Chapter 1

A Choice

Even after death. The words echo in my aching head and suddenly, all the pain goes away. A golden light fills my vision. This is it. I'm really dead, and now ascending into-where is this place?

A man dressed in white with a soft glow emanating from his body appears and says to me, "You have two choices: to live or die. What will you do?"

"Of course I want to live!" I exclaim.

"Hold on," he puts a radiant hand up. "If you live, you will not be the same."

"How?" I ask.

"You've lost the ability to speak and will have life-long pain."

"W-what? But I'm talking right now."

"You're dead, yet you have another chance. Think carefully before you decide, because there's no turning back once you've made your choice."

I honestly don't know. Life without speech would be utterly torturous for someone like me. That's why Cole called me 'mouth of lightning', but what about Nya? Wouldn't she be upset? I…I don't want her to be lonely.

"I choose…I choose…I…" Tears flow from my blue eyes as I envision the future. How could I have someone so wonderful be with me, especially when I will have lost my speech?

Death. It's sounds so easy, so innocent; so simple. "What will happen if I choose death?" I ask.

The man stretches his arms out, a vision appearing in his hands that is utterly horrifying. It's not blank, nor is it paradise. It's something I cannot bear to look at any longer, the suffering of human beings, another underworld, far worse than the one I know. "Get it away!" I scream, sinking to my knees. "Please, save me! Please!"

"You will remain speechless for the rest of your days."

"But I choose…life."

"A wise choice for death is eternally irreversible."

The golden light vanishes and I only see blackness. Pain returns, in my cold body. I move my arms, hitting something freezing and hard that sends a shudder deep within my bones. I can hear something being thrown on whatever I'm in, something that sounds like dirt. "Wait!" I hear a muffled voice yell. "Jay, I'm so sorry." It's a young woman's sobs and her mourns. It's Nya. It must be her. "Jay…I love you. I love you. I love you so much."

I love you too, Nya. Wait! Am I in a… Oh no. "Help!" I call out, but nothing comes out of my voice. I forgot that I'm mute, but now what? I've got to get out of here!

I bang my fists against the structure, and hear muffled noises. I kick, I punch, I squirm, but it's no use and I hear screams, quite distant, yet distinct. I'm positive I'm here, and I'm going to die again. I scratch the black thing with my short nails, digging them in until they bleed. I'm too weak, but I try lifting up the top and gasp for air.

Do it! Do it before it's too late! I push with all my remaining strength, feeling it lift and light flows through the darkness. A cold draft hits my face as I drop it, but I saw her. Nya.

"Jay? Is that you?" I hear her lovely voice.

I shut my eyes and hear the lid being removed. I reopen them and meet the astonished faces of my family, bent over my coffin. The sky is covered in ashen clouds and there is chill in the air. Winter must be around the corner, or maybe this is a colder fall, since that's what it was last.

"Jay?" Zane gasps, taking my frozen hands.

"Is it really you?" Kai asks.

"You're alive," Pixal looks at me, seeming happy, yet confused.

I nod. "Jay!" Nya throws her arms around my neck, sending pain in me.

"Ah!" I gasp, clutching her black sleeve with a trembling, bluish hand.

"Are you okay?" Lloyd asks.

I nod again. "You cold?" Cole inquires, noticing my chattering teeth I suppose. I nod a third time.

"Here," Zane takes off his suit coat while Nya backs away and he covers me with it.

"I bet it's not too comfortable in there," Lloyd comments.

Zane stretches his arms out and says, "I'm going to pick you up. Where do you hurt?"

I point to my ribs on the right side, my throat, left thigh, shoulders, and tongue. "That bad?" Kai furrows his brows, but looks like he is feeling pity for me.

"Do you want to wait for the doctors?" Zane inquires.

I shake my head. Zane gingerly slips an arm under my back and I wince from the sharp pain as he puts his other one under my legs. It hurts. It hurts so much and I can't even tell him that. He lifts me up so I can see many familiar faces in a crowd all dressed in black and downcast, too solemn.

"Jay?" Mom calls me.

"Son, is that you?" Dad says and both rush over to me.

They hug me tightly, nearly knocking Zane over, and Mom exclaims, "My baby! I never thought I'd see you again!"

"How are you feeling, son?" Dad asks.

I shake my head. "Say something, Jay," Zane tells me.

I'm at the brink of tears now not wanting them to know about my loss of speech. I shake my head, pointing to my throat. My parents let go of me, and Nya asks, "You can't speak?"

I shake my head and point to my throat again. "Your throat hurts?" Zane offers. I nod, biting my cracked, parched lips.

"Do you want something to drink?" Pixal asks.

I nod and Kai hands me an open bottle. I hold it to my lips, tipping it and gulping tons of it down at once until Zane takes it away and hands it to Lloyd. "Easy, Jay. You're okay."

I can't believe it. I just saw a tear slip down Zane's cheek. Well, this is it. I'm back.

I twist my head to look at Nya. She's gorgeous, wearing a knee-length, black dress, with lacy fringe and the middle is tied by a satin bow. He sleeves go down to her elbow joint. I wish I could tell her how I feel. I wish I could tell her how much I missed her. I wish I could tell her how much I love her.

"Okay, we're going to take you to the hospital," Kai says, pulling out his red cell phone.

I grab his hand before he can dial and shake my head frantically. "Do you want to go home?" Zane asks. I nod.

"Sensei's going to be happy to see you," Nya smiles, tousling my orange, brown hair.

I don't know about that. Not after what I did.