Uphaven #1

CW: death, gore, suicidal tendencies, apocalyptic themes

It was light out. I was no longer in pain, and as I looked around at this unfamiliar scape, I knew I had to be on the other side… or something. To my left was a distant city that looked dirty and hadn’t been updated, let alone washed, since the 70s. In front of me was a concrete path to an apartment, with bright mango-coloured motifs. The windows were shiny, and behind its walls was a well-tended garden with cream pebble bedding. Above the door was a title for the building: ‘Newside’.

I knelt down to the grass to touch it. Yes, it was real – it had the little hairs on it like bull grass. But it was this height all across the valley, freshly chopped and deep green. And out of all the landscape, there was a singular tree with sparse leaves.

Where I was was already ending. The sinkholes got wider and deeper, sinking islands! I figured, if this was the end, and a sinkhole swallowed me, I would take it. Otherwise, I would go about my day. And that’s exactly what happened. While I was at work in a café, the ground opened up and swallowed the whole building. Then I skinned myself on the side of the hole, and as it got hotter, I landed on a stalagmite that severed my spine and pierced my heart.

And then I woke up here. No pain, able legs, a beating heart. I didn’t notice before, but envelopes were in my hand. One had no address but something jingly inside, and the other said ‘Uphaven Information Pack’. I opened up the blank envelope, then pulled out what made the noise: a set of keys, with the number 1. The letter inside was an invitation: “Welcome to Newside Apartments. Upon entry, show this to the landlord”. One of the keys was magnetic. I walked to the gate, touched it against the sensor, and it unlocked.

I walked through the garden, only taking in the sight for a second – I didn’t like perusing. Then I walked up the steps, and when the first key didn’t work, I tried a different one; this time it unlocked the front doors.

There was a modern, cool theme to complement the orange outside, with a water cooler, a table with magazines, and dark blue chairs. No one was here. At the other side of the room was a door into the corridor, and a desk behind plexiglass. I walked to the counter and tapped the bell. The ding echoed throughout the room. Even though no one else was here, I got self-conscious over how loud it was.

A man with a blond ponytail walked in behind the plexiglass. “Are you a guest?” he asked. His accent was Scandinavian.

“I, um, I have keys… and this invitation.” Words escaped me at the best of times. I lifted the keys in my left hand and handed him the envelopes.

He skimmed over it, then smiled. “Good, good.” He opened a drawer, pulled another key out, and placed it on the counter. “This is for that door.” He pointed to the door beside the desk.

I tapped the key against the sensor and walked through. There was the landlord’s office on the right, and the following door was to unit one. This one required a metal key. All the while, the landlord appeared behind me.

“Allow me to show you your facilities?” he asked.

“Alright?” I turned the key in the knob and entered.

Inside was what looked like an ordinary apartment. From what I could see upon entry, there was a TV, a couch, a round glass dining table, and a kitchen around the corner. The floor was concrete, but I didn’t mind – it was a modern take.

“You may call me Link. You’re Anna, going by the invitation?” he asked.

“That’s correct,” I said. “Link… I’ll remember that name.”

He smiled. “This is your living room, and a dining table. You have a flat-screen TV, and next to the door is a buzzer. The remote for the TV should be in one of those drawers. Shall we see the kitchen?”

We turned the corner, and the room turned… cold. The unit was already air-conditioned, but it was like a temperature trap. The cupboards were classic timber, with a granite countertop, and the floor was a stony vinyl pattern. It reminded me of my grandma’s house. The range was ordinary, but I couldn’t wait to try it out.

There was an archway, then a small hallway. Same motif as the kitchen. On the left as two empty rooms, and one the right was my bedroom. But in front of us was the bathroom. White walls, white floor, white towels, white everything. I had to squint when Link flicked on the light. The highlight was a big mirror that caught me off guard as I turned to leave. “Jesus!” I yelped, then laughed with a hand on my heart.

Next was the two rooms. They had no windows, but at least there were vents. Green walls, and grey carpet.

“You can do anything you want with these rooms,” said Link.

Lastly, my bedroom. It was the same colour as the other rooms, but this time with one window, a double bed, and a walk-in closet. I opened the closet and found clothes already hanging in it. Whose were they? After flicking through them, I figured out – they were mine from my previous life. There were drawers under the rack. I opened them and found more of my clothes.

“Link?” I called. “Are you by chance a spirit guide?”

“Not in the slightest,” he answered. “I wouldn’t associate myself with them.”

I nodded.

“Are there any questions before I leave you to your business?” he asked.

I seldom had questions during a meeting or seminar. “Nope.”

“Good. I’ll be seeing you. And don’t forget to read that pamphlet. It’s important.” He walked away, out of my apartment.

I sat on the bed, then opened the second envelope. ‘Uphaven Welcome Pack’. It had thick contents. Was Uphaven the real ‘other side’, or was I dreaming?