What if someone really did push her to the ground and ran away before she had a chance to see who it was? No, it had to be him, she had to have heard the voice speaking to her. The similarities between what we both heard was no coincidence. I thought to myself. The supercenter that was once lively had transformed into a deserted wasteland with no sign of life. There were no cashiers ready to check out customers, nor were there any patrons waiting to be helped. There was only us. Two girls, in the middle of an abandoned Walmart, stuck in the frozen foods section. We wouldn’t be here if it weren't for Gabby’s bright idea to make homemade ice cream sundaes. I thought to myself as I laid in the middle of the isle next to my best friend. I could hear my phone vibrate from down the aisle where it landed on the floor after I fell or should I say after I was pushed. I gently moved Gabby away from me and rushed towards the phone on my hands and knees. I pursued with caution, remembering what the disembodied voice instructed me to do earlier. “Don’t move. It’s my job to protect you.” It said after hurling me to the floor, causing me to hit my head, sending sharp throbbing pain through my left temple. If this was his idea of protection, I’m better off listening to my own intuition. At least then I know that I’m not listening to an imaginary person.” I thought to myself.

I was only a few inches from my phone when I felt a gentle tug on my left foot. I gave a deep sigh, wiped my hand across my face and quickly turned around to tell Gabby off when I realized that she wasn’t pulling on my foot, in fact, she was still in the spot where I left her on the floor with her head in her hands sobbing quietly to herself. I could hear her mumbling something about God and protection. Looking back at her sobbing uncontrollably on the floor my heart began to feel heavy and my eyes started to tear up. I really felt sorry for her. I thought to myself, she doesn’t know that God doesn't listen to people like us, the insane.

The air around me grew colder causing goose bumps to creep along my exposed skin. I turned back towards my phone to see that it was no longer on the floor where I left it. It was now floating in the air. The light from the phone cast an eerie glow in the darkness that surrounded us. My breathing became shallow, my heart started to race and my palms began to sweat. I was paralyzed. I couldn’t move. I wanted to run out of the store leaving everything behind. The chaos, the confusion, even Gabby and the ice-cream but I couldn’t get my joints to do what they were created to do. Move. Seconds later a hand materialized followed by an arm and a full body. Well, what appeared to be a man’s body. The structure lacked normal detail and features. Instead, it transmitted a powerful light that shone brighter than anything I’ve ever laid eyes on.

The voice resonating from the figure was deep and commanding the mere presence of the figure brought a sense of calmness and clarity I couldn’t see a clear face or any other indicators that could help determine what he looked like, but for some odd reason, with him there, I felt safe and courageous. “Hello, Tori. I know that there are a few things that you don’t understand but I need you to listen to me. I know you feel uncertain about my instruction, but trust me, as everything unfolds, you will start to understand.” “I have been sent to look after you and your friend during this time. My job is to also be your guide and protector across the plains.” Said the ominous voice. “But who are you and what plains are you talking about?” I asked. I turned around to see if Gabby could see the man with the beautiful voice and the celestial body but she sat unmoved, as though she was oblivious to the entire spectacle. I opened my mouth to call to her. I can’t believe she doesn’t see this! I gasped. “I’m here to speak with you. She has faith. But you, you aren’t as faithful. You hear me but you still don’t believe, so I have something to show you that will renew your faith. He said. “Renew my faith? “I never believed- “The voice interrupted, “At one time you did believe let me show you.”

He walked over to me and placed one light emanating hand across my forehead. Immediately after my legs felt weak and buckled under my weight I flung out one hand to reach and grab a surrounding object for support but my efforts proved futile. The floor opened like two sliding doors. I looked below and I could see trillions upon trillions of stars against an endless black sky them seem to go on forever. I looked up to see the golden figure high above my head. He was no longer by my side. I had fallen into the vast sea of stars and was steady falling. “WHY WON'T YOU HELP ME?” I yelled out into the darkness but as I continued to drift deeper into the darkness his image became smaller and smaller until the only image I could see was the one inside my mind. “I’m always by your side but right now there is something you need to see, and you must do it alone” The deep methodical voice echoed around me. I closed my eyes, drew back my head and prayed to whatever higher power that would listen as I continued my descent into the emptiness that held me captive.