Chapter 21 - Page 292 - Lost In The Woods

   God's laughter caused the whole universe to sing. Not only did the angels sing, but the clouds sang. Every rock, on every planet, sang. The whole universe sang in harmony to the most heavenly song Jim had ever heard. He could see musical notes dancing across the sky. As the musical notes got farther away, they disappeared. Planets filled the solar system, swaying back and forth with the music.

   Ahead, just below the plane, Jim could see black clouds forming. They seemed to come in from everywhere, gathering like a ferocious storm. The angel on the white horse turned back and wouldn't go any farther. God's laughter could no longer be heard. The bright light from heaven disappeared and the singing stopped. Jim couldn't see any angels anywhere.

   Darkness and horror seem to emanate from the black clouds. Jim smelled a nauseating stench. As the plane flew farther over the clouds, the sky became dark. Jim looked down into a deep, dark abyss that seemed to call for him. Violent flashes of lightning crackled down the sides of the hole. Thunder roared from it. As the plane flew over the center of the swirling anomaly, Jim heard the sounds of torment. Feelings of shame and fear rose with screams of pain from the glowing red bottom of the hole. Jim felt as if he was being pulled into the crater. He screamed. Satan had won his soul, he thought, and he would spend eternity in hell.

   He felt hands pulling and tugging at him. Jim fought against the forces as if his life depended on it. He could hear voices that sounded like they were miles away. He could hear himself screaming. He continued to push and squirm.

   Finally he could make out what the voices were saying.

   "Papa, Papa!" Shanha cried as she pulled on his arm. He opened his eyes and saw tears running down her cheeks.

   Rhasha was crying and pulling on his other arm. "Jim," she pleaded, "please wake up."

   Jackie and Simbatu were behind Jim, shaking him as well. As Jim calmed down, tears streamed from his eyes. He realized he had been dreaming. He hugged Rhasha and Shanha. He was still shaking from the horrors of his dream.