Short Story

It’s strange when you’re dead - or nearly so. You’re able to reflect, wait, and wonder if you should stay. 

At least, that’s what Kanna thought. She could see other ones like her, wandering indecisively around. But she couldn’t interact with them - they couldn’t see her, but she could see them.

If they could see each other and talk to each other, Kanna was sure that they’d make their choices faster. To stay, or to go. Kanna had to decide, herself. But people didn’t really like to visit her, it seemed. Kanna couldn’t leave her parents behind, or her brothers.

She mostly waited in the waiting room at the front of the hospital. It was the one with the least amount of spirits like her stuck in the between-space.

A teen her age appeared, looking uncertain.

“Who are you looking for?” the nurse asked him. Kanna kind of liked that nurse.

“Kanna Smith.” Kanna frowned. She didn’t recognize him. “I’m an old friend.”

Kanna frowned even more. She didn’t have any friends. Fezzes and bowties and were cool to her. Not so much for everyone else.

“Room 453.”

She followed him. She didn’t know who he was, and she would follow him and make sure he was going to her room.

Floor 4, 53 rooms down. He entered her room.

The door slammed in her face. And no, spirits in the in-between couldn’t walk through solid objects. Kanna had tried, and if she could get a bruise in spirit form, then she had gotten quite a few.

The door opened again a few minutes later. Kanna wondered why.

“Sorry for the deception, I really try to keep the fact I can see spirits on the down low,” the teen explained, looking at Kanna fully. “Why are you still here and not turning vengeful?”

“Because I’m awesome, that’s why,” Kanna replied with a nasty grin. “What are you doing over my body, you creep?”

“I’m not a creep, I promise,” the teen replied, throwing up his hands. “Why do the partly dead think I’m a creep?”

“Because I’m a teenage girl, you can see me, and you’re over my body,” Kanna snapped at him. “So what are you going to do now, be my salvation? Give me a choice?”

“No,” he said, sitting on a chair and leaning back. “I’m not that kind of guy. Now I know a guy, if that’s what you -”

“No!” Kanna nearly yelled. “Please, no,” she added. “But I don’t really know if I want to go back.”

The teen nodded. “I suspected as much.” He took out his phone.

Kanna frowned. “What are you doing?”

“Playing Angry Birds. It’s quite vexing at times, dealing with you spirits. Especially ones like you. Now, you annoy me.”

Kanna scowled fiercely. “You’re more annoying,” she shot back feebly.

He blinked at her. “That was one of the lamest comebacks I have ever heard... Like, ever,” he informed her. He looked at his game and sighed. “Aw, man, I died.”

Kanna stared at her body. “I’m a nerd that has no friends. What am I coming back to?”

“Well, there is the new Doctor Who series coming out. There’s also the fact your parents will miss you.” The other teen blinked at her. “And I can be your friend. Jackson Jones.” He flashed her a smile that was probably supposed to be nice.

“Well, Jackson Jones…” Kanna folded her arms. “First of all, I don’t know what happened. How am I supposed to move on – or come back – if I don’t remember what happened?”

“Your brother – Zen, I think – was drunk and was driving you from a football game he dragged you to.” Jackson Jones shrugged. “You and I met there.”

“Oh. We did?” Kanna frowned. “You don’t look like the football game type.”

“Nah, my boyfriend dragged me to it,” he grinned. “I know a few guys who’d love to date a fellow nerd.”

“No,” Kanna made a face in revulsion.

“Girls?” he offered.

“No,” Kanna reinforced. “Why are you trying to set me up? I’m dying.”

He held up a finger. “You’re in limbo,” he clarified. “You have a choice. Not interested in dating?”

“Not really,” Kanna said with a headshake. “I’m more into fictional guys than real life. They just disappoint others.”

“…I’m going to respectfully disagree.” Jackson blinked at her. “Look, Kanna. It’s entirely up to you to live or die. I’m going to leave, because other spirits need my help to pass on, but really. I’d like to know you, Kanna, and I know you won’t remember this even if you come back. Believe me – I’ve helped a few people out.”

He stood up to leave.

“Thank you,” Kanna muttered, almost unwillingly.

Jackson grinned at her.

“Hopefully I’ll see ya later, Kanna.”

He left.

Kanna stared at her body with a pensive face.

~:~

Jackson was wrong.

She slammed her locker shut.

I remember everything.

Was she supposed to? Probably not.

Kanna turned and saw him, getting thoroughly kissed by a football player.

She walked over to him as they parted, Jackson’s boyfriend shooting her an odd look as he left.

“Hi,” she said after an awkward minute of the two staring at each other. “I’m Kanna. You’re Jackson Jones. You helped me. Thank you.”

Surprise flashed in his eyes. “You remember?”

Kanna smiled. “Kind of hard to forget, man. Being dead was weird.”

“You were in limbo!”

Kanna smiled brighter.

AN: Just so it's clear, I wrote most of this like years ago. Wanted to get it out there before I lost it. Thanks!