Peter's eyes pulled open slowly, blinking away the mist. Rough carpet scratched at his cheek, reminding him of what had happened. He hauled his torso into a vertical position and carefully got to his feet. Part of him had been clinging on to the hope that this was all a dream. The pain in his head indicated that it was not.
"Ah! You finally came to." Dan looked up from the car magazine he'd been reading on the couch.
"Is that mist everywhere?" Peter asked, rubbing his eyes.
"Yeah but, you'll get used to it."
"Right. What is it and why is it everywhere?"
"No one knows. You just have to accept things around here. Quite often there isn't an explanation."
"Where's Solania?"
"She left about an hour ago. Had to go and greet more people. She left the muffins though." Dan gestured towards the kitchen where Peter could just see a container of the muffins from earlier.
"What are you still doing here?"
"Oh, yeah. I forgot to mention that we're roommates. I only arrived a week ago so I haven't ruined the place yet, don't worry. Your room in the first one to the right when you walk in the apartment. Everyone used to get their own place, apparently, but they've had to put people in together now that there are a lot more dead people. The only way you can get away from your roommate is by getting married. Earth marriages don't count, by the way."
Peter nodded as he processed all of that information. He then went off to explore the apartment.
***
The place wasn't very big so he found his room in almost no time at all. Thankfully, the lime walls only existed in the lounge room. The space was a good size: not too big, not too small. He had a double bed with plain white covers and a dark oak dresser. The room needed to be redecorated but it would do for now.
The bathroom was across the hall and Dan's room was next door. Their apartment felt comforting already. There was something about it that just made him feel secure.
After a thorough look around his new bedroom, he came to a realisation: all of his belongings were back in the living world. As if he'd heard Peter's thoughts, Dan stuck his head around the door.
"There's a wallet full of cash on the dining table. You can use it to buy anything you need."
"Ok," Peter replied, "but where do I go?"
"I'll show you, just let me get my shoes."
***
About ten minutes later, the two men left their apartment and entered a maze of brightly lit corridors. Peter let Dan lead him through the labyrinth and they emerged to find a mass of grey buildings, spewing multicoloured light. It was just like what Peter had seen when he first arrived.
They ducked through dense crowds, Peter gripping Dan's wrist as if it were his only life support.
NOT FINISHED. Feedback appreciated.
YOU ARE READING
The Song of the Dead
Ficção Científica'She clasped his hand tightly and closed her eyes. "Please don't leave me," she whispered. The heart rate monitor flat-lined and the woman began to sob. After a while two nurses came over to comfort her to lead her shaking from the room.' He might b...
