Back to Reality

~Chapter Fifteen~

Samantha's POV

Even after Asher left, he was all I could think about.

How do I know? It's not like I can ask anyone.

I found a remote, and turned on the TV.  I snuggled deep into my blankets, and---

~.~.~.~.~

When I opened my eyes, Asher was back. I sat up and smiled at him; then I realized it wasn't Asher I was looking at.

"Hello again, Sam." Nathan said.

I stared, mouth agape. I honestly didn't know what to say.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Sam. I didn't think it would do any good if I did. You would've just spent the entire time asking me questions, and I knew there were better things to talk about." He smiled sheepishly, "Are there any questions you have? I only have a little time here . . ."

I snapped back, "Yeah, of course . . ." I thought for a moment. "I guess I have one question: where were we? I mean, after I . . . I mean, after Asher hit me . . ."

"Well, you were in the middle," he says matter-of-factly.

"The middle?" I ask, confused.

"The in between. Between life and death. People like me can tell after spending time with people like you if you are going to make it or not. I knew you were going to make it, so I made you feel like you were still in reality; here." He said.

Everything clicked into place. Why I never saw anyone I knew, why I didn't recognize the bistro. Even thinking back on his conversation with Leo makes sense now. "So everyone there . . . was like me?"

"Well, not everyone . . . only about half. When someone enters the 'in between', they have an escort. They are usually someone you know, especially if you are closer to death than life. In your case, though, your parents should have been there. Your relationship was close enough that it should've guaranteed one of them to be your escort . . ."

"So why weren't they?" I ask.

How would I have taken that? I wouldn't have even wanted to wake up . . .

"I honestly don't know. It was probably me because that's where I died . . . and it was the -- anniversary just sounds like an inapropriate word choice, but I'm gonna use it anyway -- anniversary of my death. It could be other things too though." He gave me a devilish smile, "Or it could be because I have such a strong connection with your soul mate."

I sat up, "What do you mean?!" I said -- a little too loudly. But, then I realized . . .

I was alone.

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A/N

Question of the chapter:

Chocolate or vanilla?

Once again, no-brainer for me... CHOCOLATE ALL THE WAY BABY!!!!!

Read on my Lovlies

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." - Confucious