Earth is full of colors, wonders, culture, and personality. How I wish I could travel and experience everything life has to offer—but I'm falling away from all of it.

  I see car lights speeding below and raindrops frozen in the air, as if they're moving at my pace. The world feels slow. Peaceful.

  Even at the very end, Earth is truly magical.

  That's what I thought while slowly falling to my death. But—

  You're probably asking: why am I falling?

  Well, to answer that—it's because of my own stupidity. Just because of a small problem, not even life-threatening, I got the brilliant idea to end it all. But seconds later, I backed off like a coward. Unfortunately, because of the rain, I slipped when I tried to climb back over the bridge barrier. My hands found the railing. For a moment, I held on.

  Then I didn't.

  I know that even now, I'm making jokes in my head. What else can I do? I feel tired. I feel embarrassed. I feel worthless.

  Dramatic, right?

  But while I was clinging to that railing with trembling hands, I realized something too late—that life is precious. That one small problem doesn't outweigh all the happy memories I've experienced. Being an orphan who got so excited about being adopted. My pops who genuinely loves and supports me in everything. Friends who show up even during the worst times.

  I realized it too late.

  The water is coming up fast now.

  I don't want to die.

  I don't want to—

  I hit the water.

  One of the things I hate most is getting hurt. That's why this is probably the stupidest thing I've ever done.

  But...

  It hurt—

  No? Actually... it didn't.

  It felt like I just splashed softly into a swimming pool. I opened my eyes and—

  I'm in space.

  What the hell?

  Is this death? Where am I going? I'm floating, but I'm also falling—like something is pulling me away from Earth. Everything around me is beautiful. Different colors blend together. Earth's ocean blues and green lands fade in the distance. Asteroids and space debris drift silently past. Everything looks unreal.

  I feel my chest tighten watching my home grow farther and farther away. I didn't even say a proper goodbye. Not to my friends. Not to my teachers.

  Not to my pops.

  My throat aches, though I don't know if I even have a throat anymore.

  Stolen story; please report.

  Thinking about everyone I love, my mind suddenly resurfaces my biggest mistake—my first love. I don't even want to talk about him. I trusted him, and this is how he repaid me.

  Just kidding. I'm being dramatic again.

  See? This is what I do. Things get too heavy, and I make a joke. It's easier than sitting with the feeling.

  This is taking too long. Is my soul just wandering around space? Is this where all souls end up? I'm starting to get scared. Being alone is the worst—especially in space. That's pure nightmare fuel.

  I know I'm talking to myself too much. Sorry. I'm getting anxious. It's my first time being dead.

  Kinda nervous.

  Well, I guess this is my—

  ? CAN YOU SHUT UP ?

  What?

  ? CAN YOU SHUT UP ?

  WHAT???

  ? Why are you shouting? ?

  Well, excuse me. I didn't expect a voice inside my head to suddenly speak—especially not with my own voice.

  ? I apologize for being in your mind. ?

  Oh. Okay...

  This is awkward. Why is there someone in my head talking separately? It feels like a completely different individual from my own thoughts.

  ? You do know I can hear you, right? ?

  Well, excuse me if I can't even think in peace.

  Anyway. Who are you? Are you God?

  ? I am not God, nor someone you know. ?

  Oh? Then who are you?

  ? I also do not know. ?

  ...

  Ummm... you don't know? So you just... manifested in my mind?

  ? I cannot answer that with certainty. However, I do know that I am not you, and you are not me. ?

  Meaning we're separate entities?

  ? Correct. Though I do not know where my original body is. ?

  This voice in my head is suspicious. I can't trust it.

  ? The feeling is mutual. ?

  Excuse me? First of all, you just spawned inside my head, invaded my thoughts, and now you're complaining?

  I'm already confused about what's happening, and you're acting like this is completely normal.

  ? Calm down. I understand you are still sensitive, considering you only died a few hours ago. ?

  A few hours ago? I thought it had only been minutes.

  Anyway—voice in my head. Do you have a name?

  ? I do not. I also prefer that you do not name me yourself. ?

  Rude. For someone with a cold, monotone voice, you're surprisingly sassy.

  ? I do not know why. I do not even know my origin or why I— ?

  Oh my God, it's so bright.

  A second ago, it was just the usual scenery—shining stars and drifting rocks—but now everything is glowing. Blinding. Golden. Radiant.

  Is this heaven? So heaven is actually real?

  Everything turns white.

  It's so bright that I feel myself slipping away—

  I open my eyes.

  I can't see anything.

  It's dark. And...

  It's suffocating?

  I sit up rapidly when I realize I'm submerged in water—no, a glowing blue pond. The liquid clings to my skin, thick and strange, with a viscosity that feels almost like syrup. Small particles of light drift up from the surface, illuminating the space around me.

  It's beautiful. And, for some reason, magical.

  Was that a prank? Is this not heaven?

  Then this must be hell.

  Everything is so dark that the pond is the only source of light. I look down at my hands. They're trembling. I curl my fingers into fists just to feel something solid.

  Well... I deserve it, I guess. Especially being an atheist.

  ? You are not in hell. ?

  Oh. You're still here.

  I'm still creeped out by this voice, but at least I'm not completely alone.

  ? Do not worry. Considering your earlier complaints, I have decided to ignore your inner thoughts unless necessary. ?

  Oh my God. You're so respectful.

  I thought that with as much sarcasm as I could muster.

  Still, I slightly appreciate this voice now. It has decency, at least. And right now, decency is more than I expected from the afterlife.

  Anyway, I think you need a name. I don't want to keep calling you "voice."

  ? I am not entirely against that. However, I believe I will name myself. ?

  And just like that, I don't appreciate it anymore.

  Excuse me? I name things wonderfully, especially my cats.

  ? Really? Then may I know their names. ?

  Well, would you look at that.

  My cats are named Victor Gould Harrington Jr., Megan Slaytina Anderson, and Benevictus Borsuis Morlock The Third.

  ? ... ?

  ? Yes. I cannot trust your naming skills. ?

  Then come up with your own name. You don't have to be rude about it.

  So, what is it?

  ? After researching your memories— ?

  Wait. You analyzed my memories? Do you know how invasive that is?

  ? I apologize. Due to my lack of identity, I used your memories as reference. ?

  ...Sigh. Fine. That makes sense.

  Okay. What name did you choose?

  ? I have decided. From now on, I will identify as... ?

  With a strangely prideful tone, it announces its chosen name—

  ? "AI." ?