Summerland has a minion!

Follow the Zodiac Snake Spirit

A Bit About Eden

Full Name: Eden Summerland
Age: Eternal (appears 16)
Hair: Auburn
Eyes: Gray
Likes: flowers, sunshine, animal spirits, a nice cup of chamomile tea
Dislikes: disorganization, large crowds, crab grass (spreads like crazy even in the afterlife)

In the beginning there was no guide through the garden. Souls, confused and disoriented, could sometimes wander about for eons, lost and unable to reach the gates at the other side.

Until there was Eden.

Contrary to popular belief, while there is a version of what the living often call "the afterlife," there is no holy (or unholy, for that matter) deity governing it. If there ever was, it has long since gone into retirement. There are, however, "guides" of sorts, who basically exist to get newcomers accustomed to where their souls will now permanently reside. As limbo was never meant as a long-term home for a soul, logically (or perhaps illogically) no guide was ever designated.

Eden designated herself.

A particularly practical, clear-minded individual in life, Eden's mind remained so in death.
After closing her 16 year old eyes at the end of a long battle with a fever and opening them only to find herself feeling perfectly well and standing in the middle of a lush garden, Eden had to conclude that her living body had met its demise and while the garden was lovely, she had the feeling that "endless foliage" was not the intended destination for the vast majority of souls.
So, as was her way, she systematically went exploring, noting landmarks and paths along the way, often stopping to chat with the sould of animals, which proved remarkably helpful as animals, who typically make choices in life based on instinct as opposed to any sort of moral compass, often are meant to spend eternity in limbo. That is why it's an endless expanse of nature, after all.

Anyway, in her travels, Eden befriended the soul of a lovely little green snake who kept constantly referring to the "final gates" that were somewhere in the garden. After a bit of questioning, Eden and her serpent companion made their way to these gates, of which there were three. About this time the little snake spirit began weeping. She had, in their travels, grown quite fond of the girl spirit and lamented their impending separation.
"There will be no such thing!" Eden replied when hearing the snake's concern.
"Someone has to stay here and help escort all these souls through the garden. No one else seems interested in the task, so I suppose I'll do it myself."
And with that said, Eden began the lengthy process of gathering the overflow of dearly departed who were loitering in limbo and chauffeuring them to the three gates where they were ushered to the "light side" of eternity, the "dark side" of eternity or reincarnation because sometimes people do deserve a "do-over."

Now limbo runs smoothly with Eden greeting each newcomer and giving them an explanation of where they are as she walks them through the rambling blackberry patches and curtains of Spanish moss. She tries to answer any questions they might have and often allows them to take a small keepsake: a daisy from the field, a smooth pebble from one of the burbling brooks, just a reminder of the beauty everyone is allowed to experience in the space between the end of life and the beginning of eternity.