Water… 

I could hear the sound of running water not far off in the distance… 

My back was pressed against the hard wooden floor beneath me, I tightly held my eyes shut before I slowly opened them up only to find the beautiful blue sky above me and I quickly shot up to find I didn’t know where I was.

I looked around, fear shooting through me when I realised I was stranded on a small boat in the middle of a body of water while trees continued to drift past me with rays of sunlight trickling through the leaves and speckling the surface of the boat and there at the edge of the boat was the ferryman.

Their back was facing me, dressed in a white blouse and a large straw hat that overshadowed their face while they peacefully rowed the boat. 

“Hello…?” I asked, as they turned around to face me, their face a black cloud of mist speckled with stars. 

I parted my lips, “Who… Who are you…?” I asked again, my voice trembling slightly.

They paused, “My name is not important.” They spoke in a hushed voice as I loosened my shoulders and relaxed a bit.

“Alexander…” They spoke again. 

“Alexander Hoe’r. I’m afraid that you are no longer alive.” They said. 

I stared at the ferryman in bewilderment, trying to think of what to say. 

I held my hand to my forehead, trying to remember what happened before now. 

Yet my mind felt blank, gaps filling up my memory.

The forest… The forest above me, the leaves rustling above me… 

But that’s all I could remember. 

“I’m…” I paused, “I’m dead…?” My voice still quivering.

 “Indeed,” The ferryman nodded, “You are dead.”

I stayed silent for a second as I stared off into the sky. 

“How… How did I die…?” I asked them, looking back at them. 

They took a moment to respond, “You were mauled to death, Alexander.” Their voice still kind and soft spoken. “But do not worry about the gaps in your memory, they will return to you shortly.” They said, continuing to assure me. 

I stayed silent while the boat continued to drift forward and after a minute it took a stop by a small ledge. 

The ferryman raised their hand, “We have reached your destination.”

reluctantly I got to my feet, “Number 734.” They said “I do wish you luck.” as they lended me their hand and helped me onto the ledge.

“Thank… Thank you…” I said, awkwardly raising my hand to wave goodbye.

The ferryman didn’t respond, only giving a curt nod before rowing off again.

And so, I slowly turned around to face the brick wall in front of me, overshadowed by a small roof as I approached the series of doors that lined a long hallway of sorts. 

The first read 731, and I slowly passed by the doors, stopping at number 734. 

I stood silently, reluctantly holding out my hand and grabbing onto the handle as I drew the door open.

Inside was a long hallway, the light from outside dragging onto the floorboards, and so I stepped inside, slowly shutting the door behind me. 

I could hear rustling, before I heard someone shout from the other room. 

“I’m coming-” They announced, before seeing someone rush around the corner.

“Oh-” They approached me hastily, holding out their hand  “Nice to meet you, I’m Casper…!” 

I reluctantly took their hand, as they enthusiastically shook it. “Alexander Hoe’r...” I said. 

Casper nodded, “Welcome! Welcome! Come on in, you must be my new roommate then?” He asked me and stepped aside. 

I parted my lips as I stood by the door in silence “I… I suppose so…? Yes.” 

Casper smiled “I can show you your bedroom if you’d like?” 

“Ah… Yes please...” I said. “I'd… I'd like that…”

“Of course!” He said, as he led me upstairs, where he stopped in front of three doors. 

“The door in the middle is the shitter,” he said before walking to the door on the left. “And this is your bedroom.” He said, quickly drawing it open.

After a pause, “I assume you want to be alone?” He asked me.

“Ah- Yes… Yes please…” I told him as he nodded again. 

“Alright then, just call me if you need anything.” He said, a friendly smile on his face. 

I nodded and he walked off. I stepped into my bedroom, closing the door behind me, watching the small sliver of light vanish on the floorboards. 

My bedroom looked almost exactly like my old bedroom in the apartment. 

It honestly felt eerie but in a strange way I appreciated it, the similarity felt comforting at least, or maybe it was sinister more than anything. I couldn't tell.

In the corner stood my mirror. 

I slowly walked up to it. My face staring back at me with my hair draped over my face. 

I was dead… 

It felt so hard to fathom. So unreal to me… 

But I guess I didn’t have much to lose. A part of me is almost disappointed there even was an afterlife…

I was dead. 

I was… Really dead.