Viktor Gale sat in a white room facing a simple wooden chair and desk. An old red rotary phone rested under a pendant light, its gray-black shade pooling illumination across the surface. Above the door, a signal light glowed green behind a grille.

  Opposite him was a door with a bronze handle. He glanced around, half-expecting to see a two-way mirror, as if someone might be watching him, but there was nothing of the sort. The whole scene looked like an interrogation room from an old movie.

  After a moment of silence, he finally worked up the courage to ask, “Is anyone there?” He barely got the words out before the door swung open.

  A young man walked in, cheerful and lively, carrying a stack of papers. His hair and beard were white as snow. He wore a lab coat over a purple T-shirt and classic brown pants, a fountain pen tucked into the pocket.

  What caught Viktor’s eye were the man’s golden eyes; he’d never seen anything like them.

  “Hello! Sorry to keep you waiting. I had to do a bit of homework on you first,” the man said, tapping the stack of papers with his fingertips. He spoke quickly, rhythmically, and in a surprisingly high-pitched voice. Viktor could only stare in confusion.

  “Tsk! Where are my manners?” the man went on. “Zadkiel, that’s my name!” As he introduced himself, he straightened up, clicked his heels together, and briefly lifted his toes. Viktor was still speechless.

  Zadkiel continued, “As usual! I see you’re completely lost. Ah, my siblings ...” He shook his head. “Let me give you a quick recap!” He held out his hand, fingers splayed, then curled them in and began counting on his index finger:

  “First, you’ve died. Second, you faced your fears and found faith in a higher power, which allowed you to see my brother’s Light and guided you on your journey, so you made it through the Valley of Shadows. Congratulations! And now, welcome to Purgatory!” He spread his arms wide. “My job is to help lighten your spirit! Since your departure was so sudden, you’re entitled to one last phone call. Don’t worry, it’s not just you; everyone gets one.”

  “A phone call? To whom? And how?” Viktor asked, completely bewildered. “I mean, I’m in Purgatory!”

  “Well, who you call is up to you. How? Now, that’s the right question! I’ll explain everything, and at the end, you’ll have a chance to ask questions,” Zadkiel announced, raising his index finger for emphasis. He was nothing if not theatrical. He closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and paused to think.

  “You spent a few hours in the Valley of Shadows, from what I can see. Most of your loved ones are asleep right now, but I can summon one of them. There are a few rules we need to follow,” he said, starting to count again.

  “First, the person you want to reach must be in deep sleep. If they're disturbed or wake up for any reason, even just to use the bathroom, they are immediately pulled back to the world of the living, and your call ends. Second, think of the light above the door as your signal indicator,” he pointed; the light flickered yellow, then steadied to green.

  “Green means everything's fine. If the person starts to wake up or something happens, the signal weakens, the light turns yellow and starts to blink.” He waved with one hand. “Don't worry, they can't see it, so it won't disturb them. If it turns red, it means they've awakened; the call is over. The time you have is limited: five minutes at most.” Five fingers showing on his palm.

  “The person you speak to will still be in a sleep state; they may not realize you've died or where they are, since they'll be pulled straight from a dream, and dreams can be.” He paused for a moment. “Chaotic. For them, it'll just feel like their dream is continuing. If all goes well, you get five minutes. When time's up, I'll come in, take them to Reception, and sign them out. Any questions?” he lifted his toes again.

  “Sign them out?” Viktor repeated, confused.

  “It’s the proper way to transition them back. Perfectly safe,” Zadkiel said with a wave of his hand. He tilted his head back and continued, “Your children are asleep right now. Your wife can’t sleep, and neither can your parents. Your wife’s parents are asleep, but not very deeply.” He opened one golden eye. “Or is there someone else you have in mind? I can call anyone,” he added, giving Viktor a sly smile.

  Viktor thought for a moment about who he wanted to call, who he wanted to say goodbye to. Sara? No, he couldn’t ... The children? He’d love to see his parents, but he felt he’d be seeing them soon enough anyway. Definitely not Alex or Carrie; they were still too young, even though he’d give anything to hug them one more time. The same went for Sam.

  “Tom,” he said quietly. Then, clearing his throat, he said a bit louder, “My eldest son, Thomas.”

  Only five minutes with my son. That is all I’m given. I’m thankful for even this. Could have been nothing. I can't negotiate for more. I have to make it count.

  Zadkiel approached the table and tilted his head back, eyes closed. He swept his right hand toward the wall while his left dialed the phone, and a blue portal shimmered open. Behind it, Viktor saw his son.

  My fourteen-year-old boy. The heart attack came from nowhere. How long has it been? Hours? A day? Is he going to be okay? If only I could turn back time.

  He was running for his life through a swamp. Soaked and muddy. A huge crocodile, bigger than anything he'd seen, even on TV, drove him on. Its black eyes burned yellow. The gaping maw could swallow him whole.

