. "Well how do I get back to my body then? How do I live?" Asher's heart began to beat like a drum as his questions blurted out. "Your only way out is by speaking to Death," breathed the ghost, pointing to the great oak as her voice turned to radio static and her translucent form turned to dust. Asher didn't know what to think. He desperately wanted to get back to the real world. But how would having a friendly conversation with Death make matters better? There was nothing else to do though. So Asher decided to check out the strange oak tree that all the ghosts were avoiding. After weaving through the crowds of eerie spirits, he finally got to the tree. There was nothing particularly special about it. After racing around the rim of it and checking every nook and cranny,  Asher sighed and leaned against the massive tree. But suddenly there was nothing left to lean on. He fell through the tree and onto a clean black tile floor. Standing up, he found himself in a large open room. It seemed comforting yet had a cold feel about it, despite the roaring fireplace and plush chairs. "Come. Sit," said a low gravelly voice coming from the nearest chair. Asher hesitantly walked toward the chair across and sat down. The person who spoke was covered in a thick black hood, Asher couldn't see any of their facial features. "Who are you, then? Another ghost?" said Asher exasperatedly.

"Maybe not. I'm the person you've been searching for however," grumbled the voice. "Death? Well, that was easier than I thought. What did you want to speak with me about?" said Asher.

"Listen. You have no memories. Your real body is in a coma. And," Death held out his wrist like he was checking a watch, "You don't have much time before you die. Now tell me. Do you want to live again, no matter what the cost?"

"Yes." Asher really hoped this would work. He didn't want to die without remembering all the people he met on earth. "Well, if you want to live that badly I guess I can bargain with you," said Death casually. "Your eyes are filled with love and light...such happy eyes. Something I haven't seen down here in a while. I may be called Death but that does not mean I am evil or sick. I am simply here to be a balance between life and expiration. Now, if we trade eyes I will happily let you live."

Asher gasped, "Trade eyes? What do you mean?" "I only mean it slightly literally. Mostly it will be just a swap of our-ah perspectives shall I say. Not much to worry about," said Death lightheartedly, with a cold smile. Asher didn't hesitate this time. "I want to live. I'll do anything."

"Be careful what you wish for..." were some of the last words Death spoke to Asher as he fell into darkness once again. Asher never woke up from that darkness. He was alive, with memories, but he would never see the world again. Asher was told he lost his eyesight in the surgery. He did not curse Death as some would though. Asher was thankful that Death let him live. Although, as the years went on he convinced himself that his experience in the waiting room was just a bad dream. But not until Asher was old and frail and ready to die did he realize it had all been real. When he saw Death for the second time, he welcomed him as an old friend and walked once again to the great oak tree.