Up Here

Dermot OBrien Cabanas

David Coromines
6/10/14

Table of contents:

Introduction
..2

Story
.3 42
Quote
1
.3
Prologue.

...4 9
Chapter
1
.10 12
Chapter
2
.13 16
Chapter
3
...17 24
Chapter
4
.25 28
Chapter
5
.29 32
Chapter
6
.33 36
Chapter
7
.37 41
Quote
2
.........42
1

Conclusions.
.4
3

Introduction
The idea of writing a book for my project came to me at the
end of the school year. I had been told in May that my
previous idea wasnt valid, and that I had to choose a new
one, but I still hadnt thought about anything. Then it
occurred to me, hey, you like reading, you like writing,
youve done some of this before, why not try it? and so I
did.
This is the first time Im writing a real book, even if its a
short one. I had written some short stories in the past, but
nothing compared to this. It was very difficult in the
beginning; I didnt know what the book was going to be
about, and I started writing it much too late. The problem
was that I had so many ideas floating around in my head
that I could not manage to start putting them on paper. I

had a typical case of what is known as writers block (a

problem I have encountered more along the process of
writing)
I decided to take baby steps. First I made an outline of the
story, marking what would happen in each part of the
novel. Then I detailed the characters. I started with Ed, the
protagonist, who, sincerely, is a little based on me, and then
I outlined the other main characters, basing them off the
relation they had with Ed. I faced a few obstacles, but in the
end it all came through.

A lark, caught in a hunters nest,

Sang sweeter then than ever.
As if the falling melody,
Could wing and net dissever.
At dusk the hunter took his prey
The lark its freedom never.
All birds and men are sure to die
3

But songs may live forever.

Ken FOLLET, The Pillars Of The Earth

Prologue
Hey man, give us a beer said Mick to his friend Jamie. It
was just another Saturday evening at Jamie and Annes
place, doing exactly the same as every other Saturday
evening since the beginning of the school term; Ed was
sitting on the sofa absorbed in his guitar-playing, Sophie
next to him mesmerized by whatever rubbish was being
showed on the telly, Mick was playing some videogame on
his phone, and Jamie and Anne were cooking something up
for dinner.
I think were all out replied Jamie from the kitchen.
Christ, what happened? said Mick, frightened.
4

Sorry burped Ed, I may have gone a bit overboard with

the beer. Ive got to buy cigarettes anyway, so I might as
well get more beer too. Its not like its going to go to waste
now, isnt it? After a quick laugh Ed asked if anyone would
go along with him.
Ill come along if you give me a fag! said Sophie, excited
about something free. She, much like Ed, came from a
lower-middle class family, and never had much growing up.
Ed chuckled at that but nevertheless agreed, and they set
off.
Grab a pound of butter and Ill sort you out when you
come back! they heard Anne call out just as they closed
the front door. As they started walking down the corridor to
the lift, Ed realized he felt a bit dizzy, probably due to the
six or seven cans of beer he had chugged down during the
afternoon.
You know, Sophie said Ed, launching into one of his halfdrunken speeches all his friends were now used to, Lately
my life has been feeling empty. We all study during the
week, we meet at Jamie and Annes every Saturday, have
some beers, maybe go to some concert later, but whats
the point? Its always the same.
I think we have it going pretty good, arent you happy?
Were all here for each other when necessary, weve all
been able to study more or less what we want, you have
your part-time, delivering job at Pizza Hut, I get along fairly
well with babysitting, whats there to worry about?
5

Ed still wasnt happy about anything really, I know, its

just oh I dont even know.
As he stumbled on his feet walking out the door of the block
of flats Jamie and Anne lived in, Sophie could see that Ed
was mildly drunk and that he didnt know exactly what he
was talking about, but she also knew him well enough to
see that something wasnt right with him, and she came up
with the perfect idea to cheer him up.
I know just the thing that will help us all clear our minds:
an excursion.
What kind of excursion? answered Ed, lifting his head,
curiosity getting the better of him.
Well the other day I was thinking she proceeded, Ive
been living in Salisbury for years and not once have I been
to Stonehenge, so how about it?
Salisbury is located just ten kilometres south of
Stonehenge, the oldest Bronze-era settlement in Europe;
and Ed was very keen on the outdoors and nature in
general.
Wow, I just realized that Ive never been there either said
Ed, starting to feel slightly better, Now that I think about
its actually a great idea. We can all take our bikes and
cycle there next Saturday! Although
What is it?
Do you think the others will like the idea?

Of course they will. This is exactly what we all need.

Ed was now back to his cheerful, sober and impulsive self.
I just know you too well, Ed she smiled. Come on, were
already at the shop. Lets hurry and get back to tell the lads
about the trip.
After getting a packet of cigarettes, a six-pack each and
Annes pound of butter, they rushed back home. It was
already eight p.m. and as the sky got darker, it started to
rain, much like every other day in England.

Salisbury was a picturesque city in the county of Wiltshire,

in the southwest of the UK, mainly made out of little one
family cottages and it had an old and cosy atmosphere.
Even so, there was a more metropolitan area where some
modern apartment blocks had been built. Jamie and Anne
had always been pretty mature for their age, and when we
were all still in school together they always talked about
how they wanted to get a small place to live together, and
so they did as soon as they could.
Youre an amazing friend, Sophie. stated Ed while they
were arriving to their friends block. But still, nothing more
than a friend, he thought.
Sophie giggled. What would you ever do without me?
Probably lay down and die, but then again, you would do
the same without me.

