This story is by Laura Greer and was part of our 2024 Spring Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.
Death was having a difficult day, and nothing seemed to go right. He skipped steps that bypassed the human and death experience as he streamlined the souls into heaven. He just wanted this day to be over with.
Everyone noticed that the souls entering heaven were acting very disoriented. The Angels went to God to inquire if the process had changed. God shook his head and said he would investigate it.
Expecting this would happen one day, God went looking for Death.
“Death, the other angels are concerned over today’s event. The souls entering heaven seem a little off. Would you happen to know what is going on?” God asked. Death looked at him with a blank expression.
God let out a loud sigh, “Death, you must give the souls the time they need for transiting from life to Death. We must trust the process. It is less confusing for everyone involved.”
Death rolled his eyes, Very Well!! He turned and started to walk away.
God Touched Death’s shoulder, saying, “The Humans and Angels rely on you to make the crossover as easy as possible.”
Death shrugged his shoulders and sighed as he turned away from God and started walking.
God shook his head and pulled Death aside. “Do you need a Break? I know it has been quite a while since you last had one.”
Death looked at God and Lowered his head. He was unsure how to take that comment; he was a workaholic and never took time off.
God smiled, “I will give you a small vacation to think about things.” He called for Michale to step in for Death. “I believe one heavenly hour of our time, to walk among the humans as one of them should do it.”
Death rubbed his bony jaw. “What if God leaves me down there as a human and forgets about me.” Death said, “I will agree only if I retain my title in heaven.” God agreed, and they shook on it.
God smiled and said, “One last thing: Once you receive a new name, you will remember nothing of heaven. Except that I am always here with you.” Death became confused.
God bent over and kissed Death on the bony forehead. Death fell into a deep, dark sleep that seemed to last forever.
When Death finally woke, it felt like he was floating in an empty void. It was so relaxing. Then he started to hear a soft pounding inside of his chest. “What is this?” Death thought.
God whispered in his ear, “This is Life; it’s the first Beats of your heart.” Death had never heard such an incredible sound before. Then he noticed a much louder beating coming from all around him. Death became very still and listened. This was like the voice of God in his ears. Death was filled with joy. This was the first time he felt comfort and security in such an unusual way. This was pure bliss in his eyes. Being overwhelmed with these new experiences, Death finally fell asleep.
God sat back and watched, knowing Death’s entire world would be turned upside down.
Death was awakened with such a force he became confused and stressed. The pressure started building all around him. “What is happening”? He thought. Then he felt himself slowly moving down to a small opening. “Why am I being forced out of the one place where I felt safe?” he thought. He could fill the walls close in on him every minute. Then, without warning, a cold set of hands reached for him, pulling him from his mother’s womb. It was so quick he had no time to think about it.
In complete confusion, Death called out to God,” Why do I feel all alone”?
“This is the next chapter. You will now learn who you are and who I am to you in this life.” God answered.
“I know who you are, personally.” Death whispers.
God answers, “That you do! But who are you?”
Death felt a sharp jolt of pain as the doctor spanked his bottom. Air rushed into his lungs as he took his first breath. The sound of crying filled the room. Death was very confused. “Is that horrible noise coming from me”?
Death’s Human father spoke up, “It is a Baby boy. His name is Evan Charles Jr.”
Time seemed to fly for Evan in this form: from nightly feedings and naps to school lunches, from his first crush, Jennifer, who gave him his first kiss, to a scraped knee and chicken pox, from Boy Scouts and football practice to sneaking out at night to hanging with his friends.
Evan’s parents loved him very much and, with time, taught him how to become a responsible young man.
Several years later, Evan celebrated his marriage to his long-time sweetheart, Cindy. He was so happy and thought life could not get any better. Three years later, God blessed him with the arrival of his baby girl, Sheri; he felt pure joy. To him, Life could not be better—until the announcement of his wife’s second pregnancy. He was on top of the world. A little man like him.
All seemed perfect until the day of his child’s birth. His son was stillborn. Evan felt the heart-breaking and sorrow of losing his second child during its birth. Nothing could prepare him for the passing of a child.
God sat beside Evan through all this, but he could not give him the comfort he needed. Evan no longer sought God’s voice. He had forgotten who he was and where he came from. Evan started drinking to kill the pain that he could not heal.
God waited for Evan to reach out and take his hand to show him it would be okay. Evan had no time for God anymore.
Since starting his journey, he has made friends and lost loved ones.
All the years of abuse and drinking took a toll on his body. He was just a shadow of his former self.
Then came the day sitting in his favorite chair when God whispered in Evan’s ear, “You have done well; it is time to come home.”
Evan started to panic. “I can’t leave my family. There is still so much I need to do. “
God waited several days. “it’s time to come home, Evan.”
Evan became angry;” leave me alone. I am not going anywhere!”
That next night, while Evan was getting ready for bed. God said in a gentle voice,” It is time to come home, Evan. Your hour is up.”
Evan began to reply when his chest started hurting, and his breath became shallow. Evan finally fell to the floor. His heart gave up one more beat and then stopped. Evan Looked up to the heavens and whispered, “Not Yet Please!”
As darkness engulfed him, his life of sixty-five years played out in front of him. From his birth, the first time he fell in Love, his daughter’s wedding, and the loss of his son to the death of his wife. Then his final words to God,” Not Yet Please!”
Off in the distance, a bright light began to flicker like an old TV station late at night. Slowly, it came closer. Then, a hand of pure light reached out from the light for him. Evan took the hand and was instantly back home in heaven. He remembered everything.
Death looked at God with tears in his eyes. He finally understood.
His job allowed departed souls one last look at their humanity, one last time to feel all the emotions and experiences that they lived out.
He was not just death but the crossroads between life and the afterworld—an angel holding heaven’s keys in his hands.
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