He only wanted a smoke, that’s all. Now he lay on top of the garden pebbles with two gun shots embedded in his body. Some long ago gardener had envisioned tiny, sharp rocks as being aesthetically pleasing, the perfect accoutrement to finish off his picture of a beautiful garden setting. The protruding pieces of garden debris poking into his ribs made the would be smoker edgy, forcing him to twitch uncomfortably.

The big tree with the huge over-hanging branches was rather pretty, he thought. He decided in that instant, he liked the sound of the big tree’s leaves softly brushing against each other in the slight breeze. Song-like he mused, then grimaced. What was wrong with him? These weren’t his thoughts.

He heard a lilting chuckle, turned his head and saw a robed figure hovering just above the ground.

“You are correct child, they are our thoughts. I am the true Messiah and it’s time to take you home.”