Walking down this forsaken empty road, I look back at that mangled ass car which resembles a nuclear explosion wrapped around a tree. Staring at the fire coming from the now “U” shaped hood of the red 1969 Volkswagen Beetle, I realize the mistakes of that night I had made coming together. Even now, 40 yards from the car, I am still stepping on broken glass and metal shards. Hell, one of the doors is a good 30 yards out and up in a tree! My brain is a little foggy as well trying to remember what happened, well that is until I saw the broken Rye Whiskey bottles surrounding the driver side door along with decorating the interior.

“Of course, no reception out here either. Well, this is just great!”, I yell as my hands fly up towards the sky like a church choir.

As the distance from the burning husk that was my car slowly fades into the thick night, my mind starts pondering how this situation came to this horrific moment. Thinking back on the day, maybe it was the job, or the relationship, or even the bills, but whatever the issue was, it worked. Alcohol isn’t even my vice! But when the world comes crashing down on you, things change.

As my vision focused on the dark road ahead, I took in the view. Shadow covered tree lines running from each side of the road, to as far as the eye could see, illuminated by the glowing moon and stars above. Suddenly, a pair of headlights approached from over the horizon.

Waving my hands frantically hoping to get the drivers attention, the silhouette car slows to a creep as it pulls up. That feeling of ice slowly growing down my spine came over me as I scouted out the approaching vehicle, a midnight black Rolls Royce. Maybe it was the tinted windows, or perhaps the eerie fog that surrounded the vehicles base, but whatever it was, it frightened me.

As I approached the driver’s side window, the passenger door swung open, as if it was an invitation. Accepting that this was the only way, I walked to the other side and almost if by instinct, got into the ominous vehicle. Scouting out the interior, I noticed the seats were a fine crimson red felt, along with the dash and ceiling as well. Finally, I laid eyes upon the driver, and to my shock it was a very pale looking woman with black lines under her eyes. She sat dressed in a beautiful black gown with an intricate rose pattern weaved into it that revealed more of her pale skin. Slowly the mysterious woman turned her face towards mine, and I met her piercing gaze.

“Hello, I’m very pleased we are finally able to speak”, she said as her gaze grew more intent.

“H-hello to you as well. Thank you for stopping, you have quite a unique and beautiful vehicle here.” I said as my fingertips slowly traced around the luxurious felt dash in front of me, as I nervously looked away from her dark piercing eyes.

“Actually, you are right on time.” She said as a small smirk formed from her pale lips.

“On time? I didn’t know we had an appointment.” I said, nervously chuckling.

“Well, let’s be off, shall we?” She said in a light optimistic tone as the vehicle accelerated forward down the road.

“Wait, wait! I didn’t even tell you where I needed to go!” I said in a quite anxious voice.

“No need, you are exactly where you need to be” she said in a confident yet calming tone.

Do you ever get that feeling that something drastically big passed you by? As though your entire world shifted before you even had time to react. Looking at the road through the windshield, my mind replays all that I can remember leading up the crash. Questions arise with no answer, yet I feel as though this is where I am meant to be.

Looking back over to the strange woman, I ask her, “When you said I am exactly where I need to be, what did you mean?” My voice shakes as the question finishes.

Looking at the road ahead, she replies, “Ask not what you can answer for yourself. This night holds more meaning than you are willing to see.”

Her tone came off ominous, as if more were hidden behind the words. Tonight, did feel different though, as if it were my last. My chest felt heavy as I slowly pieced together all memories I had up until this moment, shock settling in as the answer became clear.

I looked at the woman in the black and faintly asked, “A-am I dead? This is what’s happening right?”

She responded in pure silence as we slowly drove past the wreck I had left earlier. Only now, I could see my mangled body stuck behind the wheel of the wreckage. Tears felt like they flooded down my cheeks, until my fingers traced over bare skin.

“I guess I am dead. So that would make you death then, correct? Or some version of death.” I said in a solemn, yet inquisitive tone.

Turning her face towards mine, she responded in a very warm yet distant voice, “I am the escort. You are correct in that you have crossed over. This is your ride to take, however I am unaware of the destination you will arrive at.”

“H-how long will this ride take?” My body trembled as the question left my lips.

“Time is irrelevant now. Where you sit is all the answers, and all that I can give you.” She said with a porcelain hand circling the air signifying my seat.

“Oh, alright then I suppose. May I ask you some other questions not pertaining to my, well my, death?” My voice sounded faint, as though the life was leaving it.

“If I possess the answer, then I shall answer any qualms you may have” she said in a confident yet calming tone.

Intuition is truly an enigma, for here I am journeying with a deity that has answers to questions that have never been answered before. Yet here I sit remembering the morning of my last day, and only wish to ask self-serving questions as opposed to the bigger truths. As the vehicle continued travelling down the dark and never-ending road before us, I went over what I could remember of the morning of my last day.

