8 The Tattoo

I have heard  stories in my childhood.

How a black clothed man comes and takes away souls.

How a man on a buffalo takes away souls. How a dressed up skull takes away souls.

How you have to sit on a boat to get to the other side of the river.

How angels takes your hand and pulls you up to heaven.

Lots of stories.

What no one told me is that there is no black clothed man or buffaloes or angels. And no rivers to cross.

When I slipped of the mountain into the forest down below, no one pulled my soul out of me. I fell with a thud on the ground and hit my head on a rock. It wasn't painful. All i heard was a thud and  shock on my head and that's it. 

Next thing I know I got up , looked behind. Saw my lifeless body over there. That was the moment of realization.

I died.

On 6th Jan 2020,I was going to depart to the other world.

But the most unexpected thing happened.

I saw my friend running over to me. Wasn't she at her home?

She stands in front of me , like she normally  does but there is something different.

Her right arm had a strange tattoo . I had never seen the tattoo  before . Did she get inked in the afternoon?

"No", she said.

She can read my mind!

Wait! She can see me? I died for god's sake.

"I am assigned to take you to your next life "she said casually.

Okay.What does this mean? Has she gone mad or did I? I am dreaming right? Nope.

"Let me explain. Remember that accident near our school five years ago. I got hit by a truck and stayed in coma for an year. I made a pact with death , to cover the people near my locality. Anyone who dies, I will take them away. That's the price for keeping me alive. "

She was smirking directly at me. Believable.She was nice once but hasn't she become a b*tch now though?

I forgot she could read my mind.

She lunged at me at full speed. I dodged. She hit a tree branch which pierced right into her heart. But she was alive. So much for immortality.

She put her hand onto my hand,realising that even if she lives she will have to live like a corpse. Maybe she didn't want that. Was she going to take me with her?

I opened my eyes.

I was in my room.

Covered by my warm blanket. No blood.Nothing. The date on my phone showed 7th Jan 2020.

I had a bad dream, that's all.

However downstairs my mom was concerned.

The girl living across the street died while hiking the mountains.

She had recovered from an accident few years ago. Her!

Was it a premonition dream then? I was clearly satisfied with my explanation until I look down at my arm and stared at the tattoo.