From the Beginning

Chapter 3: Hairy Legs

Ge... Bowen hugged the helmet that Skye gifted him for his birthday and continued to lie on his side in Skye's bed. He curled up into a fetal position as he stared blankly into the dark. His eyelids gradually shut from weariness and images of Skye caused him to hiccup in-between breaths whilst tears streamed out from one eye to the other, soaking into the pillow. I don't want to live...not anymore...not without you...

"What if I tell you that you get to see him again, will you consider living?" someone asked.

Am I dead? Bowen wondered and opened his eyes.

"Not yet, but you're going to if you starve yourself any further." A snap of the fingers turned the lights on, and Bowen groaned from the sudden brightness. A handsome male dressed in a white suit greeted him with a megawatt smile.

What's going on? Bowen quickly sat up and backed himself against the wall. Quickly scanning his surroundings to confirm that he was indeed in Skye's bedroom, Bowen asked, "A-Are you a reaper?"

"Hell? No, I'm way too stylish to be associated with one of those black hooded-cape types."

"Are you an angel then?" Bowen sniffed; his voice was hoarse from crying.

"Nope, I'm not one of those white winged, gown wearing types either."

"You're not?"

"Do I look like one who would wear a gown?"

Bowen nodded faintly. "Yes."

"Well, I'm not." The man beamed. "According to the data I've gathered, I'm what you earthlings would call a male and the males of your species don't wear gowns. Only the females wear such attires. Am I right?"

"Males could wear gowns if they want to," Bowen argued.

"Even when they have hairy legs?"

"Yes."

"That's interesting. The display of hairy legs is considered as," he tapped his chin while trying to come up with the appropriate word, "sexy? I see."

Who mentioned anything about sexy? Bowen was too exhausted to correct him, so he decided to ignore it.

"So this Skye you have been shedding tears over must have had quite the hairy legs, yes?"

Hearing Skye's name being mentioned only brought more tears to Bowen's eyes.

"It appears that my words have brought discomfort to your heart." He slouched down to cup Bowen's face in his hands and wiped the tears off with his thumbs. "Will you stop crying if you get to see your Skye again?"

"Is he in heaven?"

"To my knowledge, he's currently underground."

"Ge is in hell?" Bowen's lips quivered. "Why is he in hell? He is...was such a kindhearted person. He shouldn't be in hell."

"I never said he was in hell."

"You just said..."

"He was placed six feet under in the ground, so he is currently underground. You were there at his memorial service. Have you forgotten already?" Realizing that he made the sobbing man choke out more tears, the unknown individual in white scratched at his own head. His large, downward sloped eyes narrowed and his thick, straight brows furrowed. What is this feeling? Why does my heart feel heavy from your crying? His long lashes cast shadows on his cheeks as he leaned in to gaze at Bowen.