Waking up at 8 am per usual, rolling out of bed, and heading to the bathroom. These were the stable 3 steps of my morning every day. This morning was different though, being fresh out of a job does that. My now previous boss had fired me due to rumors I was sleeping with his girlfriend, which then spread around until my now ex-girlfriend heard about it. Unfortunately, yesterday was a fall from grace, and last night I crashed into rock bottom.

Normally I don’t drink, but last night became a challenge, a challenge to see how much alcohol could be consumed before death arrived. Now a stable and responsible being would pass out after one bottle of whiskey, but I decided to be brave. Liquid courage made fate decide for me that I should go visit my now ex-girlfriend and smooth things over. As fate would have it, she decided to smooth things over herself, with her co-worker. I looked to the stars, and the universe told me to drink more, so I did. That’s when I went for a stroll in the country and hit that damn tree, now here I am in Death’s cab.

“Is there an afterlife?” My voice shook with tension as I questioned how stupid that question came off.

The porcelain woman looked at the road ahead, then firmly answered, “The idea of an afterlife is overthought in your species. Life after death, eternal paradise, Heaven and Hell, all of these are renditions of the mind, not experience. Simply, you are journeying from one plane of being to the next.”

“Does that mean I won’t meet my dead relatives again? Or be able to meet anyone from the past?” Slight disappointment coated my words as I looked down at the vehicle’s lavish floorboard.

Looking at the road with an icy stare, she spoke slowly and said, “What human culture has theorized about the afterlife is not rooted in experience, but fear. Death is overpriced in your species; your finite life is a constant existential crisis sparking evolution. After ones passing, life ceases, then begins anew.” Her tone was almost cold as she spoke. This must be a common conversation in her world, or wherever this is.

“So where are we now? Is this kind of like limbo? What do you mean begins anew?” The questions spewed from my mouth like vile, my body trembling at the thought of not knowing what’s next.

“Where we are now is similar to your theory of limbo, but also it is nowhere. This is a plane of crossing, where you must pass through to arrive at the next.” She said in a very bureaucratic tone.

“So, what is the next plane we’ll cross into then?” I asked sheepishly, veering my head towards the window to stare at the passing shadow engulfed countryside.

“I do not know. I am simply your chauffeur for this journey, nothing more.” She said in a very dull tone, as if she was answering the simple question of 1+1 for a child.

“Oh, well I do wonder, are you really a woman? It always seemed like in media that deities would take on the form of something more visually comforting for humans.” I said with an inquisitive look on my face as I turned to face the road in front of me.

“The form that my being takes on is that of a chameleon. As a guide, I naturally attune to the fare’s needs and adjust the physical form accordingly.” She said using yet again a bureaucratic tone.

This whole experience so far does not fit any logical narrative. If I am dead, then why do I still feel? Why does anxiety still course through me? Why is death, or the driver, or whatever they are speak in bleak and ominous terms? Death never really worried me, but now that I am here, I have more questions and fears than I ever thought possible.

“Are there more of you? Chauffeur’s that is.” I asked as my fingers nervously intertwined.

She answered in an informative tone, “I am one, and we are many. This role requires constant need, but only my being is applicable. Splitting oneself into millions is a trait rare even among deities, and we are the only capable one.”

“Then, can I ask, was my death a common one? Was the way I died normal?” My voice trembled with emotion as the question tried to spill out.

Taking a moment, she then answered, “Normal is not a term used after life, as nothing is consistent, but always constant. Your death, like many, was established long before your life began. However, the death fate gave you is a common one that is encountered very frequently.”

“I guess this isn’t how I thought it would go is why I ask. My death I thought would be more natural, when I was older, and ultimately not as pathetic. I died while driving drunk! That’s who I am?! A fucking drunk?!” I yelled out as ghostly tears welled down my cheeks, only nothing was there.

“Understand that death is inescapable, unknown, and never what humans expect. Life after death also is unknown, but nothing to fear as it is the natural progression. Your journey on Earth may have ended, but now a new one begins.” She answered in an almost nurturing way, yet still very distant.

Silence fell upon us for what felt like days. Looking at the scenery ahead, I realized nothing was left except for an empty black void. Analyzing the never-ending dark space, an inner peace started coming over me, as though something much bigger was taking shape. Just as quickly as the peace started, something started coming into view ahead. What looked to be a train station started taking form as we approached, with many dark silhouettes standing on the awaiting platform.

“Is this our final stop?” I asked, a now calm tone encompassing my voice.

“This is your next stop, where it heads to, I do not know.” She answered in a quiet, yet comforting tone.

“Thank you for talking to me by the way. Thank you for answering my questions and making the end not as frightening. Now, I feel as though I am ready to move forward.” My voice sounded confident and collect as the car approached the platform.

“We wish you farewell and peace as you move forward” she said with what looked like a porcelain smile as the passenger door opened for me.

Standing up from the vehicle, the door closed behind me automatically as I surveyed my surroundings. Looking back at the driver, I smiled before doing a small wave as the vehicle drove off into the dark abyss. Turning to face the platform, I went and took a seat on one of the benches next to someone who also looked lost, yet calm. Hundreds of souls strolled around the platform, as we all waited for what is to come next, for what is beyond the corner.
© Andy P