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Rodney tugged on the handle, trying to twist the case from Theo's grasp.

Theo clamped his hand on Rodney's fist and squeezed. Rodney yelped and pulled his hand away. Theo let out his own shriek. “Your hand. What's wrong with your hand?"

The twenty-one year old winced as he cradled his hand and tried to move his fingers. Rodney shouted, “You broke it. You broke my hand."

Frantically directing his question toward Sadie, Theo repeated, “What's wrong with his hand? It's clammy."

"You don't know you're dead yet, do you?” Rodney said. Stepping up to Theo, Rodney tapped the man's chest, pushing hard with each tap. “For your information Mr. Pansy-Ass-Big-Shot, you're dead. You're as dead as a mackerel. A stinking, slimy, rotting mackerel."

Theo squared his shoulders. “You don't know what you're talking about.” Frustration smoldered as he continued, “Do I look like I'm dead? You, young man, wouldn't be talking to me if I were dead, now would you?"

Reaching toward the briefcase Rodney matched Theo's exaggerated tone. “I would and I am. You're just as dead as the rest of the losers in this cabin."

Rodney swatted at a greasy cluster of hair tickling the nape of his neck. A ragged shoulder seam on the left side of his t-shirt bragged of a recent confrontation, one of many the young man had started over the years.

Sadie's shrill voice interrupted the clash between the men. “Rodney. That's enough. Either go back outside or go to the inner room."

Glaring at Theo, Rodney said, “Loser. You're lucky I worked my ass off today. I'm too tired to deal with you.” Retreating toward the inner room, he stabbed his finger in Theo's direction. “Later, dude. Count on it.” He slammed the inner room door causing a framed picture to bounce and shatter against the floor.

Sadie patted Theo's chair to encourage him to sit down. “It's not wise to get into a pissing match with a skunk.” She lifted a broom off a pantry hook and swept up the shards that had scattered across the floor. “Ignore him. He's got an attitude. He's cranky because his thirty days are slipping away.” Sadie motioned toward the inner room door. In a low tone she added, “Whatever you do, don't let him know you're afraid of him.

"I'm sorry Rodney told you about your death. That information should have come from me.” She grasped the back of his chair and again gestured for him to sit down. “Most people are in shock when they learn their dead."

"Death? Are you out of your mind?” Theo rasped.

"Yes she is,” filtered through the inner room door. “All you have to do is look at her. Any idiot could figure that out."

A gaunt young woman rose from her chair and touched Theo's fingers. As he jerked them from her grasp, Lora said, “Sadie's not crazy.” Looking toward the inner room door, she leaned in and whispered, “Don't believe Rodney. Sadie's the only chance you've got to reach your destination."

Lora and her son Michael, the third and fourth crossers of the week, had arrived shortly after Rodney checked into Cabin 14. Lora was nothing like Rodney. Terrified and insecure, Lora needed constant encouragement. It didn't take long before Sadie realized the poor woman lacked the ability to make a death decision.

Lora's unwillingness to accept her new responsibility concerned Sadie. Sadie coached Lora at length to get her to understand the urgency of making a sound decision. The lectures failed. Lora leaned toward a decision that held risk.

Six-year-old Michael's objection to his mother's decision also added to Sadie's concern. Lora's decision led to doom. Her son's objections only added to the frail woman's dilemma.

Theo's toe caught on the rug as he hurried toward the screen door. His voice trembled. “What's going on here? Her fingers are as cold as Rodney's. They might be dead, but I'm not dead.” His voice rose as he looked at Sadie. “I tell you I'm not dead."

"I know you're confused, but you've got to calm down. There's so much I need to explain.” Sadie waited as Theo fumbled for the doorknob. “You have to make a decision and we're here to help you. The time you have left is limited. All my crossers are facing the same dilemma and will tell you about their concerns as the days go by. They expect you to do the same."

"Please listen to her,” Lora said. “I didn't believe her at first, either. None of us did. But when you hear everything, you'll understand.” Lora pulled her son to her side.

"When you died,” Sadie said, “you didn't pass through the tunnel of light like you should have. You were held back. Some don't make it through the light because their issues are unresolved. It's up to you to figure out what that is. You've been given a time frame of thirty days to figure it out and make your decision."

"Decision.” Theo rolled his eyes and looked away. “Your little fantasy game doesn't impress me in the least."

"Theo, you are dead. I don't know how you died, but believe me, you are dead. You have to decide whether you want to go back through the light or go to the parallel world.” Sadie sat back in her chair, waiting for what she knew would come next.

"I've heard enough,” Theo shouted. “Parallel world? What is this some kind of cult?” Theo flicked his hand toward the others. “If you've been taken in by this lunatic, then you're just as crazy as she is.” He gestured frantically. “I suppose you're all waiting for an alien space ship to take you away?"

"No, we're not. There are no such things as aliens. But we know we need to make a decision so we can cross over.” A blond, twelve-year-old boy rose and crossed the room toward Theo. “I'm Tim. I'm dead just like you.” He pointed at Lora as he explained. “Lora and her son are dead. The guy in the inner room is dead. Sadie's our death coach and she's here to help us make our decisions."

A throaty laugh erupted from Theo as he threw his head back. “I just realized what this is. It's a bad dream. I've been having trouble sleeping and I'm on a new medication. I'm hallucinating.” Theo tapped both cheeks rapidly. “I'll shake myself awake and end this nightmare."

"This isn't a bad dream. You died recently and made your way to my cabin.” Sadie gazed up into his eyes to make sure he was listening. “I'm your death coach. You're a crosser and that's why you ended up in Cabin 14."

Sadie watched Theo's throat bob as he swallowed with difficulty. “I hope you look at your stay with us as an honor rather than a horror. You have the opportunity to make a major death decision. Most people don't have that luxury."

Sadie empathized with Theo as well as the other crossers. Believing the incredulous was difficult enough, but accepting the finality was next to impossible.

Theo's gaze moved around the room as Sadie pointed to Michael. “As you can see, crossers come in all sizes and ages.” Michael tucked his head behind his mother's arm when Theo stared at him. Sadie put her arm around Tim's shoulder. “Tim and his parents were killed in a car accident. Tim's parents went through to the other side, but Tim remained behind. He wants to rejoin his parents."

Sadie nudged Belly away from Theo's leg as the dog pranced around Theo's feet. “And you've met Rodney. We don't know much about him,” Sadie said, pointing toward the inner room. “He doesn't seem interested in sharing his intentions with the group."

Pulling Michael into her lap, Sadie said, “The five of you make up my guest roster for the time being. I'm only allowed five crossers at one time."

"But you have six,” Theo said, pointing at Mr. Bakke.

"Mr. Bakke isn't dead."

"He's not?” Michael said, looking up at Sadie. “He looks dead."

Hearing his name, Mr. Bakke said, “What?"

"Our new guest thought you were one of the crossers, Mr. Bakke."

Mr. Bakke turned toward the kitchen table. “I'm not dead yet. I suppose that's not too far down the road, but as of today, I'm still kicking."

Sadie pointed at the door. “Theo's over by the door. You were talking to the chair Lora's sitting in."