Hi I tried to have  lot of misdirection in the ending, hope you like it




Mitchell looked around the office one last time, he carried a small box in his arms, it contained most of his belongings from the office. He had a couple funko pops and a star trek poster. This would be his last day at work, he has been let go, if he was honest it was his fault, but it hurt because he was always going to fail, he just didn't have the temperament for the position.

He walked out into the hallway, the halls were empty as everyone was either gone for lunch or enjoying their holiday break. The only thing that remained of him was the smell of stale coffee and the echo of footsteps.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your party, I've been fired." he said, "I think they're trying to keep me away from you all."

He was lying, everyone hated him now, he got caught up in some drama with another coworker and screwed things up for himself. It also piled extra work on everyone else. All he could do was apologize to them and say good bye for now, not knowing when or if he'd ever see any of them again.

He took a step forward, the ground slanted towards the street below, the doors to the parking garage opened before him. He walked down the steps into the freezing cold air, the wind was biting and made him shiver. He stepped outside onto the sidewalk, there was no one around, his car was parked close by. He slid behind the wheel and started the engine, turning the heat on full blast. He pulled out of the lot and drove away, he was done with this part of his life.

He would find a new job soon enough, it was only a matter of time. He thought about calling Valerie, she wasn't answering her phone. She was probably spending the holidays with her boyfriend. He was a sweet guy, he had called him many times over the years to chat and catch up, they weren't really friends but they knew each other well.

He sighed, maybe it was for the best. He was sure that if he saw her she would ask what happened, he didn't want to talk to anyone right now. She might offer advice, or try to tell him how to fix things. She was all the family he had now though.

He decided to head home, he had nothing better to do. He needed to get this off his mind and relax, it felt like a heavy weight was sitting on top of him. He tried to shake it off, but it wouldn't go. He kept driving, staring straight ahead at the road ahead. He was lost in his own thoughts.

Suddenly he realized something was wrong, he was passing by an intersection, when he had come through it was clear, now it was covered in snow. There was traffic stopped in both directions, people were getting out of their cars and looking around confused. They were all staring at the opposite side of the intersection.

A large truck was stuck under a pile of snow, it had completely blocked the road. Mitchell slammed on the brakes, he heard a loud screech and felt the car jolt hard against the brakes. He turned on the hazard lights and got out of the car.

There was no one there, no one to help push the truck back out. The truck driver was still inside the cab, his windows were fogged up so Mitchell couldn't see anything. Mitchell could feel the heat coming off the car, it would be on fire soon. He ran over to the other side, pushing snow aside with his hands, he slipped a few times but didn't fall.

He found the handle and pulled, the door was locked. He pushed harder, the accident had bent the metal it wouldn't open. He ran to the other side and was able to open the passenger door. He saw a young woman, probably about 22 was the driver of the truck. She was out cold. Her face was red and sweaty, her breathing was shallow.

Mitchell grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her awake. She groaned and sat up, her eyes fluttered as she woke up. "Where am I?" she asked, her voice sounded thick and weak.

"You've been in an accident, but you have to get out of here you truck might explode." Mitchell yelled.

The girl nodded, she climbed out of the truck slowly. She was wearing a black jacket with jeans and boots, Her long brown hair was matted to her forehead, sticking to her face. He helped her down and she started in front of him. Putting his body between her and the truck.

There was a loud explosion, the truck shook violently, pieces of metal flew everywhere, the windshield shattered into a million tiny shards. The door behind them exploded, sending glass flying across the street. A cloud of smoke shot out of the truck and into the sky. He never saw the mirror before it crashed into the back of his head.

The truck was still going, Mitchell barely noticed he was falling to the ground. His vision blurred and went white, a ringing sound filled his ears. He could hear yelling, people screaming, and sirens. Then Silence.

***

Mitchell woke up surrounded by light. NO structures or walls he could make out, just light. He was floating at least he thought so he couldn't actually feel anything.

"Hello," came a voice out of nowhere, Mitchell was startled he hadn't seen anyone walk up. He thought he heard it, but it could have just been in his head. It seemed to come from everywhere and yet nowhere.

"Who are you?" Mitchell asked.

"Who are you?" it echoed back, the voice was warm, he wasn't sure if it was a man or woman, it also wasn't clear if it was one or many talking.

"I'm Mitchell, my name is Mitch."

"Hi, I am called Dora, I will explain everything. Just listen carefully, you need to understand what's going on. You are dead. You saved that woman, she was the one that was supposed to die. Some how you changed the ineffable plan."

"What does that even mean?" Mitchell asked.

"It means that you shouldn't have died, the truck was going to explode with Courtney inside. But you stopped the vehicle, you got her out. You changed fate, that isn't supposed to happen you're dead. That's why you're here, to learn about yourself."

"And what am I learning about myself?"

"That you aren't meant to die, there was something else in store for you."

"Is that good or bad?"

"I don't know, you will have to figure that out on your own. Can you move? Do you want to look at yourself?"

Mitchell nodded, he was still floating, he tilted his head back and looked up, there was a ceiling above him. He floated higher until he was looking down at himself. He gasped.

He could see the earth below, he saw his body lying on the snow, a chuck of metal impaled in his head. "I never felt anything " he said. His voice cracking and trying to hold back tears.

