The ghostly pallor of the reflection was none other than the man.She took a step back as her eyes bulged from thier sockets.She wasnt sure whether to faint or dismiss it as a illusion.
Nervously, she blinked her eyes.Once, twice, three times.It was no illusion.The figure was a bad omen, and she knew it.For the first time, she had met him, but she couldnt believe thier reunion was to be on death throes

The figure smiled sadly as it began in a chilling overtone."Dearest Natalie, all these years living on earth have been bittersweet,from the first time i opened my eyes, for the first time i met her, for the first time she said yes, and for the first time, i caused her death,"Pausing as it teared, it continued, in a broken tone."Losing her was comparable to suffering in the deepest level of hell tenfold.I could not sleep and eat , and my wretched mind was haunted by her screams each night, i recall her slipping over the handrail, how i could have saved her, had i been a second earlier.It was hard to recover, but i had to pick myself up, and when i met you, i was convinced that you were the person to bring me out of the shades of darkness clouding my life for a decade.Although i was, at first, very incensed over the incident"its face cracked into a wide grin."i must admit that i was acting like a spoilt child and was very petty."i apologise for that"."Before i go, since i am no longer on this earth, i will tell you the secret that i have been keeping for the past 3 years."

"Natalie, i love you more than life itself,im sorry it had to end up this way.I almost forgot, i didnt tell you my name.It has to be funny that my introduction has to be on my deathbed( Natalie's tear strewn face managed a grin at this untimely pun).."My Name is Nate."
"You are very cute when you smile.I have to go. i will always love you whereever i may be.Farewell"

With that, the ghostly apparition faded from view.

Natalie let out a piercing scream."Nate? Nate!" "Nooooooo!" "Talk to me, are you there?"

But there was only silence.

She had to go, now.




Jumping into her car, she took off at full speed for the city's General Hospital.

In no time, Natalie was there, and she must have had racked up a dozen speeding citations and the possible loss of her license, but she didnt care.All she wanted was Nate.


Bursting into the hotel lobby, pausing long enough to scan the area.Dismissing the strange looks from the crowded lobby, she ran up to the registration and in between ragged breaths as she tried to regain composure, she demanded the room number of the one who held their future together.

"Room 976" the harried nurse said, as she made sure to make her displeasure heard in every syallable of her tone.

Natalie didnt whisper a word of thanks as she was already down the hallway almost colliding with a wheelchair as she rounded the turn.

"973,974, 975,"She sucked in a lungful of air as she paused outside."Room 976",the big bold numbers splashed across the door like a headline, almost mocking her tantalisingly.

Natalie pushed the door as she prepared herself for the worst

Her breath caught for a second as the tears welled up in her eyes.It was almost cringeworthy.
She felt her blood rush up to her brain as she could not take it in anymore.Managing only a few steps out of the room, she felt her vision cloud,as she felt her feet feel unmistakenly light. and the sensation of falling into a blackhole.

**
Nate lay there, peacefully.For a moment, one could have sworn that he was dead.His hands were atop his chest, rising and falling to the rhythm of his cessant breathing.Tubes were inserted into him in every incision it could find.The machines hummed as they kept the still, unconscious Nate, alive.

It was beautiful, and he knew it.The jarrring white light filled the expanse of the unknown room as he stepped on what seemed to be like an endless road of clouds.He was floating, and one with the sky.
As he continued down the path, he was surprised to see that the surroundings were much different now.Trees grew everywhere and threatened to cloud his path. as he pushed a humongous vine aside, he gaped.

For all the breathtaking sights that he had just experienced, this particular one made them pale in comparison, as he saw a familar figure rise from the pedestal and glide toward him.

"Dad?"

"Yes, my son." The figure replied."Its good to see you again, though i would not have preferred this".He said remorsefully.

"Nate." A singsong voice brought his attention to another figure, rapidly descending from the light high above..His jaw dropped as his mother came into view.

Echoing her husband in his reply, she held her son's hand.

"Fate is predestinied, she said."It is the will of God, and it is not your time yet."
"God has some more plans for you.Cherish it".With a smile, she waved goodbye as both of them faded from view and Nate was falling, into nothingness.