David H. Burton - Billy Bones: Beyond the Grave

Billy Bones
Beyond the Grave
by David H. Burton

Choose Your Own Demise Version

The Choose Your Own Demise version is not meant to be read in order.
As the story progresses, you will be given a choice as to what you want Billy to do next.
Some choices will move the story along, others will lead to Billy's demise.
So, choose wisely, because any one of those choices may be Billy's last.
If you prefer a more traditional reading experience, please go to the Chapter Version.

The Beginning of the End

H i.

Im Billy Bones.

And Im dead.

Not figuratively, like Biff Knucklehead is going to beat me upat school, but literally dead dead as a doornail.

I was ten years old when I died. From what I can remember,I shoved my finger too far up my nose and stabbed my brain. Dumbway to die, I know, but hey, I was a notorious nose picker.

Actually, I still am.

I dont remember all of my life, just bits and pieces.My parents had been decent people from what I recall, and mysister, although odd, wasnt that much of apain.

I think it had been a good life.

So that leaves me where Im at now.

Im in the Afterlife. Not the kind where therereangels and puffy clouds, and not that other place with fire andbrimstone. Those dont exist. Theres just theAfterlife.

From what I can tell its like a recycling depot here.We sit in this place waiting for our number to be called. Then westart all over again in the Livingworld as someone new. My numberis 1,312,356,421.

I think I have a long wait ahead of me.

I look the same as I did when I was living. I still have blackhair, and Im kind of pale. Like my aunt used to say, myeyes are like the sky. And with the exception thatone nostril can sometimes look a little larger than the other, mynose is just right for my face.

Everyone here looks like they did when they died.

I guess Im lucky I didnt die by losing half myhead in a chainsaw accident. Not pretty, let me tell you. Thatwas the guy right in front of me when I first came to thisplace.

I stood in a line, waiting to be registered. It wasdark, and everything was made of old, black stone. It was almostlike standing in a large train station. There was a glass windowwith someone behind it at the counter, sort of like a clerk. Themonocled woman was old and trying to get the attention of thethree people at the front of the line. They all carriedfishing rods, and were bickering.

Yes, yes, yes, she said. Youredead, you should have worn your lifejackets. Dumb, dumb, dumb,but you cant change it. Now, take these papers and get inthe Multiple Deaths line. She pointed towardanother window.

The chainsaw guy was next. He had to go to the AccidentalDismemberment line.

Next! the woman behind the counter yelled.

I did what any kid my age, whos a little short ofstature, would do. I jumped up when I got to the counter. I got acloser look at the woman. She had no markings on her. Itdidnt look like shed died horribly, she wasjust really old. She had a name tag that read Stella, and the one exceptional thing about her was thatshe had extraordinarily tall hair.

Quit yer bouncin around, Stella said.

I could hear her flipping through some pages.

Jumpin Jehosephat! she exclaimed.Another nose picker! Thats ten this week!She leaned over the counter and pointed toward another window.You go there, she said.

The sign above it read Unbelievably Stupid Deaths.

I hung my head and scuffed my feet as I made my way to thenext window. There was no one in that line.

When I got to the counter, it was Stella again. I thought it rather peculiar that someone of her age could have run to this counter so fast. Then I wondered if maybe there was more than one of her.

Another nose picker! she said in the same toneas before. Thats

Ten this week, I said, finishing hersentence.

Those thin lips of her pursed together. Cheeky littlething, arent ya?

With her withered hand she pointed to a chute next to thewindow. Out popped a heavy book. Then she told me to go to a placecalled Barclay Mansion on Liberty Street as she motioned to anold, barely-working Exit sign. After that, she disappeared from sight.

I followed her directions and stepped outside.

The streets were filled with folks wandering about aimlessly,but some went about their business in a rather fastmanner.

A strange fellow on the road, who looked a little flat and hadtire marks on his face, yelled, Welcome toNecropolis!

I tried to ask him for directions, but he started moaningabout the loss of his former life and then limped off into the streets.

I felt a little overwhelmed as I tried to cut through thecrowds of people that walked or limped about. Some strolled around withparasols even though it wasnt raining. It seemed to be themiddle of the night.

I was careful to remain on the cobbled sidewalks as carriages skidded past me, crammed with people that looked like theyd come from the Accidental Dismemberment line. Occasionally, an old taxi would whiz by filled with fancily-dressed men and women.

A large number of dogs roamed the streets,sniffing pant legs or dresses. And for every dog, there were easily three cats.

It was at that moment that something strange occurred to me. Ithought Id had a dog once back in the Livingworld, andthen one of the larger ones approached me. He took a sniff of myleg and wagged his tail. I wasnt sure what to do abouthim. He was rusty brown, with a ridge running down his back. He was easily half my height.

I had to decide:

If youre on this page, itsbecause youre attempting to read this story in order. Thatcould end in disaster or utter confusion.

I suggest you go back, or

I snatched the torch fromMieshas hand and bolted for the short cut no timefor messing around with a maze.

From the entrance blew a draft that was rank and chill. Ididnt pause. I just strode right in despite Lizsprotests behind me.

Come on! I called.

After I took about ten steps in, the wind in the tunnel blewout the torch. Before I could do anything, cold hands seized meand pulled me further into the dark. The hands covered my mouth,muffling my angry shouts to let go. Then something bit my neckand started draining the life from body. I felt my soul beinginhaled.

I thought to myself, as my eyes started to close, that this was a sucky way to end this story.

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