Ch. 5: Transition

I was in Hell.

Yet while the flames consumed my body, I could hear the angel's voice speaking to me. Telling me that everything would be alright, that the pain would soon be over. Though my throat burned from the flames, I let out a guttural laugh. Did he really think that the burn coursing through my veins was worse than the pain of holding my baby's lifeless body?

In death, I had lost all concept of time. The burning, however, was ceaseless. Occasionally, a cool hand on my cheek or my shoulder would offer a moment of relief. It was as if the angel was trying to reassure me.

Amid the burning pain, I sensed another, duller pain. Eventually I realized that my broken body was healing itself. Confusion broke through my pain. If I was in Hell, why would I be healed?

After what seemed like forever, the burning pain began to ease. First in my fingers and toes. It was as if the flames were slowly moving up my limbs toward my heart. Finally focusing there in a fire that burned hotter than the sun. My body bowed, and I screamed against the scorching heat.

Then it was gone.