Prompt: After prolonged exposure to radiation, a fallen angel meets the ghost of Ernest Hemingway

Prompt source: The Amazing Story Generator by Jay Sacher

Jahirah dreamed.

Smoke. Falling. Pain. Hands.

Soothing touch. Cool water. Soft words.

That might not have been a dream.

Which part?

Laugh. Cough. Pain.

Soothing touch. Cool water. Soft words.

Cold at the wrist, up the arm, blooms from the shoulder across the chest, down to the toes. Pain receding. Silence.

Soft strike of a match. Deep inhale. Warm spice of an old cigar.

“All stories, if continued far enough, end in death, and he is no true-story teller who would keep that from you.”

True enough. Is this death, then? Are you Death?

“Ha! I don’t think so, though some may disagree. I’m a writer. But to write, you have to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.”

I’m afraid I have no more voice to be heard, my friend.

“There is nothing sweet nor fitting in your dying. I do not need to hear your voice to listen to your story.”

I would argue your second point. My choices led me directly here. I turned from God. I left Heaven. I walked into the maelstrom and pulled them out. And now I am dying. But they will live.

“They were in it for longer than you. How is it possible they survive you?”

That was my final choice. To give them my energy, my life.

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”

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Note: I chose a literal path, and I’d enjoy finding more Hemingway quotes to flesh out this little vignette. How would you address this prompt?

And, I will try to find another prompt than "angel" and "death" - but I must say that this one came from a random page flip of the book!

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And so, with a loving heart, I offer you

Namaste

I’ve heard many translations. Here’s one I love:
The light of the universe that shines within me recognizes
the light of the universe that shines within you.

Dogs in House	Houdini, Brindle
Music Playing	Norah Jones
Time writing	30 minutes
September word count	1,064