A Land of Dreams

Authors’ note from the desk of Maverick and Cloud Cutter: This is a sanctioned spinoff of Kickass22urmom’s Living the Dream. We thank him for allowing us to use his universe in our story. We hope you enjoy this story as much as we enjoyed his story.

With that out of the way please enjoy the story.

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A Land of Dreams?

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“This is the way the world ends,
This is the way the world ends,
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but with a whimper”

~T.S. Elliot

Breathing became more difficult with each step I took, but I had to keep going it was the only way I’d make it alive. The pain, God the pain in my side was unbearable, causing each ragged breath to be agonizing. I looked down at my hand which was covered in blood. I couldn’t go much farther like this. The footsteps behind me were getting louder, I fell to my knees. There was no use in trying to run anymore, suddenly the crowd began chanting the countdown to midnight.

'10, 9, 8, 7, 6...'

"Good" I heard one of my pursuers say "We'll use the fireworks as cover." Man this is it...

'5, 4, 3...'

*Click, Click*

He pulled the hammer on his gun, a grin on his face all the while. This was probably fun for him.

'2’

He tensed, slowly pulling on the trigger ready to let loose the deadly projectile.

‘1...’

~~~~~~~~~~~~

12 hours earlier

~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What is a four letter word for car manufacturer?” I asked.

The waiter sighed “Ford? sir.”

“Ah yes of course my dear sir, thank you.” I said in my best holmesian accent.

“Sir would you like more coke?” The waiter asked impatiently.

“Oh yeah go ahead, fill her up!” He looked at me funny, not used to the way I talk. I thought about it and realized that this was my third refill so far.

I was waiting for my brother Anthony. You see he had invited me to New York to celebrate the 2012 End of the year party...

~~~~~

Flashback!!!

~~~~~

“Hey Vinny long time no talk.” Anthony had called me just the other day, but it didn’t bother me. He doesn’t call that often anyway.

“Yah it’s been a while, so why are yah callin‘?” I said questioningly he never calls unless he wants something.

“Well you know the 2012 End of the year party?” He said.

One of my friends had told me that almost all of New York was gathering in time square to watch the ball fall, like it does on New Year’s Eve, but for the supposed ‘end of the world’ mumbo jumbo. I wasn’t really interested in it.

“Yeah what about it? You know I don’t believe in the world exploding and all that.” I said.

“Oh I know, but hey why don’t you come up to New York and spend some time with your big brother eh? Maybe a few drunk girls?” He suggested.

I immediately thought of a nightclub, drunk girls dancing around me, while the song ‘Sexy and I know it’ playing. “Well I could use a vacation…” I said, trying not to sound desperate.

“That’s great so why don’t you pack your stuff and get up here?” He said, but there was a slight difference in the tone of his voice. Not so much happily inviting as before, but more of a slight pleading. I checked my wallet seeing the only bit of cash I had left, $20 I still didn’t have a job yet. I lost the last one I had at McDonalds a week ago. Apparently they don’t like it when you throw a burger at a customer’s face because he changed his order 5 freaking times

“I don’t have the money to spend a week in New York.” I mentioned, hoping it would count as a good excuse for not going.

“Hey don’t worry I’ll take care of everything just get up here it’ll be life changing!”
He said, sounding even more anxious

“Ha-ha I bet.” Dang looks like I’m going. “Yah I’m tired of this heat. But I won’t be able to pay you back for a while.” I tried this again, but i already knew what he would say.

Without missing a beat he replied “Forgeddaboudit it’s already taken care of, Just get your ass off the couch and get the hell up here and have some fun! I’ll talk to you soon, got some business to take care of.”

*Click*

He hung up before I could even ask, but who cares I get a FREE trip to NEW FREAKING YORK. Yeah I’m going to have a good time! Well it’s time to party like Pinkie
Pie Woohoo!

