Is that… me?
Nestled under the shade of an old tree was 20-year-old Ren Thorne. He had never thought he'd ever be someone viewing his own face. Which he guessed was a surreal experience you'd only ever get after dying a tragic death.
"I guess the heavens are showing me the time before it all went downhill." He stared at his peaceful face, wishing he could turn back time and warn himself. "Look at him sleep without a care in the world," he said with a hint of bitterness.
At this point, he wasn't quite sure what to do. After all, what could you really do if you had turned into a crow simply to look back on your life after dying?
"But, look at that face." He started, "I get why those jerks were jealous of me. I would be, too," He nodded, placing a wing under his chin. "Look at how bright my skin was. They wore me out with how weak they were and made my skin all dull."
This was him before tragedy struck. Young, fresh, filled with potential. If only he knew... if only he knew.
"He's sleeping so peacefully, damn it." he started pecking at him annoyingly, "Hey, if you meet two idiots at a funeral, avoid them at all costs."
His younger self jolted in his sleep, flailing his hand around his face in annoyance. "Oops, I almost woke him up."
He stared at his younger self and sighed. "Oh, kid. If only you knew what life you're about to have, you'd be surprised. We were great, you know? You just shouldn't have teamed up with jerks," he looked away, sighing in frustration.
He admired the sky, the warm afternoon, and the sunlight peeking through the leaves of the tree. It all made him feel bittersweet. He was dead now, so he might as well savor his last moment before angels came down to take him to paradise.
"I have regrets, but I can't deny it was a good run." He looked up at the sky solemnly. There was nothing for him to do now. He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and sighs, a sign of resignation.
"I'm ready to go now."
He turns around and glances at his young self's face one last time. Except his eyes were wide open.
"What the hell?"
"Oh, he woke up." He noted out loud.
"...A talking raven?"
His eyes widened as he realized what had happened.
"You understand me?"