The Monster In My Head

Chapter 19 (Edited)

Brian found himself walking down a long, dark corridor. Darkness surrounded him, threatening to swallow him.

At the other end though, just faintly he could see a light. Slowly he took a step, then another. Anything to get away from the suffocating darkness.

He remembered what had happened. The grinding of metal and the indescribable pain that followed. Then everything had gone black. And for a while, that's all there was. Darkness.

But now, here he stood. Walked. He felt no pain. As he walked, he saw images of his family, ghostlike almost. They were blurry and faint, as if not quite existing. He realized then what this was. His last chance. To say goodbye. So he did. Then he continued walking, his family disappearing, completely.

Now Mr. and Mrs. Vernon appeared. Mrs. Vernon was crying softly, accompanied by a whispered prayer. Brian closed his eyes, speaking aloud in the tunnel of silence and darkness:

"I hope she continues to pray and hope, no matter what happens." 

No response, just the echo of his words.

Brian looked at Mr. Vernon, who comforted his wife, but was trying his best to hide his own emotions.

"I hope he learns tears aren't a sign of weakness," Brian said quietly, before moving on, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon disappearing.

Next May appeared, crying passionately into her hands. His heart broke and he reached out to her, but to no avail.

"I hope she takes a break from taking care of Madison to learn how to take care of herself," he said, remembering the countless times she had ignored her own needs and problems in favor of Madison's. He smiled at her, a sad smile as tears swelled in his eyes.

"Miss ya bestie," he said quietly.

May disappeared slowly and he moved on, unable to watch.

To his surprise, next was Max. Max was silent, his head lowered. Upon closer inspection though, Brian noticed two things.

1. Max was praying.

Brian had no clue Max was a believer, but he now felt guilty at all the times he inwardly, or even outwardly judged him. Max's faith was between him and God. Who was Brian to assume?

2. Max was crying.

Brian wished he knew the reason for Max's tears. He knew though the answer was probably far more complicated than he would assume.

"I hope he gets through whatever pain this has stirred up. And I hope he takes care of Maddie without letting guilt get in the way. Madison's happiness is more important than my hurt feelings."

Brian continued walking, the light now just several feet away. The last to appear was Madison.

She was on her knees, clutching them to her chest and crying into them. He felt a tear fall and he knelt to sit before her. He yearned to brush back a piece of hair that was caught in her mouth as she wept. After a moment, he heard her quietly whisper through her tears:

"I'm sorry I never said, 'I love you too'. I do. God, I do."

Brian lowered his head. She had unknowingly answered one of his final questions. Now he knew Madison did love him back, only just as a friend, a brother. He watched her all-consuming sobs. An unknown, but somehow familiar voice whispered in the darkness:

"These next few weeks are going to be critical for her. Her faith and hope hangs in the balance, Brian."

Brian clenched his teeth, his eyes closing shut.

"Please protect her. Don't let her do this alone."

He opened his eyes to see Madison disappearing from view. With a heavy heart, Brian slowly stood, facing the light.

"Are you ready?" the voice whispered. Brian shook his head.

"Madison. All of them. I'm worried about them. You'll take care of them?"

"Better than anyone else could," the voice whispered back softly.

"I love them...so much..." Brian said, his final tears falling as he stepped closer. As he stepped through the light, he heard the voice say in a tone so quiet Brian had to strain to hear it:

"Not as much as I do."

The heaviness in his heart, of this pain, of this bitter, unfair world, was replaced with peace.

Author's Note

Decided to do my own spin on the whole tunnel theory when it comes to the transition of life to death. Hope it wasn't too terribly cheesy XD. But I wanted them to have their final goodbyes and that was kinda the only way to do it.