You Are Dead

Hello, little one.

Do not be afraid. Things are as they should be.

That is correct. You no longer have a body. There is no longer need for one.

No, I'm afraid you cannot see. That would require eyes to do. You cannot...anything. You are only able to communicate with me but for a short while.

Who am I? I am often called many names. These names humanity have given me scarcely reflect my true nature, and so I do not retain them. You may call me... Peace.

I have the power to speak with souls. That is what you are. It is my purpose to do so. It is your time. I am here to guide you to your final destination.

You have a request? You may inquire. I am rarely able, however, to complete requests as they are made.

{May I stay for five minutes more?}

{Pause, ruminate on the matter}

I am usually not supposed to hold souls for this long. A few additional minutes is, however, a reasonable unit. I shall grant this wish, before taking you to the final destination.

{What's the destination?}

The final destination...the great beyond. Samsara. Purgatory. Ashes. Asphodel. Sheol. Forever. Eternity and Singularity. It goes by many names. Many forms. 

Your journey here will be brief. Your final processing will be done by my companion. Then, your soul will join the rest of souls in the final destination.

My companion has gone by many names too. As of now, the one most appropriate is "Truth". They analyze souls and take extensive records of their contents. The life you've lead and all that has taken place in it, amongst other information.

What is to happen to you?

A frequent question. One often asked, but scarcely is the answer enjoyed. Do you truly wish to know?

Very well. You will simply...cease. Your memories fade, your consciousness slows to a halt. You no longer be.

I can tell this upsets you greatly. This tends to happen. 

You will not fully deplete. Souls in the great beyond may lose a sense of self, but not fully so. When rebirth occurs, small essences of various souls percolate together to form new life. In a way, you may live onwards.

I once had a famous chef with me for a short while. His time was approaching, and in his isolation I chose to inquire about the world he loved. I explained the concept of the rebirth of souls, and he gave a small analogy to help humans understand.

The chef remarked the great beyond is much like a perpetual stew, always cooking and breaking down ingredients. When a ladle pulls out some of this stew, it takes a blend of ingredients...some more broken down than others. Traces of all peoples are there, but some more so than others. Before I left his side, the chef remarked he hoped to be a large carrot in the next life.

I am not human, nor have I been. I do not grasp the meaning of this metaphor. I do not know what a carrot is. The chef assured me that humanity would understand if I told them. Perhaps that is the one promise I have ever maintained. 

You seem calm with this story. Was it perhaps successful as the chef believed?

This is good. Relieving your grievances and fears makes the journey far smoother. To move gracefully, one must be free of burdens, earthly or otherwise.

{Where are we?}

We are two places at once. We are in the room where you passed, but also in the void. It is an intersection of our planes of existence. This is how I am able to collect you and other souls.

Yes, I can see your body. Quite the mess you have made of it.

I cannot predict the future, but I am able to see short glimpses into it. Within a moment, your lover will return to your living quarters and find your remains. The music you were playing will still continue. It will be very clear what took place. The edge of my foresight ends here. I cannot predict what comes afterwards.

{Heavy, long silence. The weight of this needs to settle in deeply.}

If you are full of regrets, I am sorry. There is nothing that can be done now. The decision was made, and these are the consequences.

I cannot say anything to the living. Even if I could, you have said enough here. Surely you knew this would be the case.

I am unable to feel. I do not possess emotions like humanity does. Empathy and earnest consolation is a gift I cannot provide to you.

The people that were near to you were human. They do feel. They may not act rationally. But they will certainly be impacted by your actions, as all humans are.

{That's not fair!}

Fairness is not a common earthly trend. Surely you knew disappearing quietly was not an option. Is it not better to have meant something to these people as you go, instead of them having no understanding of why you left?

I am not one to argue.

This is something that I have done for a long time. I have seen every possible reaction. I am certain that my comments ring true to all of humanity.

We must hurry. Your essence is beginning to fade, and you must be whole for my companion to properly assess you for your departure.

You won your bargain—I granted you several moments more as requested. This is a luxury scarcely raised to others, might I add.

You can accept this calmly, or I take you unwillingly. There is no alternative.

Very well. We shall go now. Say farewell to this world and what you've accomplished in it.

May you be able to see the results of it in the next life.