The burial started at 5 , just a bit before sundown . Almost everyone that showed left with tears straining their faces . My mother took a flower off of the casket for remembrance , and left quietly with her husband . It's a family tradition to keep a grave flower preserved in a special book , we've done it for generations . On top of the coffin were magnolias ; those were always been my favorite . Once they left , the only people still there were the service workers , and my ex-boyfriend . His parents , and their friends were waiting for him in their vehicle . It was getting dark , but he didn't seem to want to leave . William , his best friend , strolled up behind him , "Vince , we should go . She's in good hands ." He tugged on Vince's jacket . He said nothing else , and after a minute passed , they finally headed toward the car . The group drove off , all of them grief-stricken . But I was left here . My body may have been unoccupied , but my soul stood here in shock . I'd just witnessed my own funeral , and watched my body being dropped into the ground , 6 feet under in a fancy ornament box . "You'll get used to it ." A strange man in a grey suit said . He looked like something from a Dracula film . He stood beside my fresh gravestone . My eyes fluttered back to it : [ Della Anne Chevelle ] [ Daughter , Friend , Beloved ] [ 1996 - 2016 ] "What do you mean ?" I asked , mouth still gaping at the scenery . I woke up only an hour ago , and no one knew I was here . "Honey , don't you know you're dead ?" He spoke with a southern accent . I covered my ears ; I didn't want to hear this . He started again , "I'm sorry , I didn't mean to sound harsh about it . My name is Gideon ; I died at 42 ." "Uh , nice to meet you , I guess . It's funny , I'm talking to the dead ." I awkwardly shifted , staring into the space beside his head . I twiddled with my fingers . "Sweetie , you are dead ." "Shouldn't there be a light somewhere I gotta walk through to find my next eternity ?" I asked , crossing my arms . I sat on the nearest tombstone , moving my eyes to the plot of dirt above me , above my body . "Nope , this is it , as far as I've seen ." He brushed something off of his shoulder . It looked like a small firefly , but it didn't have any wings , or made any sound . "So , what now ? Lurking alone in the world unseen ?" I asked . "If you choose not to be , there isn't anyone who can see you , but they have that techno crap that can hear you ." He said . He ran a hand through his white hair . "Paranormal teams ?" I didn't need him to clarify . I've watched enough of those shows to make my own if I'd wanted to . I smiled wryly at that thought . A mist formed beside him suddenly , and shaped into a person . A lady wearing a light blue low-cut nightgown smiled at me in the mists' place . She had long , black hair in a beautiful braid down her back . Her eyes were a bright shade of green , and she looked to be in her late twenties . "I see you've made it to the dead realm safely ." She stated , raising her arms , palms up . She gave me the wiggins , but I still nodded , not wanting to be rude . "Olivia Jules ," She held out a hand to me . I introduced myself , but hesititated to shake her hand . With a grin , she giggled , and forced the gesture . Her hand was strangely warm , and tingly . There was an energetic feel to it like static when you rub balloons to hair . "So how'd you die ?" She asked suddenly , excited to have some company . The words hurt like a dull ache in my stomach , but as far as I could tell , they were true . If this had been a dream , I'd have woken up by now , right ? "Umm .. I ended up in a car crash ."