I woke to brightness. Brighter and whiter than the sun itself. Almost blinding me, I kept my eyes shut, sure that this was my journey to the afterlife. The only thing I wasn't sure of was how I ended up dead. 8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡukGax44MKj 維尼
Eyes still shut, I felt myself sit up. For a minute I just sat there, contemplating whether I was real or not. Whether I could, think, talk, breathe. I found my answer when slowly words start forming in my head. Words of my own.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgONbqY0KG 維尼
"Where am I?" I thought.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe7ac1TLHs 維尼
Without completely realizing, I answered myself.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0ZTkeLfvU 維尼
"You're dead, duh."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B9MyhzN21 維尼
Now on my knees, I feel around the surface like a blind person trying to spot anything my eyes normally would but right now can't.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡgysYD4eHEb 維尼
So far, all I could tell was that this white place seemed to stretch on for miles and there is not a single thing identifiable in this place.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj4Bb0BaYy 維尼
I sat back down and just waited, thinking that someone would come to get me eventually. I thought about just going back to sleep again but curiosity wouldn't let me. I must at least try to open my eyes and fight the intense brightness. At least then I would be able to see and get to where I need to be, wherever that is.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKOlTnsDAe 維尼
Bracing myself, I opened one eye a crack. Cringing from the light I immediately I closed it again, and groan. The sound of my raspy voice surprised me. My mouth is dry. I must have not talked for a very long time.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sSg3PWdRv 維尼
Again, I attempted to embrace the brightness, except this time with my hands covering my face first. I open my eyelids and take in the shade of my hands.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaOFGxu1En 維尼
As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, the small cracks of light from my fingers were noticeable.Tired of just waiting, I decided to risk it all and just open them. Counting innerly in my head, I counted to 3 slowly.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0koPs333D0 維尼
"One..." I started. "Two... " Another pause, and then I went for it. "Three."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6Fawbm6tI 維尼
I ripped my hands away from my face, and let the blinding white light burn my eyes. Blinking rapidly for several long minutes, my vision cleared and slowly it adjusted to brightness.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzzdxUl02f 維尼
Looking up, I suddenly drew back, with the look of absolute horror plastered to my face. My eyes darted frantically looking for an escape, but not seeing anything besides white in sight. Either way it was too late, the thing had already started to approach me.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4dPtpc5qz 維尼
"Elias Depture," it called surely. I nod towards it hesitantly, not knowing how it knew my name.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI5tZ9u0EE 維尼
"Good," It smiled.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3QOCjxY4B 維尼
Shivers went down my back. "Uh..."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡGePLKwisg1 維尼
"Elias," it went on. "Welcome to Chosen Tale, a book whereas you must walk your own path and reach the ending. Your happily ever after.".8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQrVYbVD1Q 維尼
I stare on, dumbstruck.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OiQIFtR9k 維尼
" ... book?" I stutter, appalled and yet terrified by the thing in front of me.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡACzARt1n4N 維尼
"Yes, Elias." It answered sweetly, still smiling.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsrbgwrq1i 維尼
"I...I thought I was dead, I'm dead aren't I? And you're a ghost?"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QuZX51B8S 維尼
The figure shook it's head. "No, you are as alive, as every other character in this book. You are merely just in this book."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3sumu7sF6 維尼
I briefly noticed how it didn't answer my second question. But this was not the time to point it out.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoc0LVneIm 維尼
Now I shake my head. "That's not possible. Who... what are you?"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79EmkR7IrI 維尼
The smile disappeared from the figures face and suddenly it looked embarrassed.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYMggdrYwt 維尼
"Oh, I am terribly sorry my prince I--- I mean Elias. I forgot to introduce myself. Um, forgive me, I am Narra. I will accompany you along your journey throughout this book. In other words, I am your narrator."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8YqpTggW0 維尼
"Narrator?"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9n9v8rXjd 維尼
"Yes, and you are the prince."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFb2HVUiKR 維尼
Everything is silent just then. We both look at each other. Her face was serious while mine was...8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxvqzkbel0 維尼
I couldn't help myself, I burst out laughing, my laughter ringing like vibrating echoes around me.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BJxbt4ohj 維尼
The ghostlike figure just stared at me, seeming to not know what to do. My palms hit the ground hard, my face red and tucked down.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKHcqYIoZa 維尼
"Y-you expect me," I heaved. "to believe that this--that this is a... god you're killing me."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MGbUGXa2O 維尼
"My prince?" the ghost called tentatively. "Have you finished?"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZU6pT42Hl 維尼
"Give me a sec," I say while trying real myself in from this hauntingly, funny reality.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk0bdQVR8N 維尼
"So I'm dead." I conclude after settling down.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7a0sTnX4Y 維尼
"Elias, no you're--"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMGuyIxUYG 維尼
"Dead," I say. "It's beyond obvious now."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM5SrIyqe5 維尼
I start to get up.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6P4VM0Qn6 維尼
"Prince Elias, you're not dead. You're in a--"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOeqrKv6oH 維尼
"Book? yeah... no, it's impossible. Being dead make more sense than that, so just stop."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3ueJspokV 維尼
"But Prin--"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvtXcGmjf9 維尼
"It's cool," I go on, cutting her off again. "Being dead is not so bad. I like it so far. You spirits are hilarious."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡedsV9GpD2W 維尼
