Call me Crazy: Death

I stood at the edge of the veranda, feeling the cold wind against my skin. Looking down, I saw a car parked on the street. A yellow Porsche was parked exactly where I’d land if, for some odd reason, I fall off. A smile crawled its way up my lips. Perfect.

I climbed over the rail and felt the adrenaline rush through me. I still had my hands wrapped around the railing to keep me from loosing balance. Then again, one wrong move, one slip of the hand can send me plunging down towards my own pitiful death.

“Ah, death...How I long for thee...”It has always been a mystery for me, why some people fear it. It’s rather useless, fearing the inevitable. And why would you fear something as inexplicably alluring as death?

I’ve always had an odd fondness for death; a burning curiosity about the dark abyss that lurks behind it. Is there really a life after death? Is there a heaven? Is there a hell? Is it possible to be reincarnated? Is it possible for anyone to be resurrected? Is there really a “light at the end of the tunnel”? Do we really see our lives flash before our eyes before we die? Do we meet God when we die? Or are we faced with the grim reaper? There are so many unanswered questions; questions that can only be answered by those who aren’t among us. It’s maddeningly frustrating to live with the fact that there isn’t anyone who can really give us the answers to these questions. That sucks.

I’ve made up my mind. A guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. I, Seth Gerard Raeburn, will willingly end my existence and succumb to death’s embrace to satiate my thirst for the unclaimed mysteries of life and death.

“Seth!” A beautiful soprano. It was a voice I knew so well. I turned my head and saw the brunette with the gorgeous blue eyes.

“Ms. McKinnon.” I nodded at her. If I was going to die, I wouldn’t mind seeing her before I go. Her hair fell down her shoulders in waves, which was unusual seeing as she’s a nurse and usually kept her hair tied back.

“Seth, what are you doing?” Her pretty eyebrows drew together, worry showing in her eyes. What a good soul she is. I’ll put in a good word for her in the afterlife, if ever I get to meet the Supreme Being, that is.

“I shall sacrifice the very essence of my being and enter the unknown realm of death” I said, my grip loosening on the rails. “All for the quest for truth; to solve the mysteries that waits us in the other side. I will step off this ledge, twelve storeys off the ground, and succumb to the call of the dark abyss.” I let go of the rail, careful to keep my balance. I heard her let out a sigh. A sigh of adoration, perhaps?

“Seth...” She began.

“Shh...Speak no more. Goodbyes have never been my strong suit.” I shook my head. “ But remember, I shall be forever grateful for your acts of undying love and affection for me. Do not weep, dear Ms. McKinnon. I shall be in a better place. We will meet again...someday.” I sighed and closed my eyes.

Taking a deep breath, I spread my arms and enjoyed the feel of the cold wind ruffling my hair and my garments. I might never get to do these simple things again. Of course, there are the down sides to my decision but like I said, a guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. Again, I took a deep breath and prepared to jump.

“Seth, get down from there.” I opened my eyes to see Ms. McKinnon in front of me. I blinked a few times. Impossible! We’re on the twelfth floor!

“Ms. McKinnon? Did you by any chance shrink?” I asked, my eyebrows drawing together in confusion. Apart from the fact that she might as well be levitating, she seemed smaller. We used to be of the same height.

“No, I don’t think I did.” She shook her pretty head.

“Then...why do you seem shorter?” I asked sceptically.

“That’s because you’re standing on a stool, Seth.” She sighed. “Now get down there, if you please, and take your medicine.”