Summary

A man comes to terms with his death as he experiences the afterlife, realizing he is a ghost after waking up in a hospital with no memory of his past.

Abstract

The narrative follows an unnamed protagonist who wakes up to find himself flying above a town, unnoticed by the people below. As he explores his newfound ability, he encounters surreal experiences such as people passing through him, leading him to question his existence. His journey takes him back to the hospital where he discovers he is a ghost, having been in a coma and unaware of his own death. The story culminates with his acceptance of his death and his readiness to move on, guided by a mysterious figure in a white robe.

Opinions

The protagonist initially believes he is dreaming, indicating a struggle to accept the reality of his situation.
The lack of attention from the living world amplifies the protagonist's sense of isolation and otherness.
The protagonist's inability to interact with the physical world, such as passing through objects and people, reinforces the theme of disconnection from life.
The realization that he is a ghost and the subsequent acceptance of his death suggest a journey of self-discovery and the relinquishing of earthly attachments.
The presence of the little boy who can see the protagonist introduces the idea that children may be more perceptive to the supernatural, contrasting with the adults who are oblivious.
The emotional response of the protagonist upon seeing his own body in the hospital indicates a profound moment of self-recognition and the finality of death.
The story implies that there is some form of afterlife, with the protagonist being escorted by a figure that seems to be an angelic presence, offering a sense of peace and continuity beyond death.

PURE FICTION

Did I Die

A man trying to find out what happened to him

I floated effortlessly through the air, looking down at the people below me as they scurried around like ants. I must be dreaming. No one can fly, not like this.

I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, I was still gliding through the air. No wings adorned my back, and no feathers could be found anywhere on my body. How I was able to fly was still a mystery, but at the moment, I decided not to dwell on it.

The wind blew through my hair as I flew around town, enjoying the freedom. A frown creased my face when I realized no one was looking at me. No one was bothered by a person flying through the air. I decided to put my feet back on solid ground and find out what was going on.

Immediately upon landing, a man walked right through me. I gasped and patted my body, not understanding how this could happen. Just as I was recovering from the incident, a young woman ran through my arm, never stopping. It shimmered before returning to normal.

What was happening to me? I jogged up to a police officer walking out of a little shop with a coffee in his hand. “Excuse me, sir.”

He walked right past me as if I wasn’t even there. Panic wiggled its way through me, causing a shiver to run up my spine. I searched my mind for a clue as to what happened. All I could remember was the boring white walls of the hospital where I had spent the last several months.

I rushed towards the middle of town where the life-saving building was located, allowing people to run through me as I went. It didn’t hurt, and it was quicker than trying to avoid the mass of people filling the sidewalks.

When I reached the sliding doors that would take me inside, they refused to move. I jumped, waved my arms, and even stomped my foot, but nothing made them react to me. Frustration built inside me as I tried to think of a plan to get inside.

I paced the sidewalk out front waiting for someone else to enter the building. Minutes later, a young woman and a little boy approached. The boy pointed his finger at me. “Look mommy, a ghost.”

Ghost! No, I couldn’t be a ghost. That would mean I was… dead. I shoved aside the gut-wrenching fear that threatened to consume me and followed the boy and his mother inside.

People buzzed around like flies, going from one place to another in an attempt to help the people milling about or sitting in chairs. The boy continued to stare at me while his mother filled out paperwork. I looked around to discover most of the children were staring at me and pointing.

One little girl asked my name, and for the life of me, I couldn’t remember what it was. I gave her a smile and shuffled my way toward the elevators. I searched my mind, trying to remember why the hospital was so familiar, but my mind was blank.

My feet moved of their own accord when the elevator door opened. Third floor, I had to go to the third floor. I had no idea how I knew that, but I trusted my instincts. I jabbed at the number three button and pulled my hand back quickly when it passed through the elevator wall.

I held my hand in front of my face and stared at my fingers. Something was horribly wrong with me. My chest squeezed tight as a tear slipped down my cheek. Maybe the little boy was right. The door opened, and a plump man and his wife climbed in, punching the number six button.

I briefly wondered how long I would have to stay on this contraption before someone hit the button to the floor I wanted to get on. The couple got off, and another group of people climbed in, taking me all the way to the lobby once more.

A few more trips up and down, and finally, someone hit the precious button with the number three on it. Joy and excitement filled my heart. Maybe now I would get some answers. The door slid open with a hiss, and I hesitated for only a second before stepping out. Did I really want to know what happened to make me this way? What if I didn’t like the answer?

It was a little late to worry about that now. My head tilted to the side as I studied a woman sitting in a chair, crying. A doctor knelt in front of her trying to offer comfort. I was drawn to the scene and the room behind them.

A steady sound of beeps and hisses reached my ears as I entered the small space. The shriveled-up body of a man lay on a bed. Tubes ran in all possible directions coming from almost every area of his body. I took a step closer, hoping for a better look.

My breath caught in my throat as I glimpsed what was left of the aging man. It was me, barely clinging to life. My hand flew to my mouth as I stepped up to the side of his bed, my bed.

A hand on my shoulder had me gasping and spinning to reveal a man in a white robe smiling at me. “It’s time to let go. It’s time to come with me.”

I glanced back at the wrinkled, weak body, then out into the hallway at the crying woman. I knew her, but I couldn’t remember why. I looked back at the face of the kind man. “I think I’m ready to go. I feel like I don’t belong here anymore.”

He nodded, and together we walked from the room and from what was left of my life.