Between Heaven and Hell

There was a shiver down her spine.

As the breeze brushed against her bare skin, as the crisp coldness felt sharp against the warmth of her body- it produced a shiver down her spine. The shiver grew into a tremble, until the hair on the back of her neck stood up and goosebumps appeared against her skin.

She carefully listened and observed her surroundings. There was a difference in the air, an unsettling presence that drew closer to her. She felt the presence before she saw it or even heard it, because in such a desolate place, even the slightest difference in surroundings would be louder than thunder. She had been living in an old and white two story home for the past year, built over a hundred years ago, or so she would assume. This old two story home was built just where the sea and land met, a collection of rocks leading a path both behind and in front of the home. Every day she woke up to see the sea, and when she went to the back of the house, she could only see sand which seemed to go for miles. No one came to this beach, not even a bird. Somehow this was her home.

Yet today, on this particularly grey and rainy day, it seemed that she was no longer alone. She continued to read her book, however, she was secretly listening for any sound. Would there be footsteps? Would she hear a bird?

Bump.

Bump.

There was a sound a sound. Nervously, she jumped from her bed, and ran across the room to the window that overlooked the land of sand. She peaked from behind the blinds- yet there was no one to be found, not even a bird. She took in a deep breath, and exhaled. No one ever came here.. It must have been thunder.. A storm coming in. The sky was an eerie mixture of grey and blue, as it always had been, however as the weather got colder as the season changed, the darkness was even deeper. Surely there was a bad winter storm coming in.

Accepting that as being the cause of the loud bumps, she returned to the book that she had left on her bed. It was an uncomfortable bed- wooden and old, the mattress often caused her to wake up in pain. The bedding itched and often gave her a rash. However, she knew this home was only temporary, it was not worth the worries. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind, choosing to return to her book.

“And when you look over your shoulder, they will be there.” The book read.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

“He...llo...” She heard being called out to her. It was a familiar voice, yet one that had seemed eeringely strange. It was the first voice she had heard in this home in a year- the first company she had felt. However, she wasn’t excited, she wasn’t eager, she was nervous.

She was hesitant and unsure. The shiver that she felt earlier returned, taking course throughout her entire body. She was hesitant of this person- afraid to see their face, to leave the room that she was in. She slowly and gently walked across the room, and pressed her ear against the door. She listened carefully, and noticed the footsteps as they grew closer and closer to her bedroom door. What felt like an eternity was only one minute until the footsteps stopped at her door.

Knock

Knock

Knock

“Hello, is there anyone there?” The voice said. Trembling and afraid, she turned the door knob until she was face to face with the person on the other side. She was a tall woman with platinum white blonde hair, and pale skin that appeared translucent. She was strikingly beautiful, but there was not a hint of expression on her face. She searched this woman’s face for any bit of warmth, any bit of happiness, any bit of hatred... Any bit of emotions, however there was none, she was completely void of any expression of life.

“I’ve seem to have gotten lost, is there any way that you can help me? Do you have a phone, perhaps a way into town?” The woman added on.

She shook her head shamefully, there was neither of those things here.

“Im afraid that I can’t help you.” She said it silently, almost so low that the woman could not hear the words that she had said. The rustling of the branches, the crashing of the waves, and the roaring of the wind spoke over the two of them.

“Oh no, this is terrible. I’m not sure what to do...” She paused suddenly as to take a thought, then her eyes lit up as if she had stumbled upon a solution,” No, I am quite sure that you can help me . Anna, may I come sit with you?”

Anna stumbled backwards.

Her legs trembled.

She collapsed to the floor, holding onto her chest in agony.

“Anna, it’s time that we take you. You have died on the human plane. Your soul is no longer welcome on earth.”