…
I open my eyes, they feel heavy as if I just woke up. What I see turns my world up-side-down. I find myself standing alone in a barren wasteland. The ground I stand on is made out of red stone, the deep red sky above me seems endless. Around me I see red stone pillars stretching towards the sky. I also see pools and rivers of lava, and geysers spewing fire now and then. I immediately understand where I am, but I don’t feel remorse or sorrow.
…
While I’m wandering about, I just wonder; where are all the demons and devils that are supposed to execute the poor soul’s punishments? The souls that I see are for themselves and depressed. Others have grouped up in orgies or fighting. I start to think if hell is too crowded, that there aren’t enough demonic servants to punish everyone. And that the souls were living out their eternal existence expressing all their sinful desires they could not during their mortal existence. That seems to be the only logical explanation.
…
I open the door and walk into a hallway. I notice that the roof is gone and I can see the red endless sky. I continue walking and see a door. Outside across the door three souls laid together nude caressing each others. Not minding them I enter through the door into a white clean bathroom. Why is the bathroom so nice and clean, when everything else seems to be in ruins? I’m looking into the bathroom mirror staring deep into my own eyes. Like I’m trying to see what I’m thinking to make some sense out of it all. Suddenly the door opens and a girl walks in. She’s not wearing any clothes and her head held low, with long red hair covering parts of her face. Her eyes were empty, her pupil and iris had faded and she had dark marks under her eyes like she haven’t slept for days. “Don’t mind me.” She said. “I’m just gonna cut a little.” I then noticed she was holding a pair of scissors. She’s just trimming her hair I thought, and didn’t think more about it and continued staring into the mirror. In the corner of my eye I saw her get down on her knees in front of the toilet. Nothing strange with that I thought, but then I saw her stretch out her left arm getting ready to cut her wrist.
Instinctively I grabbed her left arm and slowly pulled it away. “No no no.” I said with a gentle voice. “That won’t do any good.” I then gently took away the scissors and put them on the sink. Her head sank even lower and her eyes were focused on the ground. Anyone could’ve seen that her spirit’s been broken since ages ago. I felt how my heart ached with immense pain just seeing her in this condition. I, who just wants people to be happy and free of remorse, why am I here? Is my punishment to wander around for eternity, watching helpless souls drowned in anguish? I thought to myself that it’s a perfect punishment for me, since I can’t bare it. My sorrow for others brings great burden, but it also gives me strength. It gives me the will to move forward, to help others lighten their burdens. As the girl seemed to be lonely with no one to lean against I invited her to accompany on my journey to help others in need. And I assured her that she was not alone, that I would be by her side. I know I can’t save everyone, especially not in a place like hell. But I have to try. That is my purpose, and I can’t deny it.