My Boyfriends Brother

Chapter 12 Mathew’s Meeting

I turned around and Sierra wasn’t there this time. No sign of her anywhere on the beach. I started to walk up to the spot and wondered if she was okay after I disappeared. I didn’t really understand why I disappeared in the first place and why I had to relive drowning to death. 

I started to walk towards the street and noticed an old man staring at me. I turned around to see if anyone was behind me and nope, was he actually staring at me? 

Just as I had the thought, the old man pointed at me and then with his hand ushered me to come towards him. 

I was very confused but I thought “what’s the worse that can happen? I’m already dead.” 

As I approached the bench this old man was sitting at I couldn’t help but look concerned and confused at the same time. 

“Good morning my boy,” the old man said. “What tragic event led you to be here at such a young age?” 

“I uh, you can see me?” I asked. 

“Well I am talking to you, aren’t I?” The old man retorted. “Now what brought you here, my boy?” 

I paused before saying, “I drowned... in the ocean just right there,” I pointed to the ocean behind me. 

“Such a tragic accident. I always hate to see the young die in such a horrific manor,” the old man looked down as he spoke. “My name is Ezekiel. I’m dead just as you are. Do not concern yourself with my death, it was not out of tragedy. I died peacefully in my sleep.” 

“Why are you here?” I asked. 

“You see, I lived a life with no concerns. I helped only myself and didn’t care for others. I’ve been dead for many many years now. For a long time I couldn’t understand why I was trapped in this world. No one could see or hear me. I was lost. After years and years of trying to find the answer, I met another spirit. I helped guide him through to the next life and I have done so ever since. I seek out other lost spirits and aid them in their transition from life to death and to the next stage. I see this as my way to make up for the heartless life I lived, in hopes that I may pass on to the next once I have found redemption from my past.” 

I really looked at the old man and noticed he was wearing attire fit for a movie based in the 1800s. He reminded me of those old black and white photos. “Can you tell me why I’m here?” 

“That is something only you can answer. What have you left behind? What stones have you left unturned? There is something or someone that is holding you here.”

“Sierra,” I whispered to myself. 

“Ah yes, very often it is a lover who is the one holding onto your spirit, keeping you anchored here,” the old man told me. 

“She can see me! And speak to me! Why only her?” I asked. 

“Love is a powerful thing, my boy. I cannot say for certain, but she may have such an intense love for you that she is allowed to see and speak to you freely. I do not know the powers that be that allow the living to see the dead, but every once in awhile I come across a medium; one who can communicate with spirits. Most mediums can only hear whispers and visions here and there but love can strengthen that power and allow them to fully see and hear those they have lost.” 

“Can I ask another question?” The old man nodded. “Why is it last night I was no where near water, yet I drowned? I ended up waking here, over there on the beach. The same place I had before.” 

“I’m afraid that is something a selective amount of spirits have had the misfortune of experiencing. Your spirit does not belong here, so it will continuously repeat your death over and over again, in hopes of taking your spirit from this plain. It typically occurs each day, at the time of day when your death occurred. It will only end when your spirit has moved on.” 

“So you mean to tell me, that I have to drown again and again until I can move on?! And how long does that take?!” I shouted at him. 

“As long as it takes, my boy. For some I have have seen it take years. For others I have seen less. This depends upon you and your lover, for she still holds onto you as well,” Ezekiel answered. 

“Is there anyway to make it end without moving on? I don’t want to leave her here...” I spoke sullenly. 

“You know the answer to that, now don’t you? You cannot stay here and live a life that is no longer meant for you. You too, must let her go and allow her to move on. She no longer needs you, my boy,” Ezekiel stood up and placed a hand on my shoulder. 

“We were supposed to get married and have a family together. Grow old together!” I couldn’t help but start to lose it then. The thought of leaving her forever scared me. 

“Our fate is forever changing and, hardly ever, does anyone receive exactly what they asked for. Letting go and moving on is something everyone must do. It is inevitable. Life for the living goes on. You cannot be selfish and prevent them from living, my boy. For if you do not let her go, she will never live a life worth living. Wouldn’t you desire to give her the chance to start anew?” Ezekiel said calmly. 

“It’s not fair..” I muttered. 

“Ah, my boy, nothing is ever truly fair.” He began to turn to walk away and I stopped him. 

“Ezekiel, please, don’t go. Tell me what to do? I don’t want to leave her and I don’t want to relive my death. There has to be some way—“

Ezekiel cut me off and said, “my boy, I told you already what you must do. Help her to move on or you will trap yourself here for eternity and doom her to the same fate.” Then he continued to walk away, leaving me alone. 

I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do. An eternity together didn’t sound so bad. I wish I could talk to my brother about this... Wait! What if he could see me too?! I started sprinting in the direction Michael’s apartments were at. 

As soon as I saw the apartment complex, I searched for his car. He was sitting inside it. Yes! He’s still here! But wait, there’s someone in the car with him? I started to peer around to see if I could tell who it was... it was Sierra. Why was she with Michael? Maybe she went to go check on him after all. I started walking towards the car when I saw Sierra’s hand go to his cheek and Michael holding her hand there. What the hell were they doing? They were leaning in! NO. Just then Sierra pulled away just before their faces were about to meet. 

Were they about to kiss? The thought made me sick. I could feel my rage building. Then Michael began to drive away. I had to follow them.