A Story A Day. Story 324 of 365: Guardian (Part I).

It was a weird place, where Hugh was. There was no sound, no color, no smell, nothing. He couldn't feel anything either. He didn't even wonder where he was, the nothingness had taken his thoughts too. A voice called for him, and his thoughts came back rushing. The last thing he remembered was a truck heading into his car. 

-Hugh. You are dead. 

-Am I in heaven? 

-There's no heaven or hell. There's only what you want. 

-Are you god?- Hugh asked confused. 

-No, I'm not. I'm just someone who decided to stay here. There's no god, the same way there is no heaven or hell.

-And now, what? 

-Now, you choose, you decide what you want to do. If you want to vanish into eternity, if you want to wander as a spirit, if you want to go to your paradise, it's up to you.- the voice explained. 

Hugh thought about it. He was young, or he had been when he died. He had left a young wife and a daughter, he wanted to see her grow, become a woman, he wanted to guide her. How could he do that? He explained the situation to the voice, calmly but emotional. 

-I think it can be done. You will have to get inside other people's minds, people your daughter trusts. You might have to jump from one to the other, as she grows and trusts other people. You won't be able to make direct contact with her, though, you will only be able to guide the other people so they help her as much as possible. You'll be her silent guardian, always watching, but she will never know. At some point you might have to witness or listen to things you might not like, but you won't be able to do anything about it. 

-Okay. 

-Also, when she dies you'll come here together. You won't have a choice, however. Whatever she choses it will happen to you too. You won't even be able to speak, she won't know you're here. Remember, her choice will be your fate, like it or not. Are you willing to give up your right to choose to protect your daughter?

-I am.- there was no trace of hesitation in Hugh's voice. 

-See you soon, then.- the voice said as the place vanished.