Paradise

My eyes are closed. The last thing I remember is the crash. I still hear the ambulance and the whispers. “It is going to be okay”, they say. Now, I am not so sure. I don’t feel anything anymore. I am scared.

I force myself to open my eyes. I float in an infinite tunnel of darkness and despair. Suddenly, I see a bright light. It comes closer. It wraps me up. It welcomes me. I see a majestic creature. Its arms and legs are long and its body is thin. Its eyes look at me. They give me strength. They fill my empty soul with life, even if I have none. My eyes sting because the light is too bright, but I don’t want to blink. I am afraid it will all go away. Reluctantly, I blink.

It is still there when I open my eyes. Relieved, I hug it. I caress its soft skin. I notice its huge wings. They wrap me up like a blanket, comforting me like a child. I hear it humming a lullaby. I cry. I can’t stop. Nothing can hurt me anymore.

I finally stop crying. My face is wet and my eyes hurt. I try to count the endless feathers of its wings and enjoy the warmth that they make me feel. It smiles at me. It is a kind, soft smile. It can’t be human. Its eyes are too kind, and its skin is too soft, and its smile is too bright and sincere. No, it is not human.

Suddenly, I feel tired. Exhausted. I want to sleep but, is it possible to fall asleep if you never woke up? I realize that I don’t want to wake up. I don’t want to leave this paradise. I let go of my memories. I am no longer a person. I am nobody. I am nothing.

I take a deep breath. I take my last breath. I see its majestic face for the last time. I would never let go. I don’t want to let go. I am ready to let go. I give up. Its arms hold me above the ground as my head rests on its white dress. The fabric covers its body but floats freely, creating a mystic halo as it moves. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I feel when it caresses my arm, barely touching my skin. Its presence brings one last memory to my almost empty mind. All the days I spent by the window, watching the snow, delighted with its bright color and soft movements as the snowflakes floated, moved by the wind.

Finally, I close my eyes. I let go. I float again.