~~~~~

Now back to reality {AWW…..}

~~~~~

(In case you didn’t know the party had been going on for days. This party was huge, I mean gigantic! Pinkie Pie would have a tough time throwing a better party...... well maybe not.)

I looked over at my watch, a present from my brother, it’s been like 45 minutes. I ain’t waiting for him much longer. You know what he’s probably at home, hung over or something he was always partying at the clubs, and places like that. I grabbed my coat off the back of the chair and started off down the street amazed by the height of these buildings, and the street entertainment around me.

There was this one pizza place along the way, Alonzo’s pizza; it smelled so good I had to stop there for a while. I had to try it, so I grabbed myself a slice or two. Anyways, once I got back to my mission I tried calling my brother for the fifth time today. He still wouldn’t answer my calls. He never does.

Well I eventually made it to his apartment building, I saw his name on the list and I buzzed, but he didn’t answer. I waited a second and tried again, but he didn’t respond.

Well he’s still going to pay for all this even if he doesn’t join me. I checked the time suddenly my phone started ringing, it was my brother, finally! I quickly answered “Hey I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all day!”

“If you want to see your brother again come to 590 LUIS MUNOZ MARIN BOULEVARD, JERSEY CITY.”

*Click*

What?! Why would my brother be in trouble like this? I have to save my brother no matter what it cost, besides who was going to pay for my trip?

~~~~~

It took me almost an hour to get to the address. Traffic was backed up because of the party in time square. I said goodbye to the cab driver and gave him a 5 dollar tip. The address turned out to be an old gas station in Jersey, why Jersey? The gas station was run down, and decrepit, no one had probably been here for years. It was creepy to even stand near the thing, and it looked like it could fall at any second. “Well where is this guy? I’m here; at least I think I’m at the right place…”

I suddenly felt like someone was behind me. I heard the sounds of hard breathing behind me then a voice said “Yeah you’re at the right place kid.” The last thought that went through my mind was I knew it was a freaking trap. Wait is that a bat?

*WHACK*

My legs went all wobbly, my vision started to go black as I slipped into unconsciousness.

~~~~~

Man that guy hit me hard! Oh man where am I? I looked around. I was in this room; I was surrounded by complete darkness except for a lone light shining on a metal door. I approached the door cautiously then as I neared the door I saw two buttons, one a bright white light, and the other a dull blood red. An elevator? Hmm I guess I’ll go up then I pressed the white button and the doors silently slid open. I walked in and the doors closed quickly behind me, then

*Whoosh*

The elevator shot upward.

I always hated that feeling you get when you’re in an elevator. The elevator stopped abruptly and I felt like I was going to be launched into the air but only an extreme sense of lightheadedness came over me.

The door slid open and I stumbled out into another room, this one was partially lit by a single skylight far above me. This skylight lit an area in front of me, casting a shadow in the shape of some kind of animal, but I couldn’t figure out.

“COME INTO THE LIGHT.” I heard a booming voice say.

Nearly frozen in terror I slowly walked into the circle of light as I was told. Suddenly images started flashing before my eyes, these images started off with all the good memories that I had had as a child and young teenager hanging out with my friends, and all the good things in my life, but soon they started to shift to the darker side of my mind. The part of my mind that contained all my nightmares, and memories of all the sins I have ever committed it became too much for me and I fell to my knees screaming in horror as I realized the wrongs that I have done. I began to hear voices speaking amongst my memories “I don’t deserve this! I’m guilty and I’m sorry!” I yelled at the top of my lungs, but the memories kept flashing before me. Man I had a lot of them, finally the memories stopped, but I couldn’t stand I just stayed there on my knees face down sobbing quietly.

“GET UP.” the voice boomed again.

I had no choice. The voice was so commanding, I obeyed. I stood slowly, my eyes full of tears and my voice shaky

“Wh-What’s going on?” no reply “Please what is happening to me?”

“YOU HAVE BEEN JUDGED…NOW GO.”

“Judged for what? Why am I being judged?”

“BE PREPARED VINCE, YOU WILL FACE HARDSHIP, BUT YOU MUST REMEMBER I AM ALWAYS WITH YOU. NOW NO MORE QUESTIONS…YOU MUST GO.”

A light turned on across the room illuminating another metal door. As I neared I saw it was another elevator but with only one button, a bright white triangle pointing down. “I guess I’ll go down” I pressed the button and the doors silently slid open. I stepped inside and

*Whoosh*

