Chpater Four - The Starlet

"WHAT?!"

The starlet, which looked more like a fragment up close, glowed blue as I shrieked in a female voice. My hands covered my mouth, and my eyes almost popped out of my head. Both of them were equally shocked. One because of the shriek, the other because, well…

"I have died?!" The realisation of his death struck him out of the blue.

"That you have."

"But how?"

"A car ran you over. Want to see?" I could have sworn the starlet had a hint of excitement in its voice.

"To see?"

"Well, your dead body." The star sounded happy, definitely. It made me wonder if it wanted me dead.

"Can I pass?" All for naught, because the moment these words passed my lips, it showed me exactly the crossing.

It made my stomach churn and my eyes turn away. "That was me?"

"Yup. You look almost like me."

"LIKE YOU?!" I pointed at the heap of mingled flesh and burned skin. The car that had crashed into me had a hand hanging on it, and my bike was somehow entangled in all this, completely battered.

"Well, you are right. I look better." The starlet paused, and the loud sirens and car noises stopped. Even the stench of burning flesh vanished. "Anyway. That's not why we are here…"

"That reminds me…" I looked around; everything was white again. "Where are we? Is this heaven?"

"Heaven? That would be far too gracious to you. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Uh… I guess…" I inhaled, thinking of the next logical solution. It was almost illogical because everything was so white. But if this isn't heaven, then- "Are we in hell?"

"Does it look like it?" I swear I would have answered, but the starlet interrupted, cutting me off. "Of course not!"

"Then again, where are we?"

"This is the gate of reincarnation!" Suddenly, trumpets, completely white with gigantic white wings, appeared and played a trumpet melody.

"We…" now there were little balls of light shining like spotlights.

"are at the…" everything went dark.

Suddenly, the little balls of light lit up, forming the very words the starlet was announcing.

"gate of reincarnation!" It looked like a disco, blinding my eyes, and deafening my ears.

Dun. Dun. Dun.

The starlet cleared its throat, and everything returned to its peaceful white state.

"Alright, this is hell."

Ignoring me, the starlet began its lengthy explanation. "Here, and only here, people who have left their dimension early may receive a second chance at life."

It floated to my right, and I turned my head, trying to follow it. It was futile; it just floated further, resulting in a spinning motion. I stopped, feeling the dizziness hit me.

"It is based on the last moments, wishes, and hobbies of the person."

"I see…"

"You will, soon enough!"

Then it all fell silent, the starlet returning to its position. "Anyway, are you ready?"

"Yes."

"I can't hear you!"

"I said YES."

"Still can't hear you." The starlet teased.

"YES!"

"Louder. With more energy and enthusiasm!"

I inhaled, glaring at the starlet.

"HECK YEAH!"

"That's the spirit, pal."

"YEAH, buddy!" I tried to sound as less sarcastic as possible.

"So do you want to be reincarnated?"

"Yes, sir! Please, sir!"

"Ready for a second life?" Somehow its words made me feel a surge of excitement, and I decided to just go for it.

"I was born ready!"

"What do you say to…" A dramatic pause on its part. "Reincarnation?"

"Heck yeah!"

Its voice filled with satisfaction. "And an overpowered leveling system?"

"Certainly!"

"How about becoming the most powerful of your kind?" Its voice sounded like it came from a loudspeaker.

"Nothing better than that!" The excitement had gotten the better of me. I mean, it was almost like being pushed into a video game.

"Perfect." Suddenly, the starlet grew atrocious arms and looming legs. It had hideous claws and sharp teeth. With a smile, it grinned, looking worse than a devil. Then it opened its mouth, emitting light brighter than the sun.

"Ugh. It looks like god and devil alike!"

Completely blinded, everything before my eyes grew white.