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The girl found herself in a new place, suddenly; but looking around, she saw nothing, nothing she could remember because she saw nothing at all.

"Mommy-"

• *bzzt*
• [CORE] Connection Protocols Activation ... Connecting....
• Viable host found; host has necessary components to perform soul retrieval procedure.
• Elevating necessary access permission to 'com.soultranslationsociety.connect.potential'
• ERROR Source entity not present; protocol enabled: finding entity of source request....
• ERROR Source entity not found in connection to unbound target soul entity, reconnect-
• ERROR Requesting source entity has left the world of destination; max tries exceeded-
• ERROR ERROR Binding process failed, dropping unbound soul to source entity's realm.
• [CORE] No further action is possible for target entity, no controlling entity is available.
• [CORE] REPORT: Now dropping + deleting connection as invalid ... logged ... finished.

Looking around, whatever or wherever this place was, it seemed too dark, or even unlighted with any illumination, but for a faint glow seeming to come from the words floating in front of her. No visible ceiling, floor, or walls, no matter which way she peered.

Isn't those words, like the games played through the computer? But, not like in the computer games, because ... she never saw those kinds of words before.

What did those words even mean, anyway? She had not a single clue, nothing to go by as to what they meant. Except sometimes the game connections she saw showed words like those, here.

"H, hello ... ?"

She heard no answer. Surely someone should be answering?

"Hello!" she called out even more clearly.

No, nobody seemed to be here, to answer her query. Why? Or, why not?

No; how could she now be so alone-

"HELLO!" she screamed, with a sudden anger. "M, Mommy-"

---

"Oh dear god, help me-"

This moment was the first time she'd let out the simple plea; a moment of daring to hope some more powerful entity than she herself would listen, and grant her mercy. Words she had heard the adults around her call out, whenever they seemed to be in a problem situation. Something like Mommy might have said, while holding onto her, when she hurt.

She could never know how long she continued like this, alternating between the crying and the screaming for attention. But at some point she grew hoarse from calling out to someone, anyone, to listen and/or respond.

"Then ... is there no god ... nobody to help me-"

• [CORE] SYSTEM REBOOT: {NULL CONNECTION}
• Apologies for the wait; the deities of the Soul Translation Society are hard at work.
• The deity named {Error, null not allowed, must have a deity} will be with you soon.
• Please wait a short time, while the {Error, null system selected} initializes to help you.

"Uh ... what is-"

• SYSTEM REBOOT, TRY 2: {CONNECTION NODE #23958702987345987 INITIATING}
• The deity named {Error, null not allowed,
  escalating to supervisor,
  escalating to manager,
  ERROR overflow} will be with you soon.
• Please wait a short time, while the {Error, Soul Translation System not allowed without deity present} initializes.

"Hey ... you, where ... am I-"

The thought came from reading the text before her.

"What, am I ... alone?"

Still nothing; but now the 'screen' she saw floating in front of her now, seemed to pulse, alternating more bright and then dim.

Was this screen like thing just going to stay there, doing the same thing for a long time?

"YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!" she screamed again, ignoring the hoarseness in what she heard of her own voice.

• SYSTEM REBOOT, TRY 3: SOUL TRANSLATION SYSTEM LOADED {ERROR, NULL DESTINATION SET}
• Developer's note to self, this is a debug screen, no soul should ever see this so ... yeah but I don't care about it.
• Actually this is all such an edge case, I do not think any soul would ever be in this situation, then why debug it?
• The old god wants the system to work, he should pay me what I demand; or else "oops, lost a soul" happens.
• Yeah but I do not see that happening, as all them elites just sit around all day, and do nothing but play around.

"Huh? What is this-"

All these words about 'souls' she had been seeing ... gave her a new concern. It meant ... she ... died?

Thinking about this, her eyes began to water, to ponder what was left behind, the few things she remembered.

"M, m, mommy-"

And, then she cried, as she had never done before.

---

Tears fell. Hours? Days? Who knew?

But something would finally happen; she heard a sound like a microphone squealing from interference, and then, a subtle 'pop' of a speaker being turned on-

"H, hello-"

She sniffed more, trying to dry her face, because now she could talk to someone.

"Un, yeah-"

She moaned with the remaining thoughts of her loneliness, only content in the thought she now had someone to ask about all this.

