†Heaven† - Part II

Anna is sitting in her chair beside Brandon's bed, as the machines around her beep. She is half dozing and half trying to read a book when there is a knock on the door. She raises her head from the book.

Anna: "Come in"

Anna watches as Ruben Ricardo Leon walks into the hospital room. She is pretty surprised by this. She did not expect Ruben to come visit.

Anna: "Ruben... Wha..what are you doing here?"

Ruben: "I came to see Brandon. I wasn't expecting to see you here after everything that has happened."

Anna: "Brandon and I have...been through a lot in the last few months and it has been very tough at times, but...it's Brandon. No-one else was going to sit here with him whilst he was like this."

Ruben: "Well...I have to say I am impressed with your commitment. After the way Brandon treated you, you have every right to just leave him to rot."

Anna: "Brandon and I have been through a lot together over the years. I couldn't let him go through this alone."

Ruben: "Look...there was another reason I came..."

Anna: "I figured... You and Brandon have never exactly been the best of friends, and I know you live in Texas. You didn't travel across two states to come and see a guy who you've never really got on with. Especially when he's in a coma."

Ruben: "Good point...I...I want to apologise. To Brandon, and...well, to you. Honestly, I wasn't expecting you to be here. This probably would have been easier to say if I had only had to say it to someone who I knew wasn't going to respond..."

Anna: "I don't understand. What do you think you have to apologise for?"

Ruben: "I feel like what I did when I cashed in the briefcase may have been the reason Brandon is in the state he is in right now. I want to apologise for that. I knew Brandon was fucked up, and, well, I took my chance anyway."

Anna: "Ruben. Brandon has been in a pretty bad way recently. As you know he's been abusing heroin and other drugs. I thought he had it under control but not long ago I found out that he had lost it. The night you cashed in your briefcase, Brandon had taken more heroin than I've ever known anyone to take. He knew in his own head that he wasn't right to compete, but he did anyway. That's no-one's fault but his own. Sure, getting kicked around the ring by you and Jason probably didn't help matters but it was his decision to get jacked up before going out and fighting and nobody else's. Don't blame yourself. I don't. And I know Brandon wouldn't either. Look, Ruben. You and Brandon have had some bad times in the past and for my part I've tried to stay out of it. That aside, I know that you aren't a bad guy, and I know that you wouldn't go out with the deliberate intention of putting anyone in a coma. You have nothing to apologize for."

Ruben: "Thanks, Anna. That means a lot. Do you mind if I stick around for a bit? It took a long time to get here so I might as well make the most of it."

Anna: "Please do. Honestly I could do with the company right now. Brandon's not much of a talker these days."

Anna smiled as Ruben laughed. He came and sat down beside her, as she pulled out her magazine and began to read it again. Her hand had not once left Brandon's. She swore she felt it grip her's tighter, but when she looked back at Brandon, he hadn't moved.

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Brandon followed God as they walked along the street. They approached an auto shop. God led Brandon into the shop.

Brandon: "Why is there an auto shop in Heaven?"

God: "Not everything in Heaven is free. Could you imagine if it was? It would be out of control. I try to keep Heaven similar to Earth. But with only good things."

God walked over to a car. Brandon could see two feet sticking out from underneath. God smacked his fist down on the hood of the car. Brandon watched as the person under the car rolled out, yelling something. As soon as he saw Brandon, he stopped. Brandon stared at him. Suddenly, he burst into smile.

Brandon: "Zach!"

Zach: "Brandon!"

Zach stood up and hugged Brandon. He hugged Zach back for what seemed like hours. Eventually, Zach broke away.

Zach: "So. You made it"

Brandon: "What do you mean, made it? You aren't surprised to see me?"

Zach: "Not really. You could say that I saw it coming"

Brandon: "I'm not following"

Zach: "Remember when you thought you saw me and talked to me last autumn?"

Brandon: "Yeah I remember. What about it?"

Zach: "Well, you actually did see me"

Brandon: "What?! How?!"

Zach: "Well, I broke a few rules. I was punished for it. But I had to"

Brandon: "What are you talking about Zach?"

Zach: "You ever wondered why you didn't get blown up by that bomb in your car? Why you weren't killed by the terrorists who attacked you at FTW HQ? Why you managed to stay alive the entire way through all your wars in Iraq, including the most recent?"

