The first obstacle to overcome is the plane ride. Of course, I've been on a plane before, but there's a lingering sense of claustrophobia. The plane is relatively small, with only two columns of seats lining the cabin, each column containing a row of three seats. Too many people. Too small a space. If I focused too much, the dull grey colors of the plane blended together in uncertainty. And of course, out of the sweet goodness of Kianna's heart, I got a middle seat. I got the most claustrophobic seat on the plane all because she 'called dibs' on the window seat, and threatened- I mean, nicely asked me to sit next to her. And, of course, there were no other seats, so I did. Next to me, in the isle seat, is -surprise, surprise- Zach. As if he hasn't been annoying me enough. He has one earbud in and is messing around with the screen on the back of the chair in front of him. Of course, the occupant of that specific chair in front of him happens to be Rev, who turns around and glares at Zach every time he feels his chair prodded. The middle seat in front of me is empty(Adrian just teleported to California), but next to that, at the window, sits Damien. Well this is going to be interesting, I think.

I close my eyes and try to stop thinking about all the people bustling around us, stuffing bags in the overhead compartments and finding their seats. Too many people. The noise seems to only grow louder as I attempt to quiet it. My heartbeat pounds in my head. Thump, thump. Thump, thump. Suddenly, a sharp pain jolts through my chest, causing me suck in a quick breath. I throw my eyelids open, careful not to make any movement that might draw any attention towards me. I do not need to be worried about right now. There's too much stress and it's not like we can do anything anyways.

"You okay?" Zach whispers. Shoot.

"Yup. Great," I say through my clenched jaw, unable to sound convincing through the throbbing pain. Am I having a heart attack? Is that even possible for a sin?

"Oh, I believe you," he rolls his eyes.

"I just have a little headache. Because I'm tired."

"Really? Then take a nap. We have a while until we get there."

"Maybe I will," I mumble, not willing to admit that I'm too scared to sleep on a plane.

I turn away from him as the plane begins to roll forward, and try to get a glance out the window. Kianna's leaned forward as well, though, blocking my view. I sigh and lean back, gripping the armrests like they're my life support. I try to distract myself by watching everyone else. Damien's already passed out. How does he do that? We haven't even taken off. Rev's consumed in some game on his phone, and Zach now has both earbuds in, head leaned back and nodding to some inaudible beat.

I take a deep breath. I've done this before, I think, I'll be fine. I don't think I can technically die anyways. What am I so worried about? I close my eyes, trying to think of anything to help me calm down. It doesn't work. Suddenly, I feel a hand close around mine. I jerk my head up, looking at Zach. He's still in the same position as before, acting as if his fingers aren't intertwined with my own. He's trying to pretend like he hasn't noticed how terrified I am, yet he's still comforting me. My heartbeat pumps louder. Shut up, I whisper to it, you don't need to kill me now.

I shake my head, I don't need him. I'm fine. I begin to pull my hand out of his when the plane suddenly jolts, lifting off the runway. Immediately, my hand clamps around his, and my eyes shut tight. Anxiety is buzzing through my stomach, taunting me. But the warm hand around mine seems to fight it quickly, and a warm sense of calm flows through me. After we're in the air, I realize how tight I must've been squeezing his hand, and quickly release, a blush heating up my face. I risk a quick glance at him. He hasn't moved. I breathe out, my blush cooling. "Thanks," I whisper. I don't think he hears me. I lean back against my chair, closing my eyes. I'm not freaking out, but I'm still too tense. There's no way I'm getting a wink of sleep on this flight.

After maybe an hour of adjusting, readjusting, and adjusting again, I've given up. I revert to the screen in front of me, looking through the movies I can watch. Something light to take my mind off my anxiety. I find an old comedy, dating back to 1989. During my beforelife. I shrug and play it, stuffing in some earbuds. Right off the bat, the movie seems familiar. As the actors speak, I can imagine the words being said seconds before they are. I tense up even further. Why do I recognize this? My head begins to pound again. I flinch and stop the movie. The headache softens. What is wrong with me? I feel a light nudge on my shoulder and spin around. Zach.