The ghost spirit sighed.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ4KcDt6wl 維尼
"Elias, you must come with me now. Your stories are about to begin." The ghost started walking in the opposite direction from where we stood.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuWMEvK8nD 維尼
"I do hope you believe your current situation so you'd understand."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡgstSqPpBjz 維尼
I snicker at her once more and quietly, I follow from behind having no choice but to.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5COlgPdLW8 維尼
As we walk, I couldn't help but noticed the ghost's features. Before I wasn't thinking gender. Now I can see that this ghost is a girl. No wait, she's dead, meaning she was a girl.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PDXC7uIfz 維尼
Or is she still a girl, even dead? Am I still a guy?8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7TDY6gpuQ 維尼
The ghost, Narra supposedly, was pale. Not only was she pale but her hair, eyes, clothes, were all bland in color. She resembled those from a uncolored coloring book. Yet the dark aura of smoke radiating around her is the only reason why she hadn't completely blended into the white room itself. I wonder if this was a result of how she died.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU0mzJNtCn 維尼
"She's not dead." A voice whispered in my head.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaAPVRhUtd 維尼
I flinched back, my mouth hanging in a O. Looking ahead of me, Narra kept walking, seeming to not know or care that I've stopped. Thinking I'd imagined it, I race up to catch up with her.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZkJFBL8Tu 維尼
"So Narra?"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡf15Gc07zrD 維尼
Narra turned around quickly as if she was anxiously waiting for me to speak.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuzROYe4TI 維尼
"Yes, my prince?"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBc2pOimuk 維尼
"Well, I don't know about the Prince stuff, but just call me Eli or something, anything else."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡY568ytDV9u 維尼
"Sorry my prince," She mumbled then caught herself, "Elias"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXYV4MFHR7 維尼
I shake my head at her, strangely bemused.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbCP9BAnXD 維尼
"Okay, so where exactly are you taking me?"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHAxZkBXhe 維尼
Narra started to smile brightly compared to her ghastly complexion, but then it stopped halfway and she faltered, growing serious again.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41ACZD5JkA 維尼
"You would not believe me if I said." She dismissed, turning around.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c0sU95DTy 維尼
I smile quirkily at her.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡErBJUdNM6R 維尼
"Okay so I'm just supposed to trust you? Wherever we are?"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7YNTaPtHH 維尼
The ghost girl turned back, looking slightly hurt.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBVSDENprr 維尼
"You may choose whatever first impressions of me as you like right now. Just know Elias, you are the prince and also my prince for the time being. Please accept that."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpxmAy0wsh 維尼
We continue to walk in silence.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxhiDmx5hp 維尼
"But," I inch in again. "Okay I'm sorry, truly. Just tell me where we are going. I won't freak out just because I'm going to heav--- Wait!"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡtErQVfgTen 維尼
I stopped and barely grab her arm to force her to stop. Her arm slipped right through my grasp causing me to shiver.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04hfvOmlIn 維尼
"You're not taking me to hell are you? Is that it? Is that why you're so..."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPcBLNysG3 維尼
I look back at the black smoke radiating around her.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyjVPDE5tq 維尼
I start to back away from her, suddenly fearing her again.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsFEUlmGZ6 維尼
"What do you really want from me?" I asked, while keeping my distance,8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2wHk3INYQ 維尼
Though I tried not to see it, the ghost girl looked very confused. I tried not to read into her innocence too much.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqkrwSbAq9 維尼
"I'm not going anywhere with you." I tell her defiantly.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkuY7ismdB 維尼
Though hardly noticeable, I saw her white eyebrows furrow into a worried expression.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Sd4ECDvof 維尼
"Elias? Are you alright? Do you want to rest before we start?"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSSuxpPuA7 維尼
"Start what?" I ask protectively.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCzpersZ3Y 維尼
"Your story, sweetheart."8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKC9YgNHLC 維尼
That statement made me blink. Whether it's just being called sweetheart by anyone other than my mom or being called sweetheart by a ghost girl who doesn't even seem to be any older than me, it seems genuine. Can a ghost from hell sound and say such sweet things?8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtt8JstjoD 維尼
They can if they're trying to manipulate you, my brain reasons.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfHEX3HkNs 維尼
I keep my stance.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbdHCWcdHV 維尼
"How can I trust you?" I asked.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8Es0hH06V 維尼
Narra walks towards me slowly, and it takes every effort for me not to sprint away.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8TtFbUTrw 維尼
Instead, Narra stops in front of me and drops to her knees, bowing at my feet.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡapZhBhQdcu 維尼
"My prince," she says softly, her hair sprawled around her, gleaming. "You must come now, okay?"8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsudeKjgar 維尼
She stands up just then and grabs my hand. I'm surprised that I could feel her touch faintly when before I couldn't. Her grip on me, all though weak, was enough to pull me away with her. And I followed willingly somehow hypnotized by her weirdly soothing touch on mine.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo4Sq3vkGz 維尼
I bet she's drugging you with something my brain is telling me.8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsdGVWmAaO 維尼
I consider this, then dismissed it. There's nothing I can do about it now. 8964 copyright protection243ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7J2HsQ6s0 維尼
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