Brandon: "Good luck?"

Zach: "Well, on Earth you call it luck. In Heaven we call it a job well done"

Brandon: "Wait a minute! Guardian angels"

Zach: "You nailed it"

Brandon: "So you were my guardian angel since you died?"

Zach: "I have been ever since that day"

Brandon: "Zach, I'm so sorry"

Zach: "Sorry for what? Sorry that I made the stupidest mistake of my life? If anything, I'm glad it happened the way it did"

Brandon: "Why?"

Zach: "Because my stupid mistake only took my own life. If I had taken Anna or Mackenzie, or a pedestrian, I couldn't even imagine the pain I'd go through. I'm glad it was only me"

Brandon: "I've blamed myself for your death for my entire life"

Zach: "And I have no idea why. You were trying to talk sense into me. I wouldn't listen. You can't blame yourself for it. I have never blamed you for anything. Why do you think I wanted to be your guardian angel from the beginning?"

Brandon: "I guess. It's just hard, you know? No matter what people say, I couldn't believe them. I blamed myself for letting you get into that car"

Zach: "But you have to stop. As much as you don't realize it, that's what has been keeping you down for so long. You want to know the real reason you started doing drugs? Because you have never moved on"

Brandon: "How can you know that?"

Zach: "I'm a fucking angel. I know a lot"

Brandon: "True. I guess because I never actually heard it from you, I just couldn't accept it."

Zach: "Well, you've heard it from me. I've never had to forgive you, because I never blamed you for anything"

Brandon: "Thanks Zach. It means a lot to finally hear that"

Zach: "Well I mean it. You did everything you could to stop me from getting into that car. And your reaction to it was, well, idiotic"

Brandon: "Yeah, don't think I don't know that"

Zach: "I mean, come on dude. You left Anna. You were going to propose to her in a few months you know"

Brandon: "I was?!"

Zach: "Yeah. You were going to win the national football championships. And I mean you were going to win it. And then propose to her after the game. It was going to be the perfect life for you"

Brandon: "Well why didn't you stop me? Why couldn't you just somehow use your angel powers to convince me subconsciously to stay?"

Zach: "Oh Brandon. There's only so much we angels can do. I can't just make you do anything. What about freedom of choice? That's a real thing, we all have choices. The only thing I am able to is lead you in the right direction. But it's up to you whether or not you choose the right route. You know how many times I tried to lead you back to Anna?"

Brandon: "A lot? I know I had so many chances. I just was afraid to take the chance. Fear of failure I guess"

Zach: "I even had to break the rules a bit for you two to get back together. I knew that you wouldn't make the first move. I'm sorry Brandon, but you were a bit of a pussy in that sense. How hard was it to pick up the phone and call her?"

Brandon: "I know man. I was a pussy. What did you do?"

Zach: "I had to go find her guardian angel. Asked them to lead her to you. I figured that maybe you'd at least make the right choice. And low and behold, you did"

Brandon: "Who is Anna's guardian angel?"

Zach: "I can't tell you that. You'll have to find out yourself"

Brandon: "Why? I'm dead already"

Zach: "Sorry Brandon. That's just the rules I have to follow"

Brandon: "So you've seen everything that I've ever done?"

Zach: "I try to stay away from your more personal stuff. So no, I've never watched you and Anna fuck. Don't worry"

Brandon: "Oh. Okay, I wasn't sure if angels were allowed to do that"

Zach: "We're allowed if God trusts us. But most of us don't, just because it's not our business to be there, you know? We're supposed to watch over and protect you. No need to watch all of your personal business"

Brandon: "Yeah. I guess. So I need to ask you one thing"

Zach: "I couldn't stop your drug use"

Brandon: "How did you know I was going to ask that?"

Zach: "Dude, I've been an angel for a decade. I know what I'm doing"

Brandon: "Yeah, I guess. But so, you couldn't stop me? You couldn't have even prevented it?"

Zach: "Nope. Not allowed. Those were all choices. I tried to lead you away from it. But I can only do so much. In the end, the drugs were ruling over you. I had nothing left that I could do. Angels can only do so much to protect people. There is a point of no return, and you were at it. You can only tempt fate for so long Brandon."

