Angel of Faith: Once Upon a Time in Indiana

Colin was at the local pub in a small town in Indiana, which was usually pretty dead on a Wednesday night. Only this time there was a thunder storm, which brought several people pouring in from the road for cover. Colin lit a cigarette and downed his Jack Daniel's. He didn't need to tell the bartender, Ted that he was going to need another. Colin reached in his coat pocket, and pulled out a picture of his ex wife, and their little girl. A couple of the regulars were on their way out, and they patted Colin on the back goodbye. Colin seemed to be in a world of his own while looking at the photo. Eventually his lit cigarette burnt his fingers, causing him to drop the photo and cigarette on the ground.

Colin picked the photo and cigarette up from the ground, and when he did a strange man was sitting at the bar beside him. The Stranger bummed a smoke from Colin and ordered an Amber Bock. The Stranger complimented Colin's family. Colin, pulled his hair away from his eyes, and informed The Stranger that his wife had left him a little over two years ago and he heard from either of them since. The Stranger shared his condolences with Colin, who began drinking more heavily.

The more that Colin drank, the looser his lips got. Colin told The Stranger that he had been convicted of manslaughter for shooting an intruder in his home. Colin lost his business, and had just gotten out of prison two months ago. The Stranger loosened his neck tie and told him that he knew how to get his life back on track. When Colin asked him how, The Stranger told him that he just needed to have faith. Colin scoffed at the idea, and had another drink.

Colin went to the jukebox and played his usual song, "Only The Good Die Young". On his way back to the bar, he noticed a man whom was in from the storm, lifting his little boy up to play an arcade game. The image brought tears to Colin's drunken eyes. When he got back to the bar, The Stranger noticed the tears in his eyes. The Stranger asked "Ready to listen?"

The Stranger began telling Colin how change in everyone happens every day. It's inevitable. He explained that there are two sides to everyone. A light and dark side, and if he doesn't get rid of one soon, then it will spiral out of control. The Stranger offered services of a private detective who owed him a favor, which he would call in to help Colin find his family.

Colin went to the restroom. On his way out he seen the father and son who were at the arcade. This time, instead of tearing up, the image brought a glowing smile to Colin's face. He walked back to his seat at the bar, but The Stranger was no where to be found. Colin asked Ted where The Stranger went, but Ted didn't know who he was referring to. Colin seen a business card of a Private Detective with the words 'he'll know who sent you' written on the back.

At first he didn't know if he'd just had to much to drink and imagined him, however the card was proof that there was someone there. But why did no one else see him? Why did he take off without a goodbye? Colin didn't care, he was just glad that he had this experience. Colin had faith, he had a second chance. Ted asked Colin if he'd like another drink. Colin turned down the offer, looked at the card, and began to smile.