Before Death

What if I told you everything you've heard about me is wrong? What if I told you that everything you think  you know about me is a lie? I mean, I know you wouldn't ever dare to believe me  or take me at my word for it, but you and your people have been conditioned to believe a depraved deception from the pits of Hell since before your closest ancestors were a twinkle in the Creator's eye. But it's true. Everything you've ever heard about me is wrong. You were coerced into believing a fabrication. You were manipulated. Bamboozled. Your entire reality is a farce, but I don't blame you for believing it because, once upon a time I believed it, too. I was raised in it. I studied it. At times I even questioned it, but I didn't want to face the repercussions of having to face the Source and tell them that I, a lowly human who had nothing to do with Creation or its origins, knew better than they. So I ran from it. It never did anything to help me when I needed it, s...

That day, the first angel to appear to her after her departure from paradise presented himself.  Carrying the bag and band of water bottles did not prove as irritating as one might have thought. She was used to carrying different harvests of fruit and grain in the Oasis. Just because it was paradise did not mean she did not have her share of responsibilities. She realized she had not seen any predatory wildlife since the bird and snake fight. She looked down at her feet, hoping to not accidentally step on something vicious hiding in the dunes as she walked past. The last thing she wanted was to step on anything by mistake. The only thing visible the entire distance ahead was the sea of sand surrounding her.  She squinted her eyes at a growing figure in the distance.  What is that? she asked silently. It was at that moment she realized she really had not had any interactions with other beings than herself since she left paradise. For a second she thought the imag...

Woman Golden sunrise greeted her warmly when she rose the next morning.  I will walk as far as my feet will carry me , she thought. A large black bird squawked in the distance--she could see it circling the sky over something that must be laying there dying, if not already dead, ahead. She did her best to avoid the unfortunately-fated animal, and it proved beneficial.  By midday she arrived to a body of water and decided to take some time and rest. She was hungry, hot, and grateful for the shade provided by the nearby grove. Palm trees reached down from above as if to pick her up and carry her away in the blowing breeze. Laying down at the river's bank, she scooped up fresh water by the handful, drinking as much as she could swallow until her thirst was quenched. Finally satiated, she closed her eyes for a quick rest.  Aroused from her restful nap, it was much later in the day than she expected. She paused for a moment to take in the view of the sinking sun. Golden fire d...