--Jesus, what took you so long? I was beginning to get

worried.
Youre always getting worried Anne, have a beer. Mick
had an easy way of solving his problems and worries.
Shut up Mick. Thanks guys, you can leave everything in
the fridge. Oh, and toss me that butter please.
Anne liked to think of herself as some kind of glorified chef,
but the truth is she really had wonderful cooking skills.
Is there anything else I can help you with? Sophie asked.
Is an answer required? Anne replied, with a somewhat
devious smile. Come on over here.
Ed had just sat on the sofa when they heard Jamie call out
from the room down the hall.
Mick! Ed! Guys come over here, check this out.
I wonder what hes going to come up with now
Ed laughed at that. Jamie was a strange little man, to say
the least. He was very short, liked to shave his head, and
always wore flannel shirts everywhere. He was also very
proud of his moustache, which he had been trimming and
styling since the first hairs started appearing on his upper
lip. The result was a long but neatly looked after, Salvador
Dali sort of moustache. He was also known for being
extremely unpredictable.

Look at what I found in a dusty old box under the bed. He

said, as Ed and Mick were just walking through the door to
his room.
Christ almighty
What the..?
What Jamie was holding was definitely a firearm, but
nothing like Ed and Mick had ever seen before. It looked like
some kind of long-gun from the fifteenth century, with a
wooden stock, a metre long barrel and a trumpet shaped
muzzle.
Jamie was showing a full faced grin, full of pride. I didnt
even remember this anymore, but its been in my fathers
family for centuries.
Man, that is definitely the coolest thing I have ever seen
Ed was astonished at the sight of the impressive gun.
I second that added Mick, with an equally impressed look.
DINNER! They suddenly heard Sophie yell from the
kitchen, in a typical lunch lady kind of voice. She wasnt
exactly the delicate type.
Oh boy, Annes chicken is ready! Jamie suddenly ran out
of the bedroom towards the dining room, almost banging
his head against the wall while turning around.
This guy is such a danger to himself Mick sighed as he
saw Jamie had just thrown the weapon on to his bed,
blinded by the image of home-cooked food.
9

Sophies going to be a danger to us if we dont get to the

table before the food does.

Chapter 1:
Sophies going to be a danger to us if we dont get to the
table before the food does I said to Mick. I didnt want to
10

have to endure the full force of Sophies wrath, and neither

did he, so we headed up the corridor to the dining room,
where Jamie was already sitting at the table with a hungry
look on his face.
I made sure to leave a free seat next to me for Sophie, so I
sat in front of Jamie, and Mick sat at the foot of the table.
Just then Sophie came and sat down next to me.
The table isnt going to set itself, guys. Come on, Im
hungry! she gave me a little punch on the arm as she said
it.
Okay, okay, relax. Mick, tablecloth; Jamie, plates; Ill get
knives and forks, go! I ran to the kitchen drawer, got five
knives and five forks and rushed back to the table to find
Mick struggling with the tablecloth. I set the cutlery at
lightning speed as soon as Mick finished. Jamie was having
some trouble with the plates, but we managed to do it
pretty fast.
Nice work men, that must be a new record I told them
proudly. We usually did this kind of things whenever there
was a job be done, be it small or big. Anne was looking at
us with the freshly cooked, steaming chicken in her hands
and a puzzled look on her face.
My god, I guess its true: boys dont grow up, they just get
bigger. Sophie burst out laughing, spattering the water she
was drinking all over the table, which made all of us laugh
even more. Meanwhile, Anne had started cutting and

11

serving the chicken without us even noticing; well, Jamie, of

course, had noticed and was already chowing it down.
Shall I tell them, or do you want to? Sophie whispered
into my ear.
Ill let you do the honours. I was never very good at
speaking publicly anyway, even to my friends.
Sophie stood up with her glass in one hand, and gave three
little hits with her fork.
Attention everyone, Ed has something to say, she
winked at me. How had it not crossed my mind? It was
obvious she was going to pull something like this.
Damn, Sophie Eh Well, Sophie and I came up with an
idea
Get on with it, tell us! insisted Sophie, pressuring me
further.
Well What would you guys think about going on a bike
trip?
A bike trip? said Jamie and Anne simultaneously, giving
each other a cheesy in love look after doing so.
Yeah, a bike trip. We think it will be fantastic for all of us,
to clear our heads a bit, you know? And we thought about
the coolest place to go: Stonehenge.
They all seemed to like the idea, and I felt pretty good with
myself. Sophie hugged me and kissed me on the cheek.
See, Ed? Itll be fun, and itll do us all a world of good.
12

She was absolutely right, and everyone loved the plan. We

began discussing all the details, and ended up deciding we
would have a picnic there, while we were at it.
So then its settled: next Saturday at 10 am, right? I said,
feeling pretty excited about the whole thing.
Sounds good to me said Mick.
Yeah, perfect! We can meet at 9:45 here, so that we can
set off at 10. said Anne enthusiastically.
Great, I said. Ill be heading home then. Good night
guys!
Night, Ed!

