Walk With Me

Matthias got up to follow the Doctor. The hospital was pure white, everything clean and in perfect order. As they walked, Matthias seemed fine. All of his bruises, broken bones, and pain were gone. He wore white pants and a loose white blouse that seemed to radiate. The Doctor turned and smiled at Matthias, watching him be in awe of the hospital.

"It's Nice, isn't it?" He said.

"It's…perfect," Matthias answered.

"I know. What's the name of this place?"

"Paradise."

No one else seemed to be in the hospital. They kept walking towards a bright light, and more of paradise was revealed. They approached a large door that led them outside into a massive garden. Above the sky was a magnificent blue, with no clouds or sun. The light came from somewhere, but he couldn't find the sun. It was warm and smelled fantastic. The freshness was almost overwhelming. He walked ahead, inviting Matthias to come with him. "Walk with me." He said.

"This is amazing." Matthias was lost in the vibrant colors and the exotic vegetation surrounding them. "What the—" Matthias had no words to describe the absolute beauty of the place.

"Matthias, tell me about you."

"Me? I'm no one really, just some guy."

"You're not no-one to me. I would like to get to know you."

They walked together through the garden, a slow stroll in his warmth.

"Where do I begin…"

"From the beginning."

"Well—" Like when I was born?"

"Sure."

"I was born in Vermont. Made it to California when my dad got a job out there. Grew up in Long Beach really, and often went to LA."

"Your parents, now>

"They're in Sacramento. They moved when I went to college. Didn't make it, though. Dropped out in my first two weeks. I've been doing odd jobs ever since.

"How'd that go?"

They sat on a bench facing a small pond filled with colorful fish.

"Pretty bad. Ended up in the wrong crowd. Drugs, violence, crime, and all that. Led me straight to hell."

"Did it?"

"Yeah, the carnival the police found me at was literally hell."

He patted Matthias on the back. "But look at you now. In paradise."

Matthias took it all in again, looking around him and noticing a massive wooden boat behind him. He pointed to it. "Was that always there?"

"Yeah, but don't worry about it." He said, "Are you religious?"

"My mother was catholic before she met my dad. She was going to be a nun. My father went to church, but I never saw him as emotional as my mother.

"I didn't ask about them. I want to know about you."

Matthias leaned back and looked up at the clear blue sky. He wanted to apologize to God for being disrespectful and ignoring him. "I' wasn't. I knew of God, but I didn't know him. It was as if I didn't care he existed. With everything going wrong, I assumed he didn't care if I lived or died."

"He cared for you and watched over you. He watches everyone closely. If he didn't care for you. Would you be here?"

"I—" Matthias had no response. He was right.

"He loves you and wants the best for you. All you have to do is go to him."

Matthias wiped his face of premature tears, trying to stroll down his cheek. "I called out to him every day I was there being tortured. I begged him to save me. And he did."

"Looks like he saved you for me."

"He did…he did. But why so late?"

"His timing is perfect. You wouldn't understand.

Matthias looked at the boat again. There was a long pause before he said, "What happened to the others at the carnival?"

"The carnival was burned down. The police and paramedics saved everyone who wanted to be saved."

"And those who didn't?"

"They stayed. Who's on your mind? Maybe I helped them."

"Victorian?"

"She's here being cared for."

"Ivy?"

"He didn't make it. He wanted to stay."

"The clown?"

"Buried in the ashes. Come along." He led him to the edge of the garden. They looked over the edge, seeing nothing but clouds.

"That's a long way down." Matthias chuckled.

"Unfortunately, Matthias, you cannot stay here forever. We'll have to discharge you. Do you know where you'll go?"

"Depends on where we are…"

"Where do you want us to be?"

"Huh?" Matthias gave a nervous chuckle. "Nashville. I've never been."

"If I get you there, you must promise me something."

"Yes?"

"Promise you will pray to him and seek a church. Go back to God.

"I promise. But wait, you never said who you were or where we are and—" Matthias turned to him, and he was gone. Martha was there inviting him to follow her. She led him to an elevator and pressed down.

"He's great, isn't he?"

"More than great he's—"

The elevator opened, and they both stood inside. It was common for people who just met him to be in awe the whole elevator ride down. It saved her awkward conversations on the way down, too. At the bottom, he saw Victorian and hugged her.

"I'm so glad you made it out." He said to her.

"I haven't seen anyone else, have you?"

"Some of the guests left, but no one from the crew. Where are you going? Are you leaving?"

"Nashville, I guess."

"Can I come with?"

"Sure."

The nurses smiled at each other and then handed them a backpack and an envelope full of money. "Remember what the Doctor said. Goodbye." They said simultaneously.

There was a bright flash that blinded both Matthias and Victorian temporarily. When the light went away, they opened their eyes. They smelled cool night air and gasoline. Above them was a sign that said "NASHVILLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT."

Both decided not to ask any questions.

"Where to now?" Victorian asked. Matthias shrugged.

"No other name—" Someone said. A homeless man was bobbing his head and humming a tune. "No other name—" He kept humming and feeling the music in his soul. He lifted his hand, singing, "JESUS—the name above all names—JESUS—"

Suddenly, it all made sense to Matthias. He walked over to the man singing. "Can I buy you food?"

The homeless man was instantly chipper. "Why, of course you can. Come on, I know a place. Ever heard of Denny's?" He got up and started walking. "Well, come on now."

"You hungry?" Matthias turned to ask Victorian.

"I can eat." She caught up to them.

As they walked, the man kept humming. Occasionally, he'd say, "…no other name…"