Тёмная Башня. Dark Tower. Премия им. Э.Т.А. Гофмана / E.T.A. Hoffmann award (Билингва: Rus / Eng)

Frozen in anticipation, the judges were ready to listen. The left bowl of the Scales tilted almost to the limit, although it contained only one scroll of jubilant demons. Images from the earthly life of yet another soul started projecting on the screen…

…What I heard in the Courtroom was shocking, but…

«It’s time to go,» it came from behind me.

I turned around and saw my Angel.

«To the Courtroom?» I asked to clarify.

«No, it’s still too early for that,» he smiled. «Everything has its Time.»

«Is there any Time here?» I wondered.

«Yes and no. Everything has its Time. Besides, we’re in the Border Zone.»

The Angel took me by the hand, and we instantly moved back, into the fog, and I could hardly see another queue in it!

The Angel read my mind.

«This is a different one,» he replied, «for those descending to Earth.»

«But I’ve just come from there, haven’t I?»

«Yes and no. It’s been decided Upstairs that you should urgently return to your body. As an exception to the rule.

«Is that why you took me out of the queue to the Chancellery?»

«Right!»

«And that Boy who wants to become… an angel, is he also an exception?»

«Yes, he is, as well.»

«So he won’t become an angel. It’s a pity.»

«Everything has its Time,» repeated the Angel.

We approached the house with the inscription «Customs». At the «Passport control» window, I noticed a Black Raven, stamping the passports of those descending. It was interesting that those standing in the queue to Earth differed in their density and… age, and one could guess the profession from the attire of the soul.

«So is everything predetermined?» I asked my Angel.

«Not everything, otherwise what’s the point of descending?» he sighed and added, «Wait for me here! I need to arrange something with the Border Guardian.»

I sat down on one of the benches nearby, almost entirely filled with various souls.

«Excuse me,» I turned to my neighbor, «why are you almost transparent while most of those in the queue are dense enough?»

«You seem to be here for the first time,» the neighbor sighed.

«Do you have a passport too?»

«Certainly.»

«Do you need a visa to Earth?»

«Of course.»

«But why?» I was surprised. «Why do you come back?»

«Me personally? I’m coming back to help. And in general, everyone has their own.