~~~~~~~~~~~~

(One hour after I went unconscious)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I shot awake. I looked around. I was in a daze as the world rang around me. Noises were muffled, lights seemed blinding, I couldn’t focus on them, every light that I looked at produced an enormous migraine. I tried to make out my surroundings. Where was I? A bar? A club? Everything seemed so fuzzy.

Then this guy walked in, it was the same guy from the gas station, the one who knocked me out! He started shouting at me, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying, everything was muffled, like I was underwater. Anger began to swell within me and I tried to stand up and get at him, but my body wouldn’t respond I looked down at my legs. They were duct taped to the chair legs, and my arms were tied to the chair behind me. The man then slapped me in the face. Everything finally started to come back into focus.

“Damn kid, you must have some demons”

My attacker said shaking his fat head. The man was tall relatively speaking probably about 6 feet tall with a buzzed haircut. He still carried the bat that he used to knock me out; there was blood on it, my blood. He wore a leather jacket that was too small on him, making me think that he probably stole the jacket from someone. His khaki pants were stained with spots of red. From across the room I heard another voice.

“Well well, looks like the princess beauty is finally awake.” This new voice said mockingly.

This voice was new; I guess he walked in while I was distracted by the other guy. He wore a black business suit that was unbuttoned with a white shirt underneath. He had slicked back hair. He had an air of composure about him, confidence and pride oozed from him. Even with all of this he seemed different somehow. There was something off about the way he smiled. His smile had this animal like quality it’s hard to explain. It was comforting while scary, inviting while despising, you want to be around him but you can’t stand him. And his eyes, I can't even describe his eyes; it was like they were looking into your soul forcing you to do whatever he said.

“Uh boss, I think it’s Sleeping Beauty.” *SLAP* The man in the suit whacked Buzz Cut in the face with the back of his hand leaving a red mark where he had hit him, a small cut appeared on his cheek, a cut caused by the man's ring. It was square, and had a large diamond “C” emblazoned in the middle of the ring.

“Does it look like I really care what you think!?” It was apparent that this man hated the other. He only wanted to get the job done without having to deal with a bumbling baboon like this guy.

“But boss” *SLAP* the fat guy held his cheek whimpering. The Suit apparently had no tolerance for the fat man.

“Just, shut up Bugs” The boss was rubbing his temples. It looked like he was on the verge of killing the man simply due to the annoyance that he has brought him. But he still needed him. “Untie this man; I need to talk to him about his job”

“My job? What job?” I said, sounding slightly more frightened than I wanted to allow.

The man he called Bugs untied me from the chair, backed away, and went to sit in one of the booths. I rolled my wrists and rubbed the sore spots. How long was I out?

“Follow me kid. I’ve got something to show you.” We walked to the other side of the bar, and through a swinging door behind it. On the other side was a man slumped over in a chair…my brother or at least I assumed it was my brother. It was hard to tell because he had a burlap sack over his head to hide his face. He was bruised and bloody, his right leg was broken from where a baseball bat had made contact before. He had razor cuts all over his arms and chest. Blood still flowed from some of his wounds, blood that had been scattered by multiple swings of a bat. He was in bad condition.

“Your brother is in a bit of trouble with the family, and you’re the one who’s going to get him out of it.” I didn’t like where this was headed, but I had no choice I couldn’t let them kill him. He was supposed to pay for my trip.

