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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4vsoZ8i4m
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXHRymYkNa
"Where am I?" I thought.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxzsY1LM4U
Without completely realizing, I answered myself.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UYCnmCvFG
"You're dead, duh."copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoDAfcXewK
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡooiYRg0C34
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaZvMmSoSx
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KWIkbVhqr
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OQkNHBNkE
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRPRmCdf16
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6QJOaVKsl
"One..." I started. "Two... " Another pause, and then I went for it. "Three."copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡbua2PXJqL3
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DUUvhwJxx
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkEF3tQYdi
"Elias Depture," it called surely. I nod towards it hesitantly, not knowing how it knew my name.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpNurCra3c
"Good," It smiled.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8Q83lqA4X
Shivers went down my back. "Uh..."copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ThMzlfpjs
"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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDRv7i7zta
I stare on, dumbstruck.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHjCPmYfW3
" ... book?" I stutter, appalled and yet terrified by the thing in front of me.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5XuRwP6W9
"Yes, Elias." It answered sweetly, still smiling.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEMq9UJguc
"I...I thought I was dead, I'm dead aren't I? And you're a ghost?"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgTKTJ7SY4
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb9TG0pv7l
I briefly noticed how it didn't answer my second question. But this was not the time to point it out.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGZr79mRpQ
Now I shake my head. "That's not possible. Who... what are you?"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R7XC1GJTF
The smile disappeared from the figures face and suddenly it looked embarrassed.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPRXIxY835
"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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHMu9UDvL3
"Narrator?"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPUuMxvtgp
"Yes, and you are the prince."copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95f02Yx07B
Everything is silent just then. We both look at each other. Her face was serious while mine was...copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BiT6sNJYy
I couldn't help myself, I burst out laughing, my laughter ringing like vibrating echoes around me.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡMloHPaelEv
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNA1NDZlE7
"Y-you expect me," I heaved. "to believe that this--that this is a... god you're killing me."copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKJfEPHryG
"My prince?" the ghost called tentatively. "Have you finished?"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l1o2Qzgcd
"Give me a sec," I say while trying real myself in from this hauntingly, funny reality.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX1mYOZYaD
"So I'm dead." I conclude after settling down.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57oPm2E4ud
"Elias, no you're--"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuyMTBCtSP
"Dead," I say. "It's beyond obvious now."copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEMH1Lw0KH
I start to get up.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPO3Eb6jfA
"Prince Elias, you're not dead. You're in a--"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡw055MYGpsy
"Book? yeah... no, it's impossible. Being dead make more sense than that, so just stop."copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8c1QdNnex
"But Prin--"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TnTW242lk
"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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSkIX7HDx9
The ghost spirit sighed.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMioN8CBwR
"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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BKvuGxzJT
"I do hope you believe your current situation so you'd understand."copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmLe4ImMmT
I snicker at her once more and quietly, I follow from behind having no choice but to.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyFdWtmz5T
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡqduaIZRgyB
Or is she still a girl, even dead? Am I still a guy?copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sXVH2E3O0
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKyDXv7k4c
"She's not dead." A voice whispered in my head.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvpIG8Hypg
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yI7upa8tY
"So Narra?"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qIH3Gda1i
Narra turned around quickly as if she was anxiously waiting for me to speak.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeNMWuUE2j
"Yes, my prince?"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcSCjm2tvv
"Well, I don't know about the Prince stuff, but just call me Eli or something, anything else."copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEWblZSyaT
"Sorry my prince," She mumbled then caught herself, "Elias"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw7Ei48dIb
I shake my head at her, strangely bemused.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDnpfGMiah
"Okay, so where exactly are you taking me?"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡODVKOhJHQT
Narra started to smile brightly compared to her ghastly complexion, but then it stopped halfway and she faltered, growing serious again.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHqImJNuWv
"You would not believe me if I said." She dismissed, turning around.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt93SoKEHV
I smile quirkily at her.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvySgna040
"Okay so I'm just supposed to trust you? Wherever we are?"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFIkn53bz0
The ghost girl turned back, looking slightly hurt.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡHftQjle30W
"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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWswOIUYIY
We continue to walk in silence.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCDIX1N1cn
"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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TDuJWQY0R
I stopped and barely grab her arm to force her to stop. Her arm slipped right through my grasp causing me to shiver.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYNnvC5pBO
"You're not taking me to hell are you? Is that it? Is that why you're so..."copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBq1jn36pg
I look back at the black smoke radiating around her.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq97VT4MS4
I start to back away from her, suddenly fearing her again.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN2ray3fXF
"What do you really want from me?" I asked, while keeping my distance,copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lgunzSqGh
Though I tried not to see it, the ghost girl looked very confused. I tried not to read into her innocence too much.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbIQjDKnqC
"I'm not going anywhere with you." I tell her defiantly.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3pvvA3zQ1
Though hardly noticeable, I saw her white eyebrows furrow into a worried expression.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUmuoK4hbL
"Elias? Are you alright? Do you want to rest before we start?"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡySXhJgUtEl
"Start what?" I ask protectively.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66owBU6FtW
"Your story, sweetheart."copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHR2cfNhxY
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26Q0nzgi2U
They can if they're trying to manipulate you, my brain reasons.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡD802ECWLhq
I keep my stance.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY7z1kPOBm
"How can I trust you?" I asked.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEsCEQbU8e
Narra walks towards me slowly, and it takes every effort for me not to sprint away.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMnQO2sLNK
Instead, Narra stops in front of me and drops to her knees, bowing at my feet.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvIj5KDUyf
"My prince," she says softly, her hair sprawled around her, gleaming. "You must come now, okay?"copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkTJXyz9sI
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 protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡniuL8jNA5B
I bet she's drugging you with something my brain is telling me.copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg74AcOd7m
I consider this, then dismissed it. There's nothing I can do about it now. copyright protection164ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnHm7EUHNn
ns3.219.167.194da2
