Chance stood along the cliff, his mind wandering with the waves. "I always wanted this, to be free, to be on the open seas. I'd dreamnt of having my own vessel, a ship, that I would be able to live on. I would only come into port when I would need provisions then head out the next day. My life would be on the open waters, sailing around the world" he told them.

"But this isn't free" they told him.

"What do mean. This is Heaven, what everyone wants, hopes, dreams and works for " he replied.

"This isn't heaven" they told him.

"Well it surely isn't hell" he replied.

They chuckled lightly. "No this definitely isn't hell. But it isn't heaven either. It's somewhere in between" they told him.

"I don't understand. If it's neither then what is it" he asked.

"It's where you go when you have unfinished business or when someone who loves you is unable to let go. Until you've completed your work, you come here " they explained.

"So I've been sent to my home, not a bad place to stay for eternity" he replied.

"This is only temporary, for your orientation. It takes place at your last vivid memory as you begin your journey.  You will be assigned wherever you are needed. You will continue to work while you are in between. You don't get to choose where you will go or who you will be assigned to" they explained further.

"So...I'm in purgatory? This is crazy, this whole thing is crazy" he retorted.

"No Chance, listen to me and try to understand" his father told him.

"Why are you here, Dad? Mom has moved on with Dr. Daniels. Heather and I know the cancer took you from us. I don't understand. And I don't even know who the other voice is" he stated totally confused.

"I'm here to send you back, to show you why it's not your time" his father replied.

"I still don't understand" Chance stated angrily.

"You will" the other voice told him.

"I can't, I just can't accept what you both are telling me" he stated as he ran down towards the shore.

"Let him be, he needs time to absorb what we've told him so far. He'll understand once we show him" they said.

"But we're running out of time. He's not ready, they are not ready. He needs to go back and soon. We both know where he could end up if he doesn't return. He has to go back" his Dad said.

****
Rob walked into Chance's room and sat on the side of his bed. He tried so hard to hold back the tears, his voice quivered as he talked to him like Jenika suggested.

"Hey buddy" he said, patting the back of his hand. "You need to wake up now. I need my partner in crime. I can't pull off those practical jokes without you. You know how much fun we have making Austin scream like a girl. It's not the same buddy, I really need you" he told him before removing his glasses and wiping the tears from his eyes.

Rob sat there talking about everything, how he came to the group, how he was the right fit, the fun and most importantly the bond between the five of them.

"Please Chance, come back to us. We're not ready, we can't do this without you. We need you" he told him, squeezing his hand tight.