The boss started talking “OK kid you need to deliver a very important package, to a guy in Grand Central Station by 9:30 P.M. When you do this and we get confirmation that he has received the package we’ll let your brother go.” I looked at the man in the chair. My brother, motionless. I’ll get you out of this bro I silently vowed to myself “Ok I‘ll do it as long as he is released as soon as I deliver the package“I said pure hatred in my voice, but all I could do was comply

“Good, we have a deal then? Here take this” He handed me a picture of the guy who was supposed to receive the package. He wore a blue business suit with a yellow undershirt (gee he didn't stick out at all, well then again it was New York) I shrugged and put the picture in my pocket “and of course the package.” He handed me a simple silver Attaché case with a number lock on the side of it. The case weighed a ton, 25 pounds at least. “Now you might want to hurry I hear there’s quite a bit of traffic, and you don’t have much time.” With that I took one more glance at my brother, and then I turned for the door. I ran out and began hurrying for Grand Central Station.

“Boss when do we follow him?” Bugsy said an evil smile forming on his face

“Give him a few minutes. Then we’ll have our fun” The suit said in his comfortingly corrupt voice.
He went back through the door behind the bar to attend to the other man in the chair pulling out his Magnum as he did so. Bugsy just sat there rubbing his cheek with his hand wiping off the blood that had trickled out.

~~~Transition to Grand Central Station~~

After what felt like ages I finally arrived at Grand Central. I had run all the way here with only the thoughts of my brother to keep me going.

I looked at the clock in the center of Grand Central Station; it was nearly 9:30. Where was this guy? I had been walking around grand central for close to 20 minutes looking for the guy in the picture. I was about to give up when I saw a face pass quickly behind a few pillars on the second floor, it looked like the guy, it had to be the guy, I mean who else would be wearing a blue suit and yellow shirt. I started chasing after the man.

Finally catching up with him I was able to explain myself “Sir I have a package for you”

“About fucking time kid, I was about to call the Don. Give it here kid I don’t have all day”

I quickly gave the man the case. “Sir do you think you could call the Don and tell him that you got the package?”

“Yah don’t worry ‘bout it kid.” And with that he began to walk away.

I could only hope that my brother would be safe from any more harm. My heart was still racing from the strain of running so far so fast Mom might kill him for getting in this level of trouble with a mob. But I did my part as the LOYAL brother, I needed a rest. I started walking the opposite direction towards the bathroom.

I smelled and wanted to wash the blood and sweat from my face before going back to the party. Most may not consider going to a party to rest, but I just wanted to rest in a chair sipping on some free coke as I waited for the ball to drop.

While I was distracted by these thoughts I felt hands on my shoulder pull me away from the door. I turned to see who it was I had no intention of being kidnapped a second time, but I turned to see it was a girl wearing a slim black T-shirt and blue jeans her hair was jet black and hung down past her shoulder blades. Unlike The Suit’s eyes, her eyes were only comforting. I snapped back to reality and said the first thing that came to mind “Why did you pull me away from the bathroom?”

She started explaining as she pulled me away from the bathroom and towards a service door. She said “I’m Sofia Cattivo, I’m Frankie’s sister I’m sure you’ve met him.” I just looked at her dumbfounded I didn’t know anyone named Frankie. “He’s the one who told you to deliver a package?” She asked impatiently.
“Uh... yeah?”

“Well they think you didn’t deliver the package and they’re after you.”

“What why would they think I took the package? I just delivered the package to the guy they told me too.”

