Margaret - Chapter 11

Suddenly, a small gleam came from the water. It shone a bright purple hue under the water's surface. The sudden light surprised me, stopping me completely in my tracks as I watched the small glow move around within the water. I felt my tearful eyes wander about, looking at the hue as it continued to move around the water. “What is that…why is it glowing?” I said, reaching out slowly to the small light. I couldn’t tell what it was, but my body reacted on its own. As I reached out to the water, the small light moved around quickly. I watched it move whenever I reached out.

“Why are you moving…?” I said, frustratingly reaching forward more and more into the water. The light evaded my attempts swiftly; it was as if it didn’t want to be touched. I considered giving up, but that’s all I’d felt like doing today. I can’t let something like this get away. I’m sick of having things be in reach but not working out. I won’t let whatever this is get away!

“Stop moving!” I yelled, lunging outward above the pond, before feeling the cold water submerge my arms. I winced as the water touched my skin but looked downward to see the light within my outstretched hands. Its shine glowed brightly in between my palms under the water. I exclaimed at the small victory, at the cost of my clothes now being somewhat soaked.

“At least I was able to catch whatever this is…what sort of light appears out of thin air…?”. The light shone before I felt a small push from whatever I’d been holding. But I quickly noticed how heavy the weight in my hand had suddenly become. The sudden weight shift nearly pulled my body forward from my sitting position. With each pull, my body was pulled more and more into the water. What was I holding? And why can’t I let go?!

Before I knew it, my body was pulled from its sitting position, pulling me deep into the pond's water. Wasn’t this a shallow pond? Why did it feel as if I’d been pulled down some feet into it? Thoughts rushed quickly as my grip on the light stayed firm, refusing to let go as my body was pulled down into the water, deeper and deeper. I wanted to let go, but my body refused. No matter how much I wanted to let go, it was as if I wasn’t being allowed! I couldn’t speak or scream, as I fell deeper into the pond's deceptively deep waters. My breath slowly began to run out the farther I went, and I felt my consciousness slowly begin to fade.

Was this how I was going to die? Drowned in a stupid pond, forgotten as the girl of the office who lashed out. Then disappeared out of thin air. How pathetic. As I felt the strength leave my body, my mind began to fade with each passing second. The sudden surge of momentum my body felt had come to a stop. My grip on the mysterious item loosened as I began to float aimlessly in the body of water. I couldn’t think anymore, nor feel. My body had finally given up; this was it. I didn’t get to do so much in life, work a dream job, find love, own my own business…make my family proud.

I didn’t get to do any of it. What a worthless life…I wish I could have done so much more. But that’s just how life is I guess. Some get to revel in their dreams, while others like me have to grasp for straws. Maybe if things were different…I’d be on my way to a fulfilling life…that’d be all I’d want…

Before my consciousness fully faded, the bright light shined brighter than before, completely encompassing the water in bright light. Before I knew it, everything changed.

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My body was light, the air was still, yet warm. It was a feeling I wasn’t entirely used to, but I guess this is what death feels like? I didn’t know it was so cozy. I couldn’t tell what realm of the world I was in, yet it seemed my senses were still intact. Though I couldn’t see anything, as the world was completely black to my sight, I felt a small push in the warmth I was submerged in. Before I settled with the quiet, a voice was heard, deep yet commanding.

“I see you’ve been through quite the troublesome day.”

What? A voice? How is that possible? I usually thought once you die, you fade from existence or something. What is this? I tried to open what felt like my eyes, but to no avail; darkness filled my sight still. The voice continued as I could do nothing but listen to its words.

“You were such a brilliant mind. Sadly, things didn’t work out for you much in other departments. What a cruel shame…humans can be so unfair.”

Humans? What is this guy talking about? Wait, who is this guy even!? I don’t even believe much in the religious stuff. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if I was going to be proven wrong at this point. I felt the warmth continue to swirl around my body; it was almost as if my body was being looked over by a mysterious being.

“I see, maybe this could do them well…I’ll see what they think…”

I felt their words sink into my consciousness as if something purged my brain. The subtle voice suddenly became very apparent. Clear and concise, the voice called out to me.

“Margaret, that’s your name. I’m sorry we have to meet in such a way,” the voice said, calm and clear. Its voice seeped into my soul; it was as if it were within my own thoughts. I mustered up the feeling to speak again, after having to hold my breath for so long, and crying before. My voice felt hoarse.

“Yes…who are you? Where am I even…?”

“Oh, it’s rude of me to just move along with the conversation without introducing myself. Or where you’re at.”
“Huh?”

“Oh, you probably can’t see me either, huh? Let me help you out.”

At that moment, the sudden darkness began to evaporate. Freeing my sense of sight as my eyes slowly began to open. The room slowly opened up to my vision, still empty, yet the same small light shone in front of me. Was this the same light that brought me here? Questions began to boggle my mind as I let out a flurry the moment, I was able to fully come to.