THE MOMENT
"How the hell did I get here?" The question repeated in Circi's mind as she wandered the landscape trying to establish where 'here' was. When she first opened her eyes in a new setting, her first thought was that she landed in Hell. A red sky blanketed jagged, imposing red mountains in the distance. Visually, it matched depictions of Hell she'd seen. Instead of the pungent stench of sulfur, it was refreshing peppermint that tickled her nose.
She chose a direction and started walking. Circi knew if she waited around for answers they might never come. She always assumed she'd end up in Hell after she passed on. Even at her young age, she'd made a lot of mistakes she wasn't proud of. She got the idea to fake her death from a movie and felt that it was the only way out.
She braved the guilt to attend her own funeral in secret; but, it only made her feel worse. She fled to the deepest, darkest corner of the church that she could find and as she huddled in pitch black, she knew she was going to Hell. Then, she opened her eyes and she was there.
She walked in one direction for what felt like hours. Thoughts and regrets replayed in her mind. She did not even consider trying to find a way out; she knew she could never go back. But, then, she spotted a patch of green in the distance. It stood out from the barren red dirt that covered the rest of the horizon. Circi moved in the direction and realized the smell of peppermint was growing stronger.
She reached the green area and she wasn't surprised to find a patch of peppermint. However, it did surprise her to see another person. Another girl with light green hair. She looked to be about Circi's age; but, her eyes were closed as if she was meditating. After a moment she opened her eyes and looked up at Circi with a smile.
"You look lost," she said. Circi nodded.
"Is this Hell?" she asked. It was the quickest way to find out if she could escape. If it wasn't Hell, she still had a chance. Unfortunately, the girl nodded. She also rose from the ground and extended her hand.
"I'm Canta," she said.
"Circi...," she said with a heavy tone.
"Do you not want to be here?" Canta asked. Circi smiled and let out a small laugh; her first in years.
"Who wants to be in Hell?" she asked.
"I mean, the shopping district is pretty amazing," Canta shrugged. "So.. then why are you here?" Canta asked.
"I belong here...," Circi shrugged. Canta laughed and shook her head.
"Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren't you?" she asked. "Fortunately, the decision of where you belong is out of your hands," Canta said.
"But...I'm here," she said. Canta nodded.
"I am too. We're both alive, by the way." Circi narrowed her eyes.
"You...want to be in Hell?"
"Yeah, it's been my home for some years now," Canta replied. Circi shook her head.
"But it's HELL," she said. "Fire and brimstone and eternal torture.....,"
"Eeeeeh," Canta shrugged. "It just depends what package you signed up for. But, it doesn't apply to the living."
"If that was true, then why am I here?" Circi asked. Canta giggled.
"You did that on your own; you can leave any time." A look of confusion spread across Circi's face. She was about to argue; but, Canta spoke up again.
"OOoooh, you don't know what you are," she said.
"What?" Circi asked. "I'm a demon or something?"
"Or something," Canta nodded. "You are Unique Soul #35, La Estrella. You can go to any reality you want," she said.
"As comfortable as you may be..," Circi shook her head. "I definitely did NOT want to come here."
"Well, you sure thought about it a lot," Canta said. "Probably too much. La Estrella..," Canta pointed at Circi to remind her what she was. "...can Traverse to alternate realities. The thing is, it's not like fast travel in a game..... you've played video games, right?" Canta asked. Circi nodded.
"Right, so it doesn't work like fast travel. There are infinite universes out there, it'd be impossible to aim for a specific one. Estrellas Traverse on feelings. You give the universe an idea where you want to go; and, the universe decides where to put you. Most of the time it matches up, but it takes some practice."
"You're making that up...," Circi said with a shake of her head. "This is Hell and you're trying to trick me." Canta shrugged.
"If that's how you see things, then that's how you see things. Either way, I have to get to work," Canta waved with a smile. "So, good luck," she turned and walked away.
Circi watched the green-haired girl walk away through the peppermint. The further she went, the more a feeling nagged at the back of her neck. What if she was wrong? What if she could go anywhere she wanted to?
"Wait!" Circi called out. Canta stopped and turned around.
"Yes?" Circi hesitated for a moment, but she found her question.
"Will you help me?" she asked.
"For sure," Canta nodded, then headed back towards Circi. "Let's get you home." Circi shook her head and took a step back from the idea.
"No!" she said. "I can't go back there..."
"Why not?" Canta asked.
"I...hurt people... I faked my own death...,"
"But... you're not dead...." Canta tilted her head. "They'd probably like to know that." Circi shook her head again.
"They hate me...," she said. Canta closed the gap between them and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Remember when I said that where you belong isn't up to you?" she asked. Circi nodded. She wasn't ready when Canta brought her hand up and flicked a finger against her forehead.
"Stop deciding things for other people."
"Owwww," Circi rubbed her forehead.
"You asked for help, you're going to get it. No turning back now," Canta smiled. "Here's what's going to happen. First, you're going to learn a few things about the universe; that 'll really put things in perspective for you. Then, you're going to go home and apologize. THEN, you're coming to school with me," she said. "Ready for all that?" Canta asked. Circi shook her head.
"Too bad," Canta laughed and grabbed her hand to lead her away. "It's already decided."