Conga Line of the Dead

Chapter 12: Words of Encouragement or Having the time of my afterlife

Peter gasped, gripped his chest and quickly sat up as he tried to figure out where he was.

It was white, very white. Not a room, he was simply there, not really existing in any place or time. He got up, a quick glance down showed him that he had his legs back, but was dressed in all white. This was not a good sign.

He looked around, now more frightened than he had been before and that was when he saw the brilliant white light shining and the shadow of a person walking towards him.

"Where am I? Where's Toke?" He asked, his voice echoing around him off walls that did not exist as he shielded his eyes from the light with his hand.

The figure slowly got closer, "You're safe." a female voice answered and for some reason he instantly felt at ease.

"Where am I?"

"Don't you know?" the voice asked back. Peter shrugged.

"If I knew would I have asked you?" he looked around again, "I've seen enough movies to take a guess. I'm dead." just hearing himself say the words sent a feeling a dread through him.

"Yes." came his confirmation.

He took a gulp that he hoped the figure couldn't hear, "Am I in heaven?"

There was a pause as he began to make out the figures female features. "Not really, this is more like a waiting room for the newly dead."

"What about Toke?" he asked simply.

"He's here also."

"Is he ok?" he wondered

"After what has happened to you, you care about HIS wellbeing?" she asked back.

"Yea. He's my friend, we knew what we were getting into there, and we had to do whatever was necessary to save...." the thought hit him like a cannonball to the head, "Ashley, her kid? Are they...."

"Fine," the woman replied as she stood before Peter. He looked her over, something about her seemed extremely familiar to him but he was unsure as to why, "Your trust in your friend paid off, he sacrificed himself to defeat Wesley. You saved the day, Peter."

"And Stevens?" he asked.

She cleared her throat, "He's where all evil men go. His punishment is far worse than all the pain and agony he inflicted on those around him. Yes, it seems you're quite the David Duchovny."

Peter paused a look of distrust crossing his features, "Who the hell are you lady? How do you know me?"

She looked into his eyes, thinking this was a joke but seeing he was honestly confused by her presence, "You really don't remember me do you?"

"No." this seemed to hurt her feelings, "Sorry."

She smiled anyway, "I'm not surprised, you couldn't have known it was me that day at the bus stop, children seem to shape events in certain ways as to make them easier to deal with." She slowly took his hand in hers, he tried to pull away, but for some reason couldn't bring himself to. "But even after the wreck, I was there, watching you every step of the way. In a strange way it was almost like I never left your side."

Peter slowly shook his head, his mouth opened but nothing came out.

"Hello Pete." she seemed to be blinking back tears, if that was even possible. "It's been such a long time, and I am so proud of the man you've become and the life you've made. So very proud."

She then took him into a full embrace, squeezing him as if her very afterlife depended on it. Slowly Peter put his arms around her, feeling her beneath his hands, a single tear rolling down his cheek as he rested his chin on her shoulder.