1 Golden City
"Grandpa Grandpa, why are you always in bed?" A child asked from the bedside of an old man, who looks like moving an inch would take some life away from him.
The old man and the young child are in the hospital along with the many friends and family who are in the room quietly watching the interaction between the two.
The old man reached out his shaky hand before ruffling the kid's hair and spoke.
"Because grandpa's energy was taken away, now I'm afraid that I'll…" He paused moving his hands to the kid's stomach. "...BECOME A ZOMBIE!!" The old man suddenly burst out with energy out of nowhere as he started tickling the kid aggressively before grabbing him and hugging the laughing kid.
The friends and family laughed along as a young girl around her younger 20's walked up to the bed.
"Benny come here, don't bother grandpa too much, he can't play or the doctor will have to poke your butt with a needle." She said as she took the kid in her lap and sat on the nearest chair to the bed hugging the kid.
"It's quite alright darling, I'm as fit as a horse." The old man said.
"...no gramps, you have to take it easy. Doc said you're really cutting it close, and if you were even a few seconds late to the E.R. than you would be…" The young woman didn't finish as it was hard and obvious what the result would be.
"Oh stop, there's nothing to loom about. I've lived the best life ever and made great friends and family, even now I have some of my best bastard friends here, who are surprisingly still alive." He whispered that last part not so quietly as playful complaints were made in the room.
"And 4 generations of my blood standing in this room, and after 93 years on this earth I'm more than ready to go." He said with tiny hopes of seeing his late wife and more who passed on before him.
"You may be ready dad, but a lot of us aren't." A man said who stood with the other people in the room.
That was the old man's son, and the young woman who sat right next to his bed was his granddaughter holding her son, who is also his great grandson.
"Oh boo-hoo kid, I'm off to see your mother, if I don't fall to hell first. But I'm sure she'll save a seat for me hehehe." The old man said casually.
The old man is Frank Walker. An old veteran from World War 2 and a family man.
There wasn't much to say about him other than the fact that he lived life the best that he can. Before and after the war, he was surrounded with friends and family and kept those relationships tight.
He was a handsome youngman, friendly man and a foolish old man.
And just a few days ago he was rolled up into the hospital in an emergency due to his heart suddenly stopping for a bit. A cardiac arrest they said.
The close ones took it hard but the old fool was in anticipation when he heard the news. It was time for him to finally rest and he was happy with that.
These days he could barely walk across a room without his walker or get up in bed without any effort. Medicines piling up and that old body having a hard time functioning.
Even recently, his head was starting to show some difficulties focusing or remembering certain things and it was hard going through that. To have ended up as an old fart was disgraceful, but the many kids running around the house during visits was a plus.
Soon enough the people departed and went back to their lifestyle.
Frank fell asleep out of nowhere during one of their talks which prompted them to leave and give him some rest.
But one of the long couches near the room's window slept his granddaughter and Benny, staying to watch over their grandpa.
Her name is Nina, she became a mom in her late teenage years giving Frank a great grandson he was happy to have despite the disappointments her parents had on her.
When she was young, Frank's wife passed and so he spent most of his time either being alone or with the little Nina at the time.
They became best friends. Nina was a distraction from his late wife showing him all the new stuff in the new generation while Frank supported her in whatever decision she had. Even if it went against her parents' choices.
And he was an idol to Nina so to see his days lessening was heartbreaking. She was hoping her son Benny could get to know more about grandpa Frank but now it's less likely to happen.
As she was mostly raised by her grandfather, she became playful and responsible, though the only time she wasn't responsible was when she got pregnant.
And her grandfather was the first one she told because she can always count on him, but soon enough no one's gonna have her back like he does.
The same way goes for Frank, Nina was his favorite person. Even after his kids distanced themselves away from him, his granddaughter was the one who gave him joy when he was low.
She laid there hugging her son in her sleep as she for some reason dreamt her best moments with him.
She was suddenly snatched away from her dreams as a loud beeping went off in the hospital. The alarms were closer to them which means it was their own room.
Nurses started running in the room making ruckus as a voice in the building speaker constantly repeated "Code Blue."
Benny woke up as well, she sat him up as he got closer to the working nurses to ask what was going on, as she got a better view she saw her grandfather's heart monitor flatline.
One of the nurses rubbed together defibrillator paddles before continuously shocking him for what seemed like forever.
