Garden of Lost Souls.

The Garden of Lost Souls.

All around me is darkness, why or how I come to be here I have no idea. All I can see is a small light in the distance, so I begin walking towards it. The last I can remember is having way too much to drink at my mate's Halloween party. I guess I must have passed out before it ended.

I quicken my pace, almost running now; the glimmering light is getting closer. My legs are tiring; they feel heavy as though I'm losing control over them. The light is getting brighter. I'm breaking into a sweat now; I can feel it running down my forehead and neck.

Almost there, wherever there is; not much further to go.

The light is an open doorway. I can see it now, only a little way further. My legs feel like lead, I'm having a job to cross the final few feet into whatever lies beyond the doorway. My breathing is laboured, God am I having a heart attack?

With one final effort my right foot crosses the threshold, and everything is lifted from me. My breathing returns to normal, my legs are working perfectly again, I feel great.

What the hell just happened?

I'm now in a beautiful garden that is bathed in warm sunlight with a wonderful clear blue sky above. Multicoloured flowers line the garden's borders, and beyond them a mist that obscures the view of what lies further out. A stone pathway snakes its way through the garden leading up to a lawn of pure green. Upon this green is a small curved wooden bench, and in its centre is a sculptured white stone fountain with cool water cascading from its peak.

I walk towards the bench keeping to the path, for some reason not wanting to tread foot on the immaculate lawn. I sit on the bench looking at the water as it falls without sound into the trough surrounding the fountain. I concentrate on the water; there are images with it, rippling images of what look like faces. The faces, though obscure, seem at peace.

"Hello, a childlike voice says.

I glance away from the water to see a young child, a girl with bright golden hair, standing at my side.

"My name's Gabby, what's yours?

For a few seconds I don't reply then pull myself together.

"Tom¦ Tom Banister. Do you know where we are?

Gabby giggled. "Of course I do, do you?

"No, I'm afraid I don't.

"Tom Banister, you say?

"Yes.

"Hmm, that is strange; I'm not supposed to collect a Tom Banister. You are not supposed to be here!

"Where is here?

"Look deep into the water. Gabby said softly. "What do you see?

"I¦I think I see faces!

"Yes, the faces of lost souls...you are in the wrong place. You must be returned!

Before my eyes Gabby grows into an adult woman, a woman with golden hair. My eyes widen in shock as two white wings span from her back. I jump back with shock as the angle takes flight.

This can't be happening!

"This way sir, a male voice emanates to my right.

"What¦ who¦ what's going on here?

I see a man dressed in formal attire, almost butler looking, and brandishing a clipboard.

"There has been a most dreadful mistake. I must apologise, even Archangel Gabriel can make the odd mistake sometimes. You have somehow found your way into the Garden of Lost Souls. As you are not a lost soul you must be returned to the living.

There is a blinding white flash. I wake with a start to find myself lying on my mate's couch. A dream or maybe a nightmare! Whatever, it couldn't have been real¦ could it?