Short Story Anthologies by SeverTheHeavens

"A trip for one?"

"..."

Facing the fisherman in front of me, I didn't know what to say.

"Am I... dead?"

"Did the Grim Reaper not tell you? Well, hop on aboard. I'll explain on the way."

A mysterious force took a coin out of my pocket and into his hand. As if attracted by a mysterious being, I stepped onto the rowboat.

The fisherman started rowing us to who knows where. After a few rows, he took the paddle back and sat down. He was fishing.

"Uh, Mister Fisherman?"

"I'm not a fisherman, I'm a ferryman. I guide souls to their destination."

"Then, I really am dead..."

"Look in the water."

I did as he told and looked over the boat. The water wasn't clear and it felt eerie, as if my soul was being sucked into it.

"Don't stare for too long. The damned are envious of full souls."

"Then, what are you trying to fish?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"When you've had this job for as long as me, you'd find ways of entertainment too. I like to imagine that one day, I might get a fish from the river."

Though he said that, the expression on his face revealed that he really wasn't expecting anything.

"Aren't you lonely?"

"Lonely? Maybe a few epochs ago, but now, I've learned to accept it. Besides, new souls typically have something interesting to share after every few centuries."

I couldn't even imagine how he had lived until now.

"Do you want me to tell you about my story?"

"I don't mind. Though, I've probably heard of something similar a few thousand times already."

If he doesn't have entertainment, then perhaps my story could help him alleviate his boredom somewhat. Even if it doesn't, then I suppose it wouldn't be bad to get it off my chest.

"I was sick."

I closed my eyes in reminiscence of my life.

"I couldn't leave the bed after I turned seven and had been a burden on my family for over two decades.

"One day, I showed signs of recuperation but my family didn't have much hope, and neither did I. But, contrary to my expectations, I made a recovery. While I couldn't perform as well as a normal person, I was still able to live without being tied down to a bed."

"Like many other unfortunate souls."

The ferryman expressed his woe. I couldn't see the expression on my face but I couldn't open my eyes, I felt like I would cry if I did.

"I had a happy life after that. I managed to get a job and a husband. He was the sweetest and most considerate person I had met. He knew about my past but continued to love me. It was the first time I felt love outside of my family.

"Eventually, we had children. Three of them, at that. Our eldest child was unruly but once his first brother was born, he matured. He took care of his younger siblings from then on."

"A happy family is indeed precious. The number of souls who want to reunite with them are countless."

I laughed unintentionally. He talked like a machine even though he was listening to the story intently. Maybe I would react the same if I've met billions of people too.

"Our second child was timid and our youngest child was active. Both of them admired our eldest child and tried to be responsible like him. I wish I could see how they grow up, but, it looks like I've left this world earlier than I hoped."

"Are you dissatisfied?"

"I would be lying if I said I'm completely satisfied. But, I've accepted my death ever since I was a child. Having it happen later than sooner was the only difference."

I opened my eyes as a few tears started to fall. I wiped them slightly while sniffling.

"I died of natural causes. My illness as a child took way too much off my lifespan. By the time I had my first child, I felt sluggish. When I had my second, I felt tired. And, when I had my youngest, I was exhausted. But, I don't regret it at all.

"I wanted them. My husband didn't know about my condition because I put on a mask in front of him but I knew. I knew that I'd die sooner than any of them, and so, I decided to live the way I wanted. I made sure their futures were secured and I made sure that none of them would blame my death on anyone but me."

The ferryman took his fishing rod back and began rowing again.

"We're nearly there."

"Good. I'm just about done as well."

The ferryman handed me a napkin. I used it to wipe my eyes and nose without hesitation.

"You can keep it."

"Thank you."

Just as we talked, I could see a small shore. It felt more like a very small isle than anything. Its only notable feature was a giant door by the other end.

"You aren't going to ask about what awaits you in the afterlife?"

"I don't think I will. If my family ever comes through here, could you..."

"Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to. Besides, won't you meet them if I were to take them here as well?"

"...you're right. Thank you, really."

I laughed slightly and turned around. I didn't expect the ferryman to remember me, I didn't even tell him my name. But, at the very least, it was nice to talk to someone.

"You're one of the few interesting souls that appeared."

I heard him say it as I walked through the gate without hesitation.

...

"There goes another one."

As a ferryman, it's my duty to listen to them and make them feel at ease in going through to the afterlife where they'll eventually be united to those they love.

Rarely is a soul so calm.

Most of them throw tantrums and beg. Many of them don't bare their feelings to me either. The woman was a special case.

"Ferryman, it's time."

"I know. I'll be there soon."

The concept of time didn't exist in this place. It's the reason I can transfer hundreds of thousands of souls so easily. The ride is also just an illusion.

After I feel that they can pass through the gate without regrets, I show them the island.

"That woman could've gone in the moment she stepped foot in here."

I pocketed the woman's coin and started rowing. Even if she's special, she's still one of the thousands of souls that I've to escort.

"Is her family also that interesting, I wonder?"

She should be watching them from the afterlife right about now. She had no need to regret not being able to see them grow because she never became separated from them in the first place.

As I was thinking, the shore came up and a man stood there looking over his coin over and over. I stopped the rowboat right next to the shore and asked, "a trip for one?"