The residents kept working on Frank trying to bring him back the beat that they could. It was minutes in and Nina had her hands on her mouth, tears streaming down not hearing her son from behind.
It seemed like that was it until the recent shock brought back a beep from the heart monitor, and another, and another until he was stabilized and was back to snoring.
Nina fell back onto the couch next to her son with mixed emotions, her body felt like it was constantly going back and forth from warmth and cold.
A day passed and Nina was still there excitedly talking to Frank who was clumsily eating away without a care. She left her son Benny to her parents to watch as she spent a few days with her grandfather.
Frank was unaware of his sudden heart stop and neither did Nina tell him, she did tell close ones though.
A few days pass again along with a few more cardiac arrests.
The old man woke up one night to see Nina sobbing at the side of his bed and it killed him to see her that way. This changed his views on his potential passing.
He felt like a fool always talking about embracing his time when it comes not realizing how others would feel. Sure he knew about how others would feel but at one point decided to ignore it.
That night Frank scooted away and Nina crawled up on the bed as they both snored away.
A day or two passed and there were no arrests like before, there seemed like hope until Nina woke up in a panic along with the other nurses and doctors as Frank suddenly disappeared.
It was only an hour and some time when they found him on the rooftop having a smoke, Nina scolded him like a parent.
"In life, you can't always trust your mind or your heart…" Frank said as he sat on a chair looking at Benny. "..at times your head will be fooled and your heart an idiot, when those times come, your gut will tell you what to do, it never lies."
Frank finished as Benny ran off to play with his figurines.
"How is that? Good enough to make a drama?" Frank asked, looking at Nina.
"I doubt that, and I don't think Benny will remember anything you say...his mind is just, full of playing and such. He's just a kid." Nina said as she busies herself folding blankets.
"Well you remember all those wise words I told you about when you were little." He said. How else can she be so mature and responsible at an early age.
"What I remember is all those pranks you pissed mom and dad off with."
"Ahahahahah oh what good times, I think the most memorable pranks were yours."
Nina paused and sat down not being able to help reminiscing about their past. She looked to her grandfather who could barely move around.
"Oh don't look at me like that, it makes me feel weak, remember me as the strongest man you have ever known."
"Mhmm" She hummed and nodded weakly.
"Remember? Mighty grandpa!!"
They laughed.
A few more days and old Frank was discharged from the hospital while also complaining much about the over exaggerated price on the release papers.
More frustration and tantrums were thrown when Nina's ex (Benny's father) came to pick him up rather than his own children.
Nina had to calm Frank down so he wouldn't lose more of his life force embarrassing the guy.
Nina's ex, whose name is Duke, was kind of a player. The kind that no parent would want for their kids, or grandkids.
It was known that Duke had many girls in the past and broke a few hearts here and there, and unfortunately Nina fell for him as well.
Over the years Duke has been trying to get closer to his son and Nina to make a tight relationship and maybe even make it an official family, but it's been challenging so far.
Nina knew what kind of person Duke was, and he has changed after their time together. What people don't know is that he has been working hard to become a better man than someone who simply plays around.
In fact, when Nina fell for him, he also fell hard for her. And for years now he has been chasing after her, and Frank knew.
He approved of the relationship long ago but would still give the youngman a hard time. He was even frustrated that it wasn't his own kids but Duke that came to pick him up.
Two days passed and they were on the road again.
Frank, Benny, Nina and Duke who was driving.
They were going up to the mountains to a cabin up in Ohio where Frank and some friends built a cabin with their own hands.
Frank lived in the city closer to the hospital which was a good thing just in case he was ever in danger, but he and Nina took a risk of going off on a vacation.
He wanted to go out rather than staying in bed forever like a weak old fragile saggy bastard waiting for his death. And so it took some time to convince Nina to go along with his idea.
After arriving, they settled in. It was mostly Duke who did the heavy lifting and necessary things as Benny played around and Nina helped Frank.
And even after that Duke was left to sleep on the couch while Nina and Benny had their own room as well as Frank.
After dinner, Duke and Benny went off to make a snowman in the back porch while Nina did the dishes.
Frank sat on the dinner table which was in the kitchen close to the sink and he was facing away from Nina. As she continued to wash the dishes, Frank spoke.
"Nina."
"..."
"...forgive me child, it seems I am not as strong as you remember."
"..."
"When you came into this world, me and your grandmother were the happiest people on earth, we couldn't explain it but...we were more excited of your birth then your father and uncles hahaha. Don't tell them that."
