Remember Skippy

I have been wandering the rivers of the world for too many years to count. I have seen many interesting people in my time. Those who fall under my care usually find peace within themselves. As of now, I find myself drifting through the Bow river somewhere in Canada. I find the wildlife here to be rather interesting. The foliage is alluring. The stories trapped in these woods allow me to enjoy what I do.

"Hello, my name is William D. Beak. I will be your guide today. It is a pleasure to meet you."

I say to my newest passenger. This client appeared on my skiff a mile or so ago. I let them adjust to their situation before I spoke, I would hate to overwhelm my clients. They seemed very disturbed, so I decided to take them under my care. This client seems to be a special case. They had a nasty bruise around their neck that looks as if it healed already, yet the mark was still clear as day with a hue of red that was almost impossible not to notice. On the topic of appearance, they had beautiful ginger hair in a clean braid that sat over their shoulder. Their skin was pale and covered in freckles. The most important thing to note was how young this one was. They appeared to be between sixteen and twenty. I'm not good at determining ages accurately, so take my assumption lightly.

"The trees look beautiful, don't they? I see why you would be hiking here, it's a lovely place to clear your mind."

I do my best to strike up a conversation in an attempt to ease the tension between the two of us. I think a little small talk will help me do my job more efficiently. The client was hesitant at first but spoke up regardless.

"I wasn't hiking."

Their voice was soft and timid, which isn't odd at all for my clients. This is a new experience for them and I must make them as comfortable as possible. I would like to learn more about this one so I can determine how fast they can move on to the next step.

"Oh, well what were you doing then, little one."

"It doesn't matter now does it?"

This statement gave me the impression that they knew what was going on. Most don't know where they are when they appear here but this child seemed to have an idea of their predicament. It's interesting to me how calm they appear in their situation.

"Well, maybe not, but it would be nice to talk with you. It's not every day I get to interact with people. It tends to get quite lonely out here by myself."

I hope this visit will help the client explain their situation. Right now, my job is to make this child feel secure, but what do I say to connect with them? I haven't had a client this young in a long time. Perhaps I can send a request to the Sub Zei to keep me updated on current goings-on in the world. Before I could organize my thoughts that same timid voice spoke up.

"I'll be honest. I'm not sure if I want to talk about it."

"That's alright little one,"

I spoke softly as I navigated the skiff down a small rough patch. From my experience speaking in a soft low voice helps relax people, I usually practice speaking this way when I have any spare time.

"In due time I hope you grow comfortable around me."

Another air of silence falls upon the skiff as we continue down the river, nothing but the noise of the bustling woods entertaining our ears. The calm river gave off a serene and calming sound, this is my favorite part of my journey. The secrets beneath the water always catch my interest, what's down there, what could I find if I just reached my hand into the water? As we pass by a log cabin my passenger seemed a bit uneasy, so I did my best to comfort them.

"It's alright child, there are no spirits or ghouls in that home. I have guided those old souls a long time ago." To my surprise, they spoke back to me.

"Oh I know, it's just that. That's my vacation hut, I mean, my family's vacation hut. Why are we going this way?"

Perfect, this means I'm in the right area. Such a reaction couldn't possibly be from a positive experience. My skiff usually takes my client and me to an important part of their life. I decided to play coy with my response.

"The river has guided us. Is there an issue?"

"No, can we just get away from here?"

"Running away from your mistakes and regrets is a swift fall from grace waiting to happen." They took some exception to my statement and lashed out at me. This was my intention of course but it still surprised me.

"It wasn't my fault!"

The child shouted and stood up abruptly which caused the skiff to shake a bit before I was able to steady it. I wonder what happened here, given their response, it must've been tragic. The child slightly tears up and whimpers as the memory of the cabin floods their mind.

"Then who is at fault?"

"That old hag, she did it, please, I'm innocent, please don't send me to hell."

They were very distraught and torn up over a simple question, and they were pleading with me for mercy. Do they think I'm the grand judge? I suppose they wouldn't know any better. I should submit a request to the SubZei for a sign to place on my skiff stating that I am no god.

"I'm not the one who decides where you go. Tell me more about this old hag."

They didn't seem to calm down at all while they explained. Perhaps I should reconnect with society and see what eases these new-age clients. Maybe this old hag was a witch of sorts who cursed the child. Do witches still exist these days, yet more studying I need to do.

