Death
I had gotten very popular. God had blessed me with workers to help me with my job. Of course I still went down to Earth and brought people back, but I wasn't as busy as I used to be. With my helpers I was able to actually have some free time. I watched human activities, always interesting what they did with their choices. Not always good choices. I usually posed myself as a regular teenage boy, about the age of seventeen. I was at my desk in heaven, sorting through the paperwork that accumulated at my desk. That feeling came again, when someone needed to die. I got up from my desk and went down to Earth. On the way there I could see her whole life. Everything she did and everything that she would have done. Paige Cyralis, sixteen, nice girl. She did believe in God, good, and was always nice to her neighbors. Wow, half of her job money went straight to the hurricane Katrina funds. Images of her life flashed through my mind. She was a pretty girl. I had never felt any attraction before. I saw the way she helped her Grandmother to stand up in church. How she stood up to bullies. Also when she was diagnosed with cancer. And the last minutes of her life. I got down to the hospital and to her room. Everything was in slow motion. In the corner was a woman who was crying. Nurses and doctors ran slowly into the room, starting a difibulator. I walked up to the lifeless form on the bed. She had a small nose that pointed upward, and pink lips that hung loose on her mouth. She was skinny and gaunt, definitaly not healthy. My the other pictures I noticed she had bright blue eyes as well as wavy brown hair. I grabbed her hand and her eyes fluttered open, this was the first stage of death, only I could see her now. I was holding her soul. Once her eyes opened I hesitated. Never before had I hesitated. I blinked a couple of times and shook my head. I was contemplating whether I should bring her. She had a long life ahead of her. Not only was she attractive but her heart was beautiful. "Death is not the end." I told her and let go of her hand. I quickly left Earth and went back to my desk, shaken. What had come over me? God was busy so he didn't notice me, but I could tell he knew. I stood in the long line to talk to him. The time helped me think of what to say. Once I had gotten to the front of the line, the majestic creator turned to me. I put my arms behind my back and looked down, twisting my foot around. "I'm sorry. I didn't do my job."
"Yes you did." He said.
I looked up into the wise face of his. "How?" I asked quietly.
"I trust your judgement fully. You thought she didn't deserve to die and I'm okay with that."
It felt like an anvil had been lifted off my shoulders. God was always so nice and understanding. I odder and gave him a small bow. I walked back to my desk and sat down again. I sighed, relieved. Even though I still felt pretty guilty, I was glad Paige was able to have a second chance at life.
Paige
Everything that happened was like a weird dream. That boy I had seen had scared me, but also calmed me at the same time, I know weird. He had short black hair and a pale face. His eyes were dark and mysterious. There was something mature about him, like he had seen a lot. Once I had seen him all my pain went away. I felt like I could run a marathon. Once he let go of my hand everything went dark. I opened my eyes and blinked away the dots in my vision. I moved, everything felt heavy, and my mom looked up. She was gripping my hand, her face red and puffy. I pulled my hand away and put it to my head, which was throbbing. "What happened?" I croaked.
"Y-you flatlined." She choked out.
I looked up at the ceiling. I had died. My heart stopped. Gone. I felt my heart beat faster at this realization. The one that had stopped beating. I rubbed my fingers. I felt tired but also oddly strong, like all my weakness had left. I closed my eyes and waited for sleep.
The news was shocking. The cancer just seemed to vanish. Poof, gone. My bone marrow was clean and healthy. After one more week under observation I was able to leave. Of course I would come back one a week to check to see if it came back but I was free. Allowed to go to school, interact with people, live my life. I found myself asking God so many times if this was his doing. I was so happy on the ride home I kept bouncing in my seat. "Are you trying to take off?" Mom asked me.
I stopped bouncing. "Sorry."
She laughed and kept driving. I looked out the window at the familiar streets zooming past. We pulled into our neighborhood and to our house. I got out of the car, and pulled my beanie over onto my head. It was hot outside, even though summer was a couple months away. I pushed up the sleeves on my shirt and shut the car door closed. I pulled out my small duffle from the back seat and then closed that door as well. My mom pulled out her keys and walked to the front door, me behind her. She opened it and walked in. I followed her, it was dark inside, which was unusual. I walked over to the living room and flipped on the light. "Surprise!" Was yelled at me from the people hidden behind the furniture.
All my close friends were there. I took a step back, scared but then a large smile grew on my face. Liza came up to me and gave me a hug. "I don't want this." I whispered in her ear.
She knows how much I hate parties for myself. I purposely never had a birthday party because I hated it being about me. I'd go to someone else's but I never threw one for myself. "I told them not to." She whispered back.
She pulled away and people crowded around me. I gave Jamie a big hug and then Ethan. I gave other people, who I wasn't as close to small hugs as well. Everyone wanted to talk to me. I was bombarded by questions. Are you better? Are you coming back to school? Did the experience change you? I tried to answer them all but I got overwhelmed. Liza came to my rescue. "Okay people! Let's have cake." She said to the crowd.
A couple of people whooped and they all walked to the kitchen, leaving me and Liza alone. My shoulders sank. I rubbed my fingers, a nervous habit. "Thanks."
She chuckled. "You were getting a little.." She put her hands out and signified like she was really confused.
I laughed. Being around Liza always lifted my spirits. She put an arm around my shoulders. "Lets go cake." She said and she led me to the kitchen.
