first day at work

Charlene stood in line with the other newbies, waiting as the council members inspected each one, shaking hands and distributing uniforms. Her father was among them, offering platitudes to everyone. When he reached Charlene, he grabbed her arm tightly before pulling her into a sudden embrace. As he did, he slipped a band around her wrist and whispered in her ear.

"Call me if you need me."

She looked down, puzzled. What in the world did he just put on me?

ReNew chimed in, "Always a smart behind," before adding, "Look at your wrist."

Charlene glanced at it but instinctively knew she wasn’t supposed to have whatever it was. Otherwise, her father would have handed it to her openly.

"Let’s wait until later," she decided.

They were ushered into a separate white room to change. Charlene unfolded the bundle given to her and realized it wasn’t a uniform at all—it was a robe. The fabric was nearly satin but sturdier, the long sleeves flowing gracefully. It was breathable, cool against her skin, and reached just above her feet. Running her hands down the sides, she felt—

"Pockets? This robe has pockets? Awesome!"

Char, you seem excited, ReNew observed.

"I guess this is the first time I’ve had responsibility like a real adult. If the class was any indication, I have a feeling I’m going to fit in here."

ReNew pondered Charlene’s journey and how best to assist her. But after the incident with the lightning—after Charlene unleashed a force so immense yet remained unaffected—something inside her had changed. She seemed hollow afterward, empty. A cold chill ran through ReNew. That couldn’t happen again. Charlene had gone somewhere dark, and it had scared ReNew beyond belief. When she had reached out to reunite, Charlene had recoiled. That moment had terrified her.

ReNew shuddered. I should have told Seth. But fear held her back.

"Never again will I be locked away," she vowed.

Charlene followed the group into a large white room, now filling with people arriving through a portal. A voice echoed from above.

"Please find a seat. Orientation shall begin shortly. All journeys, please locate your list and sit with your group. Thank you."

Checking the list, Charlene saw she had five teammates. They were already seated, staring at the screen, quiet but visibly confused.

The orientation was thorough—covering regulations, the nature of their journey, their purpose, and the consequences of breaking the rules.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d feel sorry for them, Charlene thought.

They were handed clear board devices displaying information about their group members—who they were, how they died, even their likes and dislikes.

"Wow, they really don’t miss anything."

ReNew peeked over. Do we have anyone who’s going to be trouble?

Charlene’s eyes scanned the details. "Check out these age ranges. Seventeen is the youngest, and eighty-seven is the oldest."

A life well lived and a life cut too short. That’s sad, Char.

"No, ReNew, we promised we wouldn’t get personally involved. Let’s do our job, get home, and make our family proud."

A voice interrupted. "Please proceed to the portal. Your journey will begin shortly. Step quickly inside and stay together. Fare thee well."

Charlene nodded. "Okay, ReNew, we got this." She pulled her hood over her head, stepped in front of her group, and entered the portal. A white flash of light consumed all six of them.

They awoke in their regular clothes, in a sleeping state, aboard what looked like an elevated train.

Click-clack. The wheels rumbled over the tracks. Flickering lights cast shadows as the train swayed side to side, waking everyone at the same time.

"What in the world—?" an elderly woman muttered.

"Yo, who are you? How did we get here?" a young man demanded.

An older man approached Charlene. "Do you know who I am?"

Charlene met his gaze, her voice steady. "Yes, I do. Your name is Tony Lorenzo. You died recently, and now you’re on your journey to your final destination. So are all of you."

The train car fell silent as every set of eyes locked onto her.

Two young women, twenty-three and twenty-five, began arguing. Their raised voices unsettled the older woman, who clutched her hands together.

"Excuse me," a young man—Mike—said shakily. "Miss… are you telling us that white room was real?"

Charlene nodded. "Yes, Michael—or should I say, Mike? It was real."

Mike stumbled, grabbing a pole to steady himself.

The train screeched to a halt. The arguing women stood abruptly and stormed onto the platform, their fight intensifying.

Charlene herded the others off the train, watching the confrontation unfold. She spoke firmly, "Remember the rules? There are no second chances. This determines where you’ll be going."

ReNew murmured, You’re only an hour in, and they’re already losing it.

"There’s nothing I can do to intervene," Charlene admitted. "Not yet."

Mike hesitated before stepping between the women. "Hey, ladies, remember what they said about cursing and acting up? You can’t do that here. You don’t want to go down there, do you?"

One woman, Darla, snapped, "Mike, right? Mind your business!" Then, with no warning, she slapped him hard across the face.

Mike staggered back. The second woman lunged, clawing at him like a wild cat. "Don’t you touch my girlfriend!"

"I am NOT your girlfriend!" Ricky shouted. "The same thing I told you in the car—it’s over, Darla!"

Tony smirked. "Next time, stay out of their business, bro."

Charlene checked her clear board—both women had died in a car accident.

The argument reignited, their rage blinding them to everything else.

Charlene turned and walked to the stairs. "Oh yeah," she called back, waving a hand. A white light flashed, and Mike’s scratches vanished.

"Thanks, Charlene… that’s your name, right?"

"Yes. You’re welcome, Mike." She started down the steps, the others following naturally. The two women kept arguing. Tony lingered behind, grinning at the spectacle.

"Darla, how many times do I have to tell you? It’s over!"

Darla’s voice trembled. "Please, Ricky, I can’t live without you."

"You’re so clingy—that’s the problem! I’m not spending my afterlife with your mess!"

Darla gasped. "I gave you my best years!"

"And that’s what I was trying to tell you in the car—but you wouldn’t listen! You pulled the wheel. YOU killed us!"

Darla whimpered. "I didn’t mean to."

"You did! You pulled the wheel right in front of that truck!"

Ricky lunged, eyes blazing. "I’m going to kill you!"

Above them, a rusty beam snapped. As Ricky leaped, the metal came crashing down, crushing her instantly. Blood sprayed everywhere.

Darla collapsed, covered in it, her eyes wide in horror.

Tony strolled past, humming, "Oh, Ricky, you’re so fine, you blow my mind—hey, Ricky!" He chuckled.

Mike stood frozen, drenched in blood.

The old woman trembled, whispering the Lord’s Prayer over and over.

Mike turned to Charlene. She blinked, and a white light flashed