I was a 27-year-old man. An ex-soldier. I was kicked out for fighting with a superior officer… a bunch of assholes. I was good at what I did. I’ve taken lives in the name of this shitty country. I was always skilled with weapons and had strong leadership, but my temper… well, it was always a problem.

  I’ve been married twice. My first wife, I really loved, but I messed up. The second one? She left me because of my temper. At least, that’s what she said. But I know the truth… that bitch must’ve cheated on me. I know my temper is unstable, I tried to change, tried to control myself, but by the time I realized it, it was too te. I lost everything. My career, my wife, my family. Not even my brothers spoke to me anymore.

  I was never good in school, didn’t go to college. And in Ango, without an education, life is hell. The army was my way out. But, as always, my anger got me into trouble. I fought with superiors, hit one of them… a spoiled bastard. I don’t regret it. In the end, I lost my job and went to jail for three months after pointing a gun at that bastard.

  Now, I’m here… no money, no future, nothing.

  Fuck everything. At least alcohol never abandoned me.

  ---

  I stumbled through the dark streets, completely drunk, when I heard an argument. A couple was fighting across the street.

  — Where are you coming from? — the man asked, his voice full of rage.

  — I was at my friend’s house — the woman replied, hesitantly.

  — Dressed like that? At this time?! You must be cheating on me, you bitch!

  The sp came hard, echoing through the silent street. The woman fell to the ground, holding her face.

  In that moment, my blood boiled.

  It wasn’t just that scene. It reminded me of my father. The way he used to hit my mother. The look of fear on her face.

  Before I knew it, I had rushed at the man and nded a punch with all my strength. The impact was brutal. He fell to the ground, spitting out two teeth. But I also fell… too drunk to keep my bance.

  I tried to get up, but my head was spinning. The other man got up first, furious.

  — Who the hell are you, you piece of shit?! — he shouted, pointing at me. — Is this the guy you’re cheating on me with?!

  — I don’t even know him! — the woman replied, still scared.

  — Shut up! — he screamed. — Let me show you what I’ll do to your lover!

  It was too fast.

  I saw the shine of the bde before I felt the pain.

  The first stab pierced my stomach. Then another. And another.

  The pain was suffocating. My body went limp.

  — What have you done, Marco?! — the woman screamed, desperate.

  — This is for him to learn not to mess with other people's wives — Marco spat on the ground and ran off.

  I tried to speak, but all I could do was groan. The woman knelt beside me, tears streaming down her face.

  — I’ll get help, hold on!

  But I knew.

  I knew I wasn’t going to survive.

  So, is this how it ends?

  Me? Dying alone on a dirty street? No wife, no kids, no legacy?

  What the hell…

  I still had so much to do…

  But it was too te.

  ---

  Volume 2 – The Judgment

  I woke up in an all-white room. I couldn’t see my body, but my consciousness was there.

  — Am I alive?! Where the hell am I? Is this hell? No… too white to be hell. Was I good enough to go to heaven?

  My mind was full of questions, but before I could think, a man appeared before me. He had wings and a glowing robe, but no face.

  — Mr. André Francisco. — His voice was firm and commanding.

  — Who are you?! How do you know my name?! — I asked, confused.

  — I am an angel. Isn’t it obvious?

  — And why the hell am I here?! And why can’t I feel my body?! I can’t even move?!

  The angel sighed.

  — You’re here for a swim. Or are you an idiot? Some humans are smart, but others… are complete idiots.

  He ughed, as if enjoying the situation.

  — This is your judgment. Today, it will be decided whether you go to hell or the Kingdom of Heaven.

  I crossed my arms, irritated.

  — And how are you going to decide that? I don’t see any computer. How are you judging me, you stupid angel?

  — Everything you’re saying right now is being noted, and it will count in your sentence.

  — But you’re the one who called me an idiot!

  I took a deep breath. Deep down, I already knew my fate.

  — Obviously, I’m going to hell… I’ve killed people, drank until I passed out multiple times… Just send me there already.

  The angel crossed his arms.

  — Do you know how many humans want to get out of hell? Have you heard how hot that pce is? The Bible describes hell, and I can assure you… everything written there is true. You still want to go?

  I swallowed hard.

  — So… what’s going to happen to me?

  The angel watched me for a few seconds before responding.

  — Your case is complicated. You’ve taken lives, done horrible things… had questionable actions. But at the same time, you always believed in the Lord. You never bsphemed or mocked Him. In other words, you were a bad man, but you always respected God. Your fate is on the line… you could go either to heaven or hell.

  I snorted, impatient.

  — So what the hell are you going to do?!

  Suddenly, the angel changed his posture. His voice became deeper, and a shiver ran down my spine.

  — Watch your words, human.

  The atmosphere grew heavy. For a moment, I felt a fear I’d never felt before.

  The angel sighed again.

  — You humans are ungrateful… You’re lucky because the Creator loves you, no matter what you do.

  He stared at me.

  — Your case is special. You won’t get a second chance…

  — Wait… is this serious? And where is the Creator? I want to see Him.

  The angel ughed.

  — You think you can see the Creator just like that? You can’t even see my true face.

  — So… what’s going to happen to me?

  — You’ll get a second opportunity. But there will be rules.

  — I… I don’t know if I want to go back.

  — Then we’ll close the case and send you straight to hell.

  — Hey, hold on! You don’t need to rush things! I just didn’t want to go back to that miserable life…

  The angel smiled.

  — Here in the Kingdom of Heaven, you’ll always have a choice.

  — So… I’ll be reborn?

  — Yes, but your case will be special. You’ll be reborn with your memories intact. This will be your second chance.

  — What’s the catch?

  — Simple. You’ll have to follow three rules. If you break any of them… your fate will be hell.

  I swallowed hard.

  — And what are these rules?

  — First: you must be Christian. — Second: you cannot bspheme or seek other gods. — Third: you cannot become a vilin.

  — Vilin?

  — That’s right. You can’t become a criminal or harm the community.

  — And the rest?

  — The rest are just requests I may make to you. You’ll have the freedom to choose whether or not to follow them.

  I murmured quietly, trying to avoid him hearing:

  — I’m not going to follow any of your requests…

  The angel ignored me and continued:

  — But if you break any of the three rules, you’ll go to hell… and suffer twice as much as anyone already there.

  I felt a chill down my spine.

  — So in the end, the choice is mine?

  — Yes. But if you’re “good” and still break the rules… your fate will be the same.

  I crossed my arms.

  — So, in shor

  t: I have three mandatory rules, but the rest is up to me.

  The angel smiled.

  — Exactly. Looks like you finally understood.

  Suddenly, I felt a force pulling me.

  — Now, you can go.

  — Go where?!