Brandon: "I should have known. But I was addicted. I just couldn't help it."

Zach: "I know. That's why it was so sad to see you on your downhill slope. Because I knew you would die. And I couldn't stop. I debated breaking the rules again, but I barely got away with it last time. There was no way I could do it again"

Brandon: "Wow. So what is life as an angel like?"

Zach: "Very spiritual. And very similar to regular life. I've worked at this auto-shop for my entire life here. When I'm not watching over you, I'm working here. Or playing football."

Brandon: "Is there....you know...here?"

Zach: "You can have sex. Only problem is that Mackenzie is the only girl I've ever loved. It's harder to fuck an angel than you think. Especially when your girlfriend is alive still. You won't be able to do it"

Brandon: "How do you know?"

Zach: "Because you love Anna way too much to cheat on her. Even if you are dead and she isn't. You'll wait until she dies. I know you Brandon. More than you know yourself. It's a perk of being a guardian angel"

Brandon: "But I've been sleeping with Alison for the last few weeks"

Zach: "You weren't sleeping with Alison. Heroin was sleeping with Alison. Brandon was nowhere to be found. You can't cheat if you're sober Brandon. You just love Anna too damn much"

Zach was right and Brandon knew it. He really did love Anna. He could never see himself with another girl. Alison was amazing, and made for a good friend and possibly threesome buddy. But he could never see himself sleeping with her alone again. He really did love Anna that much. She meant the world to him.

Brandon: "You're right. I do love her"

Zach: "I know I'm right."

Brandon: "So what should I do?"

Zach: "Wait for her. Time flies in Heaven. You'll see her again in no time"

Brandon: "So does this not break any rules? I mean, you're my guardian angel, and you're talking to me"

Zach: "Well, you're dead, so technically no. It is weird to hear isn't it?"

Brandon: "Yeah, very. Is this how you felt when you learned who your guardian angel was?"

Zach: "Exactly. So don't worry. It's a normal feeling."

Brandon: "How do I become a guardian angel?"

Zach: "For Anna?"

Brandon: "Yes"

Zach: "That's God's job. He assigns and moves around guardian angels. But being her husband, and knowing God, I'm sure he'll give you her in no time. Just be patient. He doesn't do it too fast. Not until you learn Heaven"

Brandon: "Do you think I can do it?"

Zach: "Well, I do know that God has some pretty big plans for you right now"

Brandon: "Big as in how?"

Zach: "Well, I can't really say anything. Just make sure you take care of Anna when you get back"

Brandon: "Get back. Get back where?"

Zach: "Oh dear. I've said far too much already. I have to go Brandon"

Brandon: "Wait, Zach, tell me!"

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Anna was reading a new magazine now. Ruben had left the other day. It was Sunday now, the day of Ragnarok. The monitor that Brandon was attached to was still beeping normally. She had been instructed to yell if it changed at all. So far so good. Suddenly, she heard another knock at the door.

Anna: "Come on in"

Anna looked up at the door and watched as Nick Ridicule walked into the room. She was surprised, because Ragnarok started in only a few hours, and was in Idaho. Yet here was Nick, in Arizona.

Anna: "Don't you have a wrestling event to be at?"

Nick: "That can wait. I came to see Brandon"

Anna: "Well, here he is. There's not much to see here. He's been lying like this for the last two weeks. Hasn't moved. Doctors say that he's mentally and physically fine. But he's just not waking up. Ashley thinks that he's having some sort of out of body experience"

Nick: "Ashley came to visit?"

Anna: "Yeah, she stopped by the other day. Just to talk to me quickly. Do you two still talk?"

Nick: "We had a bit of a falling out, I guess you could say. Our relationship was always a sinking ship, just waiting to go completely under. She sent me under. I gave up on it a long time ago"

Anna: "So now you're alone?"

Nick: "Yeah. I'm trying to get my life sorted out. I've done a lot of things in the past that I regret. So I'm just trying to get through with all that. Brandon was one of them"

Anna: "I thought you two made up? I saw you guys on TV at the Mavericks Heat game two. You looked like best buddies."

