Author's Note

After much consideration (not) I have decide to ensure all chapters be above the 1K mark, to make it easier to read. So there are going to be some new content added. Chapters under 1K will be combined.

And thank you for reading. :)

Chapter 1 : Destiny in The Making

Destiny...What a lovely way to say you have no control whatsoever in whatever you do. No offence to anyone but it is a word that I despise in the highest degree. I mean my whole life was a mess. Destined to be that ugly loner, hated by his parents for all his shortcomings and, not forgetting his failing grades. If children were packages then I was a super deluxe package of all the wrong things. Sadness included. I mean there was only one aspect of my life that I could express gratitude. Life itself.Yep, that's how bad it was, to a point I could only be grateful for life itself. Now do not misunderstand. I never complained about my plight, to anyone....until now that is. Self-pity was never my thing and It should never be your's either. What I am trying to say is that despite all my problems in terms of looks, happiness, friends, health, intellect, love, family, the list goes on, I was grateful. Grateful that I was alive for the day and the day after that. I would always say to myself before I went to bed that there were others around the world who had it worse. It kept me going. But it seemed destiny had other plans for me. It all started on a very rainy night when my results were sent...

I honestly could not take it. The tears that I withheld after seeing my results, gushed forth unto my pillow. Grade 12. I failed. All the effort I put was for nothing. Why ? Why am I so dumb ? I hear my parents talking. They furious. My tears increase as I hear them cursing me. The mistake, the black sheep, the curse of the family. Why can't I be like my sister or my your younger brother ? I mean they always used to talk like this but why is it paining more than usual, like they taking turns stabbing my heart ? Sighing I wiped my tears, maybe because I finally accepted that my parents hate me ? Not once did I saw a smile etched on their faces when it involved me. Their voices became louder. Shouting ensues, no doubt blaming each other for my existence. I gave out a dry chuckle. If only the girls in high school could fight over me like that. Oh well, dreams are just dreams, but it's nice. It keeps me sane, preventing from going near the rope. Despite my position I would never resort to suicide but...I'm teetering on the edge right now.

*SLAM !* My door is flung open.

I wake up in a jolt, wide-eyed as I see my fath-

*Smack !* The force of his hand was immense.

"Why !" He raged, spittle flying everywhere as he hits me with his belt and fists. "WHY WHERE YOU BORN ! THIS FAMILY IS CRUMBLING BECAUSE OF YOU !"

I cry out in pain as he punches me continously across my whole body. Never did I experience such a heavy beating like this before. His breath smelt of alcohol.

"Fathe-" I vomit as he punched me again in the stomach.

"STOP CALLING ME THAT YOU PIECE OF SHIT ! I NEVER WAS YOUR FATHER TO BEGIN WITH !"

He has never beaten me like this before, I thought, as his fingers wrapped around my neck. He always did this. Choked me until I began to scream. But this time was different. This time he did not let go. I screamed as the pain intensified. Unable to breath my lungs cried for oxygen. I struggled until all I saw was an inky void of darkness.

I died. How did I know ? I was infromed by Death himself. Nice chap. We always had a bad perception of the grim reaper or sometimes known as the angel of death. You would expect him wearing black robes with that cliche scary looking scythe and being an extra on the Conjuring movie set in his spare time. Obviously I cannot tell you how he looks or any description of any kind. Something to do with some identity regulations. Anyway I had a nice long chat with him. It was nice. I never actually use to converse with others so I was soaking every second of the conversation we were having but I knew why he was really striking a conversation with me.

"How did I die ?" I had to hear from another person.

Death sighed as he gave a small smile, knowing I caught on. "You are a smart one Thomas."

I wanted to belive that there was no way I died by my- him choking me to death. I wanted to belive that I most likely fell unconscious and died from something else. But I knew that was not the truth. I had to hear it to believe...to believe he did not love me.

Death looked a me, dead serious. "Do you really want to know ?" I did not want to know. " I think it's best if you don't Thomas but that's just my opinion. You kinda in shock right now. If you want to know though, it is within your right."

"Okay."I took a deep breath. I'll take his advice. If Death does not want to talk about Death then it's advice I'll gladly take. "So." I said, rubbing my hands. "Where's heaven ?" I was pretty sure I was going to heaven. With all the suffering and unfairness I experienced in the world, confidence of paradise was running through me. Is that arrogant of me to say that ?

Death laughed at my outburst. "You not going to heaven." My heart nearly burst. Why am I suprised ? My luck was always rotten. "Or hell." He added quickly.

I held my chest as I steadied my breath. I was going to be the first person to die a second time. "Do not ever do that. Ever. You gave me a heart attack !"

Death gave a sheepish smile as he rubbed his head. " Sorry about that. It was originally planned to put you in heaven but before that could be finalized someone intervened. They wanted an audience with you."

I looked at him thoughtfully. "Is it God ?"

Death tilted his head, his finger tapping his chin. "Well, there's many gods and many beings equivalent to gods but yeah, kinda. He has a deal for you or an offer of some kind if I remebered correctly. Remember though, if you accept this you cannot go to heaven. Our Heaven that is ."

I felt my head buzz. Too much of information to process, so I said the smartest thing I could muster. "Wut ?"

"See, think of it as applying to all the university's available to you. The university's being religions. You apply to one of them and follow their rules and regulations. It is all up to you to pass or fail i.e Heaven and hell. By you accepting this beings offer it's like you switching university's. Actually it is even bigger because this being is from another universe altogether. It's a crude example but I hope it clears the confusion a bit."

Another Universe !?

Death snorted as he looked at my dumbstruck face as he grabbed my hand. " Nevermind. Come, let me take you to him. He might explain it better."

"W-W-Wait ! Let me process all of this !" I said as I was dragged. Oh well, let's see what this being wants with me.