  “Tom, come here!” Viktor reached toward the portal.

  But Zadkiel raised one hand, stopping him. “This is a dream. His father just died; fear and confusion come with it.”

  When Tom spotted them, he ran straight for the portal. As he stepped through, his clothes instantly became clean and dry, his usual jeans and favorite T-shirt.

  His son stood before him. A younger version of himself stared back. He had his mother Sara's green eyes and the tall build in her family, but his face was unmistakably Viktor's.

  “I'll leave you two alone,” Zadkiel murmured, then faded away completely.

  Father and son were left in the room, staring at each other in silence for a moment.

  “Dad?” Tom's eyes widened. “Come on, we have to run! There's a huge monster!” he shouted.

  “It's all right.” Viktor pulled him close, tears welling in his eyes. “You're safe here now.”

  “So... what do we do?” Tom asked, glancing around.

  “Come on, have a seat,” Viktor said, guiding him to a chair and kneeling beside him.

  What do I even tell him? I'm so not ready for this.

  “You'll be starting secondary school next fall. You nervous?” The words tumbled out.

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  “Sure, Dad, just like any school,” Tom replied. He had no idea where he was or what had happened. It was always the least favorite subject to talk about.

  If I'd known this might be the last time...

  A dull heaviness hit him, and he steadied himself before speaking.

  “You've grown so much. I'd almost forgotten how tall you are now. I wish I could spend more time with you,” Viktor whispered.

  “What are you talking about, Dad? We're together way too often... And I think we will be for many more days,” Tom said with a smile.

  “Yes, you're right,” Viktor replied, his eyes brimming with tears. “What are you and your friends playing these days?”

  “It's always something different, but you know that. You play with us often.” Tom's brow furrowed. He scanned the room. “Where are we, anyway?” he asked.

  Viktor pulled Tom close, holding him in silence. Time was running out. He glanced up at the green light.

  He let go and gripped Tom by the shoulders, meeting his eyes. “That doesn't matter. I want you to do something for me, okay?”

  Tom went still.

  “I want you to give a big hug to your little brothers and sister the next time you see them. I might not be able to be there when our peach tree grows tall enough to carry a swing. Go into my home office, and in the second drawer, take out the new coloring set I wanted to give them. Just watch them so they don't draw on the walls. Don't make your mom mad, please.”

  Tom hesitated. “Why?”

  “It doesn't matter now. Please, just listen.” His right hand settled on the back of Tom's neck.

  “Tell Sam that I wish I could be there to cheer him on during his matches. Don't let him be lazy. He might have a future in soccer one day. I just know it.”

  He squeezed Tom's neck a bit harder as he spoke, urgency in his grip.

  “And you, I know how smart you are, and I'm not worried about that. Just remember there's more to life than what's behind a computer screen. Please, live it fully. I hope you'll tell me about it one day.” His voice cracked.

  “What matters most is that you know I love you all. You have no idea how much I want you to remember that. I always tried to be the best dad I could. Now I need one last promise: Be strong. You're going to be the man of the family now. Look after your sister and your younger brothers, okay?”

  “Dad, what are you talking about?” Tom pulled back slightly. “Half my friends wish they had a dad like you. You play with us all the time, you even drag us on those boring trips, and you're always fun! You came to Carrie's play when you were supposed to be at that big work meeting. You haven't missed a single one, as far as I can remember. We all think you're a great dad,” Tom blurted out.

  Hearing it made Viktor feel much better. Yet, he couldn't help thinking he should have been with them more. All this time building his career. Saying no to them when he was busy. And Sara... He let out a deep sigh.

  The green light behind them started to turn yellow.

  “Son, we don't have much longer. Please, promise me you'll be strong. Promise me, please!” he said.

  “I promise, Dad!” The words burst out.

  “That's my boy,” Viktor squeezed his left shoulder. The light flickered urgently.

  Just then, the door opened and Zadkiel stepped in. “Please, come with me,”

  Tom went quiet, as if something wasn't quite right. Viktor took his hand and led him out.

  Beyond the door stretched a long corridor with white walls, so long that the end was lost from view. Doors punctuated the hall at steady intervals, but to the left was a recess marked “Reception.” Behind the desk sat a young receptionist with fiery red hair and bright, sparkling eyes; her skin had a warm, honeyed tone.

  “This way,” Zadkiel said, leading them down the hall. He reached for the boy.

  Viktor squeezed Tom's hand one last time, then let go and gently pushed him toward Zadkiel.

  “Wait, where are we going? Who is this man?” Tom's voice rose. “Dad, are you not coming?”

  Suddenly, it all seemed to click for him.

  “There was an ambulance; they took you...” Tom's voice trembled. “Dad? But... you died!” He glanced around in confusion and tried to shake off Zadkiel's grip. Then he turned to the counter. “Where are we?”

