The next morning back on Earth…
Fury! Wild unquenchable fury!
Darkness! Sinking back into the pit!
Fingers reaching for him, and then sinking back into the night!
But he knew they would come again.
And the smoke, the fire, the—
Judas lunged forward, coughing. He looked around wildly, realizing he’d been dreaming. Dreaming of Hell, of the smoke, the fire, the gagging atmosphere. He never knew how much he hated it until he managed to climb up out of it. Now, for some reason, he lived in fear of having to go back, of having to live there again.
He wouldn’t! He couldn’t! He’d die first!
He slung his feet over the bed and jumped up. Without hesitating, he ran out the door and into the woods. Before he knew it, he was at his favorite place. Its beauty filled him with such tranquility he
