[ WP ] When you die , you do n't go to the afterlife of you 're religion , you go to the afterlife of the religion whose tenets you followed most closely , knowingly or not .

Baxter walked down the long tunnel of light. It grew brighter and brighter until his eyes began to water. Finally, the light abated and he found himself at the ticketing counter at O'Hare. 
 
 He took a couple shuffling steps toward the counter. 
 
 `` Umm, hello?'' 
 
 A rather short man climbed his way up onto the counter. 
 
 `` Greetings, young traveler,'' the man said in a vice much deeper than his stature suggested. `` Welcome to your Terminal Destination.'' 
 
 Baxter looked around at the empty ticket lines. `` Are you saying I'm dead?'' 
 
 `` Well, of course you are. Traffic does n't stop in Chicago.'' 
 
 `` I'm dead?'' Baxter repeated. 
 
 `` Yes and unless you want to miss your flight, you'll need to get your ticket.'' 
 
 Baxter blinked at the short man on the counter. `` I'm sorry, this does n't sound at all like what Sunday School told me. Where's St. Peter? The Pearly Gates?'' 
 
 The short man shook his head. `` I hate to ask, but I need to see your ID.'' 
 
 Baxter instinctively pulled out his wallet and handed his ID over. The little man hopped down from the counter and started punching the keys of his computer terminal. 
 
 `` Let's see here... Baxter T. Jeffries. Age 43. Hmm, looks like you're booked on Methodist Airline departing for Heaven in a little while, but they've marked here that you have to check in at the gate.'' 
 
 Baxter shrugged an took the ticket from the man. `` I travelled plenty in my life, which way to security?'' 
 
 The little man laughed. `` Security? What are you going to re-kill people? Hijack a flight to Heaven and take it to Valhalla? Get outta here you kooky corpse.'' 
 
 Baxter watched as the little man walked toward the office door, still shaking with laughter. 
 
 `` Okay. That was the weirdest thing ever.'' 
 
 Baxter walked down the terminal until he found a familiar cross with flame symbol. It'd been years since he stopped going to church, but he still recognized the Methodist symbol. He gripped his ticket, took a deep breath and walked to the gate counter. 
 
 `` Um, hi. I'm Baxter Jeffries, I have a ticket to Heaven?'' He said to the blue clad angel running the desk. 
 
 The angel took his ticket and started punching codes into the computer. `` Mr. Jeffries, you were raised Methodist, correct?'' 
 
 `` Yes, sir, it is.'' 
 
 `` But you left the church at the age of sixteen. Because you, let me see here, ah here it is you quote were too old to believe in stupid fairy tales anymore. End quote.'' 
 
 Baxter felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. `` Yeah, well, I was a rebellious youth.'' 
 
 `` Yes, but you continued to live your life as an atheist until you were struck by a food truck and died.'' 
 
 `` Well, I guess so.'' 
 
 The angel smiled at Baxter. `` I'm, sorry sir, but your ticket to Heaven is hereby revoked.'' The angel ripped the ticket up. 
 
 `` Wait, you ca n't do that! Where am I supposed to go now?'' 
 
 The angel pointed over to a group of men in suits begging sitting in the middle of the food court. Baxter walked over to the men. 
 
 One of them looked up as he approached. `` Spare some change, mister?'' Baxter just shook his head and sat down with them. 
 
 As he sat down, a woman and a small child were walking past, each with tickets. The child stopped and was about to say something, but the mother shooed him on. 
 
 `` Do n't talk to them Joey.'' 
 
 `` What are they, mommy?'' 
 
 `` Atheists.'' 
 
 `` What are atheists?'' 
 
 `` People that are all dressed up with nowhere to go.'' They hurried on to their gate. 
 
 *** 
 
 ***You can find more of my work at /r/thestormcellar hope you enjoy! ***
