Between Heaven and Hell
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

ANDIE had no idea what happened. She was talking to Jonathan a while ago when she suddenly disappeared in front of him and teleported inside a hospital room. There she saw a body having a seizure. And she knew whom that body belongs to hers. Andie could feel her soul and the body's attraction as if it wanted to suck her. She tried to return inside her body, but to her astonishment, it failed. It was a big mystery for Andie that she could not return when she was not dead yet.

She followed her body as the doctors and nurses transferred it to the intensive care unit.

"You're here?"

From her body, Andie turned her gaze to the one who spoke. Grimmy, the grim reaper, was inside the ICU just a few feet away from her body. "A-am I dying now?" she asked Grimmy.

"Not because I'm here it means it has something to do with you." He pointed to the patient on the opposite aisle. "I'm here for that old man."

He sauntered towards her body and looked at him as he caressed his chin. "Uh-oh..."

"What now?"

"You're as good as dead."

She wanted to snarl at him. But then, she realized that he was just telling the truth.

"I want you to be honest with me, Grimmy. Will I survive or I'll die soon?"

The look on his face tells her that he was hesitating to tell her something.

"Well..." Grimmy heaved a sigh. "You're just a casualty. Your life and death depend on that person who's responsible for this."

"C-casualty? I don't get it."

Grimmy adjusted his fedora hat.

"Five years ago, someone cheated his death. That person should be dead by now, but he's still out there living his life. You know... when someone dies, another human is born to keep the balance. Since that person didn't die in time, you're... let's say the substitute. That's the reason why the boss still hasn't takes you to the other side."

Andie could not believe what she heard. All those years she suffered because she was a casualty? She felt resentment towards that person.

How can someone avoid death?

"Who is it?" she asked in a low tone. "Tell me!"

"Relax. You shouldn't let that resentment consume you. It might turn you into a bad spirit. When that happens, you can no longer return to your body."

"Stop beating around the bush and tell me!" she snarled at him.

Now that her emotions were heightened, her energy could be felt inside the ICU. The lights turned on and off.

"Hey, don't do that here. Remember that your body's breathing through life support."

Of course, Andie needed to calm down. But the problem was, she did not know how.

"Follow me," she said sternly.

She decided to step out of the room. That would be better than harming the other patients inside the ICU.

They teleported to a vacant lot near the hospital.

"Now, tell me..."

The wind blew harder.

"Do you really wanna know?"

"Goodness, just say it!" She was slowly losing her patience.

"Jonathan."

"What?" Is he playing games with me?

"It's Jonathan. The one who cheated death." Andie fell silent.

She could not believe what is happening. She could not take all of it. There were over seven billion people on the planet. Yet, it was Jonathan who cheated death that caused her soul to wander around for years. Fate has a hurtful way of playing its tricks on them. "You gotta be kidding me..."

"I'm telling you the truth. Well... I can't do anything if you choose not to believe me." Grimmy waved his hand dismissively.

"What is wrong with Him?"

"You mean Jonathan?"

"Your boss up there."

"O-oh. Uhm, you shouldn't be questioning His will. It might be weird sometimes, but He knows what he's doing. He will never lead you in the wrong way."

"It could be someone else, yet He chose Jonathan."

Andie could not blame nor hate Jonathan. She can resent someone else, but not Jonathan, because he had done a lot to help her. And how could she hate someone she was attached to? Andie knew it was ridiculous for a soul to feel such emotion. But maybe there were things that even Science could not explain.

SHE WENT back to the hospital after that conversation with the grim reaper. But instead of going back to the ICU, she headed to the rooftop to contemplate. She floated back and forth, up and down. Then, she noticed a soul standing next to a stretcher. To her shock, it was Jonathan.

Andie immediately went to his side.

"A-Andie?" Jonathan, the soul, turned to her.

"What happened? Get back inside your body now!" she told him. Andie was so close to a nervous breakdown. But since she was a mere soul, that would not happen.

"You can't be dead, Jonathan!"

He was silent for a moment.

"A-am I really... dead?"

"Well, if you don't get back inside your body you'll surely die!"

She was about to drag him inside the emergency room when Jonathan spoke to her again.

"I don't want to cheat death anymore. If I'm destined to die, so be it..."

She turned to him. "How about me?"

"A-Andie..."

"You promised me that you'll help me to return to my body! I waited for five years, Jonathan! You can't expect me to die now!"

It was a lie. She had to tell him that because she wanted him to live. Now that Andie knew the truth, she did not care if she would not be able to return to her body. If her death could save Jonathan's life, then she would accept that fate. Besides, she already wasted five years of her life.

