The body

				    "The Body"

	I flinched as I woke up on a Wednesday morning. As soon as I was up the memories of my dream vanished and my head felt empty and my thoughts silent. My body didn't move for a minute as I tried to recall what the dream was about. Lifting myself up and getting dressed, I decided not to dwell on it and that nightmares were difficult to remember anyway.

	Closing the door to my room behind me, I noticed a very strange and faint smell. I couldn't connect the smell to anything and decided that it was just some food in the garbage that went bad or someone just didn't flush. Going down the hall and passing several rooms, I entered the kitchen. My flatmates wheren't here so I assumed they were either still sleeping or they already left. After some time eating breakfast alone I caught myself staring into space. I couldn't even remember what I was thinking about. It was like I was not here, reality seemed so pointless and empty. What a strange day.

	At around midday I came home after a morning lecture and lunch. Walking in, the smell from before hit me like a wave - warm and moist. I wrinkled my nose and shouted "Hey, is someone home?". No one answered. I already saw two of my flatmates when I was out, but where was the third one? I put down my bag on the couch and followed this unpleasant scent. I walked through the hall, past my room, to the door of the person in question, and prepared to knock. The smell was definitely coming from here.

	One knock - no answer. Was he drunk? Second knock - same result. Was he passed out in his own vomit? That would explain the smell. "I'm coming in!" I announced as I turned the door knob.

	I peeked in his room and I saw him just laying there. On his back, with his hands beside him. "Wake up!" I said without moving away from the door. I looked at him for a second and with a few big and quick steps I went beside his bed where he was laying and when I saw his face from close, my face widened with horror. Walking backwards staring at his open, dead eyes, I hit his cupboard with my back and with nowhere else to go I fell down.

	Is he really dead? How did he die? There was no blood. Did he OD? Was he murdered? How long has he been laying here? I had to find someone, anyone at all. I couldn't stay with this body in one room any longer. I had never experienced death. I had never seen a grandmother or a grandfather on their deathbed, looking like if a breeze came through they would turn into dust and get blown away. I had never felt sorry for a dead relative before. I went to many funerals, but I didn't know how to feel when a person dissapeared forever. It felt natural. He was no longer here. What was the point for me to mourn them. To show them my respect? Their consciousness was gone.

	These thoughts gave me strange comfourt. I got up, and this time with my mind in place, I looked at him. His skin colour was more pale and his eyes looked clearer. He didn't look so changed at all. Was this what all those people in the caskets looked like? Was this death? Is this what I missed to see?

	I slowly dragged my hand across his face, closing his eyelids. The feeling when I touched his face was something I knew I would remember.

	He was a good man and a good friend and I'm sorry I can't mourn him any longer. May he rest in peace.

	I walked out, closing the door behind me. When I went to the living room the front door opened and my flatmate walked inside with a smile. Thank God he's here so he can get the body out.