Every end is a new beginning.
The Doorway to Forever
Every ending holds the promise of a new beginning toward something unexpected and meaningful.
The Ending
Jacob lay on the stretcher in the back of the speeding ambulance, the paramedics working frantically around him. The harsh, rhythmic beeping of machines filled the small space, blending with the blaring siren that resonated through the mountains. The setting sun cast shadows across the rocky landscape, the sky painted in shades of orange and pink, evoking a serenity in stark contrast to the urgency inside the ambulance.
His pulse was weak, barely there, and his body was battered from the impact of the accident. Yet, his soul lingered, caught between this world and the next. He could see the paramedics working on him, their hands moving quickly, their voices muffled as if he were underwater. But Jacob wasn’t focused on them. His gaze kept drifting to the mountains outside, the same mountains he had navigated countless times.
Just a few hours earlier, Jacob had been riding down a quiet highway near Pocatello, Idaho, wearing his favorite yellow cycling top. The color had always made him feel vibrant, alive—perfect for a day like today. He was on his way to his cousin's wedding, planning to squeeze in a long ride before the ceremony. Weddings were always a bit awkward for Jacob, and this one would be especially so since he’d be attending alone, but the ride had been his way of clearing his mind.
He recalled the moment he had noticed the yellow Jeep in his rearview mirror, its driver a woman with long dark hair. Something about that Jeep had caught his attention, though he couldn’t pinpoint why. He remembered thinking how the bright yellow of her vehicle matched his cycling top. It was just a passing thought, quickly overshadowed by the sheer joy of the ride and the anticipation of pushing his limits.
Jacob had always been a man driven by adventure. The outdoors were his sanctuary, a place where he could escape from the expectations of others and live life on his terms. He had climbed mountains, kayaked in remote lakes, and even jumped out of planes—all in search of that next thrill. Relationships had never lasted long; his passion for adventure was too consuming, and the women he dated eventually drifted away, unable to compete with his need to explore the world.
He remembered the time he cycled through the rolling hills of Tuscany, the vineyards stretching out in every direction, the sun warm on his back. He could still taste the wine from the small village he had stopped in, the rich, earthy flavor mingling with the sense of accomplishment from the day’s ride.
He thought about the time he had hiked through the dense forests of the Pacific Northwest, the air thick with the scent of pine and earth. The stillness of the forest had been an antidote to the chaotic energy of the city, a reminder of the peace he found in solitude. These moments had defined his life, giving him a sense of purpose and fulfillment that nothing else could.
Jacob felt a pang of regret. Not for the life he had lived—he had no regrets about that—but for the life he hadn’t had the chance to live. He had always imagined that one day, he would find someone who shared his love for adventure, someone who could keep up with him. But now, it seemed that day would never come.
His thoughts returned to the moment of the accident. He had seen the car in his mirror, the one that had swerved to avoid an oncoming truck. It all happened so fast. The vehicle had missed the truck but veered directly into his path. He had no time to react; the impact was sudden and brutal. He remembered the sensation of being thrown from his bike, the world spinning around him before everything went dark.
Jacob glanced at the paramedics again, seeing their faces etched with concentration and concern. They were doing everything they could to save him, but Jacob knew, deep down, that it wasn’t enough. His body was too broken, too damaged. He could feel his grip on life slipping away, like sand slipping through his fingers.
The mountains outside the ambulance window seemed to glow with the last light of the day, and Jacob found himself entranced by the sight. He felt a strange acceptance, a quiet understanding that his time was coming to an end. The sun was setting on his life, just as it was setting on the day.
As his vision began to blur, Jacob became aware of a presence beside him. He hadn’t noticed anyone else in the ambulance, but now, there was someone there, standing silently, watching him. He turned his head slightly and saw a figure in a deep, dark robe, with a hood that obscured most of his face. The Grim Reaper.
Jacob wasn’t afraid. In fact, he felt a sense of calm as the Reaper stepped closer. The figure’s face was mostly hidden, but Jacob could sense the Reaper’s gaze on him, steady and understanding.
“You’ve lived a good life, Jacob,” the Reaper said, his voice low and soothing, like a distant echo. “You’ve seen the world, experienced things most people only dream of. But now, your journey here is coming to an end.”
Jacob nodded weakly, his mind swirling with memories and thoughts of what could have been. He wanted to say something, to ask questions, but he found that he couldn’t speak. The words were stuck in his throat, lost in the haze of his fading consciousness.
The Reaper seemed to understand. He reached out, placing a skeletal hand on Jacob’s shoulder, a gesture of comfort rather than threat. “Don’t worry,” the Reaper continued. “Your journey isn’t over. It’s just beginning. There’s more waiting for you, more than you could ever imagine.”
As the Reaper spoke, the sounds of the ambulance began to fade, the beeping of the machines growing distant, the voices of the paramedics fading into silence. The mountains outside the window blurred into a soft glow, and Jacob felt himself being pulled away from the world he had known.
The Reaper shook his head slowly. "No, Jacob. This is not the end. It’s just the beginning. Your journey has only just begun."
And with that, the Reaper gently took Jacob’s soul, leading him away from the ambulance, away from the scene of his accident. As they walked, the world around them began to fade, the mountains, the trees, the setting sun—all of it dissolving into a soft, comforting light. Jacob felt at peace, ready for whatever came next. He didn’t know where the Reaper was taking him, but he wasn’t afraid.
