The Difference

There is, in the morning, a discreet moment when I become aware of my existence. Wrapped snug in blankets, the covers and the sheets. Body heat trapped making me warm as a bale of hay beyond comfortable. I wonder if I am still alive, the haziness in my brain keeping me from clear consciousness. I lie in suspended animation as though an angel has whispered in my ear, "Come with me." and takes me by the hand leading me away to where I can see heaven sitting upon a not so distant hill. It shines like the sun and I can hear the angels and the saints singing and I want more than anything to go there, but find myself back in my bed. It is morning and I know that I'm alive and this is real life and the haziness has left. I am awake cozy in my warm bed wondering if it was an angel or a dream.
 
But you, you had a different dream when you were no longer asleep, but not yet fully awake. An angel of darkness, grotesque by nature, a foreboding spirit whispered in your ear, "Come and see." He drug you away unwilling to an awful place that overlooks Gehenna. While yet far away you could feel the heat and hear the screams. He said, "When you get to hell don't bother to knock, we've been expecting you for a while. Come join the sorrow and the pain where the tears of the perishing fall like rain, but can never quench the fire." Then your nightmare ends with the sharp pain of a cramp in your left calf which has tied itself in a knot. The knee pulling in one direction and your ankle pulling in the other. Yes, this is happening. Yes, this is real and you are now very awake.