Falling from Grace

The crystal clear waters barely lapped at my unclothed feet, and the place seemed to be frozen in the Dawn of the Morning. Light blue hues crested the gentle surrounding clouds, and the mist before me faded as the Golden Gate shined brightly before me, as if to welcome me home. The Gate was a lot taller than I expected... I had to crane my neck backwards, and even then I couldn't see the top of it. Did giants cross this threshold too, I wondered silently with a small snicker. The Gate creaked as it slowly opened, unaided, allowing me entry and beckoning me to enter. No one was here. Wasn't there supposed to be a Gatekeeper? Where was the fabled St. Peter? Shrugging, I slipped inside, and the Gate slammed shut as the metal clang of finality echoed around me. I blinked as the fog surrounding the Gate dissipated. Looking around, I saw the vast beauty and light hues of the rainbow in the immediate area, and yet, still I was refused a greeting by anyone. No St. Peter, no Angels, nothing. I began walking, in hopes that I might find someone to talk to. There had to be someone here, right? The gentle clouds clustered around my feet like dust, coming up in small swirls and attempting to attach themselves to my ankles in desperation, if only to be washed away by the rising tide below. The clear waters nearly covered my feet now, I noticed. Still, it was calming.

A bright light caught my attention, and I looked to my left to gaze at a massive Golden Chair. Its size alone struck something inside of me, but I couldn't place the emotion. Perhaps awe? It was beautiful, the Chair. Like a Gilded Throne, in which the Lord Almighty himself should sit, reside, rule, and pass judgment. Had I been 30 times taller, I still would only barely reach the seat of the Chair. It's humongous feet alone came nearly to my shoulder. I couldn't help but approach it cautiously, even if the Chair, like everywhere else, was empty. I found myself halted mere feet from the Chair. I looked around expectantly. I even called out loud and silently, just to see if I could get a response of any sort. Still no one... anywhere. Complete silence. I returned my hardened gaze to the Chair. Momentarily, I frowned. Then, deciding there was nothing else for it, I knelt, bowing my head and closing my eyes, as if in prayer. Still, there was nothing but silence. It was extremely unsettling, more and more as I realized there really was no one here. Yet, I was sure this was Heaven. It didn't make any sense to me. Where was everyone? The Angels? God? I stood rigidly, uncomfortable.

I could tell the Chair was still empty, but I kept my eyes downcast as though I were unworthy to even look at it. Looking anywhere else, there was still nothing but clouds. A void, complete and utter emptiness, even if it was indescribably beautiful. Something was wrong. I could feel it; I knew it in my gut. My intuition told me I was somehow being watched... perhaps this was a test of sorts? Would everyone jump out and yell "Surprise!" if I passed? What happened if I failed? How would I know? What was I supposed to do? Somewhat panicked, I approached the Chair and reached out for it, seeking its guidance... His guidance. It looked inviting enough, and it didn't seem like it was currently occupied, but I had to try. I found the momentary strength to gaze upward again, to see if God had manifested Himself in His Almighty Throne of Kings. It appeared He hadn't. A light breeze crossed my face, as if to caress me, calm me.

With my hand a hair's breadth from the foot of the Chair, my senses dulled. Time itself seemed to slow. A gong sounded somewhere in the distance as the gentle wind turned fierce around me. I retreated quickly from the Chair, as if struck by lightning. A dark and sinister chuckle, unlike any I had ever heard before or since, filled the Halls of Heaven, and my vision turned black. I was blind. Stumbling backwards in the water, I lost my footing, and Fell.