He opened his eyes, and darkness surrounded him. There was no turning back now. He stood on his knees on the empty pathway. It went on in a straight line leading to a door. The door was a standard size door with the color of gold. This door was the only thing he could see. Everything else was black. The air was cold as if standing outside during a rainy day with the temperature just above freezing. His fingers lightly grazed the water next to him. The pathway was only as wide as where his knees stood. Everything else was frigid dark water. He had no idea the depth of the water, but he assumed it was deep.
He stared at the door ahead. It felt so far away like it was impossible to reach, yet there is stood telling him to come. He knew that he would find peace on the other side, but he couldn't bring himself to his feet to move forward. The door illuminated an unknown light, growing brighter and brighter. It gave a warm feeling inside of him, giving strength to go. He clenched his teeth and rose to his feet. Even though his legs screamed in agony he continued to walk. Tears poured from his eyes, but he kept going. Nothing was going to stop him from reaching that door.
For a moment, only a quick moment, he looked down at the dark waters beside him. He saw the faces. The pale faces of his loved ones staring at him with accusation. With this one glance, he saw his failures and fell to the ground. His hands splashed the cold water, and he found himself on his knees again.
"Why?" He cried out, "Why can I not reach the door?"
When he splashed the water it echoed, when he walked his footsteps echoed, but when he shouted nothing repeated. He felt so helpless. Nothing he did could help anybody. The tears continued to fall from his eyes as he cried a silent cry. He gave up. Stopped trying. It was useless to go on. He took one final breath before he dove in to the dark cold water. As he held his breath and continued to sink down he waited to lose consciousness. He was done trying, done caring, and done self-pitying. Nothing else mattered to him but the dark water and waiting for his existence to end.
Nothing happened. His eyes were still open and he could still see the surface where the door stood. He let out all the air in his lungs and breathed in water. There was still nothing. Confusion showed upon his face. What is going on? He thought to himself.
A figure stood by the door with the hands folded in front of them. This person knelt down by the water and reached out for the man sinking in the water. The man was shocked. He never saw anyone stand by the door before, and here was someone rescuing him from the dark waters. The person's hand touched his chest and grabbed his shirt. Next thing he knew he was lying on the pathway gasping for air even though he knew he inhaled water. His whole body was shivering uncontrollably. He didn't understand what was going on. He should have died where he didn't, and someone saved him who wasn't there before.
Why was I saved? Why did that person save me?
"Because it is not your time to die yet. There is someone out there who needs you, but first you have to walk through that door. I promise you will find peace on the other side."
He sat up from the ground and stood on his knees looking at the door. He was much closer this time he could almost touch it. He looked at the door with doubt in his eyes. "What if I fail?" He asked out loud.
"If you do, trust me. I will provide."
He took a deep breath in as he closed his eyes. Now wasn't the time to dwell on the past, but to look forward. As he exhaled, he opened his eyes and rose to his feet. He took two steps forward and reached out touching the doorknob.
"Alright. I will trust you."
