Multi-Disciplinary Work Samples

Chapter 3 — Therapy Room 2

Nora had been at the Institute for one day when she was directed to Therapy Room 2.

She stepped inside and felt the weight of the air change. The lighting was diffuse, even, soft enough to seem inviting but cold in its precision. The therapy mats were laid out in uniform rows — a mixture of plastic, wires, and embedded crystals in muted tones, an odd combination of new age aesthetic and sterile machinery. Other ghosts lay still, eyes closed as soft multi-colored lights pulsed from within the mats.

A living woman stood at the front of the group. "I will be guiding you through some verbal visualizations while we use the infrared crystal mats to center ourselves."

Nora lingered near the doorway when she heard a voice behind her.

"Well, this is creepy."

She turned to find another resident — leggings, sports bra, sweatshirt, hair in a messy bun.

"Just a little," Nora replied.

The woman barked out a loud laugh that cut through the quiet. "I've been here for a couple of weeks. This is the weirder of the therapy sessions so far."

They found two open mats and lay down.

"I'm Lucy, by the way."

"Nora."

"When did you get here?"

"Yesterday."

"Oh wow. Super new. Ugh. I'm sorry. The first week is the worst." A pause. "Well, actually every week is kind of the worst."

The facilitator raised her voice. "The spirit needs care and nurture just like any other part of ourselves. Lay and envision yourself bathed in pure white light."

"Jesus christ," Lucy muttered. She turned to Nora. "They aren't all this bad. This one is especially ridiculous."

A beat of silence.

"Psst."

Nora turned her head.

"How'd you die?" Lucy asked.

"Vehicular manslaughter," Nora said, a bite in her voice.

"Oh shit." A pause. "And you?"

"Not nearly as dramatic. Downright dull actually. I went for a run. Undiagnosed heart condition." She drew a finger across her throat. "Collapsed in Central Park."

From the Transcendence Institute Welcome Packet:

Welcome to Transcendence! Congratulations, you are now entering a new chapter, and it's one of transformation, wellness, and ultimate relaxation. We at The Transcendence Institute pride ourselves in being one of the most advanced and luxurious institutions for Post-Mortem Electromagnetic Units in the country.

Q: What are PMEUs? PMEUs (Post-Mortem Electromagnetic Units) are often colloquially referred to as "ghosts." They are what sometimes occurs when a person experiences a viability discontinuation due to illness or accident and rather than ceasing completely, continues on in the form of a disembodied entity.

Q: Why me? This is the most common question that can come up when residents first find themselves transitioning from viability to PMEU. It can be a shock when you find yourself still tethered to this plane without a body. Researchers have provided several theories based on ongoing studies, but the truth is, there is still no definitive answer on what causes Post-Mortem Electromagnetic Units. Statistically, there is a 6% chance of returning as a PMEU after death. Theories range from unresolved trauma, inability to let go of memories, or just plain bad luck.