13

Chapter 2:
I woke up at 8:30 am on Saturday, feeling excited about the
trip I had been looking forward to during the whole week.
Then I started my daily morning routine: First thing after
getting up is trudge to the kitchen and switch on the coffee
machine. Then, its time to head off to the bathroom and
get ready for a quick shower. After showering I shave, and
when thats done I go to my bedroom to get dressed. I took
my jeans off the table, not remembering about the bike trip.
Oh, right, I thought, and I put on a tracksuit and a t-shirt
instead.
After getting ready and pouring myself a cup of coffee in
the kitchen, I went to the living room, where my mum was
already up with her cup of coffee too, reading the paper.
Morning, mum
Good morning, darling. What are you doing up so early?
I sat down on the sofa, turned on the TV and started rolling
my first cigarette of the day.
I told you last night mum, I am going on a bike trip to
Stonehenge with Sophie, Mick, Jamie and Anne; remember?
Ah yes, I remember now. You will be having lunch there
too, wont you?
Spot on, mum. I was going to make myself a sandwich
right now; unless you want to make it for me
She sighed When will you grow up, Ed?
14

Some day, I guess We both smiled and my mum went to

the kitchen.
I was zapping through the channels on the TV while I had
my coffee and cigarette, when something caught my eye on
BBC morning news.
Jenna Waters, a seventeen year-old girl from Salisbury,
Wiltshire, went missing yesterday afternoon. Her parents
stated that Jenna was a troubled adolescent, with not many
friends, and expressed their worry that she might have
endangered herself.
The news showed a photo of this girl, Jenna. She appeared
to be a short girl, with ginger hair tied up in a ponytail. On
her heavily freckled face sat a pair of old fashioned glasses.
She seemed to match the description of troubled given on
the news. I myself, in my younger years, had been bullied
and didnt have many friends. It wasnt until I was fifteen
that I met Jamie and Mick, after that I became more
sociable; but because of this, whenever I hear of bullied
kids, or people like this girl that appeared on my television
screen, I cant help but feel somehow connected to them.
I hope they find this girl before she does something stupid, I
thought.
The news reporter also mentioned that a police
investigation had been opened this morning, and that if
anyone knew anything about the whereabouts of Jenna
must contact the police immediately.

15

My mum was just coming into the living room, with my tinfoil wrapped sandwich.
Did you hear about this girl, Jenna Waters, mum?
Oh yes, they said something about her on the news last
night. She went missing, didnt she?
Yeah. Poor girl.
At that moment I heard my phone ringing in my bedroom.
So I gave my cigarette a last puff, stubbed it out in the
ashtray and, still thinking about that girl Jenna, went to
check who it was.
When I saw it, I smiled faintly. It was Sophie.
Morning, Sophie
Hi Ed, listen, is it okay if I pick you up in ten minutes at
your front door? Then we can get Mick and head to Jamie
and Annes place. I glanced at the clock on my bedroom
wall. It was already 9:30.
Uh okay.
Is everything all right, Ed? she had noticed that
something was troubling me.
Its nothing. Have you watched the news this morning?
No, I havent. Why?
Forget it, see you in ten.

16

I hung up. I didnt want to answer any more questions at

that moment,
Who was it, Ed? My mum called from the living room.
It was Sophie, mum. Shell pick me up in her car in ten
minutes.
I turned around looking for my non-school-related backpack.
After an exhaustive search of my room, I realised it was
under my bed, where everything I lose ends up. I packed
my sandwich, a bottle of water, some playing cards, a
sweater, and a towel. I figured nobody would remember
that a towel was one of the essential things for any trip.
When my bag was thoroughly packed, I went to kiss my
mum goodbye, grabbed my bike from the bottom of the
staircase and headed outside to wait for Sophie. As I was
sitting down on the curb, I became aware of a queasy
feeling in my stomach. I couldnt put my finger on why it
was there, but it certainly was. And, on top of that, no
matter how much I tried, I couldnt get Jenna Waters out of
my head. I just had a special sensibility for people in her
situation.
Just then came the familiar sound of Sophies car honking,
and I looked up to see her waving at me from the drivers
seat of a car on the other lane. I pushed my bike over to the
back of her car.

17

Open up! she unlocked the boot using the button on her
dashboard and I did the best I could to cram my bike in
there with hers.
Jeez, you look like youve seen a ghost. Whats wrong Ed?
Look, I just dont want to talk about it, okay? it seemed
irrational that I didnt want to discuss Jenna with Sophie, but
I still had that strange feeling, and I could feel something
wasnt quite right.
Fine. Have it your own way. Mick texted me saying that he
would take his bike to Jamie and Annes, so we dont have
to pick him up. And with that she started up the engine on
her old Volkswagen and we were off to the other side of
town, where Jamie and Anne were waiting for us.

18

Chapter 3:
It was a sunny day, as sunny as it gets in this part of the
country anyway. Wiltshire is an incredibly beautiful county;
its endless waves of green hills and fields were jaw
dropping. We were cycling along the country roads on our
bikes, and at that moment I felt everything was right.
Guys, I can see it! shouted Anne who was riding at the
front.
Yeah, there it is! Mick was riding by my side and had just
seen it as we went over the hill.
It was a truly breath-taking sight. In the centre of a huge
plain the great rock formation stood in its fullness. We
trailed off the path and started riding directly over to the
monument; however, something was terribly wrong. The
uneasy feeling in my stomach was intensifying, and as we
went around the first dolmen, I caught a glimpse of the
most horrible thing I had ever seen. We all just stood there
flabbergasted, in the centre of Stonehenge, paralyzed by
terror, staring at the hanged body of Jenna Waters.
Mick was at the verge of tears.
Did she
I know who she is. It could not be anybody else. She
matched the description perfectly, although her face was
beginning to turn blue.

