"Alex…Alex wake up!" I groaned, my eyes slowly fluttering open as I begrudgingly stirred from the comfort of my bed. I rubbed my eyes and peered out of my bedroom, trying to gather my bearings.

"What time is it, Leon?" I mumbled, still half-asleep.

"It's almost close to 1:00 P.M. Oh, and lunch is ready or breakfast, depending on when you wake up," Leon replied, dashing off, probably heading straight to the table to eat his share of lunch or perhaps my breakfast.

I grabbed some spare clothes from my drawer and my towel, making my way to the shower to wash off the lingering grease from last night's adventures. As I walked toward the bathroom, I noticed that Katlyn had prepared sandwiches for both of us and set mine on the table.

"Hurry up with your shower or the sandwich will get soggy. I didn't make that for you, Alex, just to let it sit there," Katlyn called out.

"Don't worry, it won't sit there long. Yours are always the best," I saluted her playfully, starting the shower to heat up the water. However, before stepping in, I overheard a conversation between Leon and Katlyn by the door.

"My PB&J sandwiches are the best as well, right, Katlyn?" Leon asked, sounding both eager and proud.

"Leon, brown food coloring and mayonnaise do not make peanut butter. Also, I wonder how Alex reacted when he had your sandwich," Katlyn responded, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

Ah, that reminded me of the time I gave a sandwich to a coworker, earning myself the nickname "MJ." Those were challenging days until I found a better job.

I got into the shower, momentarily forgetting that I had turned the water to cold, resulting in a sudden icy spray that jolted me awake. "AHH, THAT IS COLD!!" I shouted, while hearing muffled laughter from the other room.

Once I adjusted the temperature, I proceeded to rinse myself, scrubbing the Irish shampoo into a minty, cold lather. It was refreshing and woke me up fully.

"Man, after all the work I do, coming home and cleaning myself in my own shower is the best feeling in the world," I thought to myself as I savored the moment.

"Hurry up, Alex, before Leon eats your sandwich!" Katlyn called out, and I replied, "I'll be right there, Katlyn, just gotta shave!"

"But you don't have a mustache or a beard," she teased.

"It's still important to shave at least twice a week, Leon," I retorted with a grin.

"Alright, smoothless," Leon chuckled in response.

With my manly routine complete, I dressed in some spare clothes I had brought with me. I thought it would be a good idea to give Leon and Katlyn their Christmas gifts now, so we could take a picture with them when we found our Christmas tree later. But I wanted to wrap them in boxes to make the unwrapping experience more enjoyable.

Heading up to the attic, I rummaged through the Christmas decorations from last year until I found some gift wrappings that had been left unused. Perfect! I wrapped the gifts and then returned to the dining room, hiding the boxes in my pockets.

As I sat down to eat, we enjoyed our usual banter and jokes. We often discussed our favorite teachers and why they were so highly regarded among the students.

"Leon, don't forget your coat, and yours too, Katlyn," I reminded them as I grabbed my keys and glanced at the time. It was 3:30, and McMillan's farm wouldn't close until 5 pm, so we had plenty of time.

I started the truck outside, letting it warm up while I told Katlyn to lock up as we prepared to leave. She got into the front passenger seat, and Leon settled into the backseat behind me.

Pulling out of the driveway, we headed toward the interstate. As we drove, I couldn't help but fumble the gifts in my pockets, and I knew that the anticipation would eventually lead Leon to inquire about them.

"Alex, what are those?" Leon finally asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Oh, these? I just found them in my pocket today," I replied, teasingly flashing the gifts while keeping my focus on the road.

"Are those for us?" Leon's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Of course, or maybe I just got them for myself," I replied playfully, slowly pulling the gifts back to prolong the suspense.

"Don't tease him, you know he hardly can tell the difference between playing around or deception," Katlyn chimed in with a smile.

"Alright, your highness, but I bet you guys are still in suspense, aren't ya?" I chuckled, enjoying their playful reactions.

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"Here, these are your earliest gifts yet to come," I said, tossing the wrapped boxes to each of them. "Now, before you go and open them, I want to do it from youngest to oldest."

After they had their gifts in hand, I couldn't help but reflect on how car conversations often brought out our emotions more intensely.

"Leon, open yours first, buddy," I encouraged him with a warm smile.

He eagerly unwrapped the gift, revealing a beautifully crafted golden chrome-looking shield necklace. His gaze fixated on the necklace, a mix of bewilderment and excitement on his face.

"Leon, to me, you're not only my brother but also my shield. Like a mighty army general, you encourage and defend me with your boldness, smile, and kind heart toward others."

"Thanks, Alex! I love it! I can't wait to show everyone how much my big bro loves me when break is over," Leon beamed with pride.