Nick: "Yeah. Well, I felt bad. I tried to talk him out of using heroin. So many times. I've done it before, so I know what it can do. I went through the exact same thing as Brandon. So I tried to help him. I feel like it was almost my fault. If I hadn't blamed him for everything in the NLWF, done everything that I did, then this would have never happened"

Anna: "Nick, please, don't. It wasn't your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. It just happened. Brandon did what he did by his own choice. It was no one else's doing."

Nick: "I know. I just feel bad. I wasn't as good a friend as I should have been. And now it's too late"

Anna: "He still might wake up"

Nick: "But he might not. And if he doesn't, I'll be devastated. The last thing I ever said to him was insulting the Dallas Mavericks for being down so much"

Anna: "Yeah, and they won."

Nick: "I know. It makes it even worse"

Anna: "I'm sure deep down, wherever Brandon was under the drugs, he knew you were meaning well. He knows that you're sorry, and he forgives you, even though you have done nothing wrong."

Nick: "Thanks Anna. I really hope he wakes up soon"

Anna: "You and me both"

Nick walked over and grabbed Brandon's other hand, and patted him on the shoulder.

Nick: "Wish me luck buddy. I'm winning this match for you"

Nick turned around and began to walk out of the hospital room. He turned back to Anna.

Nick: "Im sorry for everything I did. I really am. Especially to you Anna. I hope you forgive me"

Nick turned and left the room before Anna had a chance to answer. She sighed, and put her head down on Brandon's chest, listening to his heart beat. She could hear it beat, and it was a strange heartbeat. Even though the monitor said it was normal. Suddenly it became normal again. She shrugged, and lay her head back down on his chest, and closed her eyes.

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Brandon watched as Zach waved goodbye, before moving underneath the car again. He slid under all the way. Brandon looked under the car, and was shocked to find that there was nobody there anymore. He stood up and turned around, right into God.

God: "Enjoy your talk?"

Brandon: "Yeah, until the ending"

God: "I thought as much"

Brandon: "Maybe you can shed some light on my situation?"

God: "If it's light you ask for....then let there be light"

Brandon felt a bright spotlight shine down on him from the sky, blinding him. He covered his eyes and laughed.

Brandon: "I didn't know God was such a joker"

God: "I try to have fun as much as I can. Try to stay up with all the jokes. It's hard when you've been alive well, for forever."

Brandon: "I'll bet. Must be boring"

God: "Not as much as you'd think. Surprisingly, I get a lot done"

Brandon: "So now what?"

God: "Well, I have something I need to talk to you about"

Brandon: "Whats-"

Brandon stopped mid sentence. Something had caught his eye. Well, not just something. Someone. Someone who was walking around aimlessly. As if he was lost. Brandon watched as he walked right through a building. He didn't even seem to realize it. Brandon had recognized the man from the moment he spotted him. And he could not believe it

Brandon: "You're kidding me"

God: "I am not"

Brandon: "Please tell me how Brenton Cyrus made it into Heaven?"

God: "Ah. See, that is the beauty of it. There is no Hell. There is only Heaven"

Brandon: "Well then what about the people who do the shittiest of things?"

God: "Like Brenton?"

Brandon: "Well, he did claim to be you"

God: "Yeah, he wasn't very good. But no one is terrible. Besides, they get less in Heaven"

Brandon: "What do you mean?"

God: "You see how Brenton is just sort of wandering around, walking through things, and not really knowing where he's going?"

Brandon: "Yeah, I see it"

God: "That's because he doesn't see any of it. All he sees is a giant white area. It's white that just goes on forever. It never ends. He can walk around for infinity, and never see anything"

Brandon: "I think that's worse than hell"

God: "The good thing is, he can earn his way out of it. By showing remorse, he can begin to see again. Most people get out of it eventually. I'm sure Brenton will soon enough. He has a good side to him too"

Brandon: "Can he see us?"

God: "Only if we approach him to talk to"

Brandon: "Can I talk to him?"

God: "If you must"

Brandon slowly began to walk over towards Brenton, who looked confused as he continued to walk around. Brandon walked up behind him.

Brandon: "Brenton"

Brenton turned around and looked at Brandon. He smirked when he saw him.

Brenton: "So this is Heaven huh? Pretty disappointing"

Brandon: "Not for everyone. I see things differently"

Brenton: "How so?"