19

I noticed there was a guitar and a note on the floor next to

her body.
Ed, what the devil are you talking about? Sophie was
visibly terrified.
The guitar had all kinds of scribbles and drawings on it, and
the word Jenna was written on the side in elaborate
calligraphy.
Her name is Jenna Waters. She was seventeen and she
was severely bullied. Thats probably why she did it.
Sophie was now looking at me with the same tremulous
look.
Why do you kn-
It was on the news this morning.
I proceeded to check the ground around her. For some
strange reason I felt compelled to investigate, when I
should have been paralyzed in fear like the others.
By the handwriting on the note, it was obviously a suicide
letter. At first glance, it was written very fast, and some
areas of the paper appeared to be wet, presumably from
tears.
At this point I too fell into the state of shock that had taken
over my friends.
Anne was sitting on the ground a good distance from
Jennas body, but she could not get her eyes away from her.

20

Jamie was beside her his arm tight around her shoulder, and
Mick had planted himself a bit further away, where he
kneeled down crying. This was impossible. How could it be
that this girl, that according to the news had just
disappeared this morning, was now here, in Stonehenge,
hanging by a rope tied around her neck? Suddenly, Sophie
spoke up.
We should call the police.
Sophie and I were the only ones that were managing to
keep our cool in this mad situation.
I guess we should.
I never for one moment imagined something like this would
ever happen to me; it was unreal. Seeing that the
alternative was to topple over and have a nervous
breakdown, I went to check out Jennas possessions. The
guitar was completely in tatters. She must have owned it
for at least five or six years, and it was full of drawings and
scribbles. The most notable was that of a bird, incredibly
well drawn, under the bridge of the guitar. On the top left
side of the guitars body, there was also a passage from a
book I had read, a passage that I happened to really like:
All birds and men are sure to die, but songs may live
forever. Up close, the guitar was a work of art. I turned to
Sophie.
Sophie. Lets read the letter.
Then, unexpectedly, Mick pitched in:

21

Are you sure you want to read it?

Well, we found her, so we might as well take a look at
what she had to say. Sophie replied.
I went over to the piece of paper and picked it up. It read
the following:

Hey Jenna, why dont you go shove that guitar up your

arse?
My name is Jenna Waters, and I hear things like this every
day at school. Im seventeen years old, and I study at
Salisbury High School, where my fellow classmates make
my life a living hell. I like singing and playing the guitar, and
I also write my own songs, but nobody likes them. My
parents are powerful business people, and I never see
them; I spend my days in my room with my guitar. I have
no friends. Whenever I can, I run out to the forest outside
my parents gigantic house to sit down by some big tree
and just play. I like to think of trees as my friends. But I
know theyre not. All of this makes me wonder why I am
here, on earth. My life is endless suffering. The only thing
that makes me forget the pain, however little it does, is
playing my guitar, but even when I do that I feel sad and
empty inside. I have finally decided that my life is not worth
living. I hope there is something waiting for me on the other
side.

22

Wow, Sophie was in shock. That poor girl. She really had
it tough.
Just as I finished reading the note, everything began to turn
dark, and I heard Jamie shout my name right before
blacking out and falling over.

Oh, Ed. I never got to know you, but I would always see you
walking around town with Sophie, or with Mick. You struck
me as a nice guy, and now, from here, I know I wasnt
mistaken.
Youve already read my note, so you are familiar with my
passing through earth, and you are aware that my life
wasnt very meaningful. Although you and I have one thing
in common, Ed: we both love music more than anything
else in the world. This is the reason you kept feeling a
connection with me, and it is why, since there was nobody
in my life that I appreciated enough to open up to, or even
like for that matter, you are the chosen one and I will be
talking to you.
Since you are wondering, I truly believe I did what I had to
do. And anyway, everything people say about suicide;
things like going to hell and such, it is not true. Now that I
am in heaven, I can finally affirm with certainty that all
religions are wrong. Heaven is nothing remotely like
anything you have ever heard or imagined before.

23

I was an atheist throughout my short life, but, when facing

deaths cold, yet welcoming stare, you start to think; is
there really something after you die? Because, and trust me
on this, you may not want to live anymore, but you sure do
not want to stop existing.
Now, back to heaven, I have only been up here for a few
hours, but it comes to my understanding that heaven is
slightly different for everyone. That does not mean that I
am alone, though. It means that, in this particular heaven, I
am alongside people who think similarly to me, or that are
passionate about some things I like. Basically, we all have
something in common, and the combination of all these is
what creates this specific version of heaven.
Sorry for knocking you out, by the way, I will try to not do
that in the future. You see, in Heaven we are allowed to
communicate with one person in the living world, but it
always has to be the same person.
Well, I see that you are busy now; I will talk to you soon.

I woke up lying down, face up, with Sophie kneeling over

me on my right side and Mick, Jamie and Anne on my left. I
had no idea whatsoever of what had just happened, but I
knew one thing for certain: Jenna had just spoken to me.
Ed! Are you all right? said Anne in a worried tone.
Uh, yeah, I think so. Did you call the police?

24

This time Jamie answered.

