The Tapestry Part 1

One choice can change everything. Each story is a thread in a much larger tapestry.

***There may come a time when you must choose between vengeance and mercy, but it is not always so cut-and-dry, and regardless of the situation that led you to this choice, whatever decision you make will have far-reaching ramifications.***

John struggled just to breathe as his eyes slowly opened.

He heard a slight noise and struggled to turn his neck to the left, just as a tall man dressed in pale gray entered the brightly lit room. He had a warm, gentle disposition.

Still, John did not feel comfortable and, after an intense effort, was finally able to utter. "Where am I?

"John, you've lived a pure life. You are a good, caring man."

"What?" John replied in shock. "The last thing I recall, I was just walking down the street. How did I end up here?"

"I understand this must be very confusing for you, John. Let me continue. Indeed, you were walking down the street. I am sorry to say, a drunken vagrant pushed you, from behind, into oncoming traffic."

"What the hell?" John suddenly yelled! "You mean, that man who had asked me for change! I really didn't have anything!"

The man in pale gray interrupted. "Yes, of course, it is normal to express anger in such circumstances. I know you are generally a very giving—"

"I've been pushed into oncoming traffic!" John interrupted. Of course, I am pissed! I assume that I am (John stopped, he didn't want to know the truth that was only becoming more apparent)...Well, where am I...?"

"As you may be gathering, you are dead. You are in a place of limbo where souls who are either on the brink of life and death or whose bodies are very freshly dead go. Now, I will say it once, and only once, you have a choice to make, John.

"Yah, and what choice is that?" John replied, more angry than he had ever been.

"John, you must know that time is dramatically slower here than on Earth. Your murderer was found about a mile down the road, yelling aggressively at passersby and brandishing a knife before taking a woman hostage. The police are already on the scene, and he is out of control. As we speak, a bullet is about to be fired in the direction of your killer. Now, you've lived an honest life, without a single criminal offense, and what you decide here won't change your reputation on earth, but it will change your fate moving forward. Now, please decide, will that bullet that is about to leave the cop's gun hit the vagrant in the head, killing him instantly, or will it hit his shoulder and simply incapacitate him?"

The veins on John's head were throbbing.

"First, I must know who this man is, and why he killed me?"

"I am sorry, John," The man in pale gray said as he slowly started to fade away, his voice quieting, "I can only speak of your situation; I am not at liberty to give the personal information of any living person....You must make a choice.

John yelled in vain, "I deserve to know at least that!"

John was now left alone in the dark, barren room with his own thoughts.

"Do I continue down the same tried and true road or should I deviate?"