Page 3 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
The Church would have a fit if it heard God talking like this.
Then again, if I’d known God talked like this, I might have paid more attention in Sunday School.
“Another shot? What do you mean?”
“Department of Reincarnation.” He waved his hand above his head and a fancy-looking sign appeared. “You’re a good person who died too soon, so your soul is eligible for reincarnation.”
“Do I have to be reincarnated?”
“No. You can choose for your soul to pass on, if you so wish. But in choosing to do so, you’ll be at rest forevermore.” He paused. “Although I’m somewhat disinclined to let you rest. There’s something special about you.”
“I bet you say that to all the ladies who die too soon,” I quipped. “Do I get a say in where or how I’m reincarnated?”
God pursed his lips. “Not usually. Normally, your soul would be swept into the fountain of reincarnation, and you would be reborn when a suitable vessel appears.”
I wrinkled up my nose. “Does that mean I have to be a baby again? I’m not really into the whole pooping myself thing.”
“That’s usually how reincarnation goes.”
“Huh. I always thought I’d come back as a cat. I do like to sleep.”
“Would you like to be a cat? That’s a simple request. I can probably arrange it. I did once turn a girl’s ex into a cockroach at her request after he killed her. I don’t usually meddle, but rules are made to be broken.”
God had a taste for vengeance, it seemed. “I don’t know. That seems like a bit of waste of my brain. I didn’t go to university and almost die while studying law just to become a cat.”
God nodded sagely. “Not to mention your interesting personality. Not many people speak to me like this. They scream, cry, panic… So, you’re quite something, Allie.”
“I think I’ll take that as a compliment, coming from you.” I scratched my chin. “I’m not sure I want to be a baby again either, though. Ho hum. This is tough.”
God tapped his fingers against the podium. “There is another option. A rare one. One I feel that you’re suited to. And, given the current timing…” He tilted his head to one side. “Perhaps almost… fated.”
I paused. What did he mean by that?
Damn it, he had me.
“I’m listening.”
“This universe is made up of many worlds other than the one you lived in. Each galaxy is its own dimension, if you would. They each operate on their own timeline and with their own rules. For example, the modern conveniences you’re accustomed to don’t exist in other worlds for various reasons, while others may be more developed. Specifically, your world has no magic, but that’s something that’s normal in many, many others. Your world’s scientific advances would be phenomenal in one, but mediocre in another.”
Whoa.
Yeah. I’m definitely dead.
Or really, really drunk.
“Some are worlds you know as those that exist in books and movies—some you may be familiar with, in fact.”
If there was a real baby Yoda out there, I was going to scream.
“Wait. You mean those fictional worlds are real? How do we know about them in my world, then?”
He tapped the side of his nose. “I can’t give away all my secrets, dear Allie.”
“Hmph. Spoilsport.”
God chuckled. “Anyway, in one of these universes, a soul is about to depart its body.”
“You mean someone is dying?”
