The Crystal Ball

They take turns looking into the crystal ball. It seems like a primitive kind of tool, but it fascinates them. They look at aspects of reality they wish to observe. They see wars, famine, happiness , sadness, celebrations, and all kinds of weather.
They see animals, families, nature and the ebbs and tides and cycles of the passage of time.
But it all runs its cycles, as all lives of every living organism always come to an end: the plants, the animals, the humans, and even stars. But is the whole cycle of birth and death just an illusion? Does it fit the popular notion that life is simply part of a matrix; a kind of dream that everyone is sharing?
Or was religion the truth? And if so, which one? Was there a judgment day, a heaven or hell, forever and ever?
Is there just nothing? Is it just a body and a brain working in tandem, wearing out day by day, like a meaty machine, all for naught?
These beings do not know the whole answer, for they are only escorts.
But not exactly just escorts as they take everyone and everything to the next phase.
They are not scary like zombies although some think of them that way.
Strangely enough, they even take aliens to their next place.
And earthlings don't think of themselves as aliens, even though they are, to beings on other planets.
There is a theory that everyone has different lives over and over again until they reach perfection.
Although that theory has its flaws as well.

The truth is, these beings do not know the answer to what happens once a living creature crosses the final threshold.
They know it is an incredible honor to accompany them and whoever they are bless them on their way.
Every once in awhile they look into the crystal ball to see if they can find a reason, a purpose or an ending somewhere but there never is, just more of the same.
Even so they know they will never tire of looking into the crystal ball for answers, for “we are the things that others fear," they would often think and they want that to change.
They are the grim reapers, the somber angels. But they are really not to be feared as they perform the sacred honor of bridging life and death.