After Life

   I grasped the small box on the table. The room was full of gift bags with colorful tissue paper but this was the one I wanted to open.“No that one goes last!” Mom said handing me a gift bag.

   I finished opening all the presents except the small box. Mom and dad had glowing smiles as they handed me the small box in blue paper with a silver bow. I untied the bow and ripped through the wrapping paper. I pulled the top off the box it was car keys! Keys to my very own BMW!

   I went flying out the door screaming. The black convertible BMW sitting in the driveway with a big silver bow on it just like the one from the box. My parents followed behind me. “I love it!” I said pulling them both into a big hug. This moment was one I had waited for since I was a little girl. I always wanted a convertible this was by far the best present ever. “Too bad I don’t get my license for another month.” I said to my dad. “Nonsense I talked to the teacher and well I convinced him you were a very responsible driver and that month was unnecessary.”  He said and by convinced he meant bribed.

   I had an inkling all week that my friends were going to throw me a surprise party it was especially obvious because my mom told me that I couldn’t have a sweet sixteen party and my mom was usually the one suggesting I have people over. It was all too suspicious.

   My phone was lying on my bed when it started ringing. It was Todd my unbelievably hot boyfriend.  “Happy birthday Zo!” Todd and a bunch of other people yelled into the phone. “Who are you with?” I asked. “The football team.” He said. “Todd I got the car I always wanted!” I said. “Zoe that’s awesome. Come over tonight and we can celebrate just the two of us.” He said. “Ok” I said even though I was certain it would be a huge party. I was still going to act surprised because I know how hard he must have worked to keep it a big secret.

   The first time driving my new car felt especially magical this would go down as my favorite birthday. I cranked my music up as loud as it would go and put my top down. I put on my shades and practiced my surprise face in the mirror.

   Maybe tonight would be the night Todd and me finally did “It.” I zoomed down the street feeling like a billion bucks. But God what was that light it wouldn’t go away it was reflecting from mirror. I reached up to adjust it when my car started to swerve. A car was going to hit me in the side so I tried to move out of the way but I ended up swerving off the road. I went off a small drop and crashed down into a tree in the middle of a ditch.

    “We tried to revive her many times but she was in a terrible accident and I’m very sorry but it was fatal.” The doctor said to my parents. The doctors were forced to try one more time to revive me with a defibrillator but it didn’t work the line was still flat.

Suddenly the annoying light that caused me to crash filled the room. The bright light then faded and I was transported into… Well I’m not exactly sure where. The colors here were all brighter and more vibrant then I had ever seen before. The people all smiled at each other and went along their way none of them seemed to think this place was weird at all. The buildings were all so tall you couldn’t see were they ended. Everything was more brilliant here; it was a city but it didn’t look dreary or dull it all was so much more beautiful and more geometrical. All the people looked about 15-30 and all in great shape and well they all looked perfect. I didn’t feel the same either I felt more alive than I had ever felt in my whole life more excited in this one moment than when I had finally got my BMW or when I kissed Todd for the first time. It felt like all my senses were heightened and like I was on some amazing drug that unlocked the full capacity of happiness. “Where is your guarder?” A women asked me looking confused. “What is a guarder?” I asked equally confused. “Where am I?” “Oh honey we need to find your guarder it’s his job to explain everything.” She said grabbing my hand but she suddenly pulled away. “I can feel your energy and power you’re different!” She said.  She turned around and just walked away like I was going to hurt her or something. Not exactly knowing where I was I decided walking around I might get some answers. This place kept getting better and better if only I knew what it was. A black van stopped next to me on the sidewalk. The van doors opened suddenly on their own and a man in a mask got out and pulled me in. I don’t know why I didn’t run but when he pulled up I felt a safe energy it was like drawing me to him. I kicked and tried to get out of his grasp but it didn’t seem like I was straining him at all. The van was full of technology that looked 100 years advanced compared to what we have. He used a white cloth with some chemical on it and put it on my mouth and I passed out.

When I woke up we were in a dark room with one bright spotlight. The man standing next to me wasn’t the one that grabbed me he had a different energy. He dumped water on me to make sure I was awake. Then a tall boy with olive skin and black hair came in the room. When he walked closer to the light I could see him more clearly. He was holding a towel to his side and his shirt was off. He had abs and defined muscles he wasn’t a man but a boy maybe 18 or 19. His cold blue eyes showed no sign of fear or worry neither did his body language. This must have not been his first kidnapping. “Where the hell are we?” I screamed. I wasn’t scared at all though and I don’t know why being kidnapped didn’t frighten me. Something about the boy made me feel safe. All I could focus on was how amazing he looked. “I know you have questions but now isn’t the time for me to answer them. Trust me I will get to you as soon as I can.” He said. His voice made the hairs on my neck stand up. I felt like an Abercrombie model had just kidnapped me. Then he came over to me and picked me up like he was cradling a baby. Even though the ropes made it impossible for me to get away I wouldn’t if I could. I could feel the warmth of his body. His muscles wrapped around me. I hate to admit it but I’d never felt this much lust before even around my boy friend. I could feel his heart beat. He looked down at me and smirked a smile. “I wondered when I’d finally get to touch you I didn’t picture it this way.” He said. “Umm have we met before?” I asked puzzled. He didn’t answer and I didn’t say anything back because I noticed he was walking towards the same annoying bright light that made me crash. As we got closer it practically blinded me. I didn’t feel him anymore or hear his heart beat or his slow breathing I was alone and cold and all I could see was this light.

The hospital machines started beeping like crazy and suddenly one by one they blew up. The nurse walked into the room. “Get over here!” She screamed to the doctor. “What the hell all the machines are going crazy.” He said. Then all the machines stopped beeping and a flat line came up on the heart monitor. I sat up. “Where am I?”