It was a Sunday afternoon and the children were at their Sunday school activities. Ben had decided to go for a walk, for the weather was mild today and the low sun pleasant. He was halfway up the 199 steps when he severely regretted his decision. Ben didn't know what exactly was wrong with his body these days, but something was wrong. He was losing strength, and though he had walked up and down these steps all his life, he felt out of breath now, and wondered whether he could make it to the top. He held on to the railing and closed his eyes. Then he made his way over to one of the 'benches' - as tourists called them, not knowing that they were coffin rests - and sat down to catch his breath, hand on his chest.