Supernatural in Real Life 3

Chapter 1

I find myself standing in a field, surrounded by a bunch of little kids in soccer fields. They can't be much more than eight years old. Looking down at myself, I see that I'm in a soccer uniform, too. Why am I in a soccer uniform? I stopped playing soccer after my freshman year of high school.
Wait a second... I know that girl. That's Emily, my friend from elementary school, back in elementary school age. I know a lot of these people in the same uniform as me. They were in my soccer team once. What's going on?
Oh well, who cares? I miss soccer. I want to play. I feel myself being pulled to the game. I run after the ball, and though it's surrounded by people, I manage to kick it away and into the goal. Right as I do, the game ends.
"Bailey! You did it!" Emily squeals happily. She runs up to me and hugs me, and I hug her back. "You won the game for us!"
"I can't believe it!" I reply happily, not thinking about it at all.
Why does this sound familiar? Oh my god, I know where I am! This is my final soccer game for the year from when I was young, when my team won for the whole state. I was the one to score the final goal and win it all! I completely forgot about this! But that doesn't explain everything. Why am I here!
There's a sudden ringing nearby. It sounds quiet at first, but it gets louder and louder and I have to cover my ears. It doesn't help. I can still hear it, loud and clear. It almost sounds like... Words?
I see a bright flash of light behind me. I turn around to see what it was, knowing this didn't happen all these years ago. The light is too bright, so I turn away quickly, not sure what I see. The ringing grows exponentially louder, and I hold my hands over my ears harder. Then I start to make out words from it, such is strange because there are no words in the noise. I can't understand perfectly, but I think I hear something.
Bailey, can you understand anything I'm saying?
"Wha-" I say, not sure what I'm about to ask this ringing, talking bright light. "What are you?"
It's Lucifer.
"What?" Now I'm more confused than earlier. "What the hell? What's going on right now?"
You're in Heaven.
"Why?" I ask. "Why am I in Heaven? Am I dead?"
Yes.
That one word shatters my mind. I'm dead? How am I dead? I can't be dead! I'm only eighteen. I'm too young to be dead!
"What happened?" I ask.
The statue that you smashed was of Janus, the Roman god of change and transformation. It was what made the people transform into the clowns of the costume they wore. It had the power of Janus in it, and because it needed to be contained, when you broke it, it went into your body; the nearest thing to it. Your body couldn't hold both your soul and Janus' power, so it expelled your soul. I'm not sure about the power, though.
"And now I'm dead?" I repeat, still trying to wrap my head around it.
Yes.
"And you're here to take me back?" I guess.
No, I wanted to make sure you were here. Hell has a habit of stealing souls of people that belong in Heaven.
"Oh." I don't really know how to feel about that.
However, I could bring you back. Only if you want me to.
"Of course!" I say immediately.
I don't think you understand what Heaven is. You get to relive your favorite memories forever. It is complete bliss. Soon, you won't even remember what you're missing, and you'll be happy all the time. Are you sure you want to give it up?
I nod. "Yeah, obviously. I don't want to be stuck here forever, even if I will be happy. I wanna be with you, back on earth!"
Are you sure? Once you leave, you can't come back until you're dead again.
"What do we have to do?"
Well, you have to go through six or seven random happy memories. The last one is always going to be your favorite, as a last attempt to get you to stay. Then you can leave your personal Heaven, and I'll be able to teleport you back.
"How do we memory hop?" I ask.
It's different for different people. It can be a road, a river-
"Oh, I know where we can find a river here!" I tell him excitedly. "That's where we're going now. Come on, let's follow the crowd."
The team picks me up, considering me the hero of the game, just as they did the first time. It's weird, because they're all about eight and I'm at my actual age now, but they manage it. They stop me near a river, and everyone chats and laughs in a victory celebration. Obviously, the parents are all nearby, but we didn't know it at the time.
"There." I point to the river. "Now what do we do?"
You go in the river.
"That's it?" I say in disbelief.
Yep.
I shrug. "Okay." I cannonball into the river, and land sitting in a seat in the stands for something. It's a football game. Why am I watching a football game? I look at the seats next to me, and see my friends from eighth grade. Oh, I know what this is! This is from when I was about to graduate middle school, so the two high schools of the city decided to throw a party for the incoming freshmen.
I can't believe this is happening. This was one of the best nights of my life at the time. I absolutely adored it. My friends and I were pointing at various players, laughing about how cute they were. It seems ridiculous, but it was so fun.
What's this? Lucifer asks.
