Todd Gilryn was an average guy until tragedy struck. Todd caused a car accident that put both himself and a young boy in a coma. While in a coma, Todd’s soul ended up in a purgatory state. Soon after arriving, Todd learned he must find the boy he put into a coma and save him from a demon that torments the people in this realm. However, Todd’s living will stated that he must be taken off life support in ten days. The clock is ticking and Todd must hurry in this race against a demon and time.
Finally, Todd arrived at the river’s edge.
“Would you like to cross?” asked the boatman.
“Yes, I would,” replied Todd.
“Then you will have to do two things to cross the river.”
“What?”
“First, you must stare into the river the whole way across. Then when we get to the other side you must drink one spoonful of the river water,” the boatman lifted a medium sized ladle out of a larger bucket.
“That’s it?” asked Todd suspiciously.
“That’s it.” Responded the boatman.
Todd got onto the raft prepared for almost anything. Would the river turn to rapids, or would it disappear and they would start falling. Todd figured if he made it over the bridge, he could make it across the river. Besides it looked like it was only about twenty feet across. Then Todd looked toward the other bank of the river and realized it was probably about two hundred feet away. How did that happen? he thought.
“Look down,” ordered the boatman.
Todd knelt down on the edge of the raft and looked over the side. Todd looked into the murky water and saw a few fish swimming playfully. This will be easy, he thought. Then the water started to change color. First it changed to deep red, like blood, then to black. Suddenly, Todd could see images in the water. The images were of war, and torture and human suffering.
“This is the world we dream of Todd,” said the boatman. “My master will convert your world to a true Hell. Happiness will be a thing of the past. I know, we know, you are here to stop him. We will make you see his awesome power first. You can always go back Todd. Close your eyes to the suffering of the world and this will all end for you. Continue on this journey and you will certainly be one of those who are slowly tortured for the rest of your life.”
As the boatman spoke, Todd continued to look into the water. He could see and hear people screaming, dying and begging for death. Small children were being stabbed by bigger kids; infants were being murdered at birth. Todd could not stand to see the images, but he knew that if his eyes closed all these things would come true.
“Join with us Todd. Join with us and you can work along side of my Master the way I do. His entrance into your world will be a glorious one.”
“God will stop him!” Todd argued.
“God will do nothing. Where is your God now as you suffer? Where is your God when humans are killing and brutalizing other humans? Your God will do nothing. Join with us and rule alongside of us. All you have to do is close your eyes and the pain for you will end.”
“No. My God is here. He gives me strength. It is because of him that I can bear to see this horror.”
The boat stopped. Todd was sweating. Tears began to stream from his eyes
“We’ve reached the other side. You fulfilled half of the bargain. Now you must drink from the river,” the boatman reminded.
Todd could still hear the screams of suffering and death coming from the river as the boatman reminded him of his promise.
The boatman dipped his small ladle into the water and pulled out a ladle that was ten times larger than the one that entered the bucket.
“You must drink now Todd,” ordered the Boatman. “You must taste the pain.”
The boatman lifted the ladle above Todd’s head with one hand and forced his mouth open with the other. The boatman poured the fiery hot liquid into Todd’s mouth. As the water ran down his throat, he felt sharp stabbing pains. Todd felt the burning of rage and torment. He felt hatred and anger ripping up his insides. As the last drop entered, he fell to the ground screaming in pain.
“This is the everlasting pain you will feel if you do not give up the fight. My Master has never been defeated and my Master will not let you beat him. You are small and weak. Join him. Spit the water up and the pain will end. You will be protected. You will be one of us. You will be a hero,” insisted the Boatman.
Todd’s lips sealed up even tighter. He didn’t even want to let one drop fall out of his mouth by accident. He knew he could beat this test. He knew he could stop this master. His body continued to writhe in pain. He felt his bones breaking and his muscles tearing. The pain was becoming almost unbearable when a thought finally occurred to him, “Where is God, now that I am suffering?” A second later, Todd swallowed the last of the water, and passed out. Soon after, the boatman disappeared, the river disappeared and Todd slept through the night.
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