"Did you know you can play games with each other using the screens?"

I narrow my eyes. What's he playing at?

He mistakes my suspicion for disbelief and continues, "No, really! I'll show you. We can play checkers or something." He hits a few buttons on the screen and, sure enough, checkers comes up. Then, he turns to my screen and does the same thing. "Just hit accept when you see my invite." I face the screen. A little window pops up, and I press accept. "Now we play."

After playing games and games one after the other for forever, I'm worn out, but there's a smile on my face. I'm relaxed. "Alright, alright," I laugh, "That's the fifth time I've beat you. I get a victory break."

He smiles, "Sure, sure, you do that. I'll just be here refining my skills so I can beat you up in the next game."

"Keep on dreaming, gamer boy," I lean my head back and close my eyes. Maybe we can watch a movie next.

--------------------------------------

I open my eyes to nothingness. Dark, black nothingness. I'm standing. There's no sound, no light, nothing. I look around, but I can't even see my hand in front of my face. Am I dreaming again? As I strain my eyes, a soft red light begins to slowly glow around me. I look down, and my eyes widen in surprise. A deep black dress billows around me. The end of the dress is cropped to my knees in the front and floor-length in the back. Lace off-the-shoulder sleeves fit perfectly around my arms. Kianna would be so proud. I, on the other hand, am very uncomfortable. I fold my arms over my chest and look up again. I'm startled by the sudden figure standing before me. I freeze. "Don't be afraid," a deep voice enfolds me. It's Death. My mind goes haywire and I can't string together a single word, much less an entire sentence. "Don't you remember what I asked of you?" Death begins to walk towards me. Memories of our last meeting rush in, causing me to gasp. I'd been so busy recently, I'd totally forgotten. "Did you not remember anything? I asked you to remember."

I find a speck of confidence, "I don't understand." My voice sounds small and pathetic next to his.

He sighs, and stops a few feet away from me. "I forget how you mortals need to have everything laid out. Here," he offers me his arm, "come with me."

SAY NO! TURN BACK! RUN WHILE YOU STILL CAN! "Okay." NO. WHY WOULD YOU AGREE?!? I ignore my better judgement and wrap my arm around his. I mean, if it's my time to go, there's no use fighting it. He leads me a few steps forward then we are suddenly in a bright open field of wildflowers, closed in by a forest of lively green trees. It's gorgeous. I gape in awe.

"Do you remember?" Death's voice snaps me back to the present. Remember what? My puzzled look gives me away. He turns forward, "I see." Then, he lifts his arm and points to a tree at the edge of the field. "That is where you used to sit every evening before dinner. You would climb as high as you could and just sit there for hours, staring out at the world with such wonder and curiosity in your eyes." He turns his head towards me again to see my reaction.

My jaw hangs open as I try to grasp the meaning of his words. "You- you knew me? Before... I was a sin?"

He smiles, a heavy sadness clouding his expression, "Yes. I often wander the mortal realm. It's... curious. Very curious. Humans fascinate me." He turns back towards the tree in deep thought.

"You want me to remember my past life? How?"

He completely ignores me, "I remember once, in the middle of Winter, I came to find a certain flower in this field, and there you were, sitting on top of the branches, staring. No worries about the freezing whether or the clouds covering up the stars. Just staring at the sky. As if it could save you." He says the last part mostly to himself. Then, before I can really register anything, he grabs my arm again and we're suddenly back in the nothingness we were in before, darkness closing around us.

"How am I supposed to remember?" I repeat.

"That is not for me too tell." He releases my arm, instead reaching for my hand. He brings it upwards and presses his lips gently against my fingertips. I freeze again, unsure of the zings of electricity racing up my arm. "You must go."

"I must- what? No! I mean, I have so many questions..." I stumble around my words, my face heating up again.

Death, the most feared man alive, smiles. "Don't worry, we will meet again, young... Seven." He says my name almost reluctantly. The glowing light around him begins to fade and his image begins to dissipate.

"Wait! I want to know more about who I was! Don't leave!" I rush towards him, but he's gone. I sink to the floor. "I don't want you to leave..." The dark mist envelopes me once more.