"It's a football game," I reply. "It was just before I went to high school. I only got one year there before I moved, but it was so fun."
"Look at number 12!" one of my friends squeals in the background.
This is a happy memory? Sitting around watching people throw balls to other people?
"No, it's more than that," I explain. "It wasn't the game itself. It was the talking to people. I barely got to see my friends in high school, because I always had sports and homework after school, and they weren't in any of my classes that year. This was the last time we really got to talk as a group."
Well, where can we find a river? Lucifer asks.
"What, you in a hurry or something?" I ask. I'd like to get to enjoy Heaven a little bit.
Yes, I am. The angels hate me. It's only a matter of time until they realize I'm here, and that won't end well for me. If you want to have fun here, you can do that. I'll leave you here. I won't be happy about it, but if it's what you want, I won't stop you. If for some reason you do want to go back, then we've got to hurry before the angels catch up to me.
I frown. "Oh. Okay, let's go. Um... Well, I don't know where there's a river, but I could get us to a water fountain. That flows into a river, does that count?"
Possibly. Let's see. Where is it?
I carefully avoid looking at the bright celestial being behind me as I show him the way out of the stadium. I look around, knowing there's a fountain somewhere. Finally, I spot it. I sprint to it and push the button, emitting a stream of water. I stick my hand in, and I'm teleported away.
Suddenly, I find myself at my second and final high school. Judging by the faint lost feeling I have, it's my first day. Why do I feel lost? I know this school inside out. I spent three years here.
You're merging with the you from the past, Lucifer informs me. You'll start feeling like you did back then as we go on.
"How did you know what I was thinking?" I ask.
It's how Heaven works. I don't know.
"Oh." I look around, my usual heavy backpack feeling light because of the muscles I've gained since sophomore year.
A boy walks up to me with a charming smile. I feel my heart flutter at the sight of him. I know him. I can't believe this.
"Hey, you need help?" he offers sweetly.
I find myself nodding. "Yeah. I have no idea what I'm doing right now."
He chuckles. "That's alright. Where are you going?"
I find myself reaching for my schedule to show him, but I stop myself. Why am I playing along right now? I should be looking for the river.
Focus, Lucifer says. You'll feel the pull to play along strengthen, but you've got to fight it.
"I'm trying," I hiss.
"Science?" the boy repeats. "That's my class, too. Come on, I'll show you. I'm Ryan, by the way."
I don't bother to respond. "Come on," I say to Lucifer, waving him forward as I follow Ryan. "I know where we're going."
Ryan leads us to the science room. I take a moment to look around at the room I haven't seen in years. It's exactly as I remember it. Ryan takes his seat in the back, and I feel my body trying to sit next to him when he beckons. I ignore it and walk over to the shower for if you spill chemicals on you. I pull the triangle handle on a string, and water pours out. I take a step in, and I'm teleported away once again.
I'm at a water park with the friends I made from my new school. I look down at my bikini self consciously. It was the only time I ever wore it, and I only did it to prove a point. My friends always said I was anorexic due to my slim figure, and I wanted to prove that it was actually because I worked out. The muscles that were clearly visible even when they're relaxed proved my point perfectly. I used to have an actual six pack.
Now, I'm in my current shape, not my incredibly toned body from high school. I'm still thinner than most people, but it's not as impressive as I used to be. I wish I could take my hair down to cover my body, but it's in a wet ponytail, and that won't work.
My friends and I walk out of the water slide together, soaking wet and laughing. We wait by the wave pool, and I immediately know what's coming. As much as I loved this day, I'm not looking forward to this memory now.
Ryan comes wading out of the water, followed by his posse of other boys. He walks up to me and kisses my forehead.
"Hey, baby," he greets me with a smile.
I bite back the cheesy, coupley reply that wants to fight its way out of my mouth.
Who's this? Lucifer asks immediately. I can't hear his tone because he's speaking in ringing, but I can tell that he's jealous.
"This is Ryan," I tell him. "My ex boyfriend."
Your happiest memories are with your ex boyfriend? Lucifer repeats.
I frown. This is what I wanted to avoid. "Yes, but that doesn't mean I don't like you, too!" I say quickly.
"Too?" he repeats. What, you'd be fine back with him instead of me?
I sigh. "Is there any point in arguing right now? No, Lucifer. I'd rather be with you. But this was my first and only other boyfriend, and I had a lot of fun times with him."
I don't like him.
"I know you don't like him. I wasn't expecting you to like him. You don't have to like him. I don't even know where he is anymore."
