Future Fragments: Benny's Revelation

Benny had always been skeptical. He’d read the reports and heard the discussions, but none of it felt real. Then, in 2050, the Global Center’s groundbreaking findings on the afterlife began circulating worldwide. Despite not being a man of science, Benny couldn’t completely dismiss the evidence, which had been scientifically and astrally validated.

By September, he was torn—was it all an elaborate ruse to shock the world? Or was there truth to it? Daily updates from the Global Center provided intricate details, but the sheer enormity of the revelations was overwhelming.

Benny was no stranger to existential questioning. Raised in a religious household, he had abandoned his childhood faith during secondary school. Its rigid doctrines seemed unjust, favoring some over others simply due to the circumstances of their birth. Over the years, he forged his own spiritual philosophy: a belief that everyone deserved an afterlife reflective of a life well-lived.

Despite his doubts, Benny strived to live a good and kind life. Though he had strayed from the path of virtue on occasion, he hoped his actions would outweigh his shortcomings. Yet, the fear lingered—was he worthy of eternal happiness?

One day, during their usual 10 a.m. break, Benny’s friend Evelyn asked, “Have you insensed the latest from the Global Center?”

Benny groaned. “I still hate that word. ‘Insensed’ sounds like ‘incense.’ It makes no sense.”

“Insensing,” a sensory revolution, allowed people to experience global news through all five senses—smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound. While it provided unparalleled immersion, it often proved overwhelming.

“Yes, I insensed it,” Benny admitted. “I could’ve done without the smell of burning gasoline first thing in the morning. It’s too much sometimes.”

Evelyn nodded. “At least we can filter it. Nobody could handle feeling everything.”

Benny sighed. “It was simpler when news was something you read or watched. Now, we feel it. Smell it. Taste it. Too much of the bad and too little of the good.”

“Don’t forget, there’s always some good news,” Evelyn reminded him.

“I’m waiting for my prophecy,” Benny confessed. “Do you think it’ll ever come?”

“Of course,” Evelyn assured him. “Be patient.”

Evelyn had already received her prophecy, and it was everything Benny hoped for himself. She knew she would reunite with her loved ones in the afterlife, including her late husband, Clifton. For someone as virtuous as Evelyn, the reward seemed inevitable. Benny, however, couldn’t shake his anxiety.

The Global Center’s June proclamation was unequivocal: anyone who lived a moral and decent life would enjoy an afterlife of their choosing. Those who had not would face the unknown—no limbo, no reprieve, only an immediate reckoning.

For Benny, the ideal afterlife meant an eternity with his parents, siblings, friends, and beloved dogs. It was a simple but profound hope, one he clung to as he awaited his prophecy.

Two days later, Benny was walking his three dogs under a bright, sunny sky. Without warning, the weather shifted. Dark clouds gathered, and a gust of wind swirled around him. The dogs barked as Benny felt his body shudder and then collapse.

When he regained consciousness moments later, he knew something extraordinary had happened.

He had received his prophecy.

He had received his prophecy.

Gone was the fear that had haunted him for years. Benny now understood his fate. Death, once a looming shadow, was simply a gateway to a better existence. He would be reunited with his loved ones—human and canine alike—and enjoy eternal peace.

Joy surged through him as he grasped the magnitude of this revelation. For the first time, Benny felt no fear of death. Instead, he welcomed it as a natural transition.

Reflecting on his life, Benny felt immense relief. He had lived a good life, not perfect but sincere. His efforts to treat others with kindness and fairness had earned him the afterlife he envisioned. He pitied those who lived selfishly, for they would face an uncertain eternity, blind to the consequences of their actions.

Benny no longer questioned how the Global Center had uncovered the secrets of the afterlife. What mattered was the certainty it brought to his life.

As he walked his dogs home, he laughed and called out, “You’re stuck with me, boys.”

Their wagging tails and joyful expressions made Benny feel as though they understood. In his heart, he knew his grandparents were smiling too.

For Benny, the future was no longer a source of fear but a promise of endless joy.