60 Sec Fiction: IF ONLY

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Imagine lying in bed at home, with only moments to live, like a flower in full bloom ready to be picked.

A knock on the door startles you. As the handle turns, you’re expecting “Her”, in a dark hooded cloak, bony fingers clasping her scythe. Just on time. The door opens, and a young woman walks in. She smiles and sits next to you. Not the stench of decomposing corpses, but the delicate fragrance of roses. As she takes your hand, all pain dissolves; your eyes close, and your lungs empty one last time.

Then, you see light.

A force pulls you from above, and your limbs begin to float. The young woman lets go of your hand, and weightless, you ascend through a gleaming tunnel. When the skies open, your vision fills with constellations of stars, like on a clear night in the desert. The pulling increases, and everything disappears into a bright haze. You can’t tell if you’re still moving, but it doesn’t matter anymore.

In the silence of your being, you look around. Silhouettes emerge in the distance, growing as they get nearer. You recognise Mum, and Grandpa, and your son, who died far too young. They’re all here for you, smiling, and it’s hard to contain the tears of joy, and relief. Held by their peaceful gaze, you wonder why on earth you have spent your entire life fearing this moment.

If only I’d known, you think, your heart filled with compassion for all those left behind.

♦

Thank you for reading 😊

If you’d like to read another short story on the afterlife, you could try:

Amnesia  <— Click

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