  The woman behind it answered calmly, “We're in Purgatory.”

  Tom's hand turned transparent. He stared at it, eyes wide. “What's happening to me?”

  Viktor lunged forward, but his fingers passed through air. Tom was gone.

  “Where did he go?” Viktor's voice rose. “Tom? TOM!”

  “He woke up.” Zadkiel's expression softened. “He is back in his bed. Safe and sound.”

  Viktor's shoulders sagged with relief. He took a breath, steadying himself, then straightened.

  So this is the last time I'll see him. Next time I meet him, I hope he'll be an old man... Be safe, my son. Live your life to the fullest.

  “And where am I going now?” Viktor asked, already resigned to the fact that his fate was out of his hands.

  Zadkiel just smiled. “Forward.”

  The receptionist offered him an encouraging smile and a small wave. Then Viktor's vision was overtaken by the Light.

  When his sight cleared, he found himself standing in the middle of a vast hall. He spun slowly, taking in the space around him.

  He was surrounded by tall walls, with wooden chairs and benches scattered throughout. The air felt light and pleasant. The tension in him began to loosen. In front of him stood a massive balustrade made of white stone.

  From an opening to his left, a stream of crystal-clear water flowed across the room, disappearing into a matching archway on the right. The stream ran the length of the hall, as long as a train platform, and was as broad as a city street.

  The architecture reminded Viktor of ancient Greek temples or perhaps a grand old synagogue. Pale stone blocks climbed in stacked courses and curved into a dome large enough to swallow a city square. Ivy and pink flowers braided up the masonry.

  Opposite him, two slender waterfalls spilled down a series of steps into the stream below. Between them stood a wide balcony with three marble thrones, and behind them loomed double doors of domed wood, tall as a city gate.

  Several gaps in the ceiling let in daylight, bright as the clearest summer afternoon. White doves fluttered and perched along the ledges. Their cooing carried through the hall.

  Beautiful.

  Suddenly, the doors creaked open. Three Beings of Light entered, shining so brilliantly that Viktor had to avert his eyes. It didn't take him long to realize who they were. He dropped to his knees.

  The figures took their seats, each on a throne.

  “Rise, Viktor Gale,” said the entity on the left. His voice was kind and melodious, with a deep resonance.

  “Today, we will decide your fate: whether you may enter the Kingdom of Heaven, or whether your path lies elsewhere.”

  All sense of time faded. Viktor's entire life played out before his eyes: every good deed and every mistake, every intention, every misstep, everything he had ever faced. At last, the verdict came.

  The being on the right spoke. Its voice was not human; more like a machine, resonant but gentle, almost friendly, with a strange, childlike undertone.

  “Viktor, you are not worthy of entering the Kingdom of Heaven.”

  Viktor's expression went blank. If he'd had a body, he might have fainted. His whole world seemed to collapse.

  But the figure continued, “You are not a bad person, either. You do not carry so much sin that the forces of Hell would claim you.”

  After a pause, the being on the left continued: “You have two paths to salvation. The first is to remain in Purgatory, where you will face your sins and undergo purification. It could take years, or it could take millennia.

  By the Final Judgment, your soul must be cleansed; only then may you enter the Father's kingdom. The second is to serve in the City of Angels, where you will have the chance to atone for your sins and purify your soul. There you will also be given the opportunity to protect your family and loved ones.”

  “To protect them? From what? Are they in danger?” Viktor blurted out.

  “I'm afraid that everyone outside of High Heavens and beyond the walls of the Silver City is always in danger,” the entity replied, sorrow in its voice. “Billions of souls could be claimed by Hell...” it finished with a heavy sigh. “If you choose the second path, you'll learn everything you need to know.”

  “Wait,” Viktor said, raising a hand. “What does 'claimed by Hell' mean?”

  The entity's luminous gaze held his. “It means they will not be able to cross the way you have crossed. When the war is lost, the paths will be sealed, and they will fall to a horrible fate. When you cleanse yourself of sin and enter High Heavens, they will be lost to you forever.”

  Then the central figure spoke, its voice strong and commanding, filled with the wisdom of ages. “Now is the time for your choice.”

  Millennia of waiting in Purgatory. Alone. Facing my sins over and over until I'm possibly purified.

  He leaned forward. His hands grasped the balustrade in front of him tightly.

  Is there even the smallest chance I can tip the scales and help protect them? If the war is lost while I wait in safety, how will I live in Heaven knowing they're suffering? Will it even be Heaven?

  Tom's face flashed in his mind, then his family. Everyone he'd left behind.

  There was never really a choice for Viktor. The thought that they could end up in Hell was unbearable. If his service could make even the smallest difference, he wouldn't hesitate. His voice was steady when he spoke. “I choose to serve.”

  The being in the center replied, calm but powerful: “So be it.”

  The voice echoed through the entire hall. Once again, there was a flash, and darkness surrounded him.

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