Forever and Ever

My submission to an Iron Age Media story prompt challenge

Otha stepped onto the deck. He felt the wind shift, blowing his hair into a tangled frenzy before finally agreeing on a direction. East, if you could call it that. Otha took to the mast and adjusted the sails before stepping toward the bow. He looked out over the green ethereal sea, a cosmos of shimmering emeralds, and knew he was close.

This was always the hardest part of the voyage. The ship would meet large waves that splashed against the hull, forcing the ship to experience turbulence. Otha was a seasoned sailor, and this did not worry him. He left the bow and ran to the helm, where he took the wheel and commanded the ship to stay straight. The waves tossed the ship to and fro, but it stayed true to its heading. 

The ship was called The Azrael, and as it broke over the waves its passengers shuddered. 

“Fear not,” Otha said to the passengers below deck, “nothing can harm you now. Be at peace, rest. ” 

Otha stepped across the ship, once again to the bow. He looked ahead to see a pinhole of light against the misty green sea of emeralds. The light grew and grew until it was a portal that the ship passed through. The transition was seamless to Otha, but the light was blinding.

The Azrael emerged into a world of bright colors. Above the ship was a blue sky dotted with white clouds, and below a green mass of land. Otha dropped his anchor and the ship began to lower toward the ground. He leaned against the bulwarks, watching below, making sure to land in the right spot.

There was a patch of grass next to a mangled pile of metal and glass. Weeping could be heard in the distance, but Otha paid that no mind. Instead, he lowered his boarding plank and stepped out onto the grass, headed directly for the wreckage. He inspected it briefly, circling it, before kneeling and seeing a young boy trapped inside. The boy had a fearful look in his eyes.

“Hello, Dear Heart.” Otha said with a smile.

The boy only looked back at Otha.

“Have no fear.” Otha said, “I am your friend.”

“Where is my mommy?” the boy asked.

“She is well, in fact, she is standing over there.”

“Why is she crying?” 

“Because she will miss you.” Otha said.

“Miss me,” asked the boy, “but I am right here.”

Otha smiled, “Only for a moment longer. What is your name?”

“Cory.”

“I am Otha. What is the last thing you remember?”

“I was asking mommy to play my favorite song, and she dropped her phone, and then…”

Otha nodded, “I see.” 

“But I am ok?”

“You are as ok as you will ever be.” Said Otha. 

“And Mommy?”

“Mommy? She has to stay here.” 

“Stay here?” asked Cory, “Why? Where are we going?”

“We are moving on, Cory.” Said Otha, “That is my job.” 

“What do you do?” asked Cory.

“I help people find their way.”

“To where?”

Otha did not know how to answer that part. He only took his passengers to the shore, and no further. There was no choice, this was the nature of things. Otha looked at the boy and felt tears form in his eyes.

“It’s a surprise to everyone, I am afraid,” said Otha, “even me.”

Cory looked around for his mother. “I hear mommy crying!” 

“Yes, she will be sad.” Said Otha, “Just as she was happy when you were born.”

“But I don’t want to go with you.”

“I do not wish to take you, but I cannot change what is.”

“But what happened?” asked Cory, afraid.

“Nothing uncommon.” Said Otha, “In fact, it is quite natural.”

“Will I ever see my mommy again?” 

“I don’t know.” Said Otha, “I wish I could tell you.”

Cory thought for a moment, and in an instant he understood.

“This happened to Nana, didn’t it?” Cory asked, “She went to heaven. Am I going to heaven?”

“Heaven is a word.” Said Otha, “Only the living call it that. But yes, I remember your Nana. I helped her find her way once. That reminds me, She had something she wanted to tell you, would you like to hear it?”

Cory nodded.

“She wanted me to tell you that you are a strong boy, brave, and she loves you very much.”

Cory smiled, “Can I find Nana?”

Otha tilted his head and chuckled, “I am one of many who help people find their way. Some of us take people to one place, and some to another. I have never had to take anyone to the other place. I don’t know what happens there, but I hear it isn’t good. I don’t know what happens where I take people either, but I believe it is a peaceful place. I took your Nana there, maybe you will find her after all.”

Cory smiled through tears, “I am going to miss my mommy.” 

“She will miss you too, I am certain,” said Otha, “If I am called to collect her, would you like to leave a message for her, just like your Nana left you?”

Cory nodded, tears in his eyes, “Yes! Tell my mommy I love her, and it wasn’t her fault!”

Otha smiled. He extended his hand into the wreckage. 

“Come with me, Dear Heart.” 

Cory took Otha by the hand and walked with him to his ship. He stopped and looked back at the wreckage, the smashed windshield, and the ambulance.

“Looking back will only hurt.” said Otha, “ Look forward. Do you like boats?”

“I have never been on a boat.”

“Then come with me. I will sail you across the most amazing ocean.”

Cory smiled and began to walk toward the ship. He paused and turned again, this time looking at his mother being comforted by police.

“I love you, Mommy.” Cory shouted as he climbed aboard The Azrael, “Forever and ever.”