It was just another ordinary winter night. The air was chilly, the snow was deep, and I was bundled up like a mummy. Tonight I wanted something new for dinner. Earlier I looked online and found a recipe for lasagna but I wanted to make it from scratch. Unfortunately, I was short a few ingredients and had to get more. Thankfully I lived just a short walk away from the 24 hour store. I couldn't handle cold very well so I wrapped myself in several layers and grabbed my purse. My trip there was rather uneventful. My neighbors were having their weekly of together but never invited me. I can't believe this continues without even an offer to join.
Once I was inside I quickly power walked through the aisles. Most of what they carried was cheap since college kids frequented it. I grabbed the pasta sauce, cheese, and meat. It was strange getting my own stuff. Normally I just ordered take out or bought frozen. This was a new step in my adulthood. I must have been beaming with happiness as the cashier noticed.
"Wow Kiera, you look happy with yourself. Hey you making something yourself for once?" The cashier was a regular for me. He was openly gay and one of the most energetic people there. I tended to pick his line as he always knew how to cheer me up.
"Oh yeah. I found a recipe for lasagna and wanted to make it. Kinda new for me but I wanna make more than just deserts." Because I always bake so many deserts I ended up earning the title Queen of Sweets. I've baked my whole life so I tend to make tons. Usually I'd share it will all the locals and the store employees. They always looked forward to getting something I made.
"Well I hope you don't stop. We all just loved that cheesecake you brought the other day. Hey if I bring some ingredients can you show me how to bake?" He finished scanning everything and I paid with my card.
"Oh absolutely. You just text me when you're ready and we'll bake up a storm. Just make sure you come hungry. You get to test some savory stuff I'm gonna make." I grabbed my bags and gave him a hug. It was slow enough tonight that I wasn't holding up the line.
"Ok you better clean that mess you call an apartment. Last time I came over I gagged on the smell." He wasn't wrong though. I tended to get lost in my art career and neglect my apartment. Trash kinda piles up and clothes go weeks between washes. I never noticed it until someone says something. I'll have to make sure I fix that soon.
Stepping out of the store, the cold sucker punched me and I nearly fell back. It felt like a hundred degrees colder than before but I had to get home. I marched homeward bound and was determined to cook some real food.
Little did I know my night was about to take a turn for the worst. Snow started to mix with some crazy wind making it hard to see. Stepping into the road I realized I forgot the number one rule: Always look both ways.
Halfway across the road I saw them, the unmistakable bright lights of an oncoming vehicle. A loud blaring horn let me know it was a semi truck. Common for this road as it led straight to the highway. Turning towards it I saw my fate sealed. The slick roads meant they couldn't stop and my freezing body was too slow to get out of the way. Time slowed as the blaring horn and brightening lights came closer until it happened.
For a split second the only thing running through my mind was ... OH SHIT!!
For a brief moment I could feel my body fly through the air. Everything hurt and my entire body was burning. The light faded as the world got darker. The truck being the last sight I saw. Unsure I was going to be alive, I tried opening my eyes to find things were not the way I left them.
I was laying down but all around me was green and yellow light. The ground was soft yet solid and felt warm. My mind was racing with confusion. Wasn't I just hit by a huge truck? I was dead right? I dared to stand up and explore. Looking around I found nothing but light. The warmth of this new place was relaxing but suspicious.
I inspected my body and found no cuts or bruises. In fact I was completely naked now. I tried to cover up but realized no one was around anyway. I checked for tenderness but was in great health. Even old scar I got from falling off a swing as a kid was gone. This must be some kind of heaven but I wanted to know why.
"Oh no! If I'm dead how will I honor my promise to bake. Everyone will be so disappointed now. How will my clients react to not getting their art done. Man I really hope this is some kind of dream." Walking around caused the floor to flash white light around my feet. Each step another flash but I felt like I wasn't going anywhere.
"Worry not child for you are safe. It is unfortunate to see you here before your time." I looked around for the source but alas found nothing.
"The Entity does have a plan for you and needed your soul. Such is the fate of those chosen by its will." Again a voice spoke to me but it sounded like it came from my own mind. I got really worried it was me going crazy.
"Hey Mysterious Voice. Where am I and who are you? I'm kinda confused on what happened and need some answers." I panicked as the thought of being dead was scary. Also what was this E.ntity and why me? After what felt like hours a new thing appeared. It was small but definitely something. A bright pink spark floated down into view. When it reached its end, it became a well-dressed man.
"Greeting, I am Crimson an envoy of The Entity." He was tall and well proportioned. Nice strong broad shoulders with well-defined arms. Some well-trimmed and neat red hair. Stern but paternal eyes that seemed to stare into my very soul. His suit was all white with red buttons. Not a wrinkle or bit of dirt anywhere. Even his shoes were well kept and clean. His posture gave an air of regality. At least as much as this simple girl can understand.