The Arrival

This is my last year 8 English Exam -Handed in with illustration from book 'The Arrival'-
Overall I obtained an A for the year
The afterlife, or more specifically your second life, is a wonderous
momentum, filled with amazing things, or so that’s what we’re all told.
After passing on, the souls of the dead are sent on a quest. They set sail
on the sea of bodies and arrive at a mystical place, a place where your
dreams will all come true, but alas, only those with the most beautiful
hearts and the purest of souls may stay, communicate with their family
and live out their new immortal life.
While the others do have the advantage to change, those whom do not
are banished and sent to the fiery pits of hell…
Before my soul was hoisted from my body and a bright light brought me
into my final state; my ears filled with nothing, but loud crashes, screams
and gun shots. I could see nothing, nothing but the dangerous fireworks
of war man had created.
I wasn’t scared, death is something everyone must go through and in the
end, you’ll end up with the best of people; for at the exact moment we
are born we get closer and closer to death, it’s always around every
corner. Watching. Waiting. Plotting.
My soul-self arrived at the boat, filled with all the souls of the dead. I
remember the crowdedness and cautiousness, I remember how nobody
was trust worthy, all weary and afraid, for the good and bad souls had
not yet been separated.
I remember the mist covering our view of the open skies promised and
the statue of Good and Bad, the two forced coming to an agreement,
that the purest of souls may stay, and the rest must either prove their
worthiness or be punished for their sins in their first life.
A fear struck through my chest, was I worthy enough to stay here? I
remember my head becoming light; as light as a feather and my body
began stiffening, I remember wanting to hold my wife tightly in my arms,
all I wanted was to hear her tell me everything’s ok…
Once I had gotten off of the boat people of the strange new world began
looking at me strangely, I was then escorted to a tall building where a
man took a series of tests to determine whether or not I’d be worthy of
staying.
He looked right through my eyes and saw my inner most thoughts, I
remember the fear striking right through me as his face dropped in

disgrace. He opened my mouth and looked straight down my throat. He
broke down in confusion, as if he didn’t know what to tell me.
I remember him breaking sweat; writing things down sporadically; he
seemed stressed and rushed. I remember my heart dropping as I was
told I had committed six of the several deadly sins, one was not
committed, I had a chance to stay if I could purify my heart.

Lust: I had only wanted perfection, I found a partner who could
complete my life rather than my heart.
Gluttony: I was constantly drinking and terrifying my family, rest assure I
never harmed them, but they were always worried for me.
Greed: I only worked towards what I wanted in life, I never stopped for a
moment to think of what would be best for my family.
Laziness: I was constantly getting others to do my dirty work, I tore
apart families, keeping men back afterhours.
Pride: I was constantly thinking of myself as the world’s greatest man, I
must’ve looked like a complete goofball.
And Wrath: I was always passive aggressive towards my daughter, she
never had a true father figure.
I remember running to my apartment in tears and seeking comfort, I
didn’t have anyone and didn’t know how I could purify my heart, the man
had told me nothing.
Suddenly after that a small white figure appeared out of thin air. I wasn’t
so sure about this thing, I didn’t know what it was. It was tadpole like and
bright white, it’s eyes black and blank. It had a cute kind of face, the kind
of a child, so small, pure and innocent.
I approached the thing, but it leaped out of reach, scurried toward my
big, black leather suitcase and was gone. The thing had vanished before
my very eyes. I walked slowly and cautiously to my suitcase, gently
unbuckled the shiny, golden brown locks and expecting the creature I
speedily opened the suitcase.
The only thing within the leather padded walls was a photograph of my
family and I, I remember staring at it for a while, these people, my family,
I truly treasure them, how was I so blind?

I swore then and there that if I was given another chance, I’d take it, I’d
be a better father and husband, I’d spend more time with my family and
take responsibility for my actions.
I would truly love my wife for her personality, not her looks, I would treat
my daughter kindly and would stop drinking.
That very night the Dark Lord’s minions came through the Land Of The
Dead, they held gigantic, monstrous vacuums.
One stared down at me and turned his vacuum on, it began sucking up
people. He passed me… and suddenly everything became glorious, the
skies cleared, the thick clouds which sat upon the ground disappeared
and wonderous dragon flies spread round everywhere.
Shortly after that the little white thing approached me, it looked up at me
with its big black eyes and said, “I am Hope, I’ve given you the power to
learn to accept your wrongs and purify your heart.”
Ever since then Hope has not spoken a single word, and even though
he’s become silent he still continues to fill me with hope and faith. I was
granted permission to spend my immortal life here in the Land Of The
Dead, and then I waited for The Arrival of my family.
Now I’m whole. Don’t underestimate what you have.
Things change…