Take Me Instead

The story follows Eli Bennett across his lifetime and his unique relationship with Death, known as "Baba." As a sickly child in 1962, Eli has a near-death experience in the hospital, where he sees his father trade his life for Eli's. Eli then finds he can see and speak to Death, who he nicknames "Baba." This ability leads Eli to become obsessed with understanding death and the afterlife. Eli learns he can only see Baba when someone dies, so he volunteers at the local hospital. Through their conversations, Eli realizes Baba has limited knowledge about his purpose and the afterlife. Eli befriends his school bully, Jake, and they grow very close, even as Eli pursues baseball and college plans. While at school, tragedy strikes when Jake is killed in Vietnam, and Baba shows compassion by bringing him by to say goodbye to Eli. Over the years, Eli continues to encounter Baba during his work as an oncologist. Eli spearheads the adoption of advanced healthcare directives, allowing patients to dictate their end-of-life care. This attracts protests, but Eli debates its merits. After his wife's murder, Eli finds purpose in helping terminally ill patients have more dignified deaths. Now nearing the end of his life in the present day, Eli retells his story to his grandson Trey. When Eli dies, Trey inherits the ability to see Baba. The story comes full circle as Baba agrees to guide Trey in his medical career, just as he did for Eli. In the afterlife, Eli and Baba walk into the light as old friends, with Baba wondering if he, too, will experience death someday.