Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. He is still wrapping his head around what's happening around him. There are so many others having a great time. Drinking, smoking, straight West Coastin' at this - where is he? Holy smokes, he's in motion? No, he's floating. Oh man. Wait. No he is actually moving in slow motion.
How is it that every one he sees seems to be moving at a normal pace and it takes almost a minute to feel the ground beneath him with each step. The ground is pink and every one is outside. There is not a clear picture ahead and yet it becomes fully furnished as he gets closer. Every one seems to know already - as if he's new here. No one else has noticed him. There is no distance. The world just keeps building before him as he continues to glide forward in the air.
He stops.
"Colleen?"
She turns, is shocked and lets go of her drink.
They both watch it fall and the liquid spills amongst the broken glass. And then dissolves.
"Where am I?" he asks.
"Stella. Welcome."
"What?" he asks bamboozled as he sees his arm movements in front of himself speed up to match every one else.
Just then others began to float just like he had been doing.
"When you mind your business, time moves slower. You and I are interacting now, so we connect without the lag, make sense?" she says candidly.
"But what does all this even m- no, what? Where are we?"
"This place is named Stella. I welcomed you already. What's the last thing you remember from Earth?"
He frowned as he realized he hadn't thought of that place he knew as 'Home' yet. He was enchanted by this environment and anxiously wanted to know where he was, how it got there, and every detail as to its beginning stages of planning this in existence.
"I took a nap! So this must be a dream."
She laughs, "Oh if it were all so simple."
"What do you mean?"
"Even if you wanted to wake up, you couldn't. And I would be surprised if you were able to come up with another detail of your life on Earth. Then when you leave Stella, none of this will matter either. This conversation. Poof! Out of your head."
"I just have so many questions. I cannot believe how pink this ground is. It's charmingly hypnotizing. Are we just here? I mean, your name is still Colleen. So what changes? What else is still the same?"
"You're here to experience. Fully. Once you do, you'll get better at it and then you can choose to come back. All of us here, we all know why we are here. Back on Earth, we didn't appreciate who or what we were a part of, so instead of dying, we establish on Stella. Even though I know you are incapable, there is no need to feel judged because we all have compassion. It's like part of our DNA in this land. You remembered my name before the name I received here on Stella. Look at your wrist, Jon."
"Charles. Charles? Really. I look like a Charles, to you Coll- hey wait, so what's your name here?"
"Jenevieve. You'll get over it, Charles."
They share a laugh and begin to feel a high.
"Whoa," he reacts. "Tell me about it. No need to ask questions, just enjoy your Self."
He squeals and yells out 'Weeeeeeeeeeee' and they hold hands and begin to vibrate.
They feel lighter and more elevated as they intertwine energies and smile big. They begin to levitate together and as he begins to react, he falls to the ground. She jumps down next to him and says, "I hope you get it sooner than later, or else I'm joining someone else while you get to floating again." She puts her hand out and asks,
"Are you ready?"
About the Creator
Soulful Jenn
Link to my first book: https://www.amazon.com/SuiJENeris-Hope-Voice-Soulful-Jenn/dp/1532753136/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Keep reading
More stories from Soulful Jenn and writers in Earth and other communities.
Madre Mía
Hi Ma, I know you think you know what I think of you, and honestly, you don't. Sometimes my honest words come out with the intention of piercing your soul when I haven't furthered my understanding of the depth you contain. Pretty unfair of me to think I can make an impact on you, touch your heart, so to speak, when I haven't made the effort to thoroughly get to know you.
By Soulful Jenn4 years ago in Confessions
Chinese Planetary Engineering: The Great Green Wall and the Reclamation of Climate
There are junctures in history where a civilization no longer chooses between comfort and progress, but between adaptation and extinction. At the dawn of the new millennium, China hit one of those silent thresholds where geography ceases to be a backdrop and becomes an adversary. The desert was advancing, not as a metaphor for decay, but as a physical, methodical, and relentless force. Sand was devouring the horizon, winds grew heavy with dust, and the soil lost its fertile memory, taking with it the promise of social stability.