"Go inside the emergency room, Jonathan," she said firmly. "Don't make me drag you inside. We both know I'm stronger that you."

Jonathan sighed and did what he was told.

ANDIE could only communicate with Oreo if she was inside Jonathan's body. But since he was still unconscious at the hospital, she could only speak to Oreo through a medium. So, the latter invited one of his medium friends to help them communicate with each other.

"Momo I mean Andie. Camille is here. She can feel and communicate with you too," said Oreo.

The woman named Camille turned in her direction as if she could see her. "Tell me what you want to tell Oreo."

"I'm ready to face death. But before that, I'd like to spend a day with Jonathan..."

Camille relayed her message to Oreo. She saw a glint of sadness in his eyes after hearing that."

"Unfortunately, I don't have a body. It took me years before I was able to replace a body with the same frequency as mine, and that's Jonathan. That's why I'm asking for your help. I need a body that I can use for a day," she continued. "That's our problem. It's hard to replace a body you could possess," said Oreo.

"But there are times that it's not necessary to have the same frequency. All she need is the willingness of the owner to be possessed," Camille told them.

"If that's the case... then I'll let her use my body for a day," Altea chimed in.

Oreo turned to his girlfriend.

"Are you sure about this, Altea? If you're not strong enough your body will weaken right after the possession."

She could not blame Oreo if he was protective.

"Don't worry..." Altea held Oreo's hands. "I'll be fine. I'm tough as a bull, you know." Her eyes wandered around the room, looking for something. "Jonathan saved us, so I'd like to return the favor by helping Andie." Andie was moved. She did not expect Altea to help them out.

"Thanks..." She patted Altea on the shoulder.

"She touched me." Altea's eyes grew wider in amazement.

"She said thank you," Camille told her.

All thanks to Altea, now she has a body she could use to execute her plan...

After their conversation, she teleported to the hospital to check on Jonathan. But Andie did not like what she saw when she arrived. The grim reaper was inside Jonathan's room.

"Stay away from Jonathan, Grimmy!"

She could not let the grim reaper take him now.

"He's one tough guy." Grimmy turned to her. "Don't worry, he's safe... for now."

After saying those words, the grim reaper disappeared.

Andie was not sure what his agenda was for coming over. And whatever it may be, she did not like it.

"A-Andie..." Jonathan mumbled.

She immediately went to the side of the bed.

"Jonathan, are you awake now?"

He opened his eyes. "Why are you still here?"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jonathan."

He halted from opening the door to his apartment and turned where the voice came from. Standing a few feet away from him was Altea, his cousin's girlfriend. But there was something strange with her at that time. She made his heart beat like crazy by just greeting him. And then, the realization hit him. Only Andie could do that to him. He marched towards her and held her by the arm.

"What are you doing inside this body, Andie? Oreo will beat me to death if he "

"I have your cousin's consent. And Altea was the one who volunteered to use her body, so there's nothing to worry about."

Altea's lips curved into a smile. But behind that smile was Andie.

He washed his palm over his face and sighed. "I don't know how you convince them."

"I just told them that I wanna be with you for a day. Since it's your birthday, this is the day!" she said giddily.

"But..." He sighed once again.

"What?"

"Have you ever thought what other people would think about me and Altea if they saw us together? She's my cousin's girl."

"We already took care of it. We'll go somewhere far and it's gonna be just the two of us."

"And where is that?" His brows drew together.

"Altea has a friend who owns a private island resort. She asked to his friend to let us use the resort for a day." She held his hand and tugged him outside.

It felt awkward to hold hands, knowing that that hand belonged to someone else. But what could he do if that's the only way for them to be together on his special day?

After hours of road trip and half an hour boat ride, they arrived at the island resort Andie was talking about. She said it was the same place Altea and some of her friends hid back in the days when they were being chased by a culprit. "I wish I could live here..." Andie said as they walked to the guesthouse.

"Really? Then, I'll buy this.," he told her.

"I know you're just kidding." Altea's eyes narrowed on him.

"What if I'm not?"

"Well, you still can't because the owner isn't interested in selling the property."

"How did you know? Did you talk to him?"

"I just know, okay?"

Jonathan shrugged and walked past her.

"I'm going to the kitchen to cook," she said upon catching up to him. "Why don't you look around while waiting for dinner?"

"Yeah, that's a great idea."

She raised a thumb and walked away.

