Chapter 1: Onto the next Course

In a hospital, a young man speaks to an elderly man lying in one of the hospital beds with various contraptions hooked up to him. The old man, although looking very sickly and pale, appears to still have some energy within him and doesn't seem to be bothered by his fate slowly approaching.

"-And so, I want you to take care of the eatery in my stead."

"Wha-, b-but sir! I-I can't-... I don't think I-"

"Oh, grow a spine will you!"

"...B-but-"

"HA, don't lose your head over this lad! I'm not forcing this upon you. However, you and I have worked together for a very long time. I believe you've worked at my place for... fifteen years now, right? Heh, how time flies when your enjoying life, eh? Well... even if you don't want to be the owner of the diner, I'll allow you to do whatever you want with it. Give it to somebody else, sell it, whatever you want I'll allow it."

"What! B-but sir! Wasn't the restaurant your dream?! I-I could nev-"

"Bwhahahahahahaha!!!-", as the old man laughed he suddenly coughed harshly before continuing, "Ugh- guess I can't laugh like I used to, eh?"

"Please don't strain yourself sir!"

"Eeeehhh? Are you really THAT worried for me? HA! Don't worry lad, I know it's my time..."

"Sir..."

"I've lived up until my 80s, which is longer than most live. And though there were hard times, the good times outweigh them by a landslide, so I can say with confidence that I enjoyed my time on this earth. I was able to fulfill my wishes and live a calm life without much stress, you and the others were truly great company and I had so much fun with all of you around. So now in the end, taking inventory, I can say that I lived a good life."

"I..."

"Heh, cat got your tongue? Well... I guess I wasn't somebody who goes so sentimental often, so it's bound to suprise you."

"I won't let you down sir!"

"Oh? So your backbone finally woke up, hm?"

"I will take care of yo- NO! MY bistro and make you proud! I promise, no matter what, I will never abandon it!"

"Heh, you don't need to make me proud lad. Do what makes you happy and fulfilled in life."

"I will... sir"

"Now, I already prepared a last will so make sure to talk over it with the others so there are no misunderstandings, alright?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Thank you, Evan. You were like... the... son... I never... had..."

"Ah! S-sir? Sir! W-wait- Yo-You can't! Not ye-"

"No... Evan... my time... has... come... I hope... you... enjoy... your... l i f e . . ."

"Ah! M-mr. Werner! M- Thomas! THOMAS! SOMEONE! GET THE DOCTORS! QUCIKLY!"

As the hospital staff begin to gather in the room, Thomas begins to drift of into his final rest. As he slowly loses conciousness, he sees his life flash by in his life. From his nostalgic childhood without worry, to the chaos of his teens with school stress, to the times he'd rather stayed in bed during early adulthood, to the constant swap of good and bad during his middle aged years, to the mild acceptance of his late adulthood, to finally his collapse some months ago and him being brought into the hospital. Some weeks ago, he had begun to be more tired and slept longer, his appetite had become less and his temperature had decrased more and more. He knew, that his time was soon. The doctors had told him he probably still had a couple weeks left in him, but he could also croak any day really. So he wrote his last will and made sure to talk to his employees at the diner one last time, so he could spend his last days with his closest friends. They were the only people left he could see as family anymore, as he had outlived most of his family members and didn't have a child of his own. So he was happy to have such a great 'found-family' at least, he truly valued the time spent with them. He hopes they all live great and fullfilling lifes.

And so, Thomas Werner, male, age 82, has died at exactly 18:43 on the 12th February 20. A man who while not had the most exciting life, still was satisfied with how he had lived. Now, having lived a life worth living by having his dream of being a chef at his own eatery accomplished, he closes his eyes a final time and ends this story of his life on earth. 

. . .

Something felt strange, which itself was strange, as Thomas had just closed his eyes and had embraced his death. However, after a few seconds of nothingness, he started to think and feel again. Was it a fluke? Perhaps he only fell unconcious and didn't actually die? Though that would make things very akward between Evan and him, after that heartfelt moment they just had. He then suddenly felt a nostalgic sensation on his back, as if he was lying somewhere outside in the grass back in his youth. As he continued to slowly stir awake, he began to feel a gentle breeze on his face, reminding him of the times when he would run around in the greenery or go on walks with his mother through nature.

Finally as his strength returns, he was able to open his eyes...

"ACK!" So bright!

And immediatly shut them as thight as he could.

However, even though it was just for a moment, he was sure that he had seen the underside of a tree crown alongside a deep blue sky with a VERY BLINDING sun.

So this definitly means I'm not in the hospital anymore... is this perhaps the afterlife? If it is, it feels strangely not that different from... well 'normal' life I guess.

As Thomas continued to entertain the idea of this being the afterlife in his head, he slowy began to let his eyes adjust to the brightness of the sunlight. When he finally somewhat opened his eyes ,whilest shilding them from the stark light of the sun with his hand, he at last could see his surroundings.

Lush, green trees all around him in all directions, with the only things he was able to see in the distance being the hills and mountains on the horizon. Eventually Thomas realized, that he was on top of a small hill himself, with a tree (most likely) larger than all than all the others. In the end, as he observed his enviroment, he spotted a small pond at the foot of the tree on the opposite side from him.

Not sure if this drinkable... however it would feel great to wash my face after feeling like I have slept for years...

Standing up was oddly quick and without any strain, though Thomas didn't realize that, as he rubbed his eyes and made his way over to the pond.

Before he could glimpse his reflection though, he splashed his face with water a couple times. As the small waves spread out and the water calmed down again, he tried to view his mirror image.

Probably should see how I lo-

And was met with the visage of a young man with reddish brown hair and an aggressive looking face.

"..."

For a second, there was no sound, no wind, no birds, no leafs, not even crickets chirping.

Then-

"WHATTHEHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLL!?!?!?!?!?!"