Inside the Golden Pear Tree

April stood in the world that she and Snake had created for themselves, a pocket demension that connected with the land of the living. It was easily accessed through an inter dimensional portal, but it was one way. April and Snake were trapped here until they found a way to get out, but humans could get in, if they found the passageway.

April’s long golden hair was blowing in the breeze as she looked upon the beautiful sculptures of people made out of precious stones throughout her elaborate rock garden. She smiled happily, her youthful pink lips exposing her perfectly pearly white teeth. Her emerald green eyes betraying her mischievous thoughts as she walked leisurely about the path.

April bedazzled herself with fine jewelry. Long dangling crystal earrings, blue sapphire rings to grace her delicate hands, and a necklace made of gold with a tiny little golden apple as its charm. Her smile widened as she fingered the charm and continued walking down the stone path, touching the sculptures lovingly as she passed them.

Among the gorgeous human sculptures, were large beautiful fruit trees made out of solid gold. She laughed to herself. She loved fruit trees, but the trees here weren’t edible, they were opulent. They reminded her of where she was born, in a garden a long time ago.

She stopped at the large golden pear tree and knelt down by its roots. She touched the trunk and part of the tree opened up revealing a small golden treasure chest. She took it out and opened it. Inside among red velvet cushions was an item, an heirloom that she used to do her job.

She really loved doing her job so much. The part of the prayer that says “Lead us not into temptation,” might as well be referring to her. She was the walking embodiment of temptation. She could change into any form she chose and was nearly indestructible.

She pulled out a large ruby cross dangling from a long golden chain. It was not like the delicate necklaces women wore, it was weighty and showy. An overly ornate symbol of Christianity. It was a holy artifact that was given to her and Snake by the creator and used as a tool to test the faithful. Through some religious institution it would be gifted to a human who claimed to be a faithful, good person, but this item was cursed. The person who owned this or was after it in their journey to find it would be tested against their own temptations to see how faithful they really were and see if they could overcome their demons so to speak.

It was April’s job to test them to guide them and lead them into their own temptations. She has a sense of pride when they failed. She loved it when they failed. When they failed they turned to stone and became a part of her beautiful Zen rock garden.

She put the necklace back in the chest and back into the large golden pear tree to keep it safe. She knew someone would be along soon enough, which meant either they would succeed and actually be a good faithful person and could keep their lives or she would have a new beautiful human sculpture to add to her garden once they failed. She loved it when they failed. She sat against the beautiful pear tree and waited patiently for her next job.