Death of the Innocent ~ Angel Beats! [CANCELLED]

The Afterlife

     I've always been alone. I've never had a friend. Nobody to talk to, nobody to go to. It was quite surprising how that all changed, but it was too late. I died. Suddenly, people started to care about me. They wished that they could have spent time with me, but it was too late. I am dead.

                                                                                ~

     I remembered waking up near a small fountain. I looked around and everything was so beautiful. The green grass glittered in dew and a rainbow of flowers bloomed just for me. I glanced down at my clothes and my eyes began to widen. These weren't my usual baggy T-shirt and jeans. Instead, it was a black collared school uniform with a white undershirt.

     When did I get this on? Why am I here? Where is here anyways? What happened? I could only answer one question. What happened? I died, that's what happened. But if I'm dead, then I shouldn't be here. I should be dead.

     "Ooyama San, hurry up or you'll be late to class."

     My head jolted up and looked at where the voice came from. A small, white haired girl with bright yellow eyes peered down at me. Her voice sounded robotic, yet gentle and soft.

     "C-class?" I stuttered.

     "Yes. You have to get to class," she stated emotionless.

     "How - but how'd you know my name?" I asked.

     "It is my job to know all of the students' names," she answered.

     "Still, what do you mean class? Aren't I dead?" I questioned.

     "Yes, you are dead. Everybody here is dead," she explained. "This is the Afterlife."

     "The Afterlife," I whispered.

     So I really did die that day. But why did I have to die so soon? I was only a third year in high school. Why? Why did this happen to me? I always followed the rules. I always listened. So why me?

     Before I knew it, my eyes were flooded in tears. What a horrible way to die. I shouldn't have done it. I shouldn't have trusted them. I was so stupid.

                                                                                  ~

     "What are you? Chicken?" he sneered.

     The other boys laughed with the first like they always did.

     "No, I'll do it. I will," I said stubbornly.

     "Hurry up then, Ooyama," he laughed.

     He didn't believe I would do it, I could tell. I would show him. I'm brave. I'll prove it.

     I dropped onto my knees and slowly crawled into the small tunnel. It was very dark and I could barely make out the round shape I was looking for.

     "Did you find it yet, Slowpoke?" he shouted.

     "Yeah, I think so. Wait. I got it!" I called back.

     "Roll it out already then," he yelled.

     I grabbed the soccer ball and struggled to turn around in the tight space. When I finally managed to turn around, I gently pushed the ball into daylight. I don't know how, but I seemed to have forgotten that I was still in the tunnel and tried to stand up. Of course, my head bashed into the stone. The tunnel must have been very old or poorly constructed, because it began to fall apart on top of me. I couldn't move with the stones crushing my body and I'm pretty sure I could feel warm blood oozing from my skull.

     "Guys! Help me!" I cried. "Please, I'm stuck!"

     All that answered me was a crowd of laughter and a voice that snickered, "What a crybaby."

     "Please, help me," I whispered for the last time before the entire world around me began to fade black.

                                                                               ~

     I died without having a friend. How pathetic is that? Maybe it was better off that way. Nobody would miss me, right? I wiped my tears and forced myself no to cry. I am not a crybaby!

     I stood up, this time looking down at the girl, but not by much. She seemed to know a lot about this place, so I figured it would be best to stick with her.

     "May I know your name?" I asked.

     She looked surprised, yet she still answered my question. "Tachibana."

     "Tachibana San, do you think we should be friends?" I asked hopefully. It would be nice to finally have a friend, even if I was dead.

     "No."

     "Eh? Why not?" I questioned, feeling hurt.

     "It is impossible for me to have friends here," she answered quietly.

     "Oh," I muttered.

     Was this girl like me? Did she not have any friends when she was alive? It seems as if we went through the same life, but I know we didn't. What was Tachibana's life like?

     "I'm ready," I stated.

     "Huh?" she questioned. She must have forgot.

     "I'm ready to go to class," I explained.

     "Oh, yes. Let's get to class," Tachibana replied, already starting to walk ahead.

     "Wait for me, please!" I ordered as I headed towards a new life. Maybe I could finally have friends now, even if Tachibana refused. I will make friends. That's why I'm here isn't it? To find somebody who actually cares about me.