"..."
"After nanna was gone, I only had you to look forward to my days, and you filled that empty holes. You were just like your nan when she was younger, hahahha, so energetic and demanding."
"..."
"...the point is, I want to thank you for all you've done...and to also say that I am sorry. You were there when I needed someone, but after sometime I won't...I won't be there for you when you will need me and I feel regretful of it."
Nina kept on washing the dishes, and sounds of sniffling were heard here and there.
"I'm sure we're both reluctant to say it...but it's better than never saying it."
Frank scratched his head as he looked side to side embarrassingly.
"...ugh it's probably better if we write letters instead because this is just killing me with crin-"
He couldn't finish when Nina attacked from behind hugging him with her arms of her shoulders.
She finally let herself cry out and sob as more tears came out onto his shoulders.
"Oh you heard my little speech, that's great, I'm glad you're not wearing headphones this time or it would have been incredibly embarrassing hehe."
"Goodbye grandpa, may you finally rest in peace and reunite with nanna."
"...thank you, may you and Benny enjoy your lives to the fullest, and keep on torturing that boy for me."
The last part made her snort and snot came out onto his shoulders mixed with tears.
After saying proper goodbyes and accepting that he will be gone soon, the night continued with a fire pit and s'mores and star watching.
And tv later on.
As the mother and son went to sleep soon, Frank and Duke stayed on the porch.
Not much was happening other than Frank telling Duke about how he and his late wife met, and the life they had. The good and the bad along.
Duke soon realized the reason behind the story and promised Frank he will take care of Nina and Benny no matter what. Duke later told his stories of how he and Nina met and their road to falling for each other.
The second day was a calm and memorable day. Frank sat on the porch and watched as both Benny and Nina dominate Duke on a snowball fight.
They then cooked together, ate together, watched tv together, played board games and did a little karaoke.
As night came Benny was put to sleep before Nina as well.
In the house sat both Frank and Duke watching tv, and seeing how tired Duke was, Frank told him to go sleep in his room since he still wants to watch tv.
As Duke went off to sleep in Frank's room, Frank amused himself on watching some new show that caught his attention.
Morning came.
Benny walked out and past the living room in his pajamas before making himself a cereal.
Nina came out next and heard the sound of the tv still on and she was shocked. She went in to the living room and saw that Frank was still sitting there staring straight at the tv.
"Oh my god, gramps!! What are you doing you need to sleep!!...."
As she came closer, she saw his expression.
Eyes closed.
Big smile.
Unmoving.
She swallowed her thoughts and moved closer, every step felt like hours each, her body started shaking uncontrollably and her body temperature was in chaos going back and forth from hot and cold.
"...grampa…"
A small sound escaped her mouth calling Frank hoping it was just one of his little pranks. She reached out and shook his shoulders a bit.
As she did so, the remote on his hand fell onto the sofa between his legs and his body leaned to the right and stayed in a position that was impossible for him to do without pain.
She fell backwards and onto her butt as she looked at the still smiling figure on the sofa laying uncomfortably.
She didn't know what to do. She wanted to scream out, call him, or even cry her heart out.
Benny was still in the kitchen fixing up a cereal for breakfast oblivious to the situation she was in.
Suddenly out of the hallways to the room was Duke. He head straight for the kitchen but paused halfway there.
He looked to the side and saw someone laying on the side of the sofa awkwardly. Something felt wrong but it does seem like his head comprehended the situation and he looks to the side to see Nina sitting on the ground hugging her leg with tears slowly streaming down.
He looked back and forth from her to Frank and his heart dropped along with his eyebrows.
Another thing seemed to have popped up as he looked back to see Benny eating his cereal tiredly with half opened eyes.
In just a second, a millions things went through his head before he rushed towards Benny and on his way grabbed a thick headphone before putting it over Benny's head, bear hugging him and rushed outside while also grabbing a thick coat.
While outside, Duke connected the headphones to his phone and made Benny watch a cartoon show before wrapping him in the big coat and sat him on a chair outside.
"Dad?" Benny called confusedly.
"Stay here Ben…" Duke said with a pitiful face.
Duke ran inside closing the doors before trying to handle the situation the besg he can.
First be positioning Frank to lie down parallel to the couch before covering him with a blanket.
He then looked at Nina who still sat there looking at the body slowly rocking herself back and forth. Duke came closer to her until wrapping his hands and legs around her.
