They called me Mia. They said I was good at soccer. They said I had a boyfriend. They said I had friends. They said....they said.....they said all these things and yet I don't know who they are.

Death. Death was taught to me as not living, not breathing. And yet death wasn't like that. Death was quick, painless, quiet, living.

This is how I met Death:

I laid on the ground. The crisp morning air submerged my senses. I breathed...in...out. I looked up to the sky, where the sun was being to shy to come out of the shadows. The soil on my body felt cool. I remained motionless, careful not to stir the creatures that lurked behind the trees.

I sit up. My surroundings are unknown. I turn my head left, I turn my head right, confused. Where am I? Who am I? Why am I here?

Then it hits me like a heavy rock thrown straight into my heart.

"Mia....Mia...Mia that me! I'm Mia!!!" I shout into the open atmosphere.

I smile with joy like a child finally learning how to write. I stand, my knees ache with pain, but only for a second. I jump with excitement, that is until I look down. I see a body.

My body.

I stare intently, trying to think, trying to act. I am speechless but want to scream. I am motionless but want to run. I am...Mia? At least I thought I was.

That's when memories flourish into my head. I realize, I had died. The cancer overcome my body, messaging Death.

"It was last night, I knew Death was coming. I could see his dark shadows in my eyes. I decided to run. I ran until I found this spot where I laid down. My bald head cushioned into the soil, my mouth stretched into a smile. I was ready. I remember a heavy drift of sleep coming on. I knew it was Death himself, saying it was time to go. I saw a bright flash of light, and then nothing. "

I spoke this out loud, although no one could hear, for I was miles into the forsest deep. I look at my body still lying there.

She was bald and pale. She was dressed into the paper hospital gowns. She looked pleasant, she looked peaceful.

Whereas I look at myself. I was not peaceful, not happy nor complete. I had long flowing brown hair as if the tumor had never taken it. I was dressed in a flowing black dress, provided by Death.

There were two of me. She was me. But She and Me had separated and yet apart of one another.

I hear a stir behind me. I turn to see a man, all dressed in black. His eyes were as bright blue as the sky. He looked stunning, he looked like an angel in a way.

He smiles, "Mia. It's time to go. "

I shake my head. "Not yet. "

He signs with resistance,"You've already died, all you are at this moment is a million particles. "

"I know Death. I know. Just let me fix Her. "

I break off to my left. I collect some wild flowers that I thought were pretty. I bring them back and place them on Her. I cross her hands onto her chest.

"Death, may I request one thing. I must do this before I go. "

He nods, knowing what I want.

I look over and She is dressed into a beautiful white gown. She has a matching flower crown and long flowing hair. She is beautiful. She is perfect.

I tear falls from my eyes. I couldn't believe that She, me, would ever look as beautiful as the sight I saw. I never thought that my body would ever have hair again.

I turn towards Death. "Thank you. " I say as tears fall from my eyes.

He nods with a grin and stretched out his hand. "It's time now Mia."

I smile and look to the sky, "Yes Death. I believe it is."

I walk over to him and accept his hand. I look over once more and whisper a goodbye.

We transport through a bright tunnel of light. We arrive, Death and I to a cloud covered island. It had golden gates and people everywhere.

"So this is heaven?", I ask Death.

"No, this is the afterlife. Heaven was all an illusion. The afterlife is much like heaven, except there is not ruler, no gods to control. The people here, have all lived different lives. It is up to them to protect themselves. "

I nodded with realization. It was beautiful. He turned to leave but I stop him.

"Why can't I remember anything? Why can I only remember my name and what happened last night?"

He replies,"because Mia, this is your new life," he points to the golden gates," you will start a new life here with others like you. You are just Mia now, no strings attached. Instead of other people making up the Mia in the real world, it is up to you to create the Mia in the afterlife."

I nod again. I had no idea where to begin. What was I supposed to become? Where to I start?

"Can you at least tell me some things the real world Mia did? So I know where to begin?"

Death smiles and tells me.

They called my Mia. They said I was good at soccer. They said I had a boyfriend. They said I had friends. They said....they said.....they said all these things and yet I don't know who they are.

This was untrue at the time. I now know who They were.

Here's how it should really go:

Death called me Mia. Death said I was good at soccer. Death said I had a boyfriend. Death said I had friends. Death told me these things so I could become the new Mia.