By Laurenceau Porte4 days ago in Earth
US Warns Airlines About Military Activity in Parts of Latin America
Commercial aviation is built on predictability—clearly defined airspace, coordinated air traffic control, and shared international rules. When that predictability is disrupted, even subtly, the ripple effects can stretch far beyond the cockpit. That is exactly why a recent warning from the United States has caught the attention of airlines, governments, and travelers alike. In early 2026, US aviation authorities issued an advisory warning airlines about military activity in parts of Latin America, urging pilots to exercise heightened caution when flying over certain regions. While no immediate restrictions or flight bans were imposed, the message itself was clear: something in the skies has changed, and the risks—however limited—can no longer be ignored. This development is not just about aviation safety. It reflects a growing intersection between geopolitics, military operations, and civilian infrastructure in a region that has long balanced cooperation with tension. What Exactly Did the US Warn About? The advisory, released through official aviation safety channels, highlighted concerns over potential military activity affecting airspace across parts of Mexico, Central America, South America, and nearby oceanic regions. Airlines were advised to remain vigilant during all phases of flight, including cruising at high altitudes, takeoff, and landing. Unlike routine notices related to weather systems or airport congestion, this warning explicitly referenced security-related risks. These include the possibility of unexpected military movements, temporary airspace disruptions, and interference with navigation systems that modern aircraft rely on for safe operations. Importantly, the warning did not accuse any specific country of wrongdoing, nor did it suggest an immediate danger to passengers. Instead, it served as a precaution—one designed to ensure airlines adjust flight planning, monitoring, and communication protocols accordingly. Why Military Activity Matters to Civil Aviation To the average traveler, military exercises or operations may seem distant from the experience of flying on a commercial jet. In reality, the two worlds often share the same skies. Civilian aircraft depend heavily on satellite navigation, coordinated air traffic control, and stable airspace rules. Military operations—especially those involving fast-moving aircraft, surveillance systems, or electronic equipment—can introduce uncertainty into that environment. Some of the key risks aviation authorities monitor include: Unplanned military aircraft movements that may not follow civilian flight patterns Temporary airspace closures or restrictions that require last-minute rerouting Navigation signal disruptions, whether accidental or intentional Increased congestion in strategic corridors used by both civilian and military flights While these risks are typically managed through coordination and communication, heightened military activity raises the stakes. The FAA’s advisory suggests that such activity has reached a level where additional caution is warranted. The Geopolitical Context Behind the Warning The timing of the advisory is not accidental. Latin America has seen a noticeable rise in security operations and military coordination involving the United States over the past year. These efforts are largely focused on counter-narcotics missions, maritime security, and regional stability, particularly in areas with strategic shipping routes or ongoing political tension. At the same time, broader global dynamics—ranging from great-power competition to shifting alliances—have increased the strategic importance of air and sea routes across the Western Hemisphere. From Washington’s perspective, issuing an aviation warning is not about alarmism. It is about acknowledging that military and security activities in the region may temporarily affect civilian systems, including aviation. How Airlines Are Responding For airlines, advisories like this are not unusual—but they are taken seriously. Most major carriers already operate with layered safety systems that allow them to respond quickly to changing conditions. In practical terms, this warning may lead to: Slight route adjustments to avoid specific airspace Enhanced pilot briefings before flights Increased coordination with air traffic controllers Closer monitoring of navigation and communication systems So far, there have been no widespread flight cancellations or suspensions linked directly to the warning. That suggests airlines view the risk as manageable, provided proper precautions are followed. Reactions from Latin American Governments Some governments in the region have been quick to reassure the public. Officials have emphasized that their national airspace remains safe and fully operational, and that civilian flights continue without disruption. This response highlights an important tension: while the US warning is precautionary, it can still affect public perception. Tourism, business travel, and investor confidence are all sensitive to suggestions of instability—even when no immediate danger exists. As a result, many countries are walking a careful line between cooperating on aviation safety and defending their reputation for stability. What This Means for Passengers For travelers, the key takeaway is simple: commercial aviation remains safe. Warnings like this are designed to prevent incidents, not predict them. Passengers flying through or over affected regions may experience slightly longer flight times or minor schedule adjustments, but there is no indication of increased danger to civilian aircraft. In fact, the existence of such advisories demonstrates how seriously aviation authorities take even low-probability risks. A Sign of a More Complex World The US warning to airlines is a reminder that modern air travel does not exist in a vacuum. As military operations, security concerns, and geopolitical rivalries evolve, civilian systems—from shipping lanes to flight paths—are increasingly affected. This moment underscores a broader reality: the skies are becoming more crowded, more contested, and more interconnected with global politics. Managing that complexity will require continued transparency, cooperation, and vigilance from governments, regulators, and airlines alike. For now, planes continue to fly, passengers continue to travel, and the system continues to work. But behind the scenes, aviation authorities are quietly adjusting to a world where safety is shaped not just by weather and mechanics—but by geopolitics as well.
By Muhammad Hassanabout 11 hours ago in Earth
Comments (1)
Fantastic idea. Great premise. Very creative and enjoyable. Keep up the good work.