Brandon: "Well, for examples, you're standing in the middle of a wall right now. It's kind of weird"

Brenton moved forward out of the wall

Brenton: "Better?"

Brandon: "Much. But yeah. I see things differently than you."

Brenton: "I guess I need to start praying or something"

Brandon: "Yeah. Something like that. You'll figure it out"

Brenton: "I'm sure I will. Although I kind of feel like I deserve this"

Brandon: "You do?"

Brenton: "Yeah, well, I wasn't the greatest guy when I was alive, as you may have noticed"

Brandon:" Speaking of which, how did you die?"

Brenton: "Long story"

Brandon: "We have literally nothing but time"

Brenton: "I was on Showtime. I was supposed to join The Chosen. It was all just a clever ruse by that piece of shit Corey Casey. I went out for a match, and they attacked me. After the match, which they interfered in, Death Angel jumped on a chair that was wrapped around my head. I could basically feel the life being sucked out of me. The last living memory that I have was Corey wrapping something around my neck. Then I was here. Figured I was dead"

Brandon: "Well, you got that right. We're both dead"

Brenton: "Funny how little you appreciate life until it's gone eh?"

Brandon: "I threw my life away with drugs. How much I regret it now"

Brenton: "I wasted so much of my life fighting. Hell, the last human interaction I had before being killed was an argument"

Brandon: "With who?"

Brenton: "Alison"

Brandon: "Damn. I bet that didn't go over well"

Brenton: "Haven't you been with her the last few weeks?"

Brandon: "Well, the drugs in me have. But yes, I guess you could say that"

Brenton: "I hope you didn't get really attached to her"

Brandon: "I didn't. I was so high out of my mind with her. I really like her, but I don't love her. Why?"

Brenton: "Because I thought I loved her. And she broke my heart. That's all Alison does. She had a terrible life before becoming a wrestler, and she isn't going to change. She ruined me"

Brandon: "Well, I'm sure she didn't mean to. Alison is a bit, different, than some girls. A bit harder to deal with"

Brenton: "You can say that again. She is a mother, and is the least responsible mother I know"

Brandon: "She's actually better than you think"

Brenton: "Is she?"

Brandon: "I lived with her for the few weeks because Anna kicked me out. I saw her around Claire. She was a great mother. I tried to be somewhat of a father for her, but again, I was high out of my mind most of the time. So I wasn't much"

Brenton: "Wow. I feel like shit now"

Brandon: "Why?"

Brenton: "When I was arguing with Alison, I accused her of being a horrible mother. I called her a self-centered whore."

Brandon: "I'm sure you were just angry. She knows that you didn't mean it"

Brenton: "How can you be sure?"

Brandon: "Because Alison is smarter than most people think. I bet she was devastated when she found out you died."

Brenton: "You think?"

Brandon: "She really liked you Brenton. She liked me for my dick. But when she talked about you, her whole body language changed. She really did like you Brenton. She may have even loved you"

Brenton: "Then why did she cheat on me? With my best friend?"

Brandon: "You probably know more about her childhood than I do. But I think it's just Alison's way to cope. Like, when my best friend died, I ran away, and fought. Fighting people was my way of dealing with my loss, with my hard times. I didn't particularly enjoy it. But it was just what I did. I think Alison is the same way. She sleeps around, because it helps her cope. I don't know how, and I don't know why. I don't think anyone but her does either. But that's just what I think"

Brenton: "I should have been a better father. I should have stuck with her. I feel like shit. And now it's too late. I'm dead. And the other man in Alison's life right now is dead too. Both of us are gone, and Alison has no one now. How is she going to survive? How is she going to do anything?"

Brandon: "Brenton, she needs help. But not human help. She needs someone who can always be there for her. To watch over her. Someone who loves her. You love Alison Brenton. You know it, I know it, and Alison knows it. You just have to accept it"

Brenton: "You're right. I do love her. I can't believe that she's gone. That I'm gone. It was too early. I could have been a great father. I could have been a great husband. We could have gotten married Brandon. I loved her so much"

Brandon: "Look around you Brenton. What do you see?"

Brenton slowly began to look around. Brandon begged in his mind for this to work. It did.

Brenton: "I...I see buildings. There's a park. People everywhere. So this is what you see, isn't it?"