Theyll be here any minute. What just happened man?
I didnt say anything, because I really didnt know. I
supposed that maybe the connection I felt to Jenna was
more real than I thought, so real in fact that she decided to
communicate with me from the other side.
You wont believe me. I said.
Try me. Sophie answered.
Well, I swear Jenna Waters just spoke to me.
There was a long pause. Everybody was staring at me like I
was some sort of madhouse patient, as expected. Anne was
the first to reply.
If this is a joke, its a very sick one, Ed.
I told you that you wouldnt believe me, but I promise its
true. I just heard her talking to me in my head. She said
that she had seen me around, and that we share a
connection. She also mentioned something about Heaven.
The minute I finished, two police cars appeared speeding
along the road in the distance. They drove down the same
path we had taken with our bikes. They must have seen
that we were pretty upset by what we had found, because
they addressed us nicely.
Good morning, Im Officer Wilson; may I ask who made
the phone call?

25

I did. answered Sophie.

Very well, miss. Please, would you follow me to the car
and answer a few questions? Meanwhile, my partner Officer
Rogers will take a look around, if you dont mind.
Yeah, okay. Lets go.
Officer Rogers asked us to explain the situation a bit. While
Anne was telling him everything that had happened since
we left Salisbury, I took Jamie and Mick for a walk around
the area. Mick had calmed himself down a bit, although he
was still very upset.
Man, this is madness. It cant be happening. She was
dead man! She committed freaking suicide! Jesus It just
cant be.
Mick, come on, relax. Ed says she talked to him, and that
shes happy now, right Ed? Theres nothing to worry about.
Yeah, calm down Mick. I dont know how I was able to
keep my head on, maybe seeing Mick in his current state
helped, but the truth is I was freaked out to an incredible
extent. Had I just talked to someone dead? It was either
that or I had utterly lost my mind, and I was still acting sane
enough for that to have happened. Then, suddenly, I felt
dizzy and dropped to one knee.

Okay, I think Im getting the hang of this; at least youre

conscious this time. Yes, Ed, Im dead, yet Im talking to

26

you. Its something new here in heaven. The thing is, you
cant tell anyone that I talk to you frequently. Oh, and if you
want to tell me something, you only have to empty your
mind and think blank.

Crap, I twisted my ankle. Knowing what Jenna had just

told me, I had to make up something. This was too weird,
but it was obviously happening for a reason, so I decided to
go with it and see what was next.
Jamie and Mick were looking at me suspiciously, but they
believed me. Just then, Anne and Sophie came over to
where we had left our bikes. The two policemen were
inspecting Jennas body. Sophie spoke to us looking tired
and in an exasperated tone:
They said that we are free to leave. I think we should call
it a day.
And what a hell of a day

27

Chapter 4:
I woke up at 12 pm Friday morning, happy that it was a
bank holiday and that I had no class. I went through my
daily morning routine, finishing by sitting at my living room
sofa to watch the news. My mum was working, so I decided
to try something to which I hadnt given much thought for a
few days.
I left my cup of coffee on the table, turned off the telly,
closed my eyes, and tried to empty my mind of all thought.
I thought of a blank background and nothing else, and just
as I was thinking that it wasnt going to work, I had that
strange falling sensation you get when youre lying in bed
about to fall asleep.
Ed! I was beginning to think you had forgotten all about me.
Listen, uh Jenna. Why is this happening? Why me? Its
not like talking to the dead is something normal that
happens to everyone.
Well you know when I said that it was just something new
in Heaven? I lied.
The thing is, Ed, music is much more powerful than you
think it is. In the words of the great Bono, Music can
change the world because it can change people, and its
the only thing that has the power to do that. And, in our
case, music is so powerful that it has somehow brought
down the walls between the world of the dead and the
world of the living. I asked around here, but I was treated
28

like crap because Im new. After some searching, I found

this old man whos been here for an incredibly long time,
and he said that situations like this arent unheard of.
Are you serious about this? You and me being able to
communicate, its thanks to the love we feel towards
music?
You got it.
Thats amazing.
It sure is. And that is why we have to use this gift that has
been given to us to do some good to your world.
Wait, Jenna, can I ask you a question?
I know what youre going to say. Why did I do it? Why did a
seventeen year old girl from a rich family, who got good
marks in school and had a future assured, commit suicide?
The answer isnt simple, and thats why Im not going to tell
you. For now, lets just say I was fed up. Besides, Heaven is
great. And with that I dont mean that everybody should do
like I do, simply that in my case where I am now is way
better than life.
Why dont you want to tell me? You seem pretty happy
about it.
Oh, I am. Ill tell you when youre ready, Ed, but now back
to the matter at hand. You see, my life on earth was not at
all pleasant, but the truth is that I have never done harm to
anybody. When I first came here I decided that, if I had a

29

chance, I would get back at the world for making me take

drastic measures, but after I found out about you, I figured
the best way to get back was to do as much good as I
could. You do remember the quote on my guitar, dont you?
Of course: A lark, caught in a hunters net
There you are. A good reader too, huh? Thats good. Well,
before I did the deed, I sang and played a song right there,
leaning against that dolmen. Its a song that Ive known for
many years, and it is remarkably good. It is called Never
Yield, and it was written by Travis McOldfield.
Do you know it?
Im sorry to say I dont
Never mind. The song says that Our weapons are our
instruments, and thats precisely the point I want to prove.
Ed, you need to put up a concert, and play this song,
together with other songs that you think have a meaning
similar to this one. You have to make as much people come
as possible. The power of a good song, plus your musical
talent will send a strong message to whoever is watching.
Me? A concert? Ive only ever played in front of my
friends
Listen to me, Ed. Being dead has its advantages. The skill to
talk to people may not be normal, but people here in
Heaven have the ability to influence other peoples lives. It
must be this way so that we can watch over our loved ones.
That means, that if you put on an outstanding show, I can
30

make your music reach the audience, and make them feel
the same way you and I feel; feel like they understand the
music.
Wow, Jenna. I I dont know what to say. Youre
incredible. You had this ridiculously tough life, and now
youre here, trying to help people.
At this point of the conversation, I could somehow feel
Jenna smiling.
Well, you can imagine I dont have many things to do to
entertain myself up here. Now come on, take your time,
prepare everything you need, and do it!

