We are the Champions, My Friends
What do you mean?
I don’t know to be honest I just sort of got waken up.
How are you Livs?
God what was that noise from before.
For some deranged reason, Abbie loved everything about purgatory It was an entirely new world for her to discover. There were new plants and bugs and animals and people. It was amazing. She felt like she was in Heaven, even if she hadn’t completely reached that point yet. The Orchard was where she spent most of her free time either categorizing plants or reading under the trees.
She couldn’t say that she didn’t really miss life, though. Her death was slow and painful and it was awful, but there were still a few reasons to live. She had friend, but sometimes she felt like they didn’t love her. She had family, but sometimes they treated her like she was worthless. It was all too much in the end. She’d killed herself through something she couldn’t stop. Her insecurities were too muc.
Ian seemed like a nice person, albeit a little lazy. She was happy to spend some time with him. Purgatory was full of so many great people, she was excited to meet everyone. One thing did scare her though—all this talk of rebellion. All the plans she’d heard were very ill thought out and could use a lot of work. She had some ideas of her own, but telling people would only encourage them.
“Aw! And I’m not even aloud to poke you back because of your force field,” she fake pouted then broke out into quiet little laughs. She looked it up and down before rolling her eyes. Of course he’d done that. “It’s a start. At least you’re out of bed.”
It fascinating going to Purgatory, and though curious of the reasons why he hadn’t reached the almighty end of God’s pearly white gates Ian accepted his fate in Purgatory. More or less the fact he was in Purgatory. He was still complacent over his death, his end. He wanted to know how he died, if he at least died with some sort of honor and not doing something absolutely stupid. He wanted to know how his parents felt, if they were mad at him or not. What his funeral was like.
Though he wasn’t lying when he said he was much happier to be in Purgatory than Earth because it was true. Earth consisted of stress, nothing but stress and always being anxious over this book report or this extra credit project or what not. But in Purgatory there wasn’t anything to worry about, no project with a due date stamped on it and Ian liked it that way.
He was excited to finally get a chance to meet people too, and just meet to have fun. Not for an interview, or work on a project. Just, sort of hanging out. And Abbie too, who was different from most of the snooty girls from rich families he saw at Harvard who mostly wanted more in on his smarts and in his pants than a simple nice chat and some coffee.
“Ha, exactly, this is why I get to poke you.” he smiled as Ian poked Abbie again as he shrugged laughing at her little laugh, “And that’s true, guess it’s a miracle because I usually go Grinch on people who try to get me out of my apartment.” he answered back, “It feels like the Holocaust, the whole fence thing and us on the other side.”
Walking to the gate Ian stuffed his hands into his pockets, the breeze against him as he lifted his head just barely to look around Purgatory. He was finally outside, finally out of his bedroom. And though he was still strutting around in his pajamas Ian was a bit happy to be out and about. It wasn’t much different, staying in his room or home or anything, than his life back when he was alive. But this time he did more thinking than studying, which was one major difference since more than half the time when Ian was alive he could barely hear himself think.
He usually spent his days with the telescope Olive had made him, looking up at the blank sky before seeing it filled with sparkles. Sometimes he missed home, more than anything. But recently Ian wasn’t sure if it was because of Harvard or because he actually truly missed being alive. Purgatory was so much different from life, but the only thing similar was the lack of freedom from authority.
He wondered if Abbie wanted rebellion, if she’d talk about it. Then again she probably wouldn’t be so stupid as to talk about such a serious crime in front of guards. He smiled as he looked down to find a small stick, not pointy but more round at the end and he picked it up before heading to the gate, smiling when he saw her.
“Poke.” Ian chuckled as he tugged the stick to her arm poking her gently, “I told you I’d poke you, and stay in my pajamas. How are you?”
I don’t either but its been pretty hard to ignore lately. Everyone has been talking about it. I don’t think its going to get us anywhere..but others seem to think differently.
To be honest I don’t know how far one would take us but it’s a pretty big thing to think about. It’s dangerous, and the probability of it working is slim to none.
Oh, that’s right. I forgot about the force field. I could always find another way around it. Force fields always have a crack. Hm…I could sneak up there, but I’d like to keep my face off any posters, north or south. We could always just walk along the fence on our respective sides? As stupid as that may sound…
And what can I call you?
I guess I know it, but you don’t so ha. We’ll see what comes of this little search of yours. But yeah good point, wouldn’t want you in trouble. The guards are probably nice to me because of the force field, they might not be so nice to you. That sounds fun actually, it’s a great idea. I’ll be there.
I don’t know, that’s up to you my friend. We can figure when we walk?
Well, now that wouldn’t be very nice. Why would you poke me with a stick? Seems a little random. I could always poke you back. Why not? Oh…You’re north, huh? I’m not sure if there’s anywhere we actually can meet…
No, no. Fair Maiden is fine.
You wouldn’t poke me back, and if you did my force field would block you so, there really would not be a point. And yeah, I am. I mean I guess I can sneak by but the guards and I don’t see eye to eye. Then again I don’t think they see eye to eye with anyone, but they almost caught me once and I’m sure they walk around with a poster with my face on it.
Very well fair maiden.
…in a word yes. I’ll spare my opinion on the matter. Its getting tense though.
Is it really now? Well I mean, I don’t really like to think of well that. Go with the flow is my type of thing. But I guess others disagree. But honestly, where is that going to get us?
I have nothing planned for tonight.
Well the only plans I have is to celebrate a special girl’s birthday so.
