The Lady of Stars

When you open your eyes, the first thing you notice is her. How could you not? Her beauty is otherworldly.

She appears to be an expression of the universe. Actually, quite literally. Her skin is made of space; there are small patches of nebulas all over her body from what you can see, and freckles that are made out of stars. She wears a long flowing dress. It goes from white at the very top, down into a dark, deep purple at the bottom edges.

Focusing on her face, you can see that she looks sad, maybe even a little confused. Her eyes glow a soft white and she has a third eye between her eyebrows. The third eye has an iris and pupil; although you couldn’t pick just one colour to describe it. You rise to your feet, feeling a little self-conscious. She starts to step forward and her arms, originally at her sides, come up towards your face. This startles you, and you take a few quick steps back. She stops, and drops her arms back to her sides, a smile is barely visible on her lips.

“I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to scare you,” she says, her voice is soft. “I just didn’t expect to see you so soon. It’s still very early for me to see you,” she continues.

Your face twists in confusion. What does that mean?

As if she hears your thought, she answers, “Oh, I’m sorry, I should explain. I guess you’re confused and maybe even a bit scared. My job is to guide people into their...next life,” she says gently.

Hearing this makes you even more confused. Next life? ”.....what do you mean?” You say. Your voice is very faint and cracks like it hasn’t been used in long time.

“You don’t remember, do you? Oh well, it will come back soon. Here, come walk with me,” her voice is gentle and patient, almost like a mother to her child. She turns and starts to walk forward, glancing behind to make sure you follow.

You hesitate at first, but you find yourself following her. This is the first time you pay attention to your surroundings. It seems as though there are no walls, or ceilings, just space stretching out forever. You look down at the floor, it’s pitch black like a void. It suddenly drops off at the side edges that are not at all even. And the sky, or what is above and around you at least, is space. Brightly coloured nebulas, planets you’ve never heard of, and bright stars are everywhere. You are walking through the galaxy.

How is this possible? You think to yourself. You look toward the lady again. She’s stopped and is looking at you. You feel your face redden as you realize you’ve stopped and she’s waiting for you. She quietly laughs and turns back around to continue walking. You start following again and catch up to walk beside her.

“Uhh.....excuse me,” you look up towards her.

“Hm.”

“What...what is your name?” She looks at you. Both of you are still walking.

“Oh, my name. Let’s see, you can call me....the Lady of Stars. Or just Lady, or maybe just Stars. Whichever you prefer,” she replies. Her smile fades a little.

You look down, becoming lost in thought. “How is this possible? Is this just some really weird dream? Where are we?” You wonder out loud.

The Lady of Stars sighs, her smile is gone completely. “Dear, this is no dream, I promise you. We are between life and what comes next.”

“What does that mean?”

“I think you can figure that one out on your own, dear,” she says gently.

You think, and becoming deep in thought you finally realize what’s going on. “I’m....,” your throat feels tight, you can’t say the last word. Like if you don’t say it, it won’t be real.

“Yes, dear. It’s alright. Like I said my job is to guide people into their next life,” she tells you. She stops walking and so do you. You can see the end of the path.

“No….this can’t be happening. I-I have so much to do, so much to live for,” your voice shakes and cracks, “I-I can’t be.” You turn away from her and try to run the way you came. However, the pathway that was there moments ago is now gone. You can see the black edges crumbling off, getting closer and closer to where you stand.

Tears start to slowly fall down your cheeks. Your chest feels tight and your fear starts to take over. The tears fall faster and faster. You’re shaking, you can’t seem to stop yourself.

“This job never gets easier,” the Lady of Stars whispers to herself. She gently places a hand on you back. “It’s alright, I’m right here. I will help you through this, okay?” Speaking very softly to you.

“I’m so scared,” is what you manage to say before breaking down even more. Falling to your knees you feel like a void has replaced everything that was supposed to be in your chest.

“I promise it’ll be okay. I know the unknown can be terrifying and I’m not allowed to tell you what comes after this, but I’ll be here for you until you are ready to continue,” she bends down and collects you into a hug. Her arms wrap around you and she hushes you gently. Like any mother would. Maybe she is a mother or was could be more accurate.

“You may not think this, but I know what this is like. I can tell you a story if you’d like?”

Still crying, you nod your head and listen. She goes on to tell a story about a mother who lost her three children and gave into heartbreak. How she felt like how you were feeling right now.

Your tears slow and you take deep breaths. Slowly, but surely, you calm down. You pull away from the Lady of Stars, “How do I continue?”

She unwraps her arms and looks at you. “You step off the edge here,” she point to the end of the walkway. “You can hold my hand and when you are ready you let go. Then I’ll send you off when you are ready.”

“Won’t I fall if I do that?”

Patient she continues on, “No dear, you will float.”

You breathe deeply again and your shaking stops completely, “Okay, I think I’m ready.”

“Alright,” she stands up and helps you to your feet. Together you step closer to the edge. You take her hand and even step closer to the edge. You peer over. There are stars down there but fade after a while into complete darkness.

“Promise you won’t leave?” You ask in a small voice. You feel a little childish asking her to promise this but you feel the need to make sure she’ll stay with you until the end of this.

“Of course, I promise I’ll stay here,” she assures.

Nodding you take one last deep breath and step off as cautiously as you could manage.

It feels like you are floating. Well, you are floating. Your body is light and feels as if you are barely there. She leans forward, “I’m going to send you to your next life, okay?”

”....okay,” you say while nodding. Your voice barely audible to your own ears and you’re not sure if she hears you.

“Alright. Here we go then,” she whispers to you. “Just remember you are loved. I promise you.” The Lady of Stars ever so gently and ever so carefully places a kiss on your forehead. You’re not sure if this is real or not. She leans back lets go of your hands and you feel even lighter.

You are fading. You are scared all of a sudden, you feel like you’re disappearing. You look for the Lady of Stars, you cannot see her but she says there is no need to be afraid. Please I don’t want to go. I don’t want to be forgotten.

You may feel like you’re disappearing, but you are not. I promise, you are not.