Weightless.

　　That`s what Kevin felt like right now. But...no, that wasn`t the right word. He didn`t feelweightless, he felt like something was missing. Something important. He felt...empty.

　　Yes, that was it.Empty. But why? Why was he empty? Shouldn`t he be filled with something? Shouldn`teveryhuman being be filled with something?

　　Kevin reached up to stroke his chin and realized he couldn`t feel it. Then he realized he didn`t have a hand to stroke that chin.

　　Ah, he thought.I`m empty because I don`t have a body...Make sense.

　　But wait.Whydidn`t he have a body? He felt as though he should because bodies were important. A human beingno,everybeing needed a body; a brain to control it, a heart to pump blood, lungs to breatheor whatever the case was for marine life. He should havethatbut he didn`t. Which feltwrongbecause he was a human and humansneeded bodies.

　　Wait amoment.

　　What`sa human? And how did he know he was one?

　　Before he could further ponder his existence, a voice spoke.

　　[Ah. What is this? Another soul has crossed into my realm. Two in a row! Just my luck.]

　　Kevin turnedwait, he didn`t have a corporeal form; how could he move? Whatever. It didn`t matter. The point is, he was now facing the owner of the voice...If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

　　...Which was a bear that doubled the size of the Great Sphinx.

　　Wait...how did he know what a bear was? Or a-a Great Sphinx? How did he knowanything? And how was he male? He didn`t even have a-

　　[Calm thyself,] the voice uttered, sounding mildly annoyed. [Your distress vibes are messing me up.]

　　Kevin stopped trying to make sense of anything and just stared at the bear, who stared back at him. They had a staring match for several seconds before the bear blinked.

　　[Whatwas I saying again? Oh, that`s right. I`m supposed to do something with you...] The bear leaned back on an invisible chair and stroked its chinKevin felt slightly envious.Hecouldn`t do that.

　　[I passed up on that other soul since the meant-for-greatness vibes werestrong. But you...you smell like nothing special. No one would miss you if you disappeared.]

　　A hungry glint flashed in its black, beady eyes. Kevin started to tremble, feeling something he didn`t quite understand. All he knew was that every fiber of his being wanted him to begonefar from the giant bear.

　　It bared its horrible fangs and took a swipe at him. But then another voice interrupted:

　　[Stop!]

　　The bear hesitated before pulling back its paw and snarling. [Mind your business, Morgan. This ismymeal!]

　　[You are ever the gluttonous beast, Ursa. You`re looking quite round in the middle; I`m sure you could afford to lay off a soul or two.]

　　The bear reared up on its hind legs and growled threateningly. The vaguely feminine voice tutted as if it were a mother scolding a child.[Now, now. No need to get hostile. You know you couldn`t beat me anyway. Give me the soul and I`ll be on my way.]

　　[What?] Ursa cried in outrage. [I earned this! Fair and square!]

　　[You mean you found it wandering near your realm and decided to take it?]

　　[Well,yeah, but everybody does that! You can`t steal it!]

　　[Are you sure about that?]

　　And with awhoosh, Kevin was gone. Away from the monstrous bear and the disembodied voice.

　　When Kevin opened his eyes again, he was tucked in his bed, safe and sound. He quickly took a peek under the blankets, confirmed everything was still there, and settled down to fall back asleep.

　　That dream had been disturbing, but that`s all it was: a dream.

　　Nothing would comeout of it. He was goingto be okay.