And just like that I snapped out of the trance like state I was
in, and I remembered I was still sitting on my sofa, at my
house. Seeing that it was 1 pm, I went to make myself
something for lunch. I set the kettle to boil some water in
order to make spaghetti, and while I was waiting I called
Sophie to invite her for some post-lunch coffee.

31

Chapter 5:
Hi Soph-
Just as I opened the door to let her in she threw herself on
my shoulder and started crying. I stood there for a while, in
the doorway, hugging her until she calmed down, and then
we went inside.
Coffee?
Yes, please.
She looked terrible. Her hair was all messed up, her eyeliner
was smudged and her eyes were red from crying. She also
had big eye bags, which made it obvious she hadnt been
getting much sleep lately. I poured her a cup of coffee and
went to sit on the sofa by her side.
32

Ive just had the worst week, Ed she was fighting back
the urge to cry again. First theres Jenna, who still haunts
me in my sleep. I also had an exam yesterday for which I
wasnt able to study and Im going to flunk miserably; and
to top it off, yesterday James dumped me.
James was a rich, stuck up guy from Sophies class. They
had been going out for a couple of months, but it was
nothing serious; although I guess it was just the stroke that
broke the camels back for her.
Jesus I put an arm around her shoulders. Dont worry
girl, I guess were all going through a rough patch these
days. I handed her some toilet paper so she could blow her
nose.
Tell me about it.
At that moment I did the only thing I was capable of: I went
to my room, grabbed my guitar, and came back to play a
song I knew Sophie liked. The song talked about drowning
your problems in a specific alcoholic drink Sophie was very
fond of: whisky. Midway through the song I noticed her
tapping out the rhythm on the table with her fingers, and I
knew my plan was working.
When I had finished and left the guitar in a corner, she was
smiling at me, and I went to sit back down with her.
Feeling better? I said.
A bit. Could you give me a fag? Im all out.

33

Certainly, milady. I tried to sound courteous as I stood up

to fetch my tobacco.
She grinned at me as I gave it to her, and started to roll a
cigarette.
Have you spoken to the rest of the gang lately? I asked. I
havent heard of them since Saturday.
I met Mick on the street yesterday. He was on his way to
buy some bread, but I think hes been having the worst
time handling the whole Jenna thing. You know how he is. I
also spoke to Anne on the phone the other day. Shes doing
well, but Jamie is in tatters. Apparently when they arrived
home Saturday afternoon he had a nervous breakdown
because it reminded him of his mum.
Jamies mother had passed away at the beginning of the
summer, three or four months ago, and he always acted
normal and pretended he was strong, but we all knew he
was a having a hard time.
Ill give Mick a call later on to see how hes doing. I said.
And Anne can take care of Jamie, shes a strong woman,
and he can take more than we all think. Everythings going
to turn out okay, Sophie.
We just sat there cuddling in front of the telly for a while
until she was alright. After about ten minutes she suddenly
raised her head.
Oh yeah, something good did happen. You know Ive
always been kind of into percussion and stuff, right?

34

Yeah, why?
Well Sophie had the look of a little girl who was telling
Santa Claus what she wanted for Christmas. My mom found
an old cajon in the garage which apparently belonged to my
grandfather, and Im going to try to learn how to play it. We
could play songs together.
Wow, Sophie playing a musical instrument. I had never
imagined it, but I thought that it would actually be pretty
cool.
That would be fantastic, Sophie.
Then it all fell into place. This was perfect for the concert
Jenna asked. Could this possibly be her doing..?
I suddenly felt a bit dizzy.
What, you thought I was kidding? I can do stuff, Ed.
It couldnt be. It had to be some kind of crazy dream. But it
was real, and Jenna was relying on me to do this for her.
Sophie, what would you think about forming an acoustic
duo, you and me?
What? But I dont even know how to play yet.
Youre a fast learner. And Im not too bad on the drums, so
I guess I can play the cajon too, and teach you.
I dont know, Ed Oh, what the heck. Yeah!
We were so excited about it that I went to put my guitar in
its case and we left my house, driving straight to Sophies
to get started. We didnt say much during the drive there,
so I left my mind go blank for just a second.
Hey, Jenna?
Hi, Ed. Whats up?
Youre an amazing girl, you know that?
Well youre pretty damn cool too.