He was bleeding, the blood was pooled on the ground. A pool of red was spreading out from where his head had been. He could see the other people who had been in the area, some were dead too, the girl, Courtney was not. She was being helped by a paramedic, as he watched a man ran to her, carrying 2 small babies with him, she was a young mother.

"Thank you, I see I saved the right person" Mitchell said.

"I don't know, she is a lovely woman, but the world needs more selfless heroes like you" Dora said.

"Is that what you call me? Is that how you refer to people who save lives? I don't want to be a hero, I just wanted to do the right thing."

"No you are a hero, you did what you could for others, without concern for your own well-being. You showed courage by doing that, and proved yourself worthy of the title."

"So what happens now?" Mitchell asked.

Dora laughed, "that's the problem, like I said you aren't supposed to be dead, yet here you are. Feel we should send you back, you deserve another chance " Dora said.

"You can send me back?"

"Well your soul can go back. but you still haven't noticed something have you" Dora said.

"Not really. What?" Mitchell asked.

A mirror seemed to materialize in front of Mitchell. It was then he saw his reflection. He saw his face, his body, his clothing. It wasn't his reflection, more accurately it was her reflection.

She was beautiful, her skin was clear and smooth, her hair was straight and long. She had emerald green eyes, her nose was slightly upturned, and her lips were full and pouty. She was wearing a red dress and high heels. She was barefoot, she had painted toes and her fingers were manicured.

"What your seeing is your soul's true shape". Dora said. "Your true form is not what you see when you look in the mirror. It's a reflection of your soul, it reflects the beauty within. Your soul has always been beautiful, it doesn't matter what your physical appearance is. Your soul is feminine."

Mitchell kept looking at the beautiful, female figure in the mirror. It looked like his mom, but with his dad's eyes. It looked not dissimilar to Valerie. She looked at the form. Her eyes teared up.

"Why am I crying? Why am I sad?" Mitchell asked.

"Because you finally realize that you are perfect, you don't need to hide who you are. You don't need to change yourself because society tells you that you should." Dora said. "Your soul is beautiful, you are beautiful, don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

"But" She sighed, "I knew I was really a woman, why show me this if you are just going to shove me back into the same body" Her voice breaking, her bright eyes still wet from crying.

"Because you have to see" Dora replied.

"No" she whispered, "no way. I can't go back now, I won't go back. Please don't make me!"

Dora was quiet for a bit, then the voice returned bemused. "of course not child, but we wanted to make sure it was truly your wish."

silence

***

Cold...it was cold, she felt snow.

"hey, hey lady" Mitchell heard. It took him a moment to register. A hand was on his shoulder. He was seated, it was cold and there was wetness seeping into his legs from the snow on the ground. A light shone into his eyes, "Miss are you OK?"

Eyes focusing it was a paramedic. "I think I'm fine" Mitchell said, voice sounding high and weak.

He felt a sharp pain in his head as he lifted it to look at the wound. It was deep, but not too deep, it hadn't hit any major arteries. He felt the hair it was long, much longer then before. It was dark and went down to his shoulders.

"Can you stand?" The paramedic asked.

With a nod Mitchell took the paramedic's hand and got up. This paramedic must be huge. Mitchell barely was as tall as his chest. Mitchell winced a little, it hurt but he pulled himself up.

"Can you walk?" the paramedic asked.

Mitchell nodded, he felt weak but he was able to make his feet move. He walked with the paramedic to a nearby ambulance.

Inside there were more paramedics and nurses. They quickly took his vitals, they checked his reflexes and blood pressure. He looked at the ambulance and saw his reflection in the window. Maybe that wasn't a dream, it was HER reflection. The dark haired woman. Mitchell put her hand to her mouth in surprise. The girl looked young, much younger than Mitchell's 35 years, she was in a pale pink puffer jacket. She was wearing jeans and thick boots. There was some blood on her face but she was lovely.

The paramedic handed her a ringing phone, "Is this yours?" She started to say no but saw a call ringing in from Valerie and the photo was her sister.

"Yes?" she said unconvincingly

"Hello?" She answered curiously

"Oh thanks god you're OK" Valerie said "I've been trying to reach you for a while now, Veronica"

"Um I was in an accident"

"I know I heard it, I was so worried"

"I'm OK I think" She said

"Are you sure?" Valerie said nervously.

"I'm fine, I don't feel good though, I have a headache"

"Oh my god! Are you OK?"

"I'm fine, please don't worry about me"

"OK, OK..." Valerie said relieved "I just needed to hear your voice. I need to know my little sister was OK. You're all the family I have kiddo"

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to worry you, I'll talk to you later" Mitchell said.

"Wait!" Valerie said "Where are you? I can come get you if you need to go to the hospital"

"OK.....I lost my job and I think my car is ruined" She said.

"I'll meet you at the hospital, it is going to be OK, I love you Ronnie" Valerie said.

"I love you too sis" She replied, now crying.

"See ya" Valerie hung up the phone.

Veronica smiled for the first time in a long time. She looked back at the window again, at herself. She was the beautiful woman in a body she never knew existed. "Thanks Dora" She reached in her pocket and found a note it said. "You're real adventure is just beginning. It was wrapped around a student id for Veronica Hirsch, with a smiling photo of the young woman she was now.

Veronica smiled and pocketed it. It truly was.