She stares, bewildered by wailing toddlers. Perhaps the concept of shedding earthly ties—of having no family in heaven—was too abstract a Sunday-School lesson. Shhh, children. In the afterlife, we’ll dwell in holiness. Isn’t that enough? Agree! But their voices quiver, and she can’t unhear herself in each one.

Janessa Mulepati is a writer whose creations often include elements of fantasy and horror. You can find her work in Pif Magazine, Ghost Parachute, Luna Station Quarterly, and elsewhere. See more at https://substack.com/@jlmulepati.