Just a moment

The hissing sounds made Synthia take a step back. The dark smoke in front of her spat a green liquid in her direction. Like following a delicate dance pattern, she sidestepped and avoided the suspicious liquid with grace. Instead, it hit the pavement with a splat, followed by the sound of meat hitting a hot pan.

Now, come on, I’m not the enemy here.

She looked around the dark alley. They were alone. It was just her, the dark floating mass and the corpse.

Shouldn’t have taken the Narrow Road today. Guess I lost my bet again.

With a quick look at the small hole in the road, Synthia lifted her pale hands. Palms facing the smoke, she started to hum. It was a low sound, like a big airplane approaching from the horizon. Not very loud but still enough to make the smoke start to vibrate. It was an amelodic hum.

Hands still held up, she tiptoed towards the smoke which was less dense. Underneath was a white-silvery shimmer. Time stretched but finally, the smoke had disappeared completely.

“What is going on? What is happening? Where am I?”

The trembling, teary voice belonged to a short woman. Her back was bent and she was leaning on a cane. Synthia was only one step away from the old lady and looked down on her.

Well, that worked out well. Now for the final step.

Frida, you were on your way home.

“My way home? Oh, well … are you sure?”

The voice was still trembling. The almost transparent body turned around. The eyes scanning the surroundings. Looking for a clue to know what was going on. It was quite dark. Only every other streetlamp was lit.

Way to go, city council! Guess everyone has to save money.

Synthia felt pity for the confused old lady in front of her. The darkness couldn’t affect her but her changed state of being might overwhelm the old woman.

Yes. You visited your friend.

“Ah … yes. Olga. She’s getting old, you know. She doesn’t know how to take care of herself. So, I have to look after her, don’t I?”

Yes. You did.

Synthia was now only half a step away from Frida. The old woman faced her again, having to tilt her head to make eye-contact with the taller woman.

“Do I know you?”

It wasn’t a question, despite its inflection. Synthia’s lips stretched to a warm smile, her pitch-black eyes drawing all of Frida’s attention.

I’ve been accompanying you for a while. You have taken care of everyone for so long. Now it’s time to rest.

The outstretched pale hand waited for the misty figure to reach out. Almost transparent fingers moved towards the pale invitation. Synthia’s smile stayed in place, full of warmth and patience. Then the hand stopped. Immediately, the gentle expression dropped. At least for a second. Then the smile reappeared. Slightly strained.

“But what about Olga? She will be …”

Don’t worry about her. A friend will bring her soon.

“A friend? Olga doesn’t have any friends. It’s just me. Even her son doesn’t visit. You …”

Oh, one of my friends. We know you would never disappoint Olga. But she’s not quite ready yet.

The hesitating woman looked in the direction where she might have come from. Not moving but pondering on what to do next.

Oh, come on! You were ready to go. Claude is going to laugh in my face, if I take any longer.

“So, you say your friend will look after her? You know, she likes peppermint tea the most. Just one spoon of honey and a drop of milk. Tell your friend …”

Yes, I will tell him. You can write it all down, if you want. But first, let’s get out of the cold.

“You’re right. It is quite cold.”

The silvery-white lady’s translucent body vibrated and with one hand she rubbed her arm, the other hand still clutched around the cane’s handle.

You’ll warm up quickly as soon as you follow me. Let’s go.

One last look down the street, but then the hands met. With a crackling sound, like lightning striking the ground, they disappeared.

“November 17th • 76-year-old Frida W. was found dead on Narrow Road by early commuters. The local police found no signs of foul play. She had been reported as missing the evening before.”

“Yes, you are connected to ‘After your life’ the Afterlife-Hotline. You are speaking with Anabel Ponz. How may I help you?”

The calm voice travelled through the small office space, when a crackling sound interrupted the call for a second. Instead of flinching, the human woman looked up and her face brightened. As she was in a call, she could only wave at Synthia who returned the enthusiastic gesture and hung her black coat.

Finally, back. Hope Anabel’s going to be done with the call soon.

Stifling a yawn, Synthia patted down her hair, throwing a glance towards the woman on the call.

She really makes this place come alive.

Just when she was about to make her way to the newest office member, another crackling sound filled the air. With some silvery smoke, just half a step away from Synthia, another black-cloaked figure appeared. This time Anabel didn’t look up.

Told you she isn’t interested in this. After a month you could also just give up.

The pale man just looked down his nose at Synthia and placed his cloak just on top of the woman’s.

Still all huffy about it, aren’t you. Maybe I should ask Anabel to give him a chance.

- It took you quite a while to convince that lady. And she almost got you.

White fingers pointed at Synthia’s black shoes and the woman pulled her mouth. Some faint green residue was visible around a small hole on the tip of her left shoe.

Of course you would see it immediately.

There was never a chance. How about you? I thought you would be in the breakroom with Henry.

- Henry isn’t back yet. Robin is helping him out. He ran into … special customers.

Huh, Henry?! How’s that possible.

- Don’t know.