Technically, it's true. I know he went to college at Harvard, being the smart boy that he is, but I haven't heard from him since. We would occasionally talk during the first couple months of my senior year and his freshman year, but that was it. We called it off fairly soon.
I still don't like him.
I roll my eyes. "Fine. I don't need you to like him. Where do we go now?" I spot the lazy river nearby. "Come on." I run over to it, diving in quickly in hopes of getting it of this bikini.
My next memory is back in a football stadium. I know this one immediately. It was the last time I went to one of Ryan's football games. He always said he did better when I was there, and this was no exception. He did amazing, which I could follow, being the sporty person I am.
That was before this, though. The point I come back to is after the game. I find myself rushing down to congratulate my boyfriend. Ryan sees me coming and runs out to meet me. He's about to give me a hug when I remember this isn't real, and I freeze. He hugs the air instead, whispering cute things where my ear should have been.
Where's the river? Lucifer asks.
"I don't know," I admit.
Then what do we do?
"I guess we just go through this and wait for any sort of river," I reply.
I emerge myself in the scene, much to Lucifer's dismay. Ryan's football buddies come over to join us, and I high five them all. They liked me a lot back then. I think it was because I enjoyed watching them play and knew everything that happened without having to flaunt my knowledge. No one else had girlfriends like that. It had caused a lot of problems with jealous cheerleaders, but I didn't care.
I feel like this is the lead up to an orgy.
"Seriously, Lucifer? So mature." I roll my eyes.
I was just saying that to get your attention, he admits. Didn't want you to get too lost in here.
"I know. I won't let myself get stuck here," I assure him.
Okay.
I can't tell how he says that. I don't know if he's relieved, doubtful, happy. This is problem with ringing for talking. I can't hear the tone of voice.
It's a miracle you can understand it at all. Not many people can hear anything but an annoying ringing sound. If you could get over the brightness, you'd be able to see me, too. You've got to be pretty special for that.
"Stop reading my mind!" I whine.
I can't. Your thoughts are just energy, just like everything else up here. I can't not hear them.
I frown. Well, that's annoying.
Sorry.
I'm never getting used to this. This is weird.
You shouldn't have to.
"No, seriously. Cut it out. Like, if you have to hear it, fine, but stop acting like I said it."
Okay.
I look around the field for any source of water. I don't know where I could find a water fountain here. What do I need to look for now?
A group of players comes out with a huge hose. Where they hooked that up, I doubt I'll ever know. They spray all of us, not noticing I'm there. I remember they all hurried over and apologized to me, but I was laughing so hard, they realized I didn't really care, so they did it again. It doesn't matter now, though. The hose connects to a river, and basically is a river itself.
The next memory we show up in is one of my favorites. It's prom night, and I'm getting ready for it with my little sister, Julia. She was only in fourth grade at the time, and she had so much fun helping me get ready. It's a senior prom, and though I was a junior, Ryan was a senior, so I got to go.
I'm already wearing my dress. It's long, mostly dark purple with a line cute of sparkles around the waist. It's a halter top, which I think looks amazing on me, if I do say so myself. I absolutely loved this dress. I loved this night in general.
Julia pulls out my black heels. They're tall, but I can balance easily in them when I put them on. I strut around my room to please my sister, who laughs. Remembering this isn't real, I quickly snap out of it.
"See, the annoying thing about this is it just happened to be the week the water shut off at my house," I tell Lucifer.
It won't matter. You said this is your favorite memory, which means it's the last one. We're looking for a glowing door now.
"No, I said this was one of my favorites," I correct him. I don't bother pointing out that I didn't technically say it. "Trust me, there's one after this."
Are you positive?
"Yes." And I know exactly what it is, though I push it out of my mind before the thought actually registers.
"Bailey!" my mom calls from the bottom of the stairs. "Ryan's here!"
"Have fun, Bai!" Julia says with a smile. I give her a hug, even though she's way shorter than me with heels. Wait, why did I do that? This isn't real. Snap out of it, Bailey!
Bai?
"She's my sister. She can call me whatever she wants," I reply. She called me that a lot. It was adorable. Being the "super mature" sixth grader she is now, she doesn't say it much anymore.
Julia opens the door for me. I hesitate. What do I do now? Am I supposed to go with him?
If there's water at the prom, then you're going to prom.
I nod, ignoring the fact that he was in my head. I strut out of the room, Julia right behind me. She hides at the top of the stair while I walk down slowly, for dramatic effect. Ryan's eye go wide when he sees me, and when I get down to the bottom of the stairs, he gives me a hug and a quick kiss.
"You look gorgeous," he tells me in the most sincere way possible.
