The night I died

The bark of the dogs outside was too immense that I couldn’t contain it anymore in my sleep. I woke up and switched on the lights, looked at my watch and it was 3 a.m. I remembered it was time to say the 3 o’clock prayer. I knelt down to pray and let the dogs bark. After all, it was their mating period. They were bound to make noise.

As I did the sign of the cross, I fell on the floor. I tried to wake up but I couldn’t. I did it the second time, and again I failed. I wondered what was wrong. I tried it again the third time. This time I managed but I woke up without my body. Another whole of me peeled from my own body. I have never experienced such a thing before. “What could it be?” I asked myself. Here I was, standing and my body was still lying on the floor, in a state I didn’t know. Then a white creature with broad wings appeared to me. I can’t say where it came from, neither what it wanted.

“Son, let’s go,” it said.

“Where?” I asked emphatically.

“To the master,” it replied.

“What about this,” I asked as I pointed towards my body.

“You are dead!” it exclaimed.

I was frightened. I didn’t know what to do. “Now, it is your soul that shall continue with the journey! Follow me!” it commanded. Like a sheep, I innocently followed it. As I walked after it, I was looking back to see my lifeless body. I still cared about it though. I was embarrassed by the fake smile on its face, how it died. I wish I could go back and adjust it and make it look more presentable, but there was no time. It was done.

We walked through dark tunnels, climbed stairs all that seemed to lead to one place. We were in the clouds. Bright golden light shone from afar.

“That’s where we are going,” the creature said as it pointed up in the sky. “There is no second chance. Your day has come,” it added. I knew I wouldn’t win the case that awaited me above. I wish I had repented before I died. But there was no time. All this while, news of my death spread like desert fire. I could see friends and relatives wail over my lifeless body. I could see some dumb founded. I tried to shout to them and tell them I am not dead but the voice never came out. “Don’t think of it. They won’t hear you. You are dead child,” the creature said.

I was left with no option but to head straight to the source of the golden light, with the hope that I will win the case before me and return to my body and continue living.

When we arrived, the golden gate opened. Bright dangling yellow light shone till I couldn’t see. Then I heard a voice. “You lived well, but this place isn’t yours. You belong to your right.” I looked to my right and I saw a large dark depression. Then I heard voices calling me. “Come! Come! There is still space for you! Come!” I was confused. I didn’t know what to do.

When I looked back from where I came from, I saw my friends carry a casket. I was convinced my dark pretty body was in there. Slowly, they lowered it to the grave. Promptly, they covered the grave and left. There was nothing I could do. They had covered my body six feet below the top soil. I told myself, even if I go back to my body, I will never make it again above the soil. I was left with no option, but to rest as I wait for my day to go to the depression. “Eternal rests grant me, and may you shine your perpetual light upon me. May I rest in peace,” I said.