35

Chapter 6:
A week had passed since Sophies first lesson on the cajon,
but even though I knew she was a fast learner, I never
expected her to be that good in so little. We had been
meeting for only an hour in the afternoon, yet she could
play as if shed been at it for a whole year. She was a
natural.
The time had finally come; Mick, Jamie, and Anne had come
over to Sophies house, where she and I were waiting,
acoustic guitar and cajon ready to rock. I also decided that
it was probably time to tell them about Jenna. I had told
Sophie earlier that day, and at first, naturally, she didnt
believe me. But I spent a good while talking to her, and

36

when I told her about the concert, and that Jenna could help
us, she finally believed me.
Well guys, this is it; hope you like it!
The song we played was the one I had played for Sophie
that day at my house. The name of the song was Drinking
in Heaven, and it was by The Rascals.
I really must say, we did a great job.
Yeah! That was amazing guys! Jamie had enjoyed the
most, but Anne and Mick were also clapping
enthusiastically.
Seriously, you really have potential, Anne said. My uncle
owns a bar that has a little stage and sometimes they do
acoustic concerts, Im sure I could get you guys to play, if
you want!
Since when did Anne have an uncle that owns a bar?
Jenna?
Sophie was ecstatic.
Yes! Yes, oh yes! Anne that would be wonderful, could you
ask him?
Sophie was all over Anne, hugging her and kissing her.
Relax, sweetheart. Ill call him later. She gently pushed
Sophie away, who still couldnt wipe the smile from her
face.
Guys, theres something I want to tell you.
37

That was when I told them all about being able to talk to
Jenna. I also told them what she had said about heaven,
that she was able to interact with people on earth, and how
and why she was going to help us with the concert.
And all of this is true? said Anne, who never believed
anything paranormal.
Absolutely, I said. But please, you cannot tell anybody,
understood?
They agreed to that, and Anne went outside to call her
uncle. I was rolling myself a cigarette on the curb outside,
when suddenly Sophie came and sat next to me.
Im so excited, Ed. Imagine that the concert is a big hit
and we end up going big. Wouldnt that just be the best?
You and me, writing our own songs and playing them in
front of hundreds of people.
Believe me when I say this Sophie, nothing would make me
happier. We sat there smoking a fag together, fantasizing
about what our future life as musicians would be like for
about ten or fifteen minutes. Then, out of nowhere, came
Anne running as if her life depended on it, shouting at us.
Ed! Sophie! He said yes! You can even play this Sunday!
Sophie jolted upwards and started screaming and running
towards Anne. They met in the middle of the road and
embraced each other, still screaming. I wasnt showing it as
much, but I too was incredibly excited about this; and even

38

more when I remembered why we were doing this in the

first place.
Mick and Jamie when running over to them, and I followed
them. That moment, right there, the five of us just laughing
and hugging each other in the middle of a suburban road
one peaceful Friday afternoon, I swear it was the definition
of pure happiness.
When we had all came to back to the real world, I picked up
my guitar, and informed everyone that I had to get going.
There was something I had to do.
See you guys on Sunday! Oh, Sophie, remember we have a
ton of work to do tomorrow! And with that I left Sophies
house, with my guitar strapped on my back, running
towards the outskirts of town. After 5 minutes non-stop,
Salisbury was behind me. I scanned the area for the nearest
hill while I caught my breath, and when I located it, off I
was, running again.
As soon as I arrived at the hilltop, I left my guitar on the
ground and lied down on the ground, gazing at the now
darkening sky, and I let the blankness invade my mind.
Well, Ed, weve been busy, havent we?
Its going to be amazing Jenna. I think I even owe you a
big thank you.
You? Thanking me? No way. Ed, what you and your friends
have is incredible, I have seen that today; and you have no
idea how much I envy that. But watching over you this way
39

has allowed me to feel true friendship for the first time, and
for that, I must thank you.
Well, I guess youre welcome then.
Oh you
You know whats strange, though? The first time we met
you, it fell short of a horror movie, but when you started
talking to me, its as if it had all faded away much more
rapidly. And today, when I told the others about you, they
were all eager to help you. It seems to me like from the
beginning we all somehow knew that we werent facing the
typical troubled youth commits suicide case. Your
situation is much deeper, Jenna.
I suppose you still want to know the full reason behind my
passing, am I right?
Yes you are.
Well Im sorry Ed, but it still isnt the time. Soon everything
will make sense, trust me.
And just like that I was brought back in to reality, lying at
the top of the hilltop, looking up at the dusk-ridden sky and
feeling like I could take on the world.

Chapter 7:

40

Sunday finally came, and we met after lunch at Sophies

house to get ready to leave in her car. Annes uncles bar
was in Southampton, which was forty-five minute drive from
Salisbury, give or take, but nevertheless we had decided to
meet much earlier so that we could have a chat with Annes
uncle, whos name, by the way, was Tony, and so that we
could take a walk around and explore the city.
Finally Mick arrived, and we all set off. After loading my
guitar and Sophies cajon in to the trunk, she got into the
drivers seat and I into the passengers. Mick insisted on
sitting in the middle back seat, claiming that he didnt want
to have to endure strange couple things as he eloquently
put it.
The car trip was great. In the end it fell close to an hour of
driving, but we didnt mind. We spent the whole time
blasting music and playing games like I spy and such.
Upon arrival Anne guided Sophie to the bar, outside of
which Tony was leaning against the wall smoking a
cigarette.
Annie, sweetheart, howve ya been? Hows your old
woman doin?
This man, Tony had a heavy scouse acent, indicating that he
was from somewhere to the north-west of England,
probably from Liverpool. I was still surprised we had never
heard of this uncle of Annes who appeared to be from the
other side of the country and owned a bar in Southampton,
and I still faintly suspected Jenna had something to do with
41

it, but my questions would be answered soon enough, I

hoped. While Anne spoke to her uncle, the rest of us
unloaded the car. I went over to them.
Pardon me, sir, but could we leave our instruments
someplace inside?
Ah, youre the musician huh? Yes, of course, come with
me.
I went back to the car to tell Sophie and to grab our
instruments. As we were heading back to entrance to the
bar, Jamie called out:
Sophie! Can Mick and I park the car for you? Mick had
gotten his licence some time ago, but he still couldnt afford
a car, and he was always excited to drive. Sophie sighed.
Yes, you can. But remember where you leave it. I dont
want what happened last time to happen again.
We heard him shout woohoo! right as we were entering
the bar, with Tony leading us.
Im not so sure that was a good idea I chuckled.
Shut up she said as she pushed me playfully.
Tony had stopped a few meters ahead, and was facing away
from us, but he suddenly turned around and said:
Musicians! Here you can leave your instruments,
We left our things there, said thank you and headed for the
exit.
42

