Althea’s point of view

Time is indeed fast. I didn’t even have to escape death when I saw it coming for me already. The next thing I know I was already here, in white wondering if I was already dead as I looked for other people if there was any. This place I’m in was peaceful. Was this heaven?

I only found one person a boy whose back was turned on me. He was sitting on a bench alone. When I got closer, I could hear him crying. My feet took me a few more steps to him. He felt my presence. It was Ryan.

He took me in his arms as he stood up for as long as I can remember. “Come back, Althea,” he said. I didn’t understand. Come back? How? I wiped the tears escaping his eyes. His face, the skin under my fingertips – this must be heaven. He was my heaven. “Come back to me,” he repeated.

“I don’t know how,” I told him. He held my hands in his. “Wake up & tell me the words I’ve been longing to hear from you again,” he whispered looking into my eyes. “What are they?” I asked curiously.

“I love you,” he said & kissed me on the lips. “Me too,” I giggled a little. He showed me the smile I know I’ve been missing. “We all miss you. Why not come back?” he asked. I looked down at the grass. “I’d love to come back but there’s not much back there for me anymore & besides, you’re already here,” I told him.