Saving Amaya

Chapter 7

I don't remember what happened next. I don't remember how I got here. But here I am. Nowhere, I think. I mean there's nothing. No air. No sound. No light. It's just nothingness. I guess this is death. This is what I have for the rest of eternity. Laying in a pit of nothingness.

I wasn't expecting heaven or hell or anything. But nothing? I don't know how long I sit there, empty and numb in the void. Could have be hours, weeks, years, I don't know. I thought that I would feel at peace now that I'm dead, but I'm not. I feel odd. Like I'm not supposed to be here.

Then, I feel it. I feel a heat pouring into my hand. It feels like something is wrapped around my hand. It feels like my chest is pulling me towards that feeling. I decide to follow my instinct and lean into the warmth, moving from the position I have been stuck in for who knows how long. My body feels heavy, like a weighted blanket is on top of me. Sitting up, I feel like I could breathe for the first time since I got here. I can start to feel my fingers and toes. I can almost feel a breeze flowing past me.

Maybe I'm supposed to find my afterlife. This must be a purgatory of sorts. Moving onto my feet was awkward since I couldn't feel a floor or see any obstacles, but I managed to fully stand. Then, through the deafening silence, I could almost hear something. A whisper of some sort.

This is my decision, do I stay here if the familiar void, or follow the voice even though I don't know what it has in store for me?

It's tempting to stay here. To sit in the silent darkness forever would suck, but I know what to expect. I know that I'm safe here, but I can't say the same thing for what lies beyond. But what if it's better? What if there's light and sound? What if I'm happier there? Is it worth the risk?

Past me would stay here. I'm not in danger and I know what's here. It's safe. But something is pulling me towards that feeling. The unknown could be promising. I deserve to try. I don't know what will happen, but I owe it to myself to see what it could be.

My chest swells with determination as I will myself to take my first step. It feels like I'm walking through mud, even though I feel nothing on my feet . I have to fight my way towards the noise and the warmth. Step after step, I slowly make my way towards the unknown. The voice gets louder and louder slowly. Just when I could almost start to make out the words, I see something. It's faint, but it looks like there is something lighting up the void in the distance. My eyes drink up the first sign of light that I have seen in what feels like forever. Hope fills my veins. I'm excited to see what could be. Even if it's nothing, and I lost what I had, I'm happy that I tried. This satisfaction of being able to see again is enough for me.

The voice feels like it is one room over from me and the light is now within my reach. The farther I make it, the less I feel the force dragging me down. The pull of the warmth in my hand is far stronger.

". . . fighter. . . pull. . . time. . ." Finally, I am able to make out some of the words that the voice is saying.

I want to shout back, to make them hear me. When I open my mouth it's as if there is no air in my lungs. Nothing comes out no matter how hard I try. I need answers. I need to know what this all means. Why am I here? What's next? My steps become stronger, more powerful. I am determined to keep going, I will until I am satisfied.

"I need. . ." The voice is becoming clearer. It sounds like a man's voice, but I don't recognize it. "Did you. . . God, she. . ." For the life of me, I can't understand what he is saying.