Nothing

Little girls are screaming. People are frantic. The left wing explodes, and disappears among the clouds. The plane is shaking wildly, as passengers are scrambling and panicking. Breathing masks are falling from the ceiling. We all take one. We’re dropping from the sky like a once proud bird, now, struck through the heart by burning lead. The sky is whizzing by us. The plane is rumbling, as intense as an earthquake, shaking everything to its core. Their screams are growing louder, as the plane drops-- so much speed. I’m going to die…This must be it. Darkness shrouds my vision. My life…is ending. Nothing.

I’m cold. I’m alone. I’m surrounded by darkness. Christ…My head is killing me. Like burning knifes are weaving in and out of my brain. My body is aching. I’m in so much pain. I slowly open my eyes, wanting more than anything to be in heaven, or even hell; anywhere to escape this unceasing pain! I hear seagulls cry, and the wind whistle through palms leaves and tropical trees. The smell of salt water is all around me. I’m floating in it. It must be mid-day. The sun is hot, and it clashes with the cool ocean water. I can smell the fumes and dead bodies of the wreckage…disgusting. I am crawling out of the shallow water. I think I’m…bleeding. I’m bleeding so much. I can hardly tell I’m moving; my motions are automatic. My vision is hazy. I cannot see any other living thing around me. I cannot smell anything other than the salt from the ocean and the cruel fate that has befallen the other passengers. I can feel more of my own blood spilling. My head—the pain...it’s too much to bear. I will die from blood loss or starvation very soon—I know it. No hope in sight. I am on my feet—walking, now, to the sand. I see them. I see the dead bodies scattered on the land before me, the sand drinking in their life. The sweet release of death is all I can pray for. I lose feeling in my legs. I am falling onto soft, white sand. The sun is so hot. My sight drifts slowly away, replaced by uneasy darkness. I can feel blood slipping from my body. I’m cold. Nothing.

Cold…Dark. I hear foot steps. Am I dreaming this? No...these are foot steps, real foot steps! I am saved! Hope returns to me. A small giggle wafts over my lips, a chuckle. Now, laughter. I’m laughing. I’m laughing hysterically. I’m laughing so hard; so hard. I can’t breath. I’m coughing--wheezing. I can feel something warm jerking up my throat. It’s hot...burning. Tastes...like metal. Maroon flows out of my mouth, leaving the taste of lead on my lips. I’m so cold now. I feel nothing. No…please. Save me! Nothing

I’m...better now. I’m much better. I am as light as a feather! Or new fallen snow. I can see...everything—I can see in every direction! I can see the sun, and the moon, and the stars. They’re all...so bright—so real.  Such beauty; such un-daunting beauty. I can see life everywhere and in everything. The trees, the ocean water! I can see no sorrow--feel no sorrow. My sight catches something in the distance. A figure, a human figure! It is draped in black. I rush over to it. I am getting closer. He’s in a black cloak; a robe. Why is this man in a black robe? He is holding something: A tall black pole. Something on the end, toward the top, is shining in the rays of the sun and moon and the stars. I’m right before this strange man, now. What is that at his feet? A body? A lifeless body slowly decaying…covered in sand and blood. His face is...familiar. This face--where have I seen this dead man’s face before...where?

...This man. He’s…me. This is my body. This...is my body?

…This is my body. I am...dead. I‘m dead? What’s happening? Where has the wreckage gone? Where are…the bodies? The man in the black cloak holds out his hand...his cold, unrelenting hand. My happiness is gone. My hope is lost. I’m dead. I’ve died. There is nothing left. All I feel is cold--merciless cold…unwanted cold. Nothing.

…Nothing.