Sam wandered the streets of Lumen City.

Not going in a particular direction.

Not looking for anything special.

Just simply... Wandering to wander. Perhaps he was running from the incident from a few days ago. Maybe he was going to find something along the way to snap him out of this.

Truth is, Sam was not well.

A hurt so deep that he forgot how to feel.

What was it that could even describe this state of depression? There was anger and hatred, but who was it directed toward? The gunman was dead. Was it at himself? Did he regret not being part of the congregation that day?

It hurt to think on his father too much. It was as if he lost everything that day.

He walked past a store that was playing a news clip about the shooting. Policeman were describing the scene. There were shots of the sanctuary, the fellowship hall, and even the parsonage. Eli was not there. It did not feel right.

An interview played next with some denizens of the city sharing their thoughts on the matter.

“Always thought they were a bunch of weirdos,” one portly gentleman shared, “but I never wished 'em any harm.”

A well-to-do lady was next, “They really need to think about their security. You can't just let anyone in these days. Maybe metal detectors, armed guards...” her interview was cut short, as she seemed long-winded.

“Some say there was a survivor,” Sam heard from the last interviewee as he began to walk aimlessly away. “Can't imagine how screwed up they gotta be to have seen all of that.”

His head swam. Leaning against the bricks of nearby buildings, he continued on to wherever he was going.

Side glances from passerby's kept him company. The occasional car would honk at him, as if telling him to rush faster toward this nothingness to which he was journeying.

Eventually, he came to a dead-end street. Nothing was there, nobody was around.

This is the spot he was looking for.

So he sat in the dark, dingy corner of the lonely, wicked street.

And he prayed. And he wept. And he prayed a little more.

“Where do I go from here?” Sam asked God. “How do I keep on living now? Why has this happened?”

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It may have been hours. It may have even been days. Sam could not tell the difference at this moment, perhaps the lowest moment he would experience.

Suddenly, a bright light shone in front of Sam. He had to shield his eyes, and even then it was still burning this vision.

Once the light had dimmed enough for Sam to look, he could not believe his eyes. Fear struck his heart. A towering figure stood over him, with golden hair. He wore a pure white robe. The most intimidating detail of all were the 2 large snow-white wings flowing behind the man.

“Fear not, Samuel Sander. I am Evangelos, an angel of God, sent to you with a message.”

Sam's mouth was so dry. He could not speak even if he wanted to.

This has to be a dream. Or I'm dead.

“This is not a vision, Samuel. Take a drink of this water, so that you may know, and speak.”

The angelic creature pulled out a canteen of sorts, and offered Sam a drink. So Sam drank, and it was the richest, purest taste of water that he had ever had. He felt instantly better, even as if he had not missed a meal.

“Good... water. Thank you.”

“Now, for the message:” Evangelos now pulls out a large, ancient-looking scroll. He unravels it , clears his throat, and proceeds to read, “You are the light of the world.”

“...and?” Sam asked after pausing a moment, expecting there to be more written on the scroll.

“That is it,” came the angel's response.

“God sends an angel to me with a message, and that's it?”

“I do not make the rules, Samuel. That is the message you needed to hear.”

Sam thought for a moment, still in awe that he was speaking to an angel. If only Eli were here. He would love to be seeing this!

“So, what do I do with this message?” Sam inquired after a second of thought.

“You will take these gifts,” Evangelos exclaimed.

An object materialized into Sam's hands. It was pole-like with a long handle, and was the same bright white that shone on the angel. The top end of it came to a sharp, metallic point. Small feathery wings poked out of the middle of the pole.

It was a heavenly lance.

Sam also felt ethereal, blue-white wings form on his back. He could... flutter them, as if he could take off for flight at any moment. It felt almost natural. He also felt a power overall, that he knew was not his own, like his muscles and tendons would not be able to handle the incoming force of strength.

“What... did you...” Sam muttered.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.”

As quickly as he appeared, Evangelos had now vanished.