Brandon: "It is. You know what this means?"

Brenton: "That I've been accepted into Heaven?"

Brandon: "That you've shown remorse. You've realized everything that you've done, and you regret it. You wish you could go back and change everything. But you can't. But just that realization has allowed you into Heaven"

Brenton: "What do I do now?"

Brandon: "You truly love Alison right?"

Brenton: "I do. With all my heart"

Brandon: "Watch over her. Be her guardian angel. Make sure her life goes smoothly, as a mother. Make sure Claire's life goes well. You can do it Brenton. It is the only thing you have left to do"

Brenton: "How do I become a guardian angel?"

God: "By doing exactly what you just did"

Brandon looked over at God, who was standing beside him, smiling at Brenton. He held out his hand.

God: "Hello Brenton. I'm God. Welcome to Heaven"

Brenton took his hand and shook it. He smiled and laughed.

Brenton: "I'm sorry for pretending to be you"

God laughed

God: "That's okay Brenton. Your remorse is apology enough for me. It was actually quite funny to watch as you did it"

Brenton: "Well, what can I say?"

God: "That you promise to watch over Alison Williams and her daughter Claire for as long as they are alive? That you will take care of them, and follow all the duties as the guardian angel?"

Brenton: "I do, but I don't know what my duties are"

God: "You're an angel now. You'll know. Trust me"

Brenton: "Thank you Lord. I promise that I will do everything in my power to keep Alison and Claire safe"

God: "Good man. I know you will be great. As for you Brandon"

Brandon: "What about me?"

God: "Did you expect to be able to make Brenton feel remorse so quickly?"

Brandon: "Well, I mean, sort of. I went over to talk to him with the goal to get him accepted into Heaven fully. And as the conversation went on, I knew that it was going to happen. I don't know how, I just knew"

God: "What if I told you that I didn't expect Brenton to feel remorse for nearly a decade?"

Brandon was shocked to hear this. God expected something to happen that Brandon did in ten minutes? What did this mean?

Brandon: "I..umm...I...you know..."

God: "Speechless. I understand. Brandon, don't you see what you've done here? You successfully made a man who had no signs of remorse feel remorse in an extremely short amount of time. With relative ease too. Brenton, how do you feel right now?"

Brenton: "After talking to Brandon, I feel a lot better. You knew exactly what to say"

Brandon: "Well, I was just trying to help."

God: "Brandon. There's a reason that you haven't felt totally accepting towards Heaven. There's a reason that you've felt that people know more than they are letting on"

Brandon: "Can you tell me?"

God: "Because you aren't dead"

Brandon looked at him. His heart nearly stopped.

Brandon: "Excuse me?"

God: "You died. And that was how I got my access to you. But paramedics brought you back to life. I used all the power that I could to keep you in a coma, so that I could have this meeting with you. So that I could see all of these things. So that I could be sure"

Brandon: "Be sure of what?"

God: "That you are my son"

Brandon froze in his place. Did he hear what he thought he just heard?

Brandon: "Your son? I'm sorry, but isn't Jesus your son?"

God: "Jesus of Nazareth was merely a man, who had a spirit in him. A spirit so great, but just needing to be unlocked. Fortunately, it was easy to unlock him. I tried so hard, Zach tried so hard to unlock him in you. In the end, we learned that only you could unlock the spirit of Christ inside of you. Which is why I brought you here. I knew that you could unlock it if you came here. I was right"

Brandon: "So I'm your son? How did you not know that before?"

God: "I make everything. But there are some things that are out of my control. That is one of the few. Don't you understand Brandon? You are the Christ, the second coming. You are the one who will be sent back to Earth, to rid it of sin."

Brandon: "I...I can't believe this is happening."

God: "Believe it. But I can tell Brandon. You've known this all along, haven't you?"

Brandon thought about it. Somehow, he did. Just thinking back now, he had a sudden realization of it all. He couldn't believe that this was happening. But it was. And for some reason, he was not surprised.

Brandon: "I don't know how, I don't know why. But I have. I can't explain it"

God: "Exactly. Brandon. You are the Son of God. The Christ. Are you ready to return to Earth?"

Brandon: "But how can I return to Earth? After seeing all that I have seen here?"