"Dang, went straight to showing off, huh,?" I teased him, earning a playful jab in return.

"Now, Katlyn, it's your turn," I said, turning my attention to my younger sister.

She meticulously unwrapped her gift, showcasing her neat and methodical nature. When she unveiled the necklace, a beautiful silver pendant with a cyan opaque colored crescent, she was captivated by its intricate design.

"It's amazing, Alex! Look at how the wolf wraps around the moon. Oh, that's so clever and cool-looking!" Katlyn exclaimed with genuine appreciation.

"Take it into your hands, Katlyn," I encouraged her.

As she held the pendant, she noticed that it glowed, and her excitement grew. "It glows!"

"Indeed, Katlyn, you are my light that guides me through troubling times. Your determination and motivation inspire me to keep moving forward. Like the wolf that swirls around the crescent, I will always protect you and that light," I explained, expressing my feelings to her.

"Alex, I don't know what to say," Katlyn replied, touched by the sentiment.

"You don't have to say anything. You've always been an example to both your younger brother and me, especially when I come home feeling down after work," I said, extending my hand for a fist bump. Katlyn happily bumped me back, and we fell back into a comfortable silence during the drive.

I thought they took it well. I've always been good at expressing my feelings, especially after Ms. Phillips helped me with my stuttering. I noticed that they had dozed off during the ride; we had been on the road for a while—around 30 minutes, I estimated.

Looking at the GPS, we were about 12 miles away from McMillan's farm. Time seemed to slow as I played with the gifts in my pockets. But suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by a series of blinding lights that approached rapidly from behind.

"Hey, what's that?" I exclaimed, turning to see a massive 18-wheeler speeding toward us.

Instinctively, I jerked the wheel to the right to avoid a head-on collision, but the lights kept coming closer until they made impact. I felt pain, intense waves of pain, and then... darkness.

When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself in a realm of pure white. Confused and disoriented, I turned around to see an office-like room without a roof or entrance.

"Hello there, Alex Smith, or do you just go by Alex now?" A voice greeted me from behind, and I turned to find a figure made entirely of light.

"Who are you, and where am I?" I asked, trying to make sense of the surreal situation.

"Oh, I am Azrael, angel of death, among other titles. You are in my 'domain,' a fraction of the afterlife," Azrael answered.

"Afterlife? Does that mean...? Where are Leon and Katlyn?" I interrupted, my heart racing with worry.

"Your siblings are not dead anymore. They have been placed in another world," Azrael explained calmly.

"What?!" The shock and confusion overwhelmed me as I tried to comprehend everything that was happening.

I was still trying to process Azrael's words when he continued, "Straight to the point, fine. Your siblings were killed in the accident along with you.

A mixture of shock, sorrow, and fear washed over me. The news of their passing hit me hard, but the knowledge that they were safe and content in another realm provided some comfort.

"But how can they be in another world? Is this some sort of alternate reality?" I asked, trying to make sense of the revelation.

"Think of it as different dimensions coexisting, each with its own unique characteristics and inhabitants," Azrael explained. "When your souls departed from your physical bodies, they were guided to this realm, where they now reside."

As Azrael spoke, my attention was drawn to the golden drops falling from me, the soul tears he had mentioned earlier. Each tear symbolized the love and kindness I had shown throughout my life. It was both humbling and enlightening to witness the essence of my soul in this form.

"Candles," Azrael pointed towards a stunning display of hundreds of candles. "They represent the memories and emotions of those you left behind in the mortal world."

I observed as one of the candles transformed into an image of a beloved friend from the orphanage, Steven. He looked older than the last time I saw him, and it tugged at my heartstrings. The candle seemed to be expressing his grief over my departure, a poignant reminder of the connections we make in life.

"These candles hold the emotions of those who miss you most. Your loved ones here cherish the memories they shared with you," Azrael said gently.

As I continued to observe, Azrael gestured towards another cluster of candles. They swirled and danced, their flames taking on different shapes and forms. I noticed one that resembled Leon, and another that looked like Katlyn. Their candles flickered brightly, a testament to the depth of their feelings for me.

"It's incredible," I whispered, my voice filled with wonder.

"Indeed, the emotions and memories of the living are potent and eternal," Azrael said. "Though your mortal existence may have ended, the impact you had on their lives remains steadfast."

I felt a sense of peace wash over me, knowing that my love and care had left a lasting impression on those I cherished most.

"But what happens now? Can I see them, talk to them?" I asked, yearning to be reunited with my siblings once more.

“In time, yes, but it will be up to you to find them,” Azrael said in a firmer voice. “Come along Alex we need to discuss this business in the realm you have to traverse.”

Without even saying a word Azrael vanished in front of me leaving me in a pure white landscape that bordered on the insanity of trying to comprehend its reality.