A Game of Heaven - Prologue. Prologue

'You’re dead.'

Gareth Hawthorne opened his eyes, squinting in the pure white of the space around him. He didn’t remember much, a step and a flash of pain before waking here. Wherever here was.

'You fought bravely in your life, and have earned your reward.'

A black door frame appeared a few steps away, a red door concealing what awaited on the other side.

'When you are ready, you may pass beyond to your heaven.'

Gareth blinked slowly, overcome by several thoughts. He glanced at his feet, realizing he was not standing on anything in particular. Memories seemed to float around his mind, but though he caught glimpses here and there, he was unable to grasp any solid idea of where he was, or even who he was.

The only absolute his mind could discern was the door before him.

Taking a tentative step, he moved closer to the portal. Reaching out with his hand, he felt the metal of the doorknob, neither cold nor warm. It turned in his palm with a barely audible click, and he slowly pushed forward.

A falling sensation overtook him, and then darkness.