She looked at me confused “You did?” she then muttered to herself “What do they want then?” I barely caught what she said

“ Yeah I literally just walked away from the guy, but he’s probably gone off somewhere else now.”

She suddenly looked past me and immediately a bit of fear sneaked into her eyes. “We have to go now!”

“What?” fear snuck into my voice as she grabbed again and pulled me towards an exit.

“No time I’ll explain later now hurry” she opened the door that we were walking towards. I hurried through the door she soon followed and she led me down the hallway, we turned a few corners and ducked under some pipes. My legs were tired, I had run so far today.

“Boss, I think they went this way.” A voice shouted from behind me that had to be Bugsy. I suddenly started running a bit faster all pain disappearing from my legs replaced by pure fear.

“Hurry!” She urged me on as we ran through the hall following the exit signs that I hoped would lead us to freedom. Sofia and I started to climb a set of stairs. At the top of these stairs were a set of double doors that I could only assume led outside, we pushed on through them. We came out of the doors into an alley. We turned to our right and headed out to the main street losing ourselves in the crowd, the strangers watching the countdown board in front of them barely noticing us. They all wanted a look at the countdown.

Sofia grabbed my hand (ahh soft hands) and started to pull me to the other side of the street and into a café. With a moment to breathe and relax she began to tell me what was really going on.

“My brother is Frankie, he’s the one who is after you because he believes that you have stolen from the family.”

“Family, what family?” I thought I knew but I didn't want to accept that I was really in this situation

“The Cattivo family is a major crime organization in New Jersey, but they operate a lot in New York too. Like it or not you’re now involved in this mess.”

Greeeat, just GREAT, now I’ve got a mob after me. As if my day could get any worse. “I didn’t want to get involved but they had my brother, I had to help him out.”

“Your brother? What’s his name?”

“Anthony Moretti.” As I said the name her face paled slightly.

“Moretti?” She asked like she already knew my brother.

“Yah he invited me up from Florida to celebrate in the End of the World Party, and he really wanted me to come up, it’s sad that he got into some trouble before he could meet me though.” I said innocently.

“I think he invited you up here for more reasons than to just celebrate.” Concern seeped into her voice.

“Wait why do you think he invited me up here?”

“Well....” she started but she stopped and grabbed my arm and said “We have to leave. We can talk when we get back to my apartment. Let’s go!”

Damn it mind, get out of the gutter! “Uh ok…” I said slightly sheepishly trying to banish the thoughts from my head.

We began walking out of the café and through the crowd. A few minutes later we arrived at this apartment building. The building was like any typical apartment building, about 10 stories tall and with an alley on each side. The walls were made of red brick inside and out being in the middle of the street it was shaded by the other buildings. Lights were on in the upstairs windows, they gave it a sinister sort of feel as we entered the building “We have to go up to my floor” she said

I looked over at the elevators, of course they would be out of order. I looked back and she was already at the stairs and heading up. I ran over and joined her. After about seven flights of stairs (Legs killing me must.... sit....down....) we got to her floor and headed down the long hallway. Finally we arrived at her apartment 713. She unlocked the door and walked in throwing her coat onto a counter to her left, and encouraged me to do the same. I looked out the window, and saw it had started snowing.