"My mother, she made me do it. It's all her fault! You have to believe me!"

"I do not doubt you little one. I know you are innocent; however, I need more detail about this specific scenario."

They calm themselves and sit back down as they continue explaining. It looks like I still have a chance to get the whole story before my higher-ups need to get involved.

"That woman always hated my dog, skippy. Ever since I adopted him she wanted him gone. I used my own damn money to buy and take care of him, but she didn't care. "He's an eyesore, a dirty rotten mutt," she said. She drove Skippy and me out to that forest cabin and put a pistol in my hand. I never even knew she had a gun. I remember the weight of the weapon in my hands, before she spoke I understood what she wanted but I just couldn't believe it. How could someone like that exist, how could she be so cruel"

At this point, they started wiping away more tears as they continued their story through their quivering voice. A tragic tale is about to ensue. I've heard many stories, but I still feel a sickness in my stomach every time a story like this is told.

"She told me to pick between my dog and my home. Her look was as cold as ice while she spoke to me, with no compassion or anything. She was twitching and scratching at her arm, she wasn't allergic to dogs though, I don't know why she was so jittery. She got in her car and drove off, not even glancing back to ensure my safety. She left me to think of my predicament. For about an hour I walked skippy around the woods until it hit me. I can't care for myself and skippy, but God can, so I did it. I told the good boy to sit and stay as I walked around behind him. I aimed the gun at his head and forced myself to pull the trigger. It was the hardest thing I could ever do. I was reefed with guilt, dread, and sadness as I saw his body go limp. I hope he's alright whenever he ends up."

They looked to the sky as they clasp their hands together.

"I'm sure skippy is patiently waiting for you two to be reunited, but how did you end up here?"

Unfortunately, I don't deal with animal clients so I have no way to verify Skippy's safety, yet more importantly, one question lingers. While their story is quite tragic, they didn't explain their arrival on my skiff, though I have a good idea.

"How did I end up here? Oh, that's right."

The client rubbed their neck softly as they hesitated to speak. Soon enough they muster up their story.

" I couldn't let my dog be alone and scared. It only made sense to join him in the afterlife where we can have as much time together as possible. I tried to shoot myself in the head but the bitch only filled the gun with one bullet. So I went inside our family cabin and tied some bedsheets together. After that, I left a note detailing the events up to this point and then made my way deep into the forest with my makeshift noose. I found a sturdy tree and climbed up to a thick branch; I tied one end to the branch and the other end to my neck. I took one last look into the beautiful forest. I watched the animals go about their carefree lives and took a deep breath. I jumped out of the tree and hung myself."

After they finished their story I nod as I guide the skiff smoothly through the river. This client is very caring for their pet. I didn't think people could care this much for an animal that they can't communicate with. Even in the afterlife, they wish to be with them. I have no idea where Skippy is though, how do I persuade the Grand Judge to reunite these two. I thought for a moment as the client gets composed, and I eventually got my thoughts in order.

"I believe I have enough information. I will do my best to reunite you with your beloved friend."

I spoke in a calm tone despite not knowing where to begin with this endeavor. The client seemed pleased with my response, so pleased in fact that it looks like I have finished what I needed to do. Their body began glowing, a clear sign that the Sub Zei will be accepting them now. The client seemed to be in some distress, of course, this reaction is only natural. Most people don't understand this part of the process.

"What's going on? Am I going to heaven or hell? Will I see Skippy? Did you find him already?"

"Everything will be alright young one. The Sub Zei will be seeing you now. They will take you one step closer to reuniting with Skippy so please remain calm and do your best to cooperate. It has been a pleasure to be your guide for the day."

Before they could respond the Sub Zei took them to the next stage of the afterlife, what I affectionately call "The Do or Die Zone". In that stage, the client will be forced to live out every regret they have ever had in life. If they can't mentally handle the first few rounds they will be reincarnated to try a new life. However, if they do get through it they will move on to meet the Grand Judge. Meeting the Grand Judge is very rare for most mortals though, I wish this client luck. As I think back to my chat with the young one my next client arrives on my skiff.

"Hello, my name is William D. Beak. I will be your guide today. It is a pleasure to meet you."