Watching the Sunset

Osi sat at the edge of the lake, looking up at the horizon that was obscured by trees. He could just see the Flame-colored edges of the sun sinking below the treetops. He took a deep breath, then released it. it had first felt odd to be dead, stuck in this land of dark trees, but he had grown used to it, and now he was quite fond of the forest around him, though he would have preferred open plains and grasslands where he could ride Shieko until the end of time. But there was no Shieko, not anymore, and he was trapped in this forest forever.

Akio spotted Osi near the lake and decided to approach him. "Hello..." He said.

Osi turned his head to the voice and saw Akio. "Hello, Akio. It's a fine sunset, isn't it?" he said, turning his gaze back to the setting sun.

"Yeah. It reminds me of the beach." Akio replied, staring at the setting sun.

Osi nodded. "I never spent much time on the beach. Now I wish I had," he muttered.

"I've spent too much time at the beach, and I want to go again." Akio said with a slight smile.

"Well, we've got a lake here. I guess that's supposed to be the beach?" Osi said.

"Well I guess so..." Akio said. "At least there's somewhere to swim."

Osi was about to respond, but a sudden scream distracted him. Something had shot out of the water, but he wasn't sure what it could be. Then, the object landed right between him and Akio, and he could see it was a girl. Ashley, to be more exact. She groaned and rolled over onto her back. "Where am- Akio?!" she said, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw the fire caster."But i thought... I mean, they said... I was told you..." she said, not able to finish any of the statements.

Akio, stunned, started to tear up. His face was in shock. "A-Ashley... y-you're..." He couldn't finnish his sentence.

Osi had moved away from the two, to give them some privacy.

Ashley saw the tears in Akio's eyes and knew what he meant. "You mean, I'm...I'm dead? But I don't remember dieing..." she said, stunned.

Akio could barely do anything. "How did this happen? " He said shakily.

"I...I don't know. I remember being dragged underwater, but then everything went black... I couldn't have drowned... but that's all I can think of," she said, straining her brain to remember what happened.

Akio didn't ask any more questions. All he could think about was that Ashley is dead.

As if she had read his mind, Ashley said, "well, I guess death can't be too bad if we're together again, right?"

His eyes softened. "Yeah. You're right."

"Of course I am!" she said, standing up and brushing off her legs.

Akio watched her as she got up. "So now what?"

Ashley shrugged, "I don't know. I'm new here, after all."

Osi decided that now was a good time to say something, "If I may suggest, the forest provides for a nice hiking place, if you like that stuff."

Akio turned to Osi. He still wasn't really sure about what to do. "Ok, I guess." He said

Ashley looked around and nodded. She started off into the woods, but turned back when Akio didn't follow her. "Well, are you coming or what?" she said

Akio followed her. "Yeah, I'm coming." He said.