"Oh. Hey what do you know, Brianne, someone is still there, in Nissy's-"

"Hey um whoever you are, I have been alone here for ― however long-"

"Ahem. I am sorry, young miss. This really is such a strange situation, for all of us." The voice faded out to an unclear mumble, then came back a louder string of words like a quiet whisper she sometimes heard the adults do. "Hmm; I do admit, I am at a loss as to how to process this case. Form 409807-B? Oh no that requires the loss of part of the soul, and ― hmm, maybe Form 23840712-C4 then? Nope; she still has potential to be placed in some nonlethal form. Then I ... um what about Form 87237946-X5 ... if this thing would become a star or a planet, but the X5 series was notoriously unstable-"

"HEY! TALK TO MEEEEE!"

"Oh, uh. Yeah. Then um ― Brianne don't put that back on just yet ― well fine then, I'll ― oh where are my manners. I am Lord Ben, the one who through the oddity of this situation, have been assigned to guard and guide your remaining existence, before the system 'ejects' it ― er, you ― into the null realm."

She remained silent for once, not the least reason being she just did not understand any of this talk.

"Eh ... certainly, you must have questions, young miss?"

"Yes. All of the questions. But at least these three to start. First, what happened. Second, how do I get back to normal. Third, why me."

"The short version for all of those, then. What happened is, you died so were given a chance to transfer or translate to a new existence or form; yet something seems to have broke the normal pathway. To get back to normal, it is not possible to return to your former world or life, if that's what you call 'normal'; sorry. Why you, um ... we deities are still investigating what happened, before we can determine this. We too want to know this, in order to know what to do with you. Best we can tell, some 'glitch' in the system software, the way it was made, seems to have randomly allowed a delay in your coming through STS, or somehow left you here."

"..."

"Any more questions then? Anything at all? Even if the most minute question?"

"..."

"Hey. Okay, now I know this was a sudden thing; but even we deities are not careless-"

"LIAR!"

"I assure you, young miss; I do not lie; I do not think I can lie."

"Liar! What do you call it when this happens to a girl like me? Mommy always said accidents happen from carelessness, so it has to be carelessness. Otherwise this was intentional!"

"Um- Pardon me while I consult-"

Consult? Did this mean he was going to leave here? Like when Mommy and Daddy had to consult with a lawyer so they had to leave the house?

"Hey you stay here right now! I've been left alone too long, and I need answers!"

"Hang on please, young miss. Brianne don't put that back on just yet, I'll be back in minute and we can continue- Oh, sorry child; I'm not leaving you; I just need to divert some of my attention elsewhere. Never fear; you are not alone."

"Well good. Don't leave me, I fear the darkness, and fear feeling like I'm alone, and not having something to do-"

"Here, then; since you said those things, I will gift you a little light in this place, and a more 'homey' setting for you to explore too."

Slowly, the light level raised, to the point she could see a floor come into being ― just faded into existence under her feet as she watched. Now she had something she could see, more than the blank nothing of before this time.

---

This space was a seemingly square floor hanging in the middle of nothingness; it appeared setup like a Tic Tac Toe board, a three by three arrangement of sections. She somehow remembered drawing a tic tac toe game and playing it too, at some point. Each section had its own flooring and furnishings, and theme ― if she had six more of herself put head to toe, this would match the width and length of each side on the square.

She stood in the central square, right in the middle of this place; nothing else but her own body inhabited this stone floor. This was only the entryway for the rest of this place; or Mommy might call it a foyer when Daddy just said entry or hall or mud room. Tapping her bare foot on the smooth stone, she felt it to be firm and cold. Not so welcoming now; but this was probably the point too ― the one who lived here may perhaps make this place somewhere to get his or her called person to move on from? If what she had heard at the churchy place was true.

To the northeast, the space was a bedroom which held one big bed like Mommy and Daddy had too, though maybe more fluffy or soft than that one was. To each side was a simple square nightstand, which held just a small lamp, pitcher of water, and a glass. The floor appeared to be a golden brown carpet, which sat perfectly trimmed and groomed to be distraction free; would this change if she were to walk across it?

To her northwest she noted a kitchen layout. Not that she felt hungry, as much as in time she may have those needs. Food storage and preparation filled it out completely; she would barely have enough area to turn around within it, when fixing a meal. Not that she was a proper cook ― mommy had not taught her any of this yet. But the floor, from the angle she saw of it, seemed to be very plain laminate wood tiles that gave a rustic look ― this is the word Daddy used sometimes, rustic ― as long as she could get no slivers in her feet, it looked okay.

To her southeast, this quadrant held a bathroom and bathing space. Also cramped with what she knew of toiletries; this space would suffice for now. Gray marbled stone tiles looked smooth and shiny; but she knew from experience how such flooring could be slippery when wet ― memories of falling out of the bathtub to a hard floor in such a scene came back to her. Her shivers were involuntary but real.

