WITH A SMILE ON MY FACE
I’m dying. And I can feel it. With each day that passes I’m growing weaker, the pain begins to slip away and the bright light in the distance is becoming closer. But there’s something in between life and death, I’m sure of it. I’m not ready to go yet, but it’s not my turn to go back. The days are getting shorter and my family are gathered around me although I cannot hear or see them I feel each of their presences. Also the doctor who was nice and used to give me lollipops when I was younger, and the nurse who always used to watch over me while I slept.
I’m twenty four years old, and I am ready to die.
There’s something before death though, you never really know until you get to this point but I’m here, and I’m ready for this. I can feel it won’t take long but I still wait in angst.
The bright light becomes blinding, and suddenly I feel more alive than ever. I’m in my hospital bed, but I’m free to move. My surroundings are completely white, and there’s nobody else around. A figure emerges in front of me. A man I’ve been waiting to see ever since I was four years old. He moves towards me with grace, and his face is calm although I can tell he is shocked.
“Grandpa,” I say quietly and I expect my voice to echo, but it doesn’t. He smiles kindly and sits down gently on the edge of my bed.
“Holly.” He says and then he pauses. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here for a very long time.” He says sadly.
“It’s my time Grandpa, I can feel it... I’ve had the best life I possibly could with the best people and I’m so grateful for that.” I said with a huge grin on my face.
“Actually, that’s why I’m here.” He says and then he expands after noticing my confused face. “You see, when someone’s ready to die in their last moments, you get to look back on your life, your mistakes, your childhood, everything.”
I nodded. “I’d like to see that.”
“Are you sure you want to? You could go back to the real world if you wanted to.” Grandpa suggests.
I shake my head. “I’m ready to leave now Grandpa, I don’t know how much longer I can stay fighting.”
“You’re a very brave girl, Holly Adams. Never forget that.” He smiles, before embracing me into a hug.
“Will everyone be okay, when I’m gone? I mean James and Georgia, will they be alright?”
“Your little brother and sister will be fine, and so will your parents... after time.”
I smiled. “That’s good to hear Grandpa... Can we leave now? I want to see it before I fully leave. Maybe that way everyone back there will be able to see me smile for one last time and then they’ll know I’m finally happy.”
“Of course we can. You’ll have to walk through it alone, but I’ll be on the other side waiting for you. There’s also someone else that I know will be very happy to meet you. Just start walking forwards and you’ll reach the end before you know it.” Grandpa says before he begins to walk back in the same direction he came.
I step off the bed and wait for my feet to touch the hard and cool ground. The ground is soft and warm on my bare feet and I take a few steps forward before another blinding light hits me, and then just like that... I’m gone.
With a smile on my face.
*This is a work of fiction, written by me.
DannyAva