A weird lad, this Tony, isnt he? Sophie said what both of
us were thinking.
You can say that again. Come on, lets go get the others
and see whats there to find in Southampton.
---

We were supposed to go on at 10:30 pm, and it was 10:25.

Sophie and I were backstage, practically tearing our hair out
because of how nervous we were. She had been like this for
about an hour, but Im the kind of person who only starts
getting nervous 5 minutes before starting, but then gets
extremely nervous. 10:27. We were told to start getting our
instruments ready, that Tony was about to go onstage to
introduce us.
Good evening to all. The musical duo you are going to
have the pleasure to see and listen to shortly, is formed by
a pair of young lads from Salisbury, and if they have one
thing, its talent. Ladies and gentlemen, Duality.
In the middle of the clapping of the audience, Sophie and I
walked onstage to find that we had somewhere around 60
people sitting in front us. But nothing mattered anyway, at
that moment I was sure that nothing could go wrong. I
looked over at Sophie and smiled, she too had calmed down
now, but she was still visibly nervous. I sat down on the
chair that had been set for me, and Sophie planted her
cajon next to me and sat on it.

43

And I swear as soon as it started it was over.

We opened with Drinking in Heaven and, obviously, we
closed with Never Yield, which I dedicated to the memory
of Jenna Waters. All in all, the concert was a great success.
Later, as we were having a beer at the counter, Tony came
over to me and Sophie.
Listen to me kids, you like to do what you do, dont you?
Uh Yeah, of course said Sophie
Well look, I know people. People in London. People who
can make you earn money simply by playing music. What
do you say? I was shocked.
That would be amazing, Tony, but the problem is that
were in university still. Sophie had just demonstrated a
degree of responsibility I no idea she could handle. I think
were going to keep on as amateurs until were finished,
and then if youre still interested, well talk. How does that
sound, Ed?
That actually sounds quite right, Sophie.
Tony seemed like he was offended by our neglecting his
offer, but nonetheless I respected us. I turned to Sophie:
Well, girl, I dare to say a bright future awaits us; what do
you think?
I think you are completely right.
Now it was time; I wanted my answers.
44

If you would all excuse me a moment, there is someone I

must talk to.
The second I finished talking I sped off again. I remembered
we had passed a nice big park on the way to the bar, and it
wasnt too far, so thats where I was headed. I ran what
mustve been four-hundred meters before arriving at the
park. I went straight to the first bench I saw, sat down, and,
basking in the cool night air, I let my mind loose.
Well Jenna, we did it.
You sure did. I owe you an answer, dont I now? Ill explain.
When I first contemplated the option of suicide, I analysed
the different outcomes. One of the possible results, and,
unfortunately at the time, was that simply nothing would
happen; that I would make the sad transition from living
breathing human being, to motionless, swinging from a
rope, dead human being. This is what I feared the most, but
I concluded that even that would be better than what I had,
so I took the risk. Now, the other possibility, which is what
happened, was this. That Heaven really existed, and that in
some way I could still interact with the living world. And
now I suppose youre thinking, you still havent told me
WHY you did it. Well that is a very simple answer. Because,
since my life on earth was pointless, I figured it would be
much better for and for everyone in general if I could
somehow help people from a vantage point.

45

Thats unbelievable. Jenna Waters, you truly are

remarkable.
Do you want to know what is really remarkable Ed? I, not
for a second, have been able to interact with the living
world apart from talking to you. I made you believe that I
was helping you from outside so that you would be
confident and you would believe in yourself. And I also had
nothing to do with Sophies cajon, or Annes uncle. You can
call that luck, if you wish; I prefer to call it destiny.
And most important of all, Ed, all those people that just saw
you and Sophie onstage, were moved by the two of you,
and by the two of you alone. And I can tell you this: another
of the perks of being up here is that I can know what
certain people are feeling at a determined moment, and I
can tell you that I know for certain your songs have arrived
to every single person in the audience.
That, my friend, is the truly remarkable power of music.

Our guns
We shot them in the things we said
Ah we didn't need no bullets
Cos we rely on some words instead
Kill someone in argument
Outwit them with our brains

46

And we'd kill ourselves laughing

At the funny things we'd say
[]
This be a declaration
Written about my friends
It's engraved into this song
So they know I'm not forgetting them
See maybe if the world contained
More people like these
Then the news would not be telling me
About all that warfare endlessly and
THE CAT EMPIRE, Chariot

Conclusions:
The main conclusion I take out of this project, is that writing
a book, be it a full-fledged novel or be it a short story like
this one, is not easy.
I have to admit that this was intended to be longer, but I
also think that it ended up working out quiet well as a short
story. I tried to communicate the idea that music is the most
powerful language of all.

47

Writing this book has also served as a self-indulgence

exercise, allowing me to discover some traits of my
personality that I didnt have in mind before.

48