I was in a bed of dirt, dust, and grime. I coughed up a fit because my lungs were so dry. This cough had woken me up from a nap I don't remember having. The grass I laid on was long since dead but the path ahead of me was as crimson as the shirt I was wearing, it was pellucid like glass and shined like diamonds, very much appealing to my eyes. One would say it was so pleasant to see it looked liked heaven. Almost made me forget how dead the ground looked.

Something else however, ruined the moment, my muscles were swore and aching with this very uncomfortable pain that had all shot up to my brain at once when I sat up. In a swift motion I had fallen back down, back on my back to a daze filled sight and the soft ringing in my ears. The turf of crimson continued to sway away from me while violet flower petals flew the complete other direction. Quite curious I thought...how could something be moving the opposite direction when the wind is currently swaying the other way. I wanted even for a second, to just rest and not think about how I got here or why I'm here but the ringing in my ears got worse with every minor movement I made and the pulsing pain in my skull only got more noticeable.

It was beginning to disrupt my train of thought more than the pain in my body was and at this time, I had completely forgotten about that pain. Slowly yet clumsily, I made my way to the field of crimson and petals. The atmosphere had changed completely the moment I set foot in the field, as if I had walked through a door into another room. The air was much thicker and much fresher, the sky from where I was standing looked just as red as the field with little to no clouds to be seen. I could see tall figures of luring mountains in the distance, shadowed by a vibrant yellow sun. It was indeed a pretty sight that sadly didn't last long. The ringing in my ears had not gotten any better and only continued to disturb me, I thought my ears would bleed if it didn't end soon. 

To make matters worse, I didn't know how I got to such a place in such a situation. I last remember talking to Ackerman and Braun, a tall blond man and a short raven haired male that was no older than I. I believe I had befriended them long before I finished highschool. A couple years before that in fact. We were speaking in my living room, I made us some tea, Braun spat a joke, I responded with another and that was all I could remember before I fell onto the ground.  Now here I am, walking through this field of red and the stench of brimstone my only company. As I walked, I noticed in the distance the very structure of the land began to falter. It became wavy like the sea and to my surprise calmed the ringing in my ears for a few seconds, then it came back, hammering deeper into my brain. Then in a few minutes, again it had left, then it came back softer, and then halted all together. I could once again hear more than the insufferable ringing in my ears. It was blissful. Too good to be true. The wave like ground sounded much like he sea and soon imitated it's movements. I kept walking, taking very cautious steps since my balance was faltering, as beautiful as this land was I had no intention to stay for long. Once I found a way to some civilization then and only then would I consider exploring more.

 In the meantime I couldn't help but marvel at this land and  every soothing breath it took. This place was beyond my imagination. The skies were too beautiful, if only I knew the words to describe this place. I don't know what it was that made me do it but I sat down, and just stayed there for who knows how long. As if under hypnothesis I couldn't budge matter how much I wanted to. I remember closing my eyes and just reminiscing, this was definitely written in a book I read once by and author who had passed away the he had published it. Unfortunate yes, but none the less one of my favorite books. Back to why I was so distracted, tired, and mellow, perhaps it was this sky? The sparking field? The blacked-out mountains maybe? I really didn't know. Usually, I was always getting my top prioritizes done first and my top priority was getting home. Remembering this, I finally stood up, and walked a little faster than before. 'I can't keep getting distracted' I said to myself. I said this over and over.

How long I had been walking I don't know, how far from my original resting place I don't know. Where would I get to some kind of destination, I had no idea.  Although I kept walking until I reached a cliff at supposedly the edge of this land. I gazed from the cliff I was on at the glistening sea surrounded by pom trees and broken canoes. The ground wasn't red anymore and it wasn't really ground either now that I think about it. It was fading nicely into a light pink sea to create a dusty beach and the sky merged with red on my side into the pure white on the other. Right at the border the two skies collided, and right at the border right at the border into a dark pink. The ground was below, just as I thought, was very wavy just like sea and not too far away from some pom trees was a canoe in good condition with two long paddles. I looked around for something to help get down there, but the hill was so steep and I was sure I would break my neck before I would be be half-way down. I tried going around finding where the cliff got smoother. To my luck, it did!

About a half a mile away from the canoes.

I had finally made my way down just to go back the other direction. My frustration was immesurable. I had made my way back and then with little effort got the canoe unhinged from the beach after grabbing a few coconuts from the trees. I set out to find someone, anyone, anything to help me find my way home. I got in the canoe and set off. The waves were quiet and calm for most of my journey. My pants however we're covered in dirt from the bottom to my knees. I really liked those pants. Anyway, about an hour on the boat I started to get thirsty. I took one of coconuts and tried to crack it open. Unlike normal coconuts, this kind was about as hard as a styrofoam cup. It opened easily and leaked this.. liquid I nonetheless drank.

It looked liked milk but it was very red in color, it smelt like cottage cheese, and tasted what I could only imagine the flavor of steel to be. It was distasteful yes, but it didn't cause any pain or discomfort to me. It was good to say the least actually but it was far from great. I actually half expected to pass out a few minutes after ingesting it.

Another long hour had passed, how I knew was by actually counting every second in my head. I started to imagine what I would find once I got to shore. I prayed to find a person, any person as to get even the slightest clue as to where I am. I began to come up with ideas. Was I dead? Is this heaven? Or a special place in He'll for people like me where I am left to be confused and lonely for all eternity? The slightest crash of waves woke me from deep thought. I felt an uneasiness immediately rise in my chest. 'The waves are getting anxious..' I thought. And as if God heard my thoughts I saw an island to take refuge in. Once my canoe had stopped ashore I took no time to hop out leaving those strange coconuts behind.

