The Gates of Heaven
===================

There was once this man, his life in misery.
He lost everything he had. He started drinking
and his life turned into a greater nightmare.
Day by day that passed, he sank deeper into
his own feelings. For the worse. Not for the
better. Alchohol was his solution. Soon he had
no money to buy it. He got fired from his job.
And he has been living alone all his life.

One day, the man grabs his light-brown trenchcoat,
dirty as it was. And goes out. He smelled of
alchohol. His eyes were grown weary... and red.
The face got pale yellow... and beard grew.
There was dirt under the nails... and his hair
looked terrible. He did not care no more.

When he came up to the bridge of the city, he
looked deeply down the water. And then at the
sunset... that golden/red color around the sun.
And the puffy clouds, which seemed like dancing
with the sun. The water itself looked like
molten steel... such beautiful colors were
reflecting from the sun.

The man lost his faith. In himself. And in God.
He lost his faith in everything. He wanted a
place in Heaven, but now he was positive that
Gates of Heaven did not exist. He started to cry.
And those thick eyes shrank, as the tears flew down.
The face, the expression... such demise. Such desperacy.
He brought his dirty hand to the mouth, and brought it to
the lips. Crying. Shivering. He asked himself why he was
still alive? He called an Angel... no answers. He called God...
No answers. The shape of his sad eyes, wet of tears, gazed
upon the sun. When suddenly... The sun seemed to increase
in size... and everything went white.

When he could see again... he saw a big man. Strong.
And in clothing like the ancient Greeks.

"Who are you? Where am I?" Asks the man.

The stranger had his arms crossed and watched the man carefully.
Suddenly huge wings appeared from his back.

Angel: - Welcome.

Man: - Who are you? What is this place?, he says and looks shocked.

Angel: - Welcome to The Gates of Heaven. I have come to help you.
         
Man: - Who? Me? Why?

Angel: - Because you lost your faith in me.

Man: - I did not know... why? Why all this suffering? Why do you make my
       life a living Hell?! What have I done you wrong? All my life I have
       helped people in need! And all I got back was a dagger up my bacK!
       Ofcourse I don't believe in you... where were you when my times were
       at their hardest? Why don't I get what I deserve?

Angel: - Let me show you something. And that will answer all your questions.
         Observe. Now come... Take my hand and come with me.,

The Angel gives his hand to the man, and he takes it. And suddenly, they fly
bellow ground. Under the ground, the deep black caverns, filled with fire,
there are people suffering. The man gets terrified.

Man: - What is this??

Angel: - This is my birthplace.

Man: - What?! Your Birthplace?

Angel: - Yes.

Man: - How come? Aren't Angels born in Heaven? And what has this to do with me?

Angel: - No, my friend. All Angels are born in Hell. From there God chooses them
         to be his assistances in keeping the balance of universe. These people
         have missused their gifts for evil purposes. And here they are paying for
         their sins. They spend their time here, until the day comes when they realise
         all misstakes they have done. From that moment on, their mind will be peaceful.
         And they will be granted the rank of Angels. The same is it with you my friend.
         All the nightmares you have been through are just trials. You see, when you face
         your nightmares, only then you can value what Life has to offer. You have gifts,
         do not waste them. In your times of trial, you have never been alone. You have been
         watched. I've been watching you. I know times look dark now, but do not give up
         your hope. When you are at the breaking point, that is when you have to stay strong.
         For losing is only an illusion. You might lose the battle, but do not lose the lesson.
         And that is the same with us Angels. I did not have the chance as you do now. For you
         there is still time. Change your ways. Let your pain become your strenght, and move on.
         Cherrish Life, in all it's glory. There is so much to see, so much to experience. Just
         keep strong and have faith.

The man looks into the eyes of the Angel. Schocked. Something within him broke. The Angel
smiled upon him. With one big, warm smile. The man now understood everything. The reasons
for his suffering. He understood that he alone could change all of this. And no matter
how bad things may seem, there is always a way out. He was the key! Not anyone else,
not a higher power... but him alone! He smiles back at the Angel.
The Angel streches out his hand, and the man knew it was time to leave. He takes his hand,
and returns to The Gates of Heavens.

Man: - Thank you O' Angel, for helping me.

Angel: - I am glad I could help you. Now I will have to let you return to your realm.

Man: - I understand. I thank you for everything.

The Angel cast a spell upon the man. And before the man departures to his realm,
the Angel asks:

"Do you wish to know my name?"

Man: - What is your name, Angel?

Angel: - Lucifer.

The man gets shocked... and with a warm smile from both sides, the man returns to the bridge
where he was looking over the water. He stays a while, and gazes upon the sky.
The man is key to his own redemption. Such power. Free will. Liberty.