Chapter XVII

Where he was, time didn’t flow the same way as on earth. He could have been there for months or years! During that time, Ziggy could relive his whole life. He could play it forward, stop it, or rewind it. He could even see situations and conversations that took place without him! He witnessed his family’s worries and society’s gossip. He saw his friends backstab him and his enemies defend him. He saw Zora live her life, ultimately settling down and having foals with a husband of her choice. He loved watching her graze and play with her young. She married a stallion with a little piece of land on which they lived in harmony. It didn’t take long for Zora to realize she was a protected species in a nature reserve, which meant she was truly royalty! She lived her life in comfort, free from the chains of society. 

Ziggy could even see what happened after he died. He saw his family mourn him, but soon they forgot him. The herd didn’t notice he was gone as it was too busy admiring the stallion that took his place under the sun! 

Ziggy had all the time in the world to reflect on his life. He saw the moment when lions having dinner terrified him, and his father introduced him to the concept of herd mentality. “You see, when a predator can’t identify his prey in the herd, he can’t chase it, tire it, or catch it! When one can’t identify a target, everyone becomes the target!” his father explained back then. Ziggy knew now there was no predator, there was no danger, there was no need for camouflage! He was fooled! He should have questioned more, he should have observed more, he should have tried to understand more! 

As if it knew Ziggy was ready, the voice offered him the option to try again. “You mean to live the same life?” Ziggy asked, confused. “No, not the same life; that would be too easy; the life is always unique because the lessons learned are supposed to be different,” the voice responded wisely. The voice explained that Ziggy could pick a place, family, difficulty, circumstances, and the lessons he wanted to learn. However, he would forget everything once he was born and he would have to start from scratch again. 

“Will I see Zora?” Ziggy asked impatiently. Of course, the voice responded. “She is your soul family; where you go, she goes! There is an invisible thread connecting you two.” The voice further explained that Zora would also make her choices regarding the life she would like to lead and the obstacles she would like to overcome. “I will make sure you two will meet,” the voice said, “but it is up to you what you make out of that meeting,” it explained. “You can unknowingly pass each other on the street or be born in the same family,” it clarified. “I want to see Zora again; that is my priority, whatever it takes, but this time, I want to do it right,” Ziggy said determinedly. “Do you have any other wishes?” the voice asked. “I don’t mind where I am, what I am, or what my situation is. I want her in my life, and I want her to stay!” he said. 

At that moment, everything went quiet, and Ziggy’s world went dark again. He was back in a familiar place, warm and safe, once more, he was floating and growing as if it was a race. Soon, he would be ready to be born and face the world once more!