Shadowed Light

Fake paradise

Toby was waiting for Clara out in the hallway once the twins were done with her. She felt on show in the dress, but walked over to him anyway. He wore his usual black jeans and t-shirt except with a black blazer to make himself look more formal and presentable for the devil.

He shamelessly trailed his eyes along her body before snapping them to her face, his cheeks tinged pink slightly. Clara gave him a shy smile and followed him down the hall.

They didn't speak. Clara was glad, for she was certain she'd throw up if she opened her mouth. Her stomach was a bundle of nerves and butterflies. She hadn't felt this nervous since asking out Brecken Davis to the winter dance last Christmas.

Toby produced what could easily pass off as an iPhone, however when he tuned it on had no apps or anything. It just showed a white screen with a pad of buttons flashing different colours.

Toby tapped his fingers swiftly over the buttons, causing a hidden door to slide open. He stepped aside for her to walk in first and crashed into her when she stopped.

It was nothing Clara'd ever seen before. Tall glistening white buildings piercing the nights sky. There were no stars and no moon, the only light coming from the street lights. It wasn't cold either or windy. There were no trees, no plants, no birds. Clara suddenly felt suffocated.

"David wanted to make it look real." Toby said from behind. "The sky is actually just a roof with a programming to change it from light to day, cloudy to clear. There are no trees because we don't need oxygen."

Clara turned to him then, her heart beating at a rapid pace. "What? How is that even possible? How aren't we dead?"

Toby pursed his lips as if he wanted to smile. "Clara, we are dead. Your heart only beats because you want it to. Your lungs expand because you feel like you need them to. It makes you feel alive without even knowing it. When in reality, you could hold your breath for eternity and never have to breath again."

Clara stared at him, her lying beating heart thrashing against her rib cage. Him saying that made her feel hollow inside. She didn't like the idea of being dead. Who would?

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset." He said, sounding truly guilty. "Come on, we have a long journey ahead."

Clara nodded her head, reminding herself that he wasn't telling her these out of despite, he was just telling her the truth.

She'd always preferred the truth over quickly made up lies.

All the buildings in this 'city' were exactly the same. White, tall and windowless. They looked more like hollow boxes, each one connected with hallways. Clara really wished she could feel the wind in her hair and on her flushed cheeks. It wasn't exactly warm here, just suffocating. Like being trapped in a cage, which, she guessed she kinda was.

"You said we have been having war with Vanessa forever and it's the reason our souls were brought here instead of an afterworld, what did you mean by that?"

Toby turned to look at her whilst walking. "The whole reason we are here is to make sure there is balance. We fight against hell's demons and we negotiate with heaven's Angels. We are basically like Switzerland of the afterworlds."

"So the white division negotiate with heaven, and the black division fight hell. What is the grey divisions purpose?"

"War and feuds can lead to injury and even death."
"But we are already dead." Clara pointed out.
"Yes..." He said slowly. "But demons and Angels can kills us by sending our souls away to wonder alone, forever looking for somewhere to rest but never finding anywhere. It's like a curse, a punishment. Never finding peace and becoming a lost soul."

Clara was silent for a moment, letting it all sink in. There was a reason she was here and not resting with her family. Oh how she wished her family had also been chosen, or at least Emily. But no, that would be selfish. At least she could be slightly at peace knowing they were happy and resting somewhere in heaven.

"David says it was God who created us with the help of the devil who ruled the underworld before Vanessa. I think it was just unluckiness."

Clara frowned. "At least we know what we are doing is helping."
"Helping?" Toby laughed. "The only thing we are helping is David's ego."
Clara gasped. "Can't he hear your thoughts?"

Toby shook his head, smiling faintly. "He only said that to scare you. He can mind link me when I allow him entrance, but that's all."

"Oh." Clara said. Part of her was glad she was special and David didn't have that control over her, it sounded so invading and rude. The other part however, desperately wanted to fit in.
Toby smiled. "Don't ever feel upset about being different, it's what makes you special."

Clara's eyes widened. Mind reader!