The wind got strong and blew strands of my hair out of my face. I'm a blond man I should have you know.

My eyes saw something when I looked back at the sea. Something I wish I had the liberty of forgetting. Something was in the water, it was black and practically emitted it's own white glow. I would have been astownded if I didn't see it's eyes. They were human like and stared dead at me. It huffed water out it's nostrils then sunk back into the water where I didn't see it again. For the time being.

Why it had frightened me so was the eyes. As I had mentioned. They looked strong and confident. It knew it saw right into my soul and stole any confidence I had in myself. It was so frighteningly beautiful. I stayed at the shore resting, and quite honestly waiting for it to return but, it never did. The pom trees behind me served as shelter for when unfortunately the rain would begin to pour. Thankfully, it was normal rain. Not something out of color or shape. Just normal rain. Or so I thought. I held out my hand to touch, since you should know I've always loved the rain. When I touched it however, it burned like Hell. My pulled my hand close and held it, almost crying as I did so. I haven't cried over anything in while let alone a slight burn. But this felt like what I'd imagine lava to feel like. Actual lava. The pom trees soon enough could help me no longer when holes started being punctured through. A drop landed on my left shoulder, another on my cheek. It hurt. I cannot stress this enough it hurt. I fleet like screaming. It didn't help when the downpour came down faster and harder. I ran for my canoe and flipped it over so I could use it as a shield. Gaining a few burns as I did so. I held out thankfully. Now that I think about it this literal acid rain must have been what damaged the other boats.

Now you can probably think of this a painful and slow way to die yes? I thought so too. That was until that beast came back. It rose from the sea like an angel. Mighty and threatening. I stared at it and it stared back. In a swift motion it knocked my shield far away from me. Lifted me up with it's long snot and raised me closer to the sky where I was exposed to this burning rain. One in particular fell on my eyebrow and cascaded down to my ear. I tried many times to get off but it quickly lifted me back up. It didn't matter how strong or fast I was, it was stronger and faster than me. As this was happening, I started to wonder...what was I being punished for? What had I done? Who had done this to me? As many questions I had asked myself up until this point there was one that lingered. Why?

The beast then gently put me down and shuffled quickly so it's body would be on the shore. It then hovered above me where the rain couldn't assault my face any longer. I heard the beast speak. "You wish to know why?" It echoed in a deep and menacing voice. I asked it, "Does the rain bother you?"

"It does not". It replied.

I laid underneath it, still and frankly a little afraid. After a few moments it spoke again to me. "You are here because you lived your whole life out of curiosity and questions. You are in this place, out of many places because this punishment suits you best". It's voice rang in my ears like the earlier ringing pain did. I snapped back at it, frustrated.

"Dying slowly?! Acid rain to peel my skin off? A lonely death in the middle if nowhere!!? What have I done? What is this place you speak of that is part of many places?" It hushed me before I could continue my rant.

"This place.." It began. "Is one of many unfathomable and deadly lands for which only a few have ever experienced." My head was spinning at this point. I held my head tightly. I hugged myself wishing it was your arms. I wished I was with you. Making you tea or watching a less deadly rain fall outside our window. Our perfect life together. You had gotten promoted yes? I wanted to congratulate you. Take you out to dinner and nightclub maybe. Sitting here now 

"You said I lived a life of curiosity and questions? My life surely isn't over!" I told it, confident that I had not died, I had not left you alone.

"You did it said. A quick death, a sudden death, a lonely death. And now here is where you shall remain. You woke in a crimson field correct?" The beast's voice softened only a little. I nodded at it's question. "Once this rain burns you to a crisp your soul shall return to that place and your memory will be lost. Forever forsaken to repeat this process since you are narrow minded I presume. You are smart, a genius maybe, but I can tell you'll never see beyond the loop on your own. You can wait in that field but you'll get bored. You can die out at sea but I will bring you to this island to finish you." The beast had finished speaking and when it did I could feel deep in my chest my heart shattering. I was dead. I was going to suffer forever. To this beast's words I wouldn't find a solution. A part refused to believe it. I tried to keep my composure, for you of course. However bit by bit I was breaking and before long I was crying. Just crying. Like a child that just received a scolding I was crying. I felt as if this shock alone would kill me. Thinking of a life without you would only kill me faster as I'd hoped. The beast must have noticed my faith slipping. It stared at me as I was screaming and crying. It must have looked like I throwing a tantrum.

"If you wish, you may send a letter. I understand you have someone among the living that you cared for." I had stopped all action immediately and pleaded with my eyes for pen and paper. It gave me such residing in the depths of it's mouth that I had to explore. It was hot and grimey in there. I hastely began writing. Before doing so I asked it. "Is this Hell?"

"No. Your soul never made it to God's judgment. I caught you before you ascended. Before you died I carried you here, with me. I'm sure you would've went to Heaven." Hearing this made my eyes water again.

"Why?" I asked it.

"Because like you humans, I enjoy to see others fall. I find it fascinating. As do you."

"We're not like th-" I didn't finish my sentence. The beast stared me down and with an unseen force I had shut up.

"Finish writing please" it said. And finished writing I did. What I'm writing you ask? This. This letter your reading now. The beast promised to send it back you. Whether it was years from now, in the same town, in the same country as you not I or the beast knew. But it did promise that it would get to you.

Well then...my love. The beast is retreating back to the sea. The rain already coming down on my legs. I feel it and like a slap to the face it was sudden and painful. I have to wrap this up now I guess. But I want you to know what happened to me. I love you dearest okay? I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I cannot say it enough times I love you.

Goodbye my darling Mike. Rest easy knowing I'll keep walking. Even if it's to the same fate.

Sincerely, Erwin Smith

Bad Ending_Till Death Do Us Part
{Did you get his letter?}