My Purgatory Hell

Chapter 31

"And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time."

- Jesus Christ

"Okay, I guess I'm ready." My words didn't sound confident. Veronica gave me a smile that didn't feel altogether nice. Warning sounds went off in the back of my head.

Idly, I don't remember forcing the white light for Samantha, but Veronica touched the air before me. A white light appeared, similar to the one that appeared before Samantha. However, something didn't feel right about this light. 

"Can you give me a few moments?" My voice cracked as I spoke my question.

Veronica didn't seem okay with my question because her expression darkened and her face turned red. "You've had enough time to savor this shit life. Now get in." Suddenly I saw a dark aura around her that I sensed before but couldn't quite put my tongue on. When she tried to close the distance, I backed away to keep the distance in place.

"You can't control me," I said with an oddly calm demeanor. I wasn't sure what Veronica was capable of, but I wasn't going let her know that she scared me.

"But I have been." The smile that spread across Veronica's face was twisted and demonic. "You've wasted enough time. Now get in the stupid portal." She jabbed her finger in the direction of the light. Her voice was like nail on a chalkboard for me, making me flinch.

"It is my time to waste," I pointed out. "Not yours. Now. Back. Off." With the words came a force that ripped in Veronica's direction. She flew backwards and hit the wall, stunning the both of us.

"I'm not going with you. This is wrong," I stated, putting my hands on my hips.

Veronica didn't like that response. Getting up slowly, Veronica shot me a sinister look as she cracked her hands, getting ready to do her worst. I closed my eyes and prayed for someone--anyone--to save me from this demonic presence.

Samantha had heard my prayer. She appeared before me with a bright light, turning Veronica into ash and forcing me to look away. The heat of the light blazed on my cheeks, making them feel uncomfortable. This only took a few moments, but it felt like an eternity. Once Veronica was blasted into smithereens, I took a moment to take in Samantha's beauty when the light illuminating around her ceased. She had a heavenly glow to her, one that failed to surround her in her purgatory state.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Samantha. She seemed to have an ethereal beauty about her this time that I failed to notice when we last chatted.

"You asked for my help," she said blatantly, as if she showed up to every call I voiced.

I thought back to my pray, but I didn't exactly ask for Samantha. Frowning, I shook my head. "I prayed, yes, but not for you specifically." However, this event raised questions I craved to ask, such as if a God did exist beyond the light.

Samantha shrugged with a smile. "I heard your call, and what is a friend who chooses not to help? Of course I had to come. You helped me, and the favor needed to be returned. Demons plague purgatory. I've dealt with some myself before you showed up." Shaking her head, she looked back up at the sky. 

"Really? Like Veronica?" I wanted to know more--to hear more of Samantha's voice.

Giving me a warm smile, Samantha nodded. "Exactly like Veronica. I didn't think you'd be bothered so soon with them. I am sorry."

I gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't be. I'm glad you are here. I've got so many questions."

"Unfortunately, I can't spend much more time down here." She motioned her hands around us at the nature surrounding us.

"Can you answer at least one question?" I hoped she would be able to answer the one question gnawing at me since birth. I know it may be intruding on some code, but I wanted some reassurement.

After a moment of taking in my features, Samantha nodded. "I guess I can grant you just one."

"Does God exist?" The words were out of my mouth before I could contemplate voicing a different question.

Samantha didn't seem caught off guard, though. She nodded. "Not in the way you would think, but he does exist." She touched my upper left chest. "You can hear him in here--you always have. Only beyond the light you can hear him more clearly." Her words left me speechless, but craving to ask more questions.

She disappeared, and I was left yet again to my thoughts. I closed my eyes. What is, is. I've said my goodbyes, and there is no taking back my death. I felt an odd calm, which may be due to the fact that the one question always looming in the background was answered. I was curious as to what lay beyond the veil of white light, and I hoped that whatever it was would give me more answers. When I opened my eyes, I saw the familiar bright light. It felt genuine and true.

"Goodbye, world," I whispered to my family, Hayley, Aaron, and the rest of the world as I made my way to the bright light.