Wait, did you say customers? As in plural?

- Yeah, can’t you listen?! So …

Do they need our help? If it’s too many, it could be dangerous. And what about Anabel? She’ll …

Before Synthia could finish her sentence, the newly installed switchboard lit up like a Christmas tree. The customer service operator tensed but the patience and professional tone never left her voice. With a last friendly goodbye she finished the call and then turned around.

“You can’t help out, can you?”

Instantly, the other two employees pulled a face.

“At least prepare some tea, can you?! I’ll need this voice to last longer than the silent disco in front of me.”

- No milk but three teaspoons of sugar, right? Do you want to have some snacks as well? Maybe …

Anabel rolled her eyes and Claude shut up immediately.

Ugh, too eager. If he would just listen.

“Just tea please. Dilute it a bit. Haven’t slept well in the last month. Don’t wanna join the callers any time soon.”

There was a lopsided grin from Anabel, while Claude and Synthia tensed. Synthia opened her mouth to say something, but the human just shook her head.

“Sorry. Still have to get used to the no-jokes-about-death rule.”

This made the two employees nod with a careful glance towards the door at the other end of the office. The awkward silence stretched.

“Well, then. I’ve to answer these calls.”

- Gotcha. Come on, Synthia, let the professional do her work.

Being pulled by her overly eager colleague to the break room, Synthia cast a last glance over to Anabel who was braving the storm all alone.

I wish we could help her.

- So, do I. You know …

The pause made Synthia suspicious, and she followed Claude who had started to prepare three thermos bottles. They were light-blue, Anabel’s favourite color.

Woah, you really fell for her, didn’t you.

There was a faint silver mist surrounding Claude and Synthia rubbed her temples and closed her eyes. This was the time when she wished she could sigh. Opening her eyes again she straightened her back and stepped towards her happily humming colleague.

Does Colin know about it? You know showing affection …

Claude whipped around so fast that Synthia stumbled backwards. Suddenly, his mist surrounded her. The only thing visible was Claude’s white face, lips pressed together and silvery eyes pulled into slits. The air around her cooled down in a flash. Had she been breathing, her breath would have made it snow.

Hey! Hey! Snap out of it!

The floor was covered with ice. Just like Frida before, Synthia started to shiver. This was no ordinary cold. As it seeped through her clothes and started to chill her core, Synthia felt agitation wash over her. Wanting to reach out to touch Claude, she felt horror creep up her spine, when she couldn’t move her limbs.

I won’t tell him. So just tell me how to help Anabel!

Immediately the cold was gone. As was the mist. Instead, with a sheepish look on his face Claude looked at her. The ice on the floor had turned into a puddle and with the tips of his shoes he drew some runes onto the floor.

How about an apology? Yes? … No? … Of course not.

The whistling of the water cooker made both flinch. Still a bit shaken by Claude’s loss of control she poured the boiling water in the thermos, while her colleague dipped the tea bags into the bottles.

So, what is your plan. How can we help Anabel?

With a bear shaped squeezy bottle of honey in his hand Claude faced her, his silvery eyes now shining almost as brightly as a full moon on a starry night.

- Ah, yeah. Let me tell you!

“Are you sure we can leave just like this? Did the big boss … I mean … Did Colin give his approval?”

Well, you worked overtime the whole first month. It should be ok.

- Yes, don’t worry. It’s more important that you get to relax.

Anabel looked at Claude and Synthia with a frown on her face while both pale faces brimmed with excitement. With a hesitant glance at the now silent switchboard and an even more careful peek towards Colin’s door she sighed.

“Ok. But tell me first, where we’re going.”

Where would you like to go?

- Yeah, anywhere you always wanted to go?

Synthia elbowed her colleague in the side, but he didn’t even flinch. All his attention was focused on the human in front of him.

Hey, you are … misting again!

A flush appeared on Claude’s cheeks, but the mist didn’t disappear. And to Synthia’s surprise Anabel giggled. It was a lively sound. So rare. So preciously human. It made Synthia feel all warm and happy inside.

“You know … yeah! I’ve earned a break. So … you said we can go anywhere I want?”

Yes, anywhere is possible.

Mouth aghast, eyes wide, Anabel stared at her. It took a few encouraging nods and the astonishment turned into a wide grin.

“Woah! The place I want to be right now the most is …”

To Synthia’s surprise Anabel stepped forward, pulled down Claude’s head and whispered something in his ear. The tall man was frozen for a second. Then there was a gust of cold air accompanied by an unremarkable plop. Within a second the woman and the man were shrouded in silvery mist. Synthia stood there too surprised to move. Claude’s emotions completely blocked her view.

Way to go. Just leave me behind, you da…

A warm hand grabbed her arm. She was pulled into the mist. A thundering sound shook the office. One of Anabel’s thermos bottles rolled off the table, joining the concert with its metallic clink, followed by Claude’s coat hitting the floor with a soft thud. Then the commotion stilled. Silver dust danced in the air. A puddle of water mirrored its dance. Colin’s office door opened by a crack.