C3 New Acquaintances

A soft repeated knock echoed through the door, stirring her awake from her forced slumber, truth was she couldn't sleep, whenever she tried her mind was riddled with nightmares, being stabbed to death in her sleep by the strangers, and some other gory stuffs that had taken hold of her mind.

She slid the thin blanket of her body and cautiously opened the door wide enough for her to peek through. A middle aged woman stood at the entrance, she was slim and had her grey hair styled in a low bun. She wore a long skirt and a pastel pattered blouse.

"Good morning, beautiful. Hope you had a wonderful night?" The woman said smiling, her crowsfeet wrinkle crinkled softly, making her brown eyeswelcoming.She was holding what looked like a plate wrapped in foil and a bottled water "I heard your name's Riley. I'm Morgan and I'm in charge of the kitchen affairs. Here's your food. Whenever you're done eating, kindly join us in the courtyard for a proper introduction."

"Thank you, Miss Morgan. Nice to meet you," Riley replied taking the plate and water from her hand, Miss Morgan nodded in acknowledgement and took her leave.

She unwrapped the foil gently and was greeted with spiced scrambled eggs and boiled sweet potatoes. Riley savored the meal, the flavors offering a semblance of normalcy in this surreal situation. Afterward, she made her way to the courtyard, where she was met by a diverse group of individuals. Tyrone's warm smile welcomed Riley into the gathering. "Everyone, this is Riley," he introduced, indicating each person in turn, "To my left is Timilehin from Nigeria, followed by Sandra from Texas, then Lissandra from Canada. I'm sure you've already met Miss Morgan and Eddie. Over there is Priyanka from India, and finally, we have Professor Marcus, though we simply call him professor here. He's also from Texas. During your stay here, you'll become acquainted with everyone. Walk with me."

As they strolled, Tyrone addressed Riley's evident confusion. "I understand you're uncertain about how you ended up here." Riley nodded, silently confirming her bewilderment. Tyrone continued his explanation, "This place is called The Afterlife. It's where we find ourselves after passing on." Riley, grappling with the unsettling reality, was now engulfed in a spectrum of uncomfortable emotions. "So, you're telling me I'm... I'm dead!?" she exclaimed, shockingly.

Tyrone, offering comfort, pulled her into a reassuring embrace. "We're here for you. We function like a family in this place." After a prolonged moment, the gravity of the situation settled upon Riley. She had no choice but to accept this new existence, along with all its peculiarities. She blinked her wide eye and turned to Tyrone, resolute. "Please, continue." Tyrone looked at her, confirming, "Are you sure you want to continue?" She nodded.

"Alright... We're not alone here. There are others in different shelters spread across various locations. One crucial rule to remember: 'never walk alone.' As long as you're within this shelter, you're safe. Everything necessary for survival is provided. Sometimes, we venture out for patrols and to restock supplies. That's all for now."

"I understand this might be too much for you to process right now" Tyrone began "I'll let you take today off, I'll properly integrate you to how we run things here come tomorrow morning" he concluded a little bit stern.

The weight of her own mortality settled in, a heavy shroud around Riley's heart. It wasn't just a jolt of shock anymore; it was a profound understanding that she was truly dead. Her existence in the real world had been abruptly extinguished, leaving behind a void that echoed with questions and sorrow. She couldn't help but wonder about her parents, their faces etched with worry and grief, her kid brother Liam, perhaps struggling to comprehend the sudden absence of his older sister. And then there was her dear grandmother, the one who had showered her with boundless affection growing up. Riley couldn't bear to imagine the pain her passing would inflict on the woman, whose heart was already burdened with fragility.

Her business, the culmination of years of hard work and dreams, now hung in a limbo, untethered from the guiding hand that had once steered it forward. It was a cruel twist of fate that she wouldn't witness it flourish or evolve, nor would she experience the joys of marriage or the tender touch of a child in her arms.

Had the news of her untimely demise reached them yet? Riley couldn't shake the haunting uncertainty. If it had, how had they reacted? Were they engulfed in the sorrowful shroud of mourning, each of them grappling with the inexplicable loss of a cherished daughter, sister, and granddaughter? Had her lifeless form been recovered, laid to rest in a somber ceremony that she could never bear witness to?

As she pondered these mysteries, a paradoxical sensation coursed through her. Why didn't she feel dead? Wasn't this supposed to be a place of tranquil reprieve, a sanctuary free from pain and strife? The ache in her chest seemed to contradict the very essence of her newfound reality.

Tears flowed freely down her cheeks, Sniffling and wiping away the traces of her anguish, Riley gathered her resolve. With a heavy heart, she excused herself, navigating through the labyrinthine corridors of the shelter to the room that had been designated as her own. There, she crumpled onto the bed, surrendering to the waves of grief that threatened to consume her. Her sobs echoed in the confines of the room, punctuated by heart-wrenching hiccups, until exhaustion and sorrow granted her a merciful respite.

The persistent blare of the bus's horn jolted Riley from her fitful slumber, pulling her from the depths of her emotional maelstrom. She approached the window with a mixture of weariness and curiosity, her bleary eyes seeking to discern the source of the commotion. With a gentle tug, she drew back the curtain, granting her a clearer view of the world outside.

"Rise and shine, newbie! We're embarking on our morning patrol. Would you care to join us?" Tyrone's voice, tinged with a warm camaraderie, rang out as their gazes locked.

Riley took a moment to mull over the offer. The prospect of venturing out into this place held a certain allure; she could explore, to gain a deeper understanding of the place that now housed her existence. "Yes, wait for me!" she rasped, her voice still bearing the raw edge from her earlier emotional outburst. With swift determination, she made her way to the adjoining bathroom, a space that felt surprisingly intimate despite its modest dimensions. Basic toiletries awaited her touch, and with a sense of quiet gratitude, she unwrapped a fresh toothbrush and quickly brushed her teeth not wanting to keep them waiting.

She took what was probably the most quickest record breaking shower time of her entire life.They had been kind enough to provide clothings, underwear and shoes for her to manage during her stay here She dressed herself in a brown sports bra, Over it, she donned a sleeveless, spaghetti-strapped top paired with a Black cargo pants and sturdy cowboy boots.

As Tyrone's horn sounded once more, Riley descended the staircase with a purposeful stride. The morning air greeted her, a gentle caress against her skin, as she stepped outside the shelter to join the waiting team.

"Good morning, everyone," she greeted softly as she took her seat where Tyrone had indicated. "We'll be making stops at various places to gather supplies. There might be encounters with occupants from other shelters, but rest assured, we've got your back... Oh, I almost forgot! Are you proficient with a pistol?"Tyrone, with a smile playing on his lips, began briefing her about the morning patrol.

"Yes, I am," she affirmed.

"Are you absolutely sure?" Tyrone inquired his voice laced with unmasked doubt.

With unwavering confidence, she replied, "Yes, I can handle it."

"Alright, here you go," Tyrone handed her a pistol, "it's yours now."

"We've arrived at the first stop. Gear up, everyone," Timilehin announced as he disembarked. "Take your positions, everyone," Tyrone ordered. He glanced at Riley and said, "You're with me and Professor." Together, they entered the supply store.