Impossible

12

Joshua lay there, gasping, as if he had fell. He had no idea where he was and pushed himself to his knees with shaking hands.

But he sat up quickly, holding his hands out far away for him. Deep, dark purple burn scars covered the entirety of his hands, fading up his wrists, like flames.

Like flames...

His eyes grew wide as he remembered. So, he was dead? He looked down at his legs to see they were covered with the same scars. His breathing quickened and he began to slowly panic.

What was going on? Where was he?

He shakily pushed himself to his feet, wobbling slightly and looking around at his surroundings. It seemed that he was nowhere... if that could even happen. It was dark, he could see nothing, yet at the same time, he could see. He could see himself without any struggle, and he could see where he was stepping. No light, yet at the same time, light everywhere.

It seemed cold, and damp, yet he could hear and feel nothing.

Shakily, he walked forward unsure of where he was going. Was this heaven? Had he arrived in hell? He had tried so hard though, not to end up here. He took a deep breath, his hands wobbling.

He had no idea what he was to do.

Until something catches his eyes. A glint, somehow. Frowning, he tilted his head and saw

a throne.

He walked towards it, glancing around. It was gold, seemingly real. He ran his fingers over the surface and found it cold and smooth. The top had two skulls siting on it, and he recoiled at first, before brushing his fingertips gracefully over them too. It was ornate, almost too ornate, sitting just a few steps off the floor.

It seemed as though it was made for him...?

He didn't want to be prideful, and selfish, but he appeared to be the only one here.

Cautiously stepping up the steps, he took a deep breath as he looked down at it. It felt so wrong, yet he still, slowly, sat in it.

Joshua was taken by surprise as he found it was perfectly made for him. Everything felt so comfortable, so perfect, he couldn't help but sigh slightly and relax, letting his guard down.

But his relaxation was interrupted when he heard something, a small noise, not one made by talking, just a noise.

He looked up. Maybe he wasn't the only one here.

But suddenly, down at his feet, was someone he never expected to see. He stood up, slowly, his mouth falling open as he registered who it was.

"Father...?"

The priest looked up at him with wide open eyes, shaking, before falling to his knees, his head pressed to the ground as if he were praying to him. "Please, do not judge me too harshly..." He pleaded in a quiet but shaking voice.

Joshua now saw what his task was, and who he was. He was to decide the fate of the man now in front of him, whether to condemn him, or to reward him.

"You dare say that to me..." He whispered, his voice harsh, trying to keep his composure and failing slightly, "You dare kneel before me and say that, after everything you had put me through! You tortured me; you made my life hell! You took everything from me, you took everything... you killed me, you burnt me, and now you have the bravery to come near me and ask me that!" His voice echoes as he slowly lost control.

"You saw what you were doing to me, you saw, and you did nothing! 'God loves everyone!' You preached, but not me, huh? Tell me, am I a sinner? Am I evil, and I a witch, and I condemned? Am I?!" He screamed, and the priest flinched. "Am I set to burn for my sins?! Am I condemned for misery because of them?! Am I damned?!" He screamed. He took a deep breath, composing himself, calming down, shaking with his anger. "You looked me in the eyes and told me to burn.

I think you should take your own advice."

And he was gone, and Joshua sat back on his throne, his face set like stone.