ARIAN'S HEAVEN
Silvery light danced through the heavens, touching each star in turn. A young boy of 7 years sat silently in the shadows, watching the endless game of tag with a solemn face. Nothing seemed to be going well, with the exception of his writing. He couldn�t stop the progress of his creativity even if he tried. Yet, school wasn�t challenging enough, his family was too self-absorbed to look his way�His soft sigh disturbed nothing as he sat beneath the ancient oak.
Under the leafy limbs, Arian could escape his reality, put it all into the back of his mind until the next sunrise. Here the moon always seemed to rise for him, just as the crickets sang for his ears alone. Beneath the heavens, his imagination was free to roam, and did so often, thinking up wonderful fantasies for Arian. In them, he was loved and always had epic adventures, just like the ones in Dante�s Inferno. After each journey into the realm of dreams, there was a worthy story. So, in his lap, was his notebook, which was nearly full once again.
'I wonder if they realize I�m not in my room,' Arian wondered, tears pricking his apple green eyes.
Probably not, the devil on his shoulder hissed.
As if the imp was truly there, the boy swatted at it. A squeak of protest was heard, than the silence resumed.
By the time the moon reached its zenith, he could hardly keep his eyes open. Images of another world danced before him, as he protested.
�Sleep,� whispered his mind.
Arian�s eyes obeyed, drifting closed slowly. The pen he held dropped, as his left hand grew limp and rolled into the lush grass. His head lolled to the side and his breathing slowed to a barely audible sigh.
When Arian next opened his eyes, he found himself among the stars. The moon glowed faintly before him while the stars twinkled merrily. Someone cleared their throat, and then a girl of about 17 stepped out of the shadows. The boy blinked several times, stepping back cautiously.
�It�s okay, you�re safe here,� the girl said softly, not meeting Arian�s gaze.
�But...where am I?� he asked, the tremor in his voice slight. �Well...you�re dead, Arian.� Arian�s heart stopped, his skin froze.
�I�m dead...? I�m only seven...h-how can...?�
�Your mom found you under the oak tree at about 1am,� the girl began as her wings shifted on her back. �She brought you home, and tucked you in. At 3:23am, a thief broke into the house. Your mom woke up, you know how lightly she sleeps�but it was too late. The man shot them both. You woke up as soon as he fired the gun, remember? And ran to your parents� room, calling for your mom�� she broke off, her calm mask slipping. �The man was scared too, he had just murdered two innocent people�when he heard you, he panicked. He turned and shot blindly. By some sick twist of fate, his shot hit you right in the heart. Once he realized what he did, he shot himself in the mouth.�
Arian blinked, tears running silently down his cheeks. �So...I�m dead?� The angel nodded sadly. �Is...is this Heaven?� he asked.
�In a way. This is the part of heaven for the children of the world who are murdered. Here, you can watch the world, or rearrange the stars. Even live on the moon. You�re free to do as you please up here. I know it�s not much�but this is the best the man upstairs could think of. You can even walk among the living if you so desire. My name is Aimee.� She held out her hand, smiling softly. �I was shot in the heart too�my father was drunk, I came home late. He thought I was someone else.� Aimee shrugged her shoulders, her wings moving with the simple gesture. �I�m here to help you.�
The young boy smiled back at her. �Like a big sister? I always wanted a big sister.�
Aimee nodded, her eyes dancing. �Just like a big sister. Come on, I want you to see the gorgeous view from the moon.� Arian placed his hand in Aimee�s, and they spread their wings, flying towards their destination, grinning from ear to ear.
�So...is the moon actually made out of cheese?� Arian asked.
- - - - -