Strange how something as peaceful as snow can seem so sinister under these circumstances. Snow, snow wasn't something I was used to it always had a mystical quality to me. I lived in florida we don't usually get snow there, so when my parents took me somewhere for winter vacation I always loved it. Snow was something that I used to play in when I was small. Something so soft and so pure seemed different now. Today snow looked to me like they were falling ashes from post-apocalyptic skies. I walked up to the window looking down at the street and still saw a ton of people partying despite the cold.

“Hey come over here and take off that heavy coat, it’s warm in here” She said snapping me out of my train of thought.

“I’m sorry.”

She said “It’s ok now we can talk.”

“OK” I said “Let’s start with who you are and how you knew I was in trouble with the mob.”

“Well” she started “I was at the bar...”

“What?! So...” I started but she stopped me

“I was at the bar, though you didn’t see me. I was sitting behind you, but after my brother talked to you you ran off out the door with a silver case. But I heard my brother and Bugsy say they were going to follow you, and I don’t know why but I had the feeling that something wasn’t right. So I made my way to Grand Central Station, and followed my brothers. But I almost ran into them by accident and I had to stay hidden so I lost you. When I came back I saw you walking towards the restroom, I had seen my brothers walk in there just before you, and so I thought you were walking into a trap. Turns out I was right.”

“So you’re with the mob?”

“Technically no, just my brothers. I tend to just be around. They don’t like it when I’m out and about getting into trouble.”

She looked old enough to be on her own and she did have an apartment of her own.
“Overprotective?”

“Yeah, it gets annoying” she admitted

“Well then I guess I’m in some serious trouble for something I didn’t do”

Typical. I grew up with that problem back in Florida, my brother always making me take the blame, and me being younger, weaker, and looking up to my older brother I would always take the blame.” Dang I just wanted to spend some time with my brother at the party, turns out he’s going to die…”

“About your brother” She said “He’s not exactly in as much trouble as you may think”
“What do you mean?”

“Well you see Anthony Moretti is one of the major figures in the Cattivo family. He’s actually the one who wanted you to get involved. He wanted to induct you into the mob, to be one of us and working with him.”

“Nah that can’t be. My brother was in the bar, all tied and beat up. He was there I would know if it wasn’t my brother.”

“Sorry, but it’s true”

Well Damn, that explains why he wasn’t picking up, why they had my number, and why he sounded all anxious over the phone before.

“Wait so who was the guy at the bar? And why are they trying to kill me if I'm his brother” Anger started to swell within me. I was deceived.

“The man at the bar was simply someone who didn't pay has ‘protection fee’ for the last 5 months. As for why they’re trying to kill you I don't know” she simply looked down at the bracelet she was carrying and sighed

“This sucks! ” I yelled in childish rage. She just looked at me, kind of hurt.

“I’m sorry Sofia didn’t mean to scare you, it’s not your fault. You just saved my life I guess. So I can’t be mad at you. It’s just....Just.... I’ve had a bad day. Now who’s going to pay for my trip?” I muttered under my breath.

“What?” she asked

“Sorry........umm is there someplace I can get washed up I’ve got to get this blood off my face”

She lightened a little “Well there’s the shower back there, and the towels are in this closet” She pulled a towel out and threw it over to me. “and I can wash your clothes so they’re not smelly, and you can get ready for the Party.”

“Won’t the family be there waiting for me?”

“Yah but they won’t be able to find you there’s supposed to be millions showing up and they’re not going to be able to find you in that big of a crowd.”

I smiled for the first time that day “Thanks” I guess the night isn’t totally ruined after all. I headed towards the bathroom and slung the towel over my shoulder and walked in

