“Where else are they going to go? They're dead. They have a lifetime to wait.”
“You're really morbid, you know that?”
“Yeah, I've heard that a lot.”
We walked quickly to the hall. Everyone was sitting outside the room since I had the key and locked it up the week before. “Guess it's show time. I'll see you afterwards and we'll go to earth for a little bit but then I need to get back up here and check on the new program designs.”
Lexie waved as she sat down outside the room. “See you later. I'll just sit here and wait. Not like I have anything else to do right now. I finished up my list earlier. Only three today, can you believe that?”
I smiled and shook my head as I unlocked the door and flipped the lights on inside.
The new Collectors walked in the training room. I was standing up front smiling and greeting everyone until they were all in and seated. I stood at the podium to give my usual speech.
“Good morning. I'm sure some of you are wondering what you're doing here. You have all died and joined the elite team of Collectors. We reclaim the souls of second chancers who have awakened the monster that lies dormant in us all. They may have died the first time a great person but somewhere in the crossover back to earth, something triggers their monsters. We are the repo men of the dead and must set the balance of nature right again. My name is Devalynn and I will be walking you through your training. If at any time you have a problem, please come see me or any of the other Collectors. We don't bite...hard. Your first week will be training on how to fight the dark spirits that want to kill your inner light and if they succeed, you just disappear like you never existed. After that, you will meet the Creator and learn the control room first then you will be assigned a sponsor who will show you the ropes and when they feel you're ready to move on, you'll do your test and be set free to reclaim the souls on your own. Are there any questions?” I looked around the room and only one hand went up. “Go ahead,” I pointed to her.
“So we don't have a choice on if we want to do this or not because it would have been nice to decide my own fate.”
I smiled, thinking back to how I was in the same state of mind. “No, you don't get to decide. Your fate has been decided for you by the Creator. I thought the same thing as you and now I'm so completely happy I couldn't imagine any other ending to my life. It's the start to something beautiful; so much more beautiful than you could ever imagine. You may not like it now because you just don't understand yet, but give it some time and you will get to the point of wondering how you ever existed anywhere besides here. Welcome to your beautiful afterlife, where living really begins. I’ll see you all bright and early tomorrow morning to begin. Go explore and have a great day.”
Everyone stood and walked out at the end of my introduction. Lexie was waiting patiently for me outside...well, as patiently as she could.
“Good Lord woman, hurry up before we miss all the good stuff down there!” She rose to her feet and linked arms with me as we headed to the portal.
“I'm thinking of asking the Creator for something.” I told her.
“Like what? We have everything we need already.” She looked at me with a crazy expression.
I shook my head, “Not everything.”
“What could you possibly be missing, then? I'm pretty sure you're crazy and are trying to push your luck with him,” she snorted.
“If I don't ask, I'll never know if he would have said yes or no. I'm ready to start another chapter in my afterlife. Don't get me wrong, I'm completely happy with what I have now but there's just that one thing missing.”
“Stop freakin beating around the bush and just tell me!” she said, exacerbated.
“I want a family of my own. I want to have a family with Kellin but I'm pretty sure he would never go for it.”
“A family? You're a Collector; you don't have time for a family right now.”
“Do you think it's possible?”
“I don't know. Guess you'll have to ask. What does Kellin think about this?”
“I haven't brought it up to him.”
“So you want to start a family?” I spun around and the Creator was standing behind me. I nodded my head. “I know there are some strange things that happen up here and even I don't understand everything but one thing I know is...you already began a family before talking about it out loud today.”
I was shocked. “How is that possible here?”
“I really don’t know. It’s never happened before.”
“So, does that mean I have to have to have it down there or here or what? I don't know what to do.”
He smiled. “How about before you start working on those details you go talk to Kellin. I'm fairly certain he would like to know first.”
“Oh snap! You're right! Thank you.” Lexie and I ran to the portal and went down to where Kellin and Kale were fishing. Lexie called Kale away so I could talk to Kellin alone.
“What are you girls doing here?” he asked suspiciously.
I grinned, “Just wanted to come see you guys and see what you're up to.” I lay back on my elbows and stared at my belly.
“What's going on? You're like, uber happy for some reason,” he eyed me cautiously. I was used to that look.
“Well, I have some really scary but awesome news.”
“What is it?”
I sat up and crossed my legs Indian style. I reached over for his hand, making him put the fishing rod down, and placed it across my abdomen. No words were needed. His face lit up with excitement as he began to cry with happiness. I leaned back on my elbows again as he kissed over my womb and then he reached up and pulled me to his face for one of his electrifying kisses.
“How is this possible?” he asked.
“We're not sure. Creator has no idea how it happened but I know one thing. For this child to have done what no one else has done surely means we are going to have our hands full and I can't wait. This child is going to be truly amazing. Who said being dead is the end of life? I say, it’s only the beginning.”
Other Works by this Author
The Nerita Torlan Trilogy:
Burning in Water (#1)
Drowning in Fire (#2)
The Awakening (#3 coming soon)
Young Adult:
Chasing Freedom
Coming Soon:
After-Ending
Silva
About the Author
Arielle grew up in Florida but is a proud Cajun. She has been writing for as long as she can remember but never did anything with those manuscripts. In 2012, she published her first book. After her time in the US Navy, she ended up back in Pensacola with her family and Great Dane, Scooby.
Contact Me
Whether you want to chat or have a question, I can be reached through the following networks:
Facebook: Arielle Caldwell’s Books
Twitter: @ArielleCaldwell
Email: afcaldwellsbooks@gmail.com
Website: www.ariellecaldwell.com
Reclaiming Souls Page 16