The young boy lay upon his bed with terror in his eyes. His family was all around him. Their attention undivided. Yet, he felt alone in these moments. His breaths were rapid and deep, yet air seemed to escape him. His lungs felt empty no matter how hard he gasped. He felt his family move closer and had he had more time to observe, he was sure they were all speaking and moving to help him. However, he noticed nothing. The room seemed to darken—or did it brighten. He was unsure, but it was certainly different in appearance and in feeling. For a moment though, there was no one.

                He saw nothing, for his eyes could not focus.

                He heard nothing, for all around him was silence.

                He felt nothing, for his body was concerned with only one thing; survival.

                This moment was no surprise in truth. He had known for a long time it would eventually come. That does not mean he was ready for it though. His senses were underwhelmed and the area around him seemed to be at peace. Everything was really quite tranquil, aside from his own mind.

                Still his chest leapt and lunged to grab something, even the slightest bit of air. His muscles tensed all over as if they wanted to help, to offer some sort of defense for him but it was not a test of strength. His eyes darted here, and there, and there, and now back over here. Though in reality it may have only been at most a second, in his mind it was an eternity of a struggle. He rushed through so many thoughts. What of his family? What of his stuff? What of the future he was never going to see? He continued to think; to question, and more anxiety rushed over him. Was it going to be painful? Is he in pain right now? What is going to happen next? Where will he go? Is there going to be anything next?

                His eyes,

                His chest,

                His heart,

                His mind,

                They moved so quickly, without precision or power, only with determination. There were no positive results however. Through it all he knew somewhere deep inside, if he was able to quiet everything, that it was a hopeless struggle. This was the end. And the worst part of it all; was the anxiety, the fear and absolute dread. If he had been able to, he would have cried. He would have wept with all the breath he could muster for there was no peace within him and it was agonizing.

                He saw nothing, for his eyes were now closed.

                He heard nothing, for only the make-believe sounds of his cry existed in his mind.

                He felt nothing. Actually, he was pretty sure he did feel something. It was soft and soothing. It was as if his hand was holding on to something, or perhaps being supported by it.

                His breathing began to slow. He was able to feel his lungs fill quite cleanly; it was such a relief. He took several deep concentrated breathes to make sure he wasn’t mistaken. His chest was now lifting and lowering calmly and his heart began to pound at a normal soothing rate as if he heard the soft beating of a mellow drum. Still the room felt tranquil, but now so too did he. Anxiety, fear, agony. These things were gone as easily as the cold is with the rays of the sun upon the morning rise. The boy felt warm and quite filled with joy.

                Still he felt the soft warm touch of something upon his hand. He sat up and looked down to his right. There beneath his open palm was the round fuzzy head of puppy. Its fur was a clean hearty brown. It had its tongue out in anticipation and its long tail wagged with an unmatched excitement. As the boy met its big black eyes, the little guy’s ears perked up as if he had been waiting for the boy.

                He was unsure the age of the little guy. He appeared to be almost full grown, at least old enough to be somewhat trained. The little friend was so well behaved after all. The boy couldn’t help but smile. He felt so good, so healthy, and now so happy.

                The puppy began to lick his hand and the boy could only chuckle a little. He bent over and pet the mongrel. His fur was so soft, it was more comfortable than any bed the boy had ever lied in. The dog rubbed his head against the boy’s leg as if showing he too wanted to pet the boy in return.

                The boy stood up and bent down to match the puppy’s stare, however the dog moved away just a bit. He was pointed the other way looking back over his shoulder and barking ever so softly as if asking if the boy wanted to go for a walk with him. There was no hesitation. Immediately, the boy stood and followed the puppy wherever it wanted to go. The small hound jumped and barked and wagged its tail to no end, just happy to be with someone, and so too was the boy glad of not being alone anymore. He himself jumped and skipped as he followed the puppy and together the two of them danced into the light.

* * *

               Watching from afar, the reaper admired his work. He was not evil, nor morbid in his pleasures. He did not wish harm or ill will upon any. He only carried out a necessary task. It was a dark and unforgiving world that brought many to him well before their time. He was neither good nor heroic. He did not wish joy and happiness for all. No. The reaper was efficient.

                So many children find themselves lost and frightened in his domain. While, so many young loving creatures find themselves without a caretaker. Why should they both go alone feeling unwanted and fighting him every step of the way. The reaper knows his appearance is not an easy one to handle, for neither child nor pup especially. So, let them instead find each other and keep each other company on the road home. After all, they’ll be together for quite some time, because young innocent children are just like dogs; they all go to heaven.