Sierra Is Alive

Grey had read somewhere that confidence was crucial in making great first impressions. Sadly, the moment he stepped into the hall of elders his confidence took flight. The hall was a large, confusing piece of architecture. It seemed the builder was unsure what kind of building he wanted or he had some mental illness. Mismatched pillars held up the ceiling and the painted windows looked like they were made by kindergartners. The ceiling was so high up; grey imagined it would take at least a week to get to it.

The council of elders consisting of three greying men with stern faces and the type of moustaches villains in the low budget movies grey watched a lot would twirl as they cook up their maniacal plans sat high up on an elevated platform on huge throne like chairs. The elders were almost identical but for their hair colours. The one in the middle who Grey guessed was the head of the council had jet black hair with streaks of gray, the elder on the right had blue hair, Grey could have sworn the one on the left was Dr Cree; super Stan's arch nemesis. He had the same red hair and wild scowl plastered on his face.

"Step forward." The elder in the middle ordered in a voice so full of authority grey wanted to kneel in obeisance.

He stepped forward in three uneasy steps hoping he was showing enough confidence to convince the council of unfulfilled souls. The council existed to judge the dreams and unfulfilled aspirations of the dead. They decided who gets a second chance to fulfil his dreams. If your dreams did not appear noble or inspiring, you didn't get to fulfil them.

Grey had rehearsed his speech so many times he was sure he could convince the council. "What is your name?" The elder on the left asked stroking his moustache as if trying to figure out what to think of Grey.

"My name was Grey, Grey Anderson." Grey replied staring down at his feet nervously. "What sort of name is Grey? Is that not a colour?" The one on the right asked adjusting his spectacles so it sat on the tip of his nose. Grey wasn't sure what to say so he mouthed something that sounded like "hmm uh".

"What is your dream?" The elder in the middle said leaning forward to get a better look at grey. "My dream?” Grey asked scratching his chin and tugging at the wisps of hair on his jaw. All he had planned to say suddenly disappeared. "Yes, young one. What is your aspiration?" The elder on the left asked exasperated. “I have always wanted to be a super hero" grey said with a straight face.

The council erupted with laughter. Grey was not surprised. Everyone he ever told laughed at him. His dad, his mom, his colleagues, the security man at the cinema, they all laughed! "Grey son of Anderson" the elder in the middle said trying to control his laughter to no avail. "Have you tried a career in stand up comedy? The living would pay to watch you!" The one on the left said and they burst into another round of hysterical laughter.

When they finally managed to put an end to their mocking laughter, the elder in the middle spoke.

“Grey, son of Anderson, we do not have time for jokes. Though, this display of folly is highly appreciated. Your dream is not worthy of a second chance. Leave!" Grey was not surprised though highly disappointed. He had hoped they would understand. He had hoped that maybe they would see his Noble intentions. They did not.