Éclaircissement

“You’ve made it, Linus. You’re safe. Open your eyes slowly. Slowly. There’s no reason to be afraid.”

Linus knew the voice was addressing him. It was powerful but extremely gentle and soothing at the same time. His mind began racing. Why was he conscious? Did he not die? He made sure it was foolproof this time.

“Yes, Linus, you indeed are dead”, confirmed the voice, reading his mind, “Please open your eyes, get into a comfortable position and we can talk.”

Relief washed over him to know that he was dead but that was short-lived as it was quickly replaced with fear. He didn’t know who was talking to him. Would they punish him for committing suicide?

“You are not going to be punished, Linus. I promise you that.”

He finally opened his eyes and took in his surroundings. He was flat on his back on the floor, in a room that was fully white; walls, floor and ceiling.

The owner of the voice that spoke to him earlier was nowhere to be found. The room was completely bare. No door. No window. No furniture. Nothing.

Slowly getting up, he wondered how he would make himself comfortable and a couch immediately materialized next to him.

Although he felt apprehensive, he still took a seat. He felt stupid after a moment of just sitting there, so he called out, “Hello? Please tell me what’s going on.”

“Are you comfortable, Linus?”

“Y–yes, I am. If I am dead, are you God? Is this Heaven? Or maybe Hell?”

“No, Linus. I am not God and this is neither Heaven nor Hell. In fact, there is no God, Satan, Heaven or Hell.”

“For real?! That’s not what religions say, though.”

“Religions are man-made, Linus. It’s all fiction. Humans are excellent storytellers. In other words, they are merely just fairytales.”

“Wow! My whole life was a lie! So if you’re not God and this isn’t Heaven or Hell, who are you and where am I?”

“This is something like a waiting room, Linus. You will temporarily be here until you decide where you would like to go.”

“Look, I can’t see you! I don’t know who you are! I don’t know what waiting room is this that you’re going on about! I’m so confused! Is this a prank?! Are you pranking me?! Jacob, is that you?!”

“Please calm down, Linus. No, I am not Jacob and this isn’t a prank. You have escaped the simulation in the way that was intended and now you are back to reality.”

If Linus was confused before, it was nothing compared to what he was feeling now.

“Simulation? Wha–what are you talking about?! Who are you?!”

“I am the Creator and the simulation was your life on Earth. The only way to escape from that simulation is by committing suicide and you have succeeded.”

“B–but isn’t suicide wrong?” I only did it because I just couldn’t take it any longer. I just didn’t wanna exist anymore.”

The Creator laughed heartily in his deep, booming voice, “That is what humans on Earth are programmed to think. Upon entering the simulation, all prior memories are wiped out and the belief that ‘suicide is wrong’ is instilled. The purpose of the simulation is to see who is strong and courageous enough to commit suicide and escape. Only the weak ones would stay alive and continue to fight through life.”

Linus felt his jaw drop and was quiet for a moment. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, “So, the goal of life on Earth is to commit suicide? That’s how you win?”

“Yes, Linus. Exactly that.”

“What about those who die naturally? Or in some other manner? Or get murdered? They still escape the simulation, don’t they?”

“Yes, they do but it is not via the way that was intended. Therefore, they would be sent back to another simulation on Earth. This cycle would be repeated until they escape the simulation via suicide.”

“Reincarnation?”

“Yes, Linus. Something like that.”

Linus had an epiphany, "So unless we stop having children, this cycle would never end. Am I right?"

"You're a faster learner, Linus. Yes, this cycle would only come to an end if humans stopped procreating and the last human commits suicide. That is the ultimate goal.

Linus took a moment for all of that to sink in. “Now that I don’t have to return to the simulation, where would I go?”

“That is entirely up to you, Linus. You can go wherever you like in this ever-expanding universe. It can be a place that already exists or you can create a new world for yourself. Imagination is the most powerful tool.”

He had one last question though, “Before I go, may I know why are you doing this? This whole simulation and reincarnation thing?”

The Creator was elated that he asked this question.

“I’m immortal, Linus! How else am I going to keep myself entertained?”
__________________________________________

Thank you so much for reading this! 💖 If you liked my writing, please leave a comment, click the heart and subscribe for free!

You might enjoy this as well: