The Angel

Annie

Annie never thought she was anything special. For most of her life, she had been considered average. Average height and weight, average intelligence. Most people payed absolutely no attention to her.

She was never picked for anything notable in school. She often felt like she was invisible. Nobody noticed her, because she wasn't noticeable.

In fact, she was so unnoticeable that one night, walking home from her university, a car struck her.

She remembered rolling, the feeling of her bones cracking. She remembered seeing the dimly lit sunset sky and the asphalt mix together in a blur. If she tried hard enough, she could remember somebody screaming for help, and the blinding headlights.

That was all.

Now, standing in shock beside a bed, she looked down at what was, or what used to be, her body. Doctors had cleaned the blood from her face. Her mother sat beside the bed, too detached to understand. Her father wouldn't even enter the room.

The doctors said she was dead. Her skull had cracked, and she had a massive aneurysm. Most of her ribs were broken. Part of her was thankful that she hadn't survived. The injuries looked too painful.

"But now what?" She said aloud. Nobody could hear her, of course. She must be a spirit.

What was she supposed to do? Weren't you supposed to go to heaven? Or - her body shook slightly at the thought - hell? Wasn't there supposed to be a reaper or a light or something?

She saw nothing. She couldn't even pass through walls like she thought ghosts could. Strangely, she still felt alive. 

Her body, the one she was in now, looked exactly the same as the one she used to inhabit. Her thick and wavy blonde hair was in a ponytail, just like right before the accident. She had on blue jeans and a green tee shirt. She looked more lively than the broken body she stared at.

Someone knocked on the door that she stood in front of. "Come in!" She said, then remembered they wouldn't hear. She stepped out of the way.

The door opened and the doctor who pronounced her dead walked through. He was older, his hair starting to grey, but not that old. He cleared his throat quietly.

Softly, he spoke. "Mrs. Whittle. My apologies for bothering you. However, rooms are limited and we are having a busy day. I regret having to say this but, you're going to have to finish your goodbye."

They had been there overnight. Annie watched as her mother wiped the tears from her face and nodded silently. Wishing desperately that she could tell her mother she loved her, she watched as the woman bent down to kiss her only child one last time.

"Goodbye... I-" Her mothers voice broke. "I love you baby."

She stood up, grabbing her purse, and walked slowly out of the room, stumbling as her eyes were clearly blinded by tears. Annie reached for her, willing her body to hug her, but sobbed disappointedly when she saw her own arms dissipate as they touch her mother.

And then she was gone. Annie had a choice. Follow her mother, or stay here. What would happen if she did either?

"Annie Whittle?"

She almost didn't notice the voice with all the noise in the hospital. Then she realized it had been someone saying her name.

"Annie, can you hear me?"

She turned around, and saw a guy standing right beside her dead body, and staring right at her. He wore a black suit, and his dark hair was nearly combed to the sides. He didn't seem to be much older than she was.

"Can you see me?" She asked. He smiled, the kind of smile you would give a child who asked a silly question.

"Of course I can. I am your escort." He said, his voice soothing. She already liked him.

"My... Escort? Are you my reaper?" She asked incredulously.

For a moment he looked offended. Then he laughed slightly. "Your reaper? Not by my heaven, no! I am your Angel. It is my job to take you home, and ensure that you do not become lost in this world as a spirit."

She took a moment to reply, not fully understanding at first. "So... I'm going to heaven?"

He laughed again. "I'll let you in on a secret. It takes a LOT to get into hell. Father is much more forgiving than people realize. Besides, no matter what you had done, this was your first time. He would never send such a young spirit to hell after their first time."

Now she was becoming confused. "My first time?"

He sighed. "How about you come with me and I will explain as we go?" He extended his hand for her to take.

She looked behind her, in the direction her mother had gone. She longed so badly for her mother to come back. Maybe she could stay here with them.

But then her family would grow old and die, and she would still be stuck here. 

So she turned back and took his hand. He smiled kindly, and suddenly everything began to melt around them. It was a strange sensation. She felt like she was moving, yet still standing still. She felt like she was being blinded by light so bright her eyes couldn't focus.

Then suddenly, it all stopped. Her eyes regained focus after a few seconds.

And what they saw shocked her.

The Angel at her side smiled and said, 

"Welcome to Heaven."