“Well,” Ever said, “you can stay on earth as long as you want, or I can help you move to the Underworld.”

  “Underworld, huh?” Clive said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Is that like, Hell? Will I get to meet the devil?”

  “If by devil, you mean Hades, sure.”

  “Alright wicked, let’s go.”

  “OK. All you have to do is tell me what thing you want to experience one more time before we leave earth for good.”

  “Experience one more time? Easy, I wanted to see the surf, specifically the waves.”

  That explains the long hair, Death sniffed despite not having a nose.

  “Actually you know what I want more than to see the surf? I want to smell it.”

  The scythe reacted immediately, pulsing once to life. It seemed brighter than usual; Ever and Clive had to squint their eyes against the light; the medics had no reaction whatsoever.

  Once his eyes acclimated to the light, he saw the menu appear:

  SENSES

  —--

  Smell

  —--

  Sight

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  —--

  Ooooh double senses, now we’re talking!

  Ever simultaneously selected both options and the menu disappeared, before floating to Clive’s side. A dark rectangle the size of a banknote folded out, getting larger and larger, accelerating with each fold until it stretched out far and wide. Eventually, something faded in: waves, lapping a shore, stars in the sky and a gentle breeze, carrying the smell of salt in the air.

  Clive nodded slowly. “Nice.” He kept nodding a bit longer, until he stopped. “You got anything a bit more, I dunno, realistic?”

  Ever looked at him. It did seem rather surreal; Clive’s corpse and the medics worked behind them, whereas this simulation of the sea played in front of them.

  “I actually know just the place.”

  “Niiiice!”

  Ever let go of Clive’s hand as the two souls landed at the beach. Ever had come here nearly a month ago. 11 months left and his vacation would be over...

  Clive ran on the sand, leaving no foot prints. Continuing into the water, it didn’t wet his pants, nor drag him deeper. He closed his eyes and breathed deep in, smelling the real saltiness of the air - but only just.

  Ever floated up and over the sand, tentatively dropping into the water next to Clive. Naturally (or supernaturally), his legs weren’t getting wet either.

  “I worked so hard on that project, but you know what?” Clive looked at Ever, his hair unkempt. “I couldn’t tell you what it was about. It was all bullshit to me.”

  “Why were you working so hard?” Ever asked.

  Clive raked his hair with hands. “Couple of reasons. I barely made it through school. Moment after I graduated, bought a one-way ticket to Copacabana, Brazil. Became a lifeguard there, made good use of my swimming skills. Did that for 10 years. My parents wanted me to come back, get a proper job. So me being the good son did as I was told. That was the first reason.”

  Ever stared at the ink black horizon, listening.

  “Second reason was I wanted to save enough money to go to Hawaii, check out the waves there. I had the tickets booked and I took on the extra project to get the extra pay.” He sighed. “I was happiest when I followed my own path, you know what I’m saying?”

  Ever looked up at the moon in its crescent phase. “I think so.” He looked to the side but he was the only soul there, waves lapping at his knees.