The moment he held her she jerked and grabbed onto him before she screamed out her heart and sobbed. Her tears fell like a dam was broken and her screams could break someones heart.
Outside, Benny watched Fanboy & Chumchum laughing his heart out mixing it with the horrifying cries coming from inside. Again, oblivious to the situation inside.
Franklin Sullivan died on January 1st, 2013.
•••••••••••••
"Here again?! Why am I here?"
Frank thought out loud.
He stood on what looked like a floating rock island, and there was nothing around the island other than the infinite shining stars everywhere.
He has been here before, and he thought it was a dream. He still thinks it's some kind of a dream.
For the past few weeks he would wake up jn this place and would catch glances before he wakes up again. Sometimes it was a little long but other times shorter.
He has been here less than minutes, but this time it's been more than a few minutes and he still hasn't woken up. Oblivious to the fact that he comes here everytime he dies, he looked forward to see things he has always seen but weren't able to get a closer look.
The island was about half of a football field.
And on the other side of the island were two menhir-shaped stones with...dots.
Frank walked up to them and looked at the one from left and then the right.
As he leaned in to take a closer look, he realized something and then looked at his hands. He then touched his face and body.
"No way, is this God's work?"
He was young again, most likelh in his younger 30's, when he thought of as his prime.
He ran his hands across his hair and played with his small beard when the stone lit up.
The dots were suddenly connected by a blue light.
"Are these...constellations?" Frank wondered as he put his hands on it, and with that touch it lit up furiously even more.
*WING*
He stood back up in alarm, a drawing of an armored warrior suddenly appeared clearer on the constellations.
The blue light rushed to the top of the stone and a ringing sound was made before the island shook and an invisible force blew from the stone he touched.
"What in god's world is going on?!"
Frank freaks out as he fumbled back only to bump into the other stone.
And then everything went quiet, no more shaking and no more light ir ringing from the warrior stone on the right.
Frank stepped back.
The stone on the left did the same thing on the warrior stone, except this time the constellation was a..wizard?
The blue light, ringing, invisible force and the island quake happened again. He didn't touch anything worrying he will cause more chaos, and so he left the stone to finish whatever process it was doing.
The blue light fully lit up every crevice and fissure on the stone before a blue beam blasted onto the stars above from the stone.
"What have I done?! What's happening?! God?! I know I haven't been your most loyal follower, but I always knew you existed...so please whatever this is, don't make this a punishment!! Pleaasee!!" Frank fell on his knees and held his hands together in prayer.
"I want to see my dear loving wife before I'm going to hell!!" He sobbed. "Unless… I'm not? And maybe this is just a test or-"
He was interrupted by a sudden darkness that was spreading from the top, and was slowly engulfing the shining stars he saw that lit up the island he was on.
"No...wait, why is it getting...no, wait no, no, no, no please no."
Frank rushed to the two stones and touched them both repeatedly hoping the light from it could change the coming darkness
But it didn't react this time.
He panicked as the darkness engulfed the light even faster than before, soon the stars were gone and it then seemed to pause before the shadows was eating up the island.
As Frank screamed in panic, the darkness ate until there was nothing left, and he was suddenly floating mid-air.
He was now surrounded by pitch black, not even his hands could be seen.
*Whiish*
"WAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!"
He suddenly fell like gravity found him, at least it felt like he was falling.
A golden shine lit him up and the stars came back, Frank did his best to look below and he saw a small golden thing.
A few meters of falling and he finally saw what it was. The fall stopped and he floated right before that golden "thing."
When he got a clear picture of what that golden "thing" was, only one thing came up his mind, "Heaven."
He remembered how his christian parents told him about the streets and city made of gold as shiny as crystals. Heaven, God's home.
"This…" his throat dried, he didn't know what to say.
It was the most beautiful thing he has seen in his entire life. The small ocean, golden houses, small trees, the biggest castles he has ever seen and a beautiful long rainbow bridge that seem like it would take days to travel.
"...d-did I make it?" He asked weakly with disbelief. "Am I going to…(gulp) Hea- Heaven?" He asked aloud.
He was a christian there was no doubt about it, but he was not "Christian."
He barely knows anything about the bible and anything about the way of the followers. But if he did it would only be from the mouth of others.
And so there is definitely a mistake here. He thought.
"Mayb-WAAHHH!!"
*WHIISH*
He fell and started dropping once more.
