I awoke with confusion, where was I? the lights, they were blinding but as they adjusted, I saw something words couldn't describe accurately. The image of the pearly gates of heaven, it doesn't even begin to describe what I saw. That's when I realized, this could only be one place; the entrance to heaven.

With this realization, other things started to become clear. but then, then they started to surround me. I guess is should explain.

I had lived with my wife in the destitute cabin in the woods. it was a stereotypical situation I know, but I had been in love and wanted to read my books in peace. Id always been an introvert, but this was my peace. or at least it was. After 5 years, once I was completly isolated, she started. She would hit me, throw glass and worse that dosent belong in the thoughts whilst outside heaven.

One day, I went outside for a walk in the woods, I wandered a bit to far and it happened.

The birds they went quiet, then I saw it. A bear waiting for me. I turned to go home but behind me were wolves and other small animals like mice and possums. As I stood there surrounded I felt fear id never felt before. I was going to die.

They attacked.

I was defenseless.

And then I ended up here. A shiver went down my spine as I turned around, back to the gates, and saw them. The bear, the wolves, the possums, the mice, the other animals id never had a chance to identify. waiting for me. What was this? a cruel joke for hope of heaven only to be killed again?

A voice cut through the panic "time is inconsistent here, the dead may greet each other if their love is strong enough"

that's when it clicked, they'd saved me, they'd loved me enough to save me from her.

“Clara!” Logan shouted. “I’ve waited years for you!”

Clara recoiled as her ex-husband approached. She tried to run, yet to where?

“I’ve missed you, babe.” Logan said, smiling sickly, his eyes narrowing. Clara all but expected him to extend a forked tongue. “What did you in, hon?”

“Old age.” Clara lied easily, falling back into old patterns. He’d only get angry if he heard the truth.

A whimsically dressed man in a dog pile of fluffy animals was clearly eavesdropping while petting a squirrel.

“Aren’t you happy to see me?” Logan had an edge to his voice.

“Of course!” Clara immediately smiled, which put Logan at ease.

“I was hoping we could talk.” Logan said. “Hash out the problems we used to have.”

Clara’s heart sank to her stomach, feeling phantom pains from Logan’s fists on her face.

“Sure,” Clara said, looking obviously scared.

The man with the animals seemed to notice her unease and perked up slightly.

“Awesome.” Logan said. “I’ll lead the way home.”

He suddenly reached out and grabbed her upper arm hard, exerting the control he was only so used to exerting.

The flowery man with the animals whispered to a fox.

The fox delicately stole Logan’s hat, who released Clara as he chased the furry demon.

“Are you okay, ma’am?” The animal man asked.

“No.”

At that, the animal man whistled. His hoard of friends bristled, turning to Logan as he made his way back with his hat.

Logan went to grab Clara’s arm again, yet found a myriad of creatures in his way.

Most notably, a grizzly bear stared him eye to eye.

“So it’s like this?” Logan suddenly shouted. “You cheating bitch!”

The grizzly gave him a harsh shove.

“Fucking slut!” Logan screamed as he stormed away.

Twelve dogs, an army of cats, and more horses that I could count awaited me, running around my feet, jumping up and licking my face.

I scooped my puppy into my arms and buried my face in her fur. She was really in my arms again, and O didn’t want to let go.

Then, the path of animals parted and a massive black horse approached, nuzzling my face with his big nose. “I’m sorry if I hurt you, back then.”

I remember falling of his back and leaned into his nose. “Never, Cloud. You were my sweet boy. You never hurt me.”

At first it was great, all my pets, all the animals I had taken care of. The lamb I raised thay summer I went to stay with my Grandparents, the fish and frogs, and rodents from my school days.

But then I started to question it, why was I the one they loved most in their life? Why was I the best they had. I was terrible. I was a shit friend, and a selfish owner. I shouldn't be anyone's high point, I shouldn't be the standard others hold themselves to.

And then, I began to question more. Where was everyone else? My parents, my Grandparents, my friends who had passed before me.

Where was everybody. And then I understood. This was heaven. Hell was other people knowing you, and this was heaven. Alone, but not.

Those animals loved me. And I loved them, for a time. But they passed on, and I moved on, and our reunion was never meant to be.

This is heaven, a reminder of all that we lost, a reminder of all we were to others.

This is Heaven. And I don't remember who wasn't there to greet me. Just as they didn't remember me.

This is Heaven. And Ignorance is bliss.

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