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. copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkIhdoLU61
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4I1sZSi22
"Where am I?" I thought.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxHBfrlIsa
Without completely realizing, I answered myself.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJub1HAMCH
"You're dead, duh."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZLw1evTwx
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt4D4j5q1x
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuh4GiMh5o
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTnKqpYViu
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡseXxS2RXsT
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3oM745Tmb
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡil5F5v53qo
"One..." I started. "Two... " Another pause, and then I went for it. "Three."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTDvrvxit0
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY3zKbEQ50
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nm63rB8u2
"Elias Depture," it called surely. I nod towards it hesitantly, not knowing how it knew my name.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2V9xnE5F7
"Good," It smiled.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q59qQk4Hp
Shivers went down my back. "Uh..."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5INrPQSqYn
"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.".copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuppDXMi2r
I stare on, dumbstruck.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8iwhImCN4
" ... book?" I stutter, appalled and yet terrified by the thing in front of me.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TMPlCGe3E
"Yes, Elias." It answered sweetly, still smiling.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw90VNXI50
"I...I thought I was dead, I'm dead aren't I? And you're a ghost?"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v8s1qbo3Z
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."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6SgWdSCrV
I briefly noticed how it didn't answer my second question. But this was not the time to point it out.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3rq4nd15j
Now I shake my head. "That's not possible. Who... what are you?"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fOaHQBTfE
The smile disappeared from the figures face and suddenly it looked embarrassed.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIKLYGYQjq
"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."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAte0yBdAH
"Narrator?"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCXlNFcoyr
"Yes, and you are the prince."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2raNc9ub0N
Everything is silent just then. We both look at each other. Her face was serious while mine was...copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMn60nECBe
I couldn't help myself, I burst out laughing, my laughter ringing like vibrating echoes around me.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8QhtDXG1v
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84WiR9rlks
"Y-you expect me," I heaved. "to believe that this--that this is a... god you're killing me."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wew2fUGSv
"My prince?" the ghost called tentatively. "Have you finished?"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcDLu7prNq
"Give me a sec," I say while trying real myself in from this hauntingly, funny reality.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVvUem3GIo
"So I'm dead." I conclude after settling down.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RknonCi4v
"Elias, no you're--"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYIsKcA9Eo
"Dead," I say. "It's beyond obvious now."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡACk5wysAeb
I start to get up.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn3jKrGnKK
"Prince Elias, you're not dead. You're in a--"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzJB1uOCDs
"Book? yeah... no, it's impossible. Being dead make more sense than that, so just stop."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d5kjCSLc7
"But Prin--"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbv0ugrbDc
"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."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwLF7M9VpN
The ghost spirit sighed.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡop1uJk6C6i
"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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2tg3Ywu9a
"I do hope you believe your current situation so you'd understand."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5GrKOeUKE
I snicker at her once more and quietly, I follow from behind having no choice but to.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡH93IDN3Jq9
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bcvrfuXJD
Or is she still a girl, even dead? Am I still a guy?copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qIOStC7on
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5wPOaCRT3
"She's not dead." A voice whispered in my head.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VedrFsVCc
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKDiyvLbD9
"So Narra?"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡyof5e4fQW9
Narra turned around quickly as if she was anxiously waiting for me to speak.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX58awNDsq
"Yes, my prince?"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1bsjJY5VB
"Well, I don't know about the Prince stuff, but just call me Eli or something, anything else."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡft0vzezP5v
"Sorry my prince," She mumbled then caught herself, "Elias"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0s38DzWg2
I shake my head at her, strangely bemused.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡn54yyoixtd
"Okay, so where exactly are you taking me?"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JH9egoO5u
Narra started to smile brightly compared to her ghastly complexion, but then it stopped halfway and she faltered, growing serious again.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3uM7DpHzG
"You would not believe me if I said." She dismissed, turning around.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWMNvkbNRF
I smile quirkily at her.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00oHaDYzr4
"Okay so I'm just supposed to trust you? Wherever we are?"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L7yyfbYWL
The ghost girl turned back, looking slightly hurt.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFHqtdLE0D
"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."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1DJJOmHnO
We continue to walk in silence.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqATZ98a74
"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!"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMKDcdQYSR
I stopped and barely grab her arm to force her to stop. Her arm slipped right through my grasp causing me to shiver.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdSfWC3jjr
"You're not taking me to hell are you? Is that it? Is that why you're so..."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85SJYRS72Z
I look back at the black smoke radiating around her.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYLXCYbtX4
I start to back away from her, suddenly fearing her again.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyhdOePSy9
"What do you really want from me?" I asked, while keeping my distance,copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGecpd3il6
Though I tried not to see it, the ghost girl looked very confused. I tried not to read into her innocence too much.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx43vG2G9Z
"I'm not going anywhere with you." I tell her defiantly.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuy2ImgxfO
Though hardly noticeable, I saw her white eyebrows furrow into a worried expression.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzvWLV9Odv
"Elias? Are you alright? Do you want to rest before we start?"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv3ZyyGBeQ
"Start what?" I ask protectively.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZk913wiBL
"Your story, sweetheart."copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ikCe6xoUK
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?copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQgWPPuwqJ
They can if they're trying to manipulate you, my brain reasons.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1IHaJKH1l
I keep my stance.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8DNKSTigO
"How can I trust you?" I asked.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39Ej6u8A0z
Narra walks towards me slowly, and it takes every effort for me not to sprint away.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmA23LMOsO
Instead, Narra stops in front of me and drops to her knees, bowing at my feet.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UWNIHFC0V
"My prince," she says softly, her hair sprawled around her, gleaming. "You must come now, okay?"copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡq355mbzvMA
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.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46WE80pVPR
I bet she's drugging you with something my brain is telling me.copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYMGMuor7o
I consider this, then dismissed it. There's nothing I can do about it now. copyright protection87ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxrtDOEcjr
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