It was a cool winters eve as Opal stood on the roof of her apartment building. Often before she had stood here, trying to convince herself to jump. This time it was easy, she took a few steps back, ran forward and leapt off the building. During the brief seconds of falling, she felt the air rushing past her, as the floor came closer. Opal hated her life, not because it was bad, but because she suffered from depression. Taking medication helped, but still she felt useless and alone.
When Layla, Opal’s best friend, heard the news she was devastated. Of course, she had known Opal was thinking about jumping but she didn’t expect her to actually jump. Layla had once come close to dying and she had seen the Afterlife, Heaven, Hell and the Between. In Hell souls faced terrible punishments for their actions and the way they had lived life. Heaven was beautiful, everyone was kind, goodhearted and well behaved. The Between was similar to earth just duller and more repetitive. Layla knew it was possible to bring Opal back. Previously, Layla had to fight her way back to life and she knew how hard it was. Opal had wanted to die, and now someone had to convince her to return. Opal had chosen to jump, so Layla decided she would too.
After hitting the ground Opal felt a searing pain before everything went dark. When she regained consciousness, she found herself lying on cold black stone. Slowly she stood up looking at her surroundings finding herself in a place like Earth, but still different. The colours were dull and faded and the people walking around seemed as if they were in a trance. This was the Between, Opal realised. Layla had told her about it.
Layla however, woke in a field, beautiful butterflies and flowers all around her. In the distance she saw houses with different styles clustered on the field. She was in Heaven?! Layla had been good throughout her life, but she had never thought that she would go to Heaven.
Opal knew that the Between was even duller than real life and that her mind would soon enter a trance. Heading for a supermarket she crossed the road and, when entering, a little bell above the door rang to announce her. Inside she saw customers wandering aimlessly around the shop, bumping into walls and shelves. The only person who seemed alert was the lady sitting at the counter. In a friendly voice she said: “Hello, my name is Aurora. I am in charge of new souls. I know everything about every soul in the Between. You are Opal Moonstone, twelve years old, lives with parents, brother and cat” her voice dropped: “Oh…. I see, you had depression and jumped of off a building …. I know how it feels. I jumped long ago. I can give you the chance to go back. Before you answer you might want to know this; your friend Layla has come searching for you and is currently in heaven trying to find a way to you.”
“Y..You mean… sh..she killed herself for…me?”, Opal asked stuttering.
“Yes she did”
“No, why… why would she…”
“Kill herself for you? Because you are worth it. You deserve to live a happy and long life.” She paused before she said: “You have time until next sunrise, exactly 4 hours. Hopefully your friend finds you soon”
Meanwhile, Layla walked to the nearest house, a little wooden cottage. After knocking on the door, she heard a muffled voice calling: “Cooomiiiiiing!” Inside she heard shuffling and footsteps approaching. Layla heard a clicking of a key being turned in the lock. In the doorframe stood a middle age man wearing overalls with a white shirt underneath. When he saw Layla, his smile changed to a mixture of pain and sadness. “What brings you here child? …How did you die at such young age?”, the man asked.
“I killed myself to find my best friend. She had depression and I have to find her. Do you know anyone by the name of Opal Moonstone?”
“No, sorry”
“Do you know someone who would?”
“The administrator lives not far from here. Should I take you there?”
“Yes please. Thank you for your kindness”
Before they left the man looked back into the house and called: “Honey! I am just showing a young soul the way to the administrator. Back soon! Love you!”
Opal sat down beside the lady and helped her with people who weren’t in a trance. Some bought food, sought advice or wanted to ask about relatives and friends on earth. Opal listened to the stories that people shared. Most had lived a happy long life but hadn’t necessarily always been good.
Layla arrived at the administrator, a man in his thirties. She explained her problem and who she was searching for. The administrator handed her a folder with Opal’s details. It read: “Opal Moonstone; 12 years, Between…” She knew where the portal to the Between was from her last visit, and thankfully she had no problem finding them again. Eagerly she stepped through and found herself on a street opposite of a supermarket. Inside, next to the lady at the counter sat a familiar face; Opal. Layla ran over the street, opened the door of the supermarket and cried: “Opal! I am so glad to see you!” Layla fell into Opal’s arms and let out a sigh of relief; Opal was ok.
Opal asked: “Why did you die for me? Why..?”
“You have to fight your way back. You still have a chance. I know it hurts but I am here for you we will do it together.”
After they had convinced Aurora that they were not yet destined to die, they stepped through the earth-portal. After 3 weeks in the hospital both were released. Opal managed to overcome her depression and they remained best friends till the end of their days even in Heaven.
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