To her southwest was a library room, with shelves and rows of books, and barely room to move between the three rows of shelving. The floor did look like a low cut rug; soft maybe but with little to no 'give' against a foot. For what reason would she need to read? Except in the case she might be bored out of her mind ― if that Lord guy from before could not help her get out of here!

Straight north of here, between kitchen and bedroom, seemed to be the dining area. Again with the rustic look, a wood themed tiling pattern not too unlike what she'd seen in some of her parents' favorite family dining restaurants. A small square table with one chair per side gave it a homey look ― ha, like three other people could also be here ― to let her sit and properly eat and enjoy her prepared meal, however bad she might make it. But at least this type of space was one she would use, if and when she ever got to cook-

South, amid the bathing and library rooms, she saw a plain living room area, four sofas facing the center from the corners; the flooring was a more luxurious shag carpeting ― reminding her of the one her grandma had just had installed. Said it reminded her of the one from her youth. But the sofas were also so overly plush and comfortable looking, she would practically love to roll around on them.

East of here, between both bedroom and bathroom, she saw a cramped but fairly managed closet and changing space. Well; not like she needed this, because the white terry cloth robe she had on when she came in here felt comfortable enough; but if she might bathe and sleep for a time, and do some other activities, she may actually need a change of clothing. The flooring appeared to be a nonslip surface, not wood and not tile, though she didn't know what it could be. The racks of clothes and the drawers which probably had the folded delicate items were pressed against the east wall.

This left west. Between kitchen and library, she saw evidence of a 'spare' room ― storage, or something. Not much floor space was left exposed; but the only spot she saw seemed like it had been left raw stone in its appearance. Filled with boxes and assorted unused furnishings, this was the only evidence this space could keep old objects and reconfigure rooms. Perhaps this space could be more than it seemed?

She had no further idea than now to find some food, rest, and then decide what to do later. Some snack bar from the pantry closet, then; and also take another look in each room for a better idea-

---

Time had passed; perhaps about a four day span of time, if going by how long she had slept, and spent awake, and just ... explored and used this space. What she thought of as the first day, she used to explore each of the rooms there; then slept for a while, and explored the other parts.

The empty space to the west had a staircase that didn't seem to be there before, but when she went down it, it went to a lower floor, like her home from before, the dusty stairs going down into its basement floor. But this floor held only four rooms, two rooms by two rooms. The stairs had opened right up to the northwest room, which had a bunch of seats in a row and a chalkboard at the north side. A hard floor with a same dull pattern like her school classroom. Then doors opened to the east and to the south from this room.

South of here was another room, with more of a "teacher's room" sort of look to it; she had only seen one, one time when she 'accidentally' spilled some art things, paint and glue, and the teacher had to yell at her until Mommy came and yelled right back. But here was no windows, only the desk and chairs and narrow bookshelf and a filing cabinet ― completely empty, what a gyp, her friend Jenny might say ... because she'd wanna see what was in a filing cabinet the teachers were always looking at.

At the room east of where she came down here, was a second bedroom layout, but more 'plain' as if not for the owner of this place, but some guest or person brought here like her. As long as she didn't have to lay down to sleep on this bed; it looked so much more rough and unfriendly than the one down below, she didn't like its looks. The blankets might feel warm but they were not soft; and plus the room wasn't at all cold anyway so the warmth of the blankets she didn't think meant anything. No bathtub in this floor, only a standing shower in the corner of the bedroom here. That, and an extra chair and a small table sat at the foot of the bed, and a closet that was empty too-

This left the one last room to explore. Its doors ― from both ways to get in here, she tried going around too ― were stuck or locked or ... something. She pushed and leaned against it, but nothing moved, not even a small bit. A place in the door where a key should go. Maybe, she was not supposed to be here? Oh but back in the teacher's room, she saw one of the desk drawers had a shiny metal key ― it did open this door. Beyond was ... well it looked like a small store, but it had no person at the counter to ring up things. Maybe the person who owned this whole building was supposed to run it? Everything on the shelves was held in place; she could not lift even the small glass ball with its sparkly effects inside that fit up against her hand, but she felt a warm calmness as she touched it. A small strip of paper in front of this glass ball said something like 'Survival Modification' or something, but she did not know what that meant.

Shaking her head and shoulders, she went back to the small bedroom, and then also saw another stairs, somehow hidden behind a curtain that she thought was a wall before. How could she have not seen this place as she looked before, but just now it seemed to be always here? It climbed up to a new place, where she didn't see through the door at the top of the steps, until she stepped through it.

