The Next Step — A Short Story

A place of serenity.

Blurriness wrapped around my vision. Light felt blinding. Every tangible object looked fuzzy. Every voice sounded muffled.

It didn’t last long.

As things cleared up and I could perceive my surroundings, the realization of where I was hit me. Shock didn’t describe how I felt at that moment. Memories seemed distant to the point I couldn’t recall why I was there.

But my body laid dying in that hospital bed.

I felt revitalized and confident, like I could breeze through a marathon or achieve a world record in weightlifting. My body told a different story, one far weaker. One that couldn’t walk on his own or feed himself. One dying.

People stood around me, the real me, tears streaming down their eyes as if they knew something I didn’t. I recognized some were family members, others were friends that stood nearby, giving my family room.

I felt the presence of others just outside the door, though they didn’t come into the room. I could sense their sadness as well. They talked amongst each other, but their muffled voices provided no context.

I noticed my mother sitting on the bed next to my body. She cried quietly, perhaps to not bother the others in the room. But everyone seemed to mirror her. The only sound echoing around them was the electrocardiogram, weakly beating away.

I observed myself again. The same hospital gown on both of us. Matching haircuts and tattoos. The wounds were different. My body showed them, but I didn’t see them in my new form. As if I was some clean slate.

“It’s your time,” said the most elegant voice from everywhere. I looked around to find a woman next to me with a white dress and golden heels with wavy black hair that seemed to float as if gravity took a break. A blue aura emanated from her body. She studied me with her glowing cyan eyes as she softly smiled.

“I don’t understand,” I told her. “Who are you?”

The woman glanced at my bedridden body and said, “It’s natural to be confused during this transition. Your body is dying, and so now you must move on.”

The thought already passed through me, but her words still created panic. My life cut short from a memory I cannot find. Despite this, I had a life with goals and prospects. Ending now felt wrong.

I turned to the woman, her eyes practically entrancing me to listen to her. Stumbling over my words, I said, “I…I can’t… I’m not dying. I still have so much life… I’m young, don’t you see? I can’t be… I-I can’t be dying.”

The woman nodded with a grieved look. There was a brief pause before she spoke. “I know it’s tough to accept. It’s tough for most, especially at your age. But sometimes life stops you in your tracks. Some make it. Others, like yourself, don’t. When that time comes, we’re here.”

“Please,” I pleaded, “Please let me live. I have so much I want to do. I-I…I can’t even remember what happened to me.”

“Memory of our death is lost on us,” she replied, glancing at my bedridden’d body. “It’s too painful to keep. Over time, only the good memories remain from our previous life, until they too fade away. Then we’re left with nothing but peace.”

“But there has to be a way to know.”

“I can’t tell you what happened exactly, but maybe you can recall yourself if you dig deep enough. Sometimes you can glimpse of it before you pass over. I warn you of the unpleasantness you may feel.”

Closing my eyes, I struggled to remember recent events, but found no hints. Irritation surged through me.

“Don’t be angry with yourself,” the woman said. “It’s hard for anyone to remember. But it’s time for you to take the next step.”

“What do you mean?”

She smiled, “You are in The Between. An intermediate realm for spirits before moving on. You must take the next step to make it to The Otherside. But only you can make that choice.”

“What’s there?” I asked, “The Otherside.”

“A place of serenity. Or a memory. Perhaps even nothing at all. I cannot say what you’ll see. It’s for you to find out.”

I scoffed, “That’s reassuring. Can I choose not to go?”

“That’s your choice,” the woman replied as she wandered over to my bedridden body, “You can choose to stay here, amongst your family and friends. But you cannot go back into your body again. You’ll forever be what you are now, a Spirit. They can’t see you, but you can be with them. Some find that peaceful enough.”

“Will I be allowed to change my mind later on?”

The woman gently shook her head. “I’m afraid not. The gateway is only open for a limited time. If you choose to pass it up, you’ll never see me again.”

“But eventually my family will pass too,” I explained, “So they’ll end up in The Otherside, but I’ll be stuck here forever?”

The woman nodded. “If they choose it … yes. But if your family continues to have children, you’ll always get to see them grow until they have children. And so on.”

She paused a moment before adding, “Some who stay become regretful. You have time right now. Think about your choice.”

“I’m scared…I don’t know what to expect,” I said as I paced between my family and friends, realizing I could just go right through them.

I watched my family exit the room as doctors came in for daily checkups. I couldn’t follow them as something blocked me from leaving my body behind. Or maybe it was the woman.

They were in pain. Their pain would persist as long as necessary. But one day they wouldn’t be. They’ll move on and live their lives. Then they too will pass and have the choice to move on. I’d be stuck here, never able to see them again.

“I want to come with you,” I said, referring to The Otherside.

The woman smiled at me, causing me to smile back. She stepped over to me, keeping her eyes on mine.

“Will this hurt?” I asked.

“No. Your pain is gone now. Just relax and look into my eyes.”

Her hand touched my shoulder as I peered into her eyes. I listened to the muffled sound of the monitor beeping away, becoming more irregular. There seemed to be chaos swarming around the room, but everything looked faded in my peripheral.

The woman’s blue aura grew brighter as her cyan eyes swirled like water. Everything faded away to white that felt blinding, but my eyes didn’t squint or register any strain. They just accepted.

A quiet scream and the beeping ceased.

White light receded. My vision returned, and the woman disappeared. The first thing I saw were my late family members. And I saw my boyfriend, who left my world only a few years back. In shock, I stepped forward into their open arms, feeling saddened and joyful at the reunion.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this short story, consider checking out some of my other work here. Also, connect with me on Threads! I enjoy engaging with other writers.

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