Feather

- "What am I?" he asked her. "Am I a demon, some kind of monster? For surly I was greeted by Death himself. I swear I saw his jagged grin and heard his maniacal laughter. I felt his cold, skeletal hand reach into my chest and crush my still-beating heart. Yet, here I stand, as if a dead man amongst the living.

- She placed a kiss on his forehead and spoke in a soft voice. "It is by divine intervention that you were delivered from the clutches of the grim reaper. It is not yet your time. That is dictated by our Heavenly Father. A demon you are not for you have seen the error of your ways. By your convictions, you have turned away from the path leading into darkness. Now you seek a guiding light.

- He dropped to his knees, begging for an answer. "If I live and not as a demon then what? What has become of me? Please open my eyes to the truth!

- She cradled his face in her hands, answering his question with a question. "What do you wish to become of you? Suppose you were not restricted by the so-called paths of life but rather free to roam above the sky and amongst the stars. Rather than pondering where life will take you, ask where will you go in life.

- He thought momentarily then looked her in the eyes and responded with sincerity. "I wish to go in the opposite direction of my past, breaking the chains of guilt that anchor me to such a dark history. All my sins remembered but never repeated. I want to go bring laughter instead of tears, hope instead of dread, love instead of hate, faith instead of doubt.

- She smiled at his confession, knowing he spoke the truth. Without another word, she reached past him then drew her arm back and placed an item in his hand.

- What is this?" he asked.

- The answer to your question. Now you know what you are…

-In his hand... a white feather.