Nightmare

Heaven on Earth, floating on a lazy river in dappled sunlight.

Without warning, the current quickened and pulled me forward, over a ledge and onwards to the rim.

Falling, falling, into nothing.

What is this place, cold and damp, low and narrow, and dark as deepest night? Overhead, I hear sad, distant voices, solemn music, Psalm 23, and the thud, thud, thud of damp earth on the roof. Footsteps fade to silence.

'Wait, don't leave me! There was no sign above the falls. I want to live!"

"That cannot be," hissed the preacher, "you're in it for the Big Sleep."