It was quiet. Everything was white, with no discernible features, just white nothingness.
It felt like floating.
Elisa blinked as she looked around. Then the haze lifted, and she looked down at her bare feet touching soft, dew-kissed grass. Around her, tall white trees glowed with silver light. The air was warm, fragrant with something she couldn't name.
"Where am I?" she whispered.
Then she saw them.
"Mom?"
Her mother stood just ahead, hand outstretched, eyes brimming with tears. "Oh, sweetheart…"
Elisa ran into her arms, and the moment they touched, the world pulsed with light. Her father joined them, wrapping them both in his embrace.
"I…..I lost you," Elisa sobbed. "You left me…"
"Oh baby, we're so sorry," her mother whispered, her voice trembling as she cupped her face. "We didn't want to. It wasn't our choice."
"You're not supposed to be here," her father murmured, voice trembling with joy, "But we're so glad to see you. You've grown so much."