"You look pretty good yourself," I reply, admiring his suit.
He holds out his arm for me to take. "Shall we?" We walk out to his car, which sounds cheap but I had told him not to waste his money on a limo. He opens my door for me like the gentleman he is, and I slide in gratefully. He shuts the door and slides into the driver's side, and he drives me to prom.
As soon as we step inside, I'm greeted by all my closest friends. We share compliments, from hair to dresses. I don't know where the compliments come from for my hair, which is just a side part on straightened hair, but I don't question it.
I'm having too much fun already, just being here with my friends in the first time in months. No, it hasn't been months. I saw them at school yesterday, didn't I? Oh, right. This is Heaven. I'm not actually at prom. Well, that's disappointing. Why do I feel like I should be doing something? Oh, right. I'm supposed to find a river or something.
"Lucifer, why didn't you tell me I was slipping?" I ask.
Because it's not my place to stop you.
"But don't you want me to go back with you?" I ask. "Isn't that the reason you came here?"
No, I told you. I wanted to make sure you were here. I wasn't going to get you out at all.
"What? Why?" I ask, hurt. Does he not want me back on earth with him?
You deserve to be in Heaven. It's bliss up here. What you're fighting is true happiness. I didn't want to take that from you.
"But I want to go back!"
You do now. You know that's your goal. Eventually, if you stay here, you'll forget about that. You'll be submersed in your memories, sort of like you just were. You won't be trying to get out. You won't want to.
"Don't you want me back with you, though?"
Of course I do. But I don't want to take you away from your Heaven. You deserve better than that.
"But I want to be with you. Heaven is great and all, but it's not the same as being with you. It's nowhere near as fun. I want to go back."
There's a pause. Then, Alright. We better get moving, before the God Squad shows up.
I nod and look around. Where's the water here? Is there any? I don't really remember this venue where the prom was held. I don't remember any water fountains. The refreshments are in cups, not coming from a sink, so that doesn't help. Okay, this is hard. Wait, bathrooms! They have sinks! Okay, now where's the bathroom again?
I wonder around the building, searching for the bathroom. It takes so long, I have a feeling by the time I find it, I missed my crowning of prom queen. Yes, I was prom queen as junior at a senior prom. It was because of Ryan, I'm sure. Eventually, I do make it to the bathroom and turn the sink on. I run my hands under the water, and I'm teleported away.
This is it. This is my happiest memory. I know as soon as I find myself sitting in a circle that this is it. I'm surrounded by the people I love. The hunters, angels, Rob, and Ruth.
This is your favorite memory? Why?
"Because it's the moment I realized I loved you." I stand up. "Unfortunately, we've got a door to find. What is this door supposed to look like?
Good question. I think it's basically just a white door that glows.
But you're not going to find it. This is another angel, though I'm unsure how I differentiate between the rings.
"Who are you?" I ask nervously. There's another angel in my Heaven. I don't think I like this.
My name is Michael. I'm-
"An archangel," I finish for him. "Yeah, I've heard of you. So, Michael, it's nice to meet you and all, but I'm just gonna go now."
No. You cannot leave Heaven. It is not allowed.
"It happens all the time on Supernatural."
Ah, yes. That ridiculous tv show that severely messes up the paranormal world. Jared and Jensen have managed to defy death on numerous occasions. That ended a long time ago. No souls leave Heaven anymore. Angels, on the other hand...
Now it's Lucifer that speaks. I know you're trying to tighten the ship up here and all, but is there any chance you could let us slide by just this once?
No. The girl stays here. You come with me.
Please, Michael. Just this once. I promise, this will be the only time.
No.
I haven't asked for anything from you since I returned from Hell. Now I am. Please. You owe me.
There's a pause. Finally, Michael says, Just this once. Then we'll be even. But what I'm doing stays between us.
Of course. Thank you, Michael.
Don't thank me. I'm just repaying an old debt. The door is in the girl's room. Find it, and you'll be free.
I find myself running, partially to find the door, but mostly to get away from the brotherly conversation. I find the door to my bedroom, which is now white with a bright light. I open it, and I'm greeted by an incredibly bright white hallway. I'm as blinded by the light as I am the purity of the color. I'm aware of a presence behind me, somehow managing to glow even brighter than the hall.
The angels are coming, Lucifer informs me. As soon as you opened the door, it set off an alarm. Get out, quickly, before they show up. Then I can get you back.
I take a step into the white hallway. I barely have time to notice the hundreds of doors lining the walls before I'm teleported away.
And into darkness.