God: "My son, that is exactly how it supposed to be. You have the knowledge now. The experience. Go now! Spread the word of the Lord Brandon! It is in your hands now!"

Brandon looked over at Brenton, who was staring awkwardly at the ground.

Brandon: "What about Brenton?"

God: "I'm sorry. But his path lies here. Not there"

Brandon: "But if you can send me back, why can't you send him?"

God: "Because he is not you. Brandon, it can be only you"

Brandon turned and looked at Brenton. He walked over to him and hugged him tightly.

Brandon: "I will tell Alison everything that you told me. I will look after her. And I know that I'll see you alongside of me, looking after her. I promise you. I will help take care of Alison, and your beautiful baby"

Brenton: "Thank you Brandon. Do something else for me"

Brandon: "What's that?"

Brenton: "Go back to the IWF. Stop The Chosen. Don't let anyone else end up like me. Please"

Brandon: "Of course Brenton. I'll do it. I'll stop them"

Brandon let go of Brenton, and extended his hand. Brenton shook it and smiled, a few tears falling from his eyes. Brandon reached over and wiped them for him.

Brandon: "Don't cry Brenton. Alison will be okay. Claire will be okay. You will be okay. Everything will turn out alright"

Brenton: "Thank you Brandon. Thank you so much"

Brandon watched as Brenton faded from his sight. He looked down at his hand. Brenton's was slowly dissolving in it, until there was nothing left. Brandon looked around. He seemed to be falling down, back towards where he presumed Earth to be. He heard a voice calling out to him

God: "The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. . . . They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. . . . I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened."

Brandon felt himself falling. He could hear what sounded like a trumpet sound loudly around him. Lightning struck around in the sky. He fell and fell, until he felt like he hit something hard. He hit, and he opened his eyes.

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Anna opened her eyes. Her head was still resting on Brandon's chest. She must have fallen asleep. She was still holding onto Brandon's hand. She sat back up. Suddenly, she heard a loud sound in her ears, that sounded like a trumpet. She covered them as the sound pierced her eardrums. Suddenly, the sound stopped. Lightning struck outside, and the loud sound of thunder was heard. Anna turned her head. It hadn't been raining at all today. And suddenly, there was a massive storm. She turned back towards Brandon, and saw him sitting up, eyes open. Her jaw dropped.

Anna: "BRANDON!"

Brandon looked over at Anna and smiled. He hugged her tightly, as she jumped on him.

Brandon: "Hi Anna"

Anna: "Oh my god, I can't believe you're alive"

Brandon: "You didn't think I would pull through?"

Anna: "I knew you would pull through. I prayed every day"

Brandon: "Trust me, your prayers were heard."

Anna hugged him tighter again.

Anna: "Oh Brandon, I'm so sorry I left you. I'm so sorry about everything"

Brandon: "Anna. Do not be sorry for what you have done. For it was I who was in the wrong. I was the sinner. You did all that you could, and you did it out of love for me. And I understand that. I cannot forgive you, because you have done nothing wrong"

Anna: "You sound different. Less drug-addicted maybe"

Brandon: "Perhaps that is it"

Anna: "Okay, well we have to wait for the doctors to come and check you out. They'll probably want to talk bout you dealing with withdrawal and stuff"

Brandon: "Nonsense. God has absolved me of my sins. There is no need for any rehab for me. I have God's work to do"

Anna: "You sound like a changed man"

Brandon: "It's a long story, which I can explain to you in a bit. But you're right. I am a changed man. And I need you by my side Anna. Will you be my stone, my pillar, the rock on which I build my church?"

Anna: "Of course I will. I will never leave you again"

Brandon: "Nor I to you. Come, we must go to Ragnarok"

Anna: "That's in like, two hours. We need to catch a plane"

Brandon: "Then we best get moving"

Brandon grabbed Anna's hand and she helped him out of bed. Brandon was surprised that he felt so normal. Not only was he not showing any signs of having been in a coma for two weeks, but he didn't even feel different about being the Son of God, like he was told he was. But somehow, even though he didn't feel any different, he just knew he was different. As if a thought was placed in his mind during that coma. Brandon smiled as he looked around the hospital. Out of the corner of his eye, he swore he saw Zach standing there, angel wings and all, smiling.