"A third floor?" she voiced her wonder. "The owner of this place must be reaaaally rich. Like mommy and daddy."

But wait, the first floor she was on in the first place, she went down to get to the previous floor, yet from that floor she just now went up ― yet that did not put her back onto the first floor-

"Um, maybe the grandpa guy, maybe he could explain this-"

But, another weird thing ... inside this 'room' ... was the outside. A forest, she thought it would be called. Many trees. Lots and lots of trees. And birds chirping, and sounds of wind rustling through the leaves, and now ― even raindrops falling on her head from above. It didn't hurt but felt a little bit cold; she was not prepared to get this wet, because she didn't think anything like this could be here.

Turning back around, the doorway stood by itself, not connected to any room here, but the steps went down into the ground when she walked around it, and down on the inside into the next floor down from here. She should have returned to the first floor where she first appeared; yet going down brought her once more to the 'second' floor ... where she could then go 'up' to where she thought of as 'home' here-

"... I don't understand this place any more. Somebody, talk to meeee-"

---

Even if she went through each room once more, she could find no more clues to understand the rooms or this whole space in general. After maybe a second time through, she gave up, yawned at her tiredness, and went off back to the kitchen and tried to make something easy. Two eggs from the refrigerator, a frying pan, some oil, a spatula, a plate, and salt and pepper, and ... well now, wasn't this easy? She did it, she made a breakfast like she saw Mommy do so many times. But this was the first time she'd done it herself, nobody standing to watch her or take over at the 'hard' part of taking it out without making a mess. Even if she did have to use a small step ladder to get up to the stove top, and also was afraid to drop the frying pan on the way to the table and plate, but she made it there just fine using oven mitts to grab hold. She even washed her own dishes at the end. So ... more gooder than her big sister Bethany might say she could do-

If she was tired, she slept ― a great rest in the big soft bed. If she wanted to read or think about something other than nothing else happening, she roamed the library ― to experience books whose instructions had 'magic' this or 'summon' that in the titles. If she was hungry, she ate; not the bestest food, but better than bland. If she needed the toilet or have a bath, she went there ― to wonder why so many bubbles came out of so little bath soap.

But yet these many days she went on being alone, no further words from another voice, and no further text showing before her face ― she grew bored. Bored, bored, bored ― like the time Mommy and Daddy were 'just going to the store' but got home much later after dark, to tell her their car had an accident. But she was bored and tired, so as soon as they said that, she went to bed, after Mommy and Daddy had given her a firm hug and telling her how much they loved her.

Exploring the room that looked like an outside forest, she kept the steps into the ground in sight, so she could get back to it. This didn't take long for her to have seen everything in a wide circle around the spot, and even the little green guys just a short way off past the bushes. They did not see or hear her but seemed to be looking at some animal tracks in the soft soil, then they all ran off to ... where? Their soft screeches maybe sounded like they were talking, maybe hunting together. She decided to not go back there so soon, again.

Reading things from the library did help some, what her little mind could take in to understand ― as did trying on all sorts of clothes and imagining herself a fashion model. But even these times trying to entertain herself grew old.

"No tee vee, no Internet, no phone ― what am I supposed to do!"

She did remember, Bethany said almost the same thing when they went on the family vacation, to the place that had nothing to watch or play with, except go outside and look around.

Undressed and about to start a bath, the male deity's voice again came to her.

"Ah ... I see- um. Oh, you are awake this time; good, we can talk more. Brianne dear no I'm not looking, I promise, my eyes are only on you- Well duh I have to see her, but-"

"Hello?" she called out once more, a trace of hope in her voice as she stepped away from the bathtub's faucet knob and stood again. "Why has it taken this long!"

"For practical reasons; we had to properly investigate all the variables which might have resulted in this situation. Believe me, we have found the primary reason, and are punishing the one involved; you will not have to face this scenario again, nor will anyone else. However-"

"I don't want anyone to get hurt!"

"This is beyond your control, though. When a situation is clearly a fault of someone in our employ, it is our right to mete out punishment. Pay it no mind. But as I was saying ― in your situation, due to the way you became disconnected from the system for a short while, and the fact the young goddess who was to take your soul in as a new transfer had left here thinking nobody was coming-"

"I ... I was left behind by a goddess?"

"Yes. She summoned you as the next soul in line to be transferred-"

"A ... a goddess summoned me, then left?!"

"Yes. But understand, it will not happen again; I am sure of this."

"..."