~~~~~~~

30 minutes later, Time - 11:14

~~~~~~~~

“You all clean?”She said. trying not to look at me directly,

I had the towel around my waist but she was trying to respect my privacy.

“Yah but I need my clothes…”

“Chill they’re almost done drying” she smiled.

All of a sudden I felt really exposed. I’m not usually embarrassed by my body but she was just so beautiful I felt ashamed that I didn’t have the perfect body. I could feel my cheeks blush but thankfully I heard a timer go off and she got up and walked past me. Glancing back. God I’m awkward!

She came back with my clothes and tossed them over to me. Oww! They’re hot. I fumbled around trying not to drop my clean clothes, but I nearly dropped the towel I had around my waist. That’s priority number one so I dropped the clothes and caught my towel just in time. I redid my towel and bent over to pick up my clothes. My cheeks a bright red I walked away into the room and started to change.

~~~~~

After I got my clothes.

~~~~~

We’ve talked for a little bit longer, and when we were about to leave for the party...

*Crack Crack*

Shots came out of the door someone was trying to break the lock.

“Geez what the hell?”

They started kicking at the door
Sofia cursed under her breath.

She said “It’s my brothers, you have to go now! I can hold them for a little bit but you have to go! Take the fire escape and go to Times Square.”

I ran toward the fire escape shouting back “Thanks.... for everything”

*Bang Bang Bang*

“Go!” She shouted holding her back to the door giving me a precious few seconds to make my escape.

*BANG.. BANG... CRACK*

The door burst off its hinges as I climbed out the window I could hear her and the two goons

“Where is he? We know you took him from Grand Central.” Frankie yelled.

“He’s not here, he’s already left! “She yelled back.

“Search the apartment Bugs.” Frankie yelled from somewhere behind me I fiddled with the latch trying to get the window unlocked.

“On it boss!” Bugs started searching the apartment kicking down any door he found. I finally opened the window as I heard him start kicking on the bathroom door.

OK time to go. I climbed out the window and started down the fire escape. I was halfway down when I heard Bugs yell out “He isn’t here boss!” and the resounding slap

“What do you mean he isn’t here?”

“He’s gone.”

“Well did you check the fire escape?” Ok now I really had to book it!

I started to climb down the ladder to street level when I heard a voice “THERE YOU ARE!!!”

Loud gunshots could be heard as they fired at me. One went whizzing past my head embedding itself into the brick wall, and another hit the floor to my right, but the last one had hit me in my side just as I was turning the corner. It made me spin almost a full 360 and I fell to my knees. An overwhelming pain came out of the wound but I quickly pushed the pain to the back of my mind and started running as fast as I could down the street and to Times Square.

I ran dodging in and out of crowds, every time I slowed to check my wound, or just to catch my breath I could hear the heavy breathing of Bugs, and the angry cursing from Frankie that they need to hurry. I was near my breaking point, I couldn’t run much longer. The crowd began to grow thicker, so I assumed I was near Times Square. I kept going, fearing for my life but the pain was horrific and I started getting dizzy. I had lost a lot of blood.

I neared the middle of Times Square and my breathing became more and more difficult with each step I took, but I had to keep going it was the only way I’d make it alive. I took the next turn hoping that it would lead me to safety but instead I was greeted with a brick wall.

The pain, God the pain in my side was unbearable, causing each ragged breath to be agonizing. I looked down at my hand which was covered in blood. I can't go much farther like this. The footsteps behind me were getting louder one set stopped and took two shots at me one had hit me right in the knee cap I fell to my knees. There was no use in trying to run anymore there was nowhere to go no way to run I was trapped, suddenly the crowd began chanting the countdown to midnight while I started chanting a prayer preparing for my death.

'10, 9, 8, 7, 6...'

"Good" I heard one of my pursuers say "we'll use the fireworks as cover.". Man this is it

'5, 4, 3...'

*Click, Click*

He pulled the hammer, a grin on his face all the while. This was probably going to be fun for him.

'2’

He tensed, slowly pulling on the trigger ready to let loose the deadly projectile.

‘1...’

I waited for the shot......it never came

~~~~~

I stood there scared I still waited for a shot but instead I heard a loud booming voice. It didn't instill fear in me, in fact it comforted me.

“OPEN YOUR EYES CHILD”

I did.

“YOU HAVE SURVIVED THE RAPTURE, AND NOW HAVE A CHANCE TO LIVE AGAIN.”

“Live..... Again?” I said still confused as to what was happening

“YES MY CHILD YOU HAVE THREE CHOICES, YOU CAN GO STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN, OR STRAIGHT TO HELL.”

“Than what’s my third choice?”

“THE THIRD CHOICE IS THE CHANCE TO LIVE AGAIN IN A WORLD OF YOUR CHOOSING. ANY WORLD YOU WANT”

I thought for a moment I came up with an answer “Can I go to Equestria? It’s a sho...”

“YES, CHILD I KNOW OF THIS LAND MANY HAVE ALREADY GONE. ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO JOIN THEM?”

I thought again and only nodded my head.

“VERY WELL THEN CLOSE YOUR EYES MY CHILD, FOR WHEN YOU OPEN THEM YOU WILL BE IN THE LAND OF YOUR DREAMS”

I did as I was told.