Y Wednesday, September 09, 2009
10:34 pm
You'd think they'd treat you better when you're dead and gone. But like the many things in life, I'm dead wrong. I wish I could be surprised. Feels like I'm past that.Anyway, looks like the doors behind are locked, if they were even doors. Door knob, door knob.. nope. The room was pitch black. The blind were lucky enough to function without sight. I wasn't nearly as fortunate.
Guess I'm going to have to grope my way around. Not that it's anything unfamiliar. Even before the world went to hell, no one knew what was going on in their lives. The infection just gave a new meaning to zombies - putrid and rotting instead of workaholic and consumerist. Either way, both kinds are dead.
"About as dead as you are. Welcome to, well, you can call it the court of life. We're not exactly the Abrahamic Gods that are so popular amongst you people, but it's close enough."
Privy to privacy. Just like that Peter guy, or should I say Saint Peter?
"So that's it? My curtain call?"
"Pretty much."
Huh. Sucks.
"So this is like some judgment thing yes? To determine if I go to heaven or hell? A blow by blow account of my life and whether it was right or wrong?"
"Sort of."
"Just so you know, I am, or rather, was an atheist. In life of course."
I almost laughed. I'm going to determine the quality of the rest of my.. well, eternity and I'm this concerned?
"You do know the lake of fire was a hoax to induce fear? You mortals are ingenius at.. as you say it 'ripping people off'."
No lake of fire for me. Whoopee.
"Great. Anyway let's start, not a long life, but it's been awhile, and I want to make this quick."
"As you wish. Let's see.. fertilization, gestation, birth.. ah there. When you were five months old, you had colic, am I right to say that?"
"Yeah I guess. Mum told me. Wailed like the little shit I was."
"Are you guilty of faking your colic at times, just for attention?"
"The hell? Are you serious?"
"Are you or are you not guilty of faking your colic for attention? Lying. Did you lie? Do not repeat this mistake again!"
"This is fucking ridiculo-"
Something sharp and hot bores into my head.
I wanted to scream, but somehow, I didn't. Before I knew it I was on all fours. Funny, I'm not bleeding, and there's nothing behind my head.
"Answer me."
"Fuck me I don't know. Is this one of those trials where they force you to confess? If so just spare me the goddamned trouble."
"Guilty then."
"Whatever. The next time you have a kid make sure to call him a liar as well alright?"
The lights come on, blinding me temporarily. Something drops behind me. My mother's watch! What's it doing here? I thought I lost it. It's a little too small, but it's always been that way. Somethings never change, or you don't want them to.
"Theft now? Disappointing. That's your mother's watch. Did you-
Wait a second, I've been talking to a disembodied voice all along. Where's the fella?
"-oup. Looks like there's an error. My apologies, you're in a bit early. You're free to go."
Honestly.
"Yes, honestly. We made an error it seems. Says here on your file you're not due for some time. You aren't finished there. Tata!"
"Wha-"
I thought I saw her face. I thought I saw the past, the past of happier times. I thought I saw myself smile.
I thought wrong.
The ghosts of your past will never let you go.