For the month of November, my Short Story Sundays will be excerpts from my NaNoWriMonovel, Second Chances. Please keep in mind that while this has been proofread for my blog, it is still first draft material.
You can also read Excerpt One that I posted last week.
This is the last part of chapter two. Enjoy.
“Remember I told you that you were going to have to prove yourself if you wanted to get into Heaven?” Ezekiel asked calmly.
I nodded.
“You need to help the man who hurt you the most.” He said quietly.
I didn’t respond. I only stared at Ezekiel as though he had sprouted a few extra heads. I tried to help as many people as I could when I was on Earth. I always tried to make everyone happy. Why was it my job to help someone who hurt me? It didn’t make any sense.
“His name is Hunter Gray. He’s been having some similar problems to you. He is 25-years-old and has no idea what he’s doing with his life.” Ezekiel chuckled, but I couldn’t see anything funny about it.
“You need to help him get his life back on track.” He explained.
I shook my head. “How can I help him get his life back on track when, according to you, I didn’t appreciate life?”
Ezekiel laughed. “Maybe you’ll teach each other something.”
“No,” I sighed. “I don’t even know who Hunter Gray is.”
“Yes you do.” Ezekiel folded his hands together on the surface of the table.
I waited for him to explain, but Ezekiel only continued to smile at me. It was the type of smirk where he clearly knew something I didn’t. It seemed he didn’t have a problem telling me he knew a secret and I wasn’t allowed to know yet.
“So…?” I prompted.
“Hunter Gray was the man who struck you with his SUV.” Ezekiel’s smiles grew and he let out a snicker.
I glared at him. “You mean to tell me that I need to help the man who supposedly killed me?”
“Not supposedly,” he shook his head, “he did. You’re dead.”
“Thanks for reminding me…” I grunted.
I walked away from the table and kept walking. I didn’t know where I was going, as there was no place to go. I wondered if Ezekiel was trying to follow me, but I didn’t want to turn around and find out. I didn’t want to talk to him anymore, let alone look at him.
After a few minutes to myself, I finally did turn around to make sure Ezekiel was still there. Sure enough, he still sat at the table with a smile. I looked around at my surroundings and realized that even though I had been walking, I was no farther away from the table that I was from when I stood up.
I drew in a deep breath and then shrugged my shoulders. “What is it that you want me to do?”
“You need to let Hunter Gray know that life is worth living. Steer him back in the right direction. He strayed from his path long ago and it’s getting harder for him to find his way back.” Ezekiel explained. “Life is like a maze, as I’m sure you know from experience.”
“Experience? I thought you said he was 25? He has five more years than me.” I protested.
“He’s been wandering around aimlessly since he was 18. You only started straying from your path a few months ago.” Ezekiel stated.
“So why is it that I’m the one who had to die? Why couldn’t he teach me how to live my life?” I glared at Ezekiel. I made a few mistakes for a few months and I have to lose my life for it. This Hunter Gray person on the other hand practically gets a free ride.
“He’s too far gone.” Ezekiel whispered. “His Guardian Angel abandoned him.”
“You guys can do that?” I raised an eyebrow.
“It’s complicated up here.” Ezekiel shrugged. “That’s why He wants me to help you help Hunter Gray.” Ezekiel pointed to himself, then me, then at the clouds below us.
I took a deep breath and stared at Ezekiel unsure how to respond.
“Everyone deserves a second chance.” Ezekiel smiled.