How he wished Andie was inside her own body. That would be better than using someone else's body. He could not touch or kiss her now because if he did that, Oreo would kill him.

Ah, this is so tormenting...

ANDIE prepared dinner with candlelight in a cottage near the shoreline. She thought that would be romantic. It was their first date, and sadly it was also the last. Soon, she will crossover to the afterlife...

She checked the time on Altea's wristwatch. It was past seven in the evening, yet Jonathan hasn't come to the cottage. Andie was about to check on Jonathan when she saw him from a distance.

A smile curved on her lips as she watched him sauntered towards the cottage. No wonder it took him that long. It seemed like he did his best to look handsome for her. But whatever he wore or how he fixed his hair, Jonathan would always look dashing in her eyes.

"You wore it," she said with a grin.

She gave him a white long-sleeve polo shirt as a birthday gift. Thanks to Altea again for giving her money.

"You said it will make you happy to see me wearing this," he said without looking at her.

"It looks good on you." She reached for his collar and fixed it.

"Thanks," he said and pulled a chair for her.

After they were both settled on their seats, they started eating.

Jonathan ate with so much gusto. Good thing she has someone to coach her on his favorite dishes.

"A-Andie," Jonathan called in the middle of their meal.

"Yes?" She met his gaze.

"You barely touch the food."

"Ah..." She took a sip of wine. "This is the consequence of being the cook." She smiled.

He sliced his steak.

"But you should eat too. It makes me feel bad that I'm the only one eating, you know."

"Oh, right. I'm sorry about that."

She was about to grab her utensils when a slice of steak appeared in front of her. Andie looked at Jonathan, who was holding the fork with a piece of steak.

"Say aaahhh..." he said.

Andie laughed. The moment Altea's mouth opened, Jonathan popped the meat inside.

JONATHAN complained his stomach was about to burst, so she told him to join her for a walk along the shoreline. They were walking side by side, but Jonathan was keeping a safe distance. Maybe he was doing that because technically, it was Altea's body, and he was afraid to come closer.

"No one will see us together. The staff already left and the guards won't leave their post. Why are you so far away?"

"It feels odd," he told her.

"Because it's Altea whom you're seeing right now." She heaved a sigh. "But even just for tonight, think about me. Imagine that it's me you're with, Jonathan..."

Andie strode towards him and stopped a few steps away.

"I-I'll try..."

"You must." She held his hands. "Let's make the most out of this little time that we have, hmm?"

"A-Andie..."

"See? You even called me by my name."

She let go of his hands and started running away from him.

"Come on, Jonathan! Catch me!" she yelled.

Andie stopped when she noticed Jonathan was not moving an inch. But it seemed that he just waited for her to stop so that he could catch her. Their laugh, her squeals, and their huffs soon filled the lonesomeness of the island. Soon they got tired and plopped down on the sand.

Jonathan was gazing at the beautiful bright full moon while she stared only at him.

"What is love for you, Jonathan?"

He turned to her with a knotted forehead.

"Let me guess. You'll ask me who's my first love."

Andie could not help but laugh at what he said.

"Of course not. That's a bit childish." She propped her hands to the side and leaned. "I just wanna know as simple as that."

"Each one of us has a different concept when it comes to love." He glanced at her. "Love is good. Love is selfless. Sometimes it hurts. Some say love is blind... But for me, love is sacrifice."

"Why?"

"Because it's not always a happy ending."

Andie saw a glint of sadness in his eyes that he managed to cover up.

"That is why we should always make the most out of it... before it's too late," she concluded.

"Yeah, we must..."

"Would you believe me if I tell you that I love you?" She looked up in the sky to avoid his gaze.

"Yes." Jonathan said without hesitation.

"Why?" She turned to him abruptly.

"Because I love you..."

Andie was not prepared. She bravely confessed what she felt for him with the thought that he was not feeling the same way. Now she regretted doing that. It only made the situation hard for both of them. Jonathan was right when he said that it's not always a happy ending. Theirs was one of those with a sad ending.

She stood up and did the same.

"Then let's make the most out of this moment," she said with teary eyes. She spread Altea's arms, inviting him for a hug.

It saddened her that the least for others was their most.

"A-Andie..." Jonathan's voice was hoarse.

"A hug won't harm, Jonathan."

She decided to hug him when he did not move an inch. He hugged her back afterwards.

"This is unfair..." he cried. "I can't even kiss you even if I want to..."

"Andie understood his pain very well because she was feeling the same way too. And all they could do was to cry their hearts out... Because the universe was so unfair. She just hoped that maybe in another life, they could finally be together.