I watched as the clouds separated at Riley's pointed finger. They seemed to waltz past us as we hurtled higher and higher. I couldn't believe my eyes or my ears when the clouds spoke to Riley. THEY GREETED HER! At first, I thought I was losing it, and then I realized it was all real when I accidentally touched a cloud and I could feel it. I could feel its softness and the pure innocence that covered the pillow like shape. I couldn't blink, for I didn't want to miss anything that was happening. We flew faster and swifter into the dark (yet light) unknown. Just as I was about to find my vocal cords, I could see a large gate starting to shape in front of us. Riley looked at me and scoffed knowingly. I simple stared at the wondrous gate and the atmosphere around me.
"Who's there? PASSWORD?" said a nasty voice from behind the gate. What was quite strange about the whole thing was that there was only a gate, nothing else. Just the blue sky and sunlight with a white gate nestled in between it all.
"Chester, open the gate you . . ." Riley started just as the gate swung open. Then the craziest thing happened; inside, there was a giant meadow with every type of tree and flower you could think of. From behind the gate, a small man with a crooked nose and bright blue eyes smiled at us. "Chester, you can sense me, why in an unearthly apple's taste would you ask?" Said Riley a little annoyed as she grabbed my shoulder gently and guided me through the gate and down the white stone path that was located in the middle on the magnificent meadow. My head twisted in each and every direction known to man just as I took it all in. The colorful fruits perched up on the tall trees turned into every color imaginable while the grass swished all by itself in unison. My bare feet touched the path as I marveled at what I was seeing. I stopped and looked at Riley in confusion.
"RILEY, what the...?" I heard a small voice say. I then realized it was me.
"I'm an Angel, Noah. Now don't swear, especially in God's Garden." Riley scolded.
"An Angel?" I whispered. My head swirled and I felt dizzy.
"Yes." Riley continued, a little impatiently.
"Ang . . ." I muttered to myself and laughed. "Haha, funny. What did they give me in the hospital? Stop lying."
Riley's shoulder blades grew slowly and slowly just as I screamed internally. They started to turn white and feathers appeared. Her blue jeans and red shirt turned white too just as they interconnected to form a long and marvelous gown that hugged Riley in a most flattering way. I gasped and stared with an open mouth. She let go of my sweaty hand and flew in a circle around me, just before flipping in the air. I looked at her and stood still, thinking "Wake up, wake up, Noah." But no, I was still there when I opened my disbelieving eyes.
Riley laughed and it sounded like morning dew. I laughed nervously and it sounded like a strangled tractor.
"So, listen, once you understand that I'm not lying, I think you might want to see someone." Riley responded to my questioning gaze just as she flew by my side and grabbed my arm. We started moving again.
"What, when, who?" I asked, completely confused and light-headed.
"Ava."
