The Path Beyond (continuation)

by job perez

"Cross the bridge when you get there, dude."

     It just sounded too easy. Truth is, I don't know if I can get enough "tears" to fill the flask. That's actually one reason why I kept on wishing for death to come. No one cared for me when I was alive, why would they want me back? I was such a suicidal loser.

"Hey, shall we? We can start with your mother."

     Why didn't I think of that? Surely my mom will cry for me.

     Free warped us to my mom's office. Now I feel dizzy. All these floating and warping around sure could take a while to get used to.

"She should be getting a call announcing your demise in a few minutes."

     Exactly after Free said that, mom got a call. I stared at my mother as she picked up the phone. Her face twitched. I never saw her with that look before, shocked and sad at the same time. She looked hurt, thrice as much as I expected.

"Quick! Open the flask!" Free said.

     I hurriedly popped the cork. My mom sobbed as she placed the phone back. I noticed the flask glow; a clear semi-luminous fluid was slowly filling it. Mom's officemates saw her crying and they went to comfort her. My mom continued to weep, and she kept shaking her head in disbelief. The flask stopped glowing. I placed the cork back. I didn't know I would hurt my mother so much. I was never a good son to her. And now I've made her cry. How I wish I could just hug her and tell her to stop crying. "I'll be back mom," I thought.

"We have to go. Your father would be getting the news in a moment."

     I looked at the fluid in the flask, it was already a third full. Again, Free warped us and I found us at our old garden. We saw my father talking on his mobile. He was watering the plants. As I looked at him holding his phone to his left ear, I found the situation rather nostalgic.

     I moved closer and opened the flask. It glowed and the volume of the fluid increased again. It was already half-full when it stopped glowing. My father dropped the hose and got in his car. He drove right through us. I could have been shocked, having a car pass through my body, but instead I felt guilty. I was so sorry I never got the chance to show my parents how much I care for them. All I did was think life sucked. Maybe I had the chance, I just didn't bother to take it.

"Now are you determined to go back?"

     Free's tone sounded encouraging. Maybe it did. We decided to go where my friends are. Free warped and the next thing I saw was our busted old school building.

"I can't believe they're conducting my pseudo-wake here, a classroom."

  "It's an auditorium actually. You died an hour and a half ago. You should be proud they assembled this quick. Let's look at your guestbook."

     I looked at the names scribbled at the book.

"All those names," I thought. "Anne, Sef, Donna, Daniel, Rose, Julie, Jhoann, Ian, Cenedelle, Aye, Julz, Marj, Elle..." I did have a lot.

  "Not bad eh?"

     Free was over my shoulder, counting the names.

"Hey! Bonnie's there! Let's check it out" he shouted.

  "How? The door's closed. We can't just open it and spook everyone."

"We can pass through walls, you idiot."

  "Now, why didn't I think of that? Traditional, err... stereotypical kind of metaphysical entities aren't we?"

     We went in the room. I will never get the hang of passing through stuff. I can pass through anything, but I wondered why I'm still standing on the floor, and not sinking to the very core of the earth. But then again, it's a good thing we can pass through walls. The people inside would have freaked out if the door suddenly opened with no one physically behind it. I looked around and noticed Bonnie wasn't there.

"Looks like she already left, sorry man."

     I was amazed I was able to fill this room. So many people, damn, and I used to think no one cared. I couldn't believe I closed myself, locking my failures inside and completely forgot about them. Since my parents separated, I stopped believing anything could go right. School sucked, home sucked, there was practically nothing to be happy about.

     Ah, this wacky group, it's chaos to put them all in one room. Somehow, it felt weird that they were all silent. What happened to the laughter, sex stories, love-life discussions (or the lack of it) and the eternal bashing that were their legacy? Ha! And they used to tell me they were going to party if I were to die. Julie and Dana sat beside each other in silence. What happened to all the non sequitur comments? All the calorie counting?

     Damn it. Everyone's feeling low as if somebody important died. They sat lazily on the chairs, expressionless faces, mouths slightly open, everybody in complete silence, their faces weirdly distorted and agh, let's just say it really feels so darn low here.

"I don't know about you man, but now would be a good time to open the flask."

     I pulled the cork and the flask began to glow. The contents quickly rose. I'm actually going to make it. The fluid filled the flask up to the neck. I wanted to scream. I did.

"They can't hear you. And don't celebrate just yet."

  "What do you mean don't celebrate? I made it! The flask is full. I'm almost alive!"

"Look closer, you still lack one drop."

  "One drop."

"As much as I hate to burst your bubble, it's not full yet."

  "One drop?!"

"All your friends are here. Any bright ideas where we can get the last drop?"

  "One drop? Isn't there something like 'close to' or 'almost there'? You've got to be kidding me."

"I'm not kidding."

  "One drop..."

"Look on the bright side. Bonnie's not here.

  "Just how certain are we that she wants me back too?"

"You sacrificed your life for her. It is not everyday someone saves your life. I think she knows that."

  "I'm not sure."

"Nothing is for sure. It's six thirty. She should be in her house by seven. You look like you need some time alone. I'll be outside. Take your time."

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