CHAPTER SIX - ANGELS EFFIGY

 Isaac had been continuing down the hallway for what felt like hours. Nothing about it had changed, as if it kept expanding further as he went. The same sickly yellow walls, the same checkerboard tile. Dead silent. He thought deeply about Silas and Wilhelm. His friends. One surely gone forever and the others fate relying on him and his task. Tears welled in his eyes. How could he feel so close to two strangers he barely knew? As Isaac reflected his feelings, he saw something start to appear in the distance. He stowed his thoughts and stared straight ahead. He had finally reached the end of the hallway. On the wall to the right hung a payphone, and straight ahead was a red door. Isaac paused and thought to himself. Once again this all seemed so familiar. Isaac reached for the phone and put it to his ear. “Hello?” he said quietly. Nothing but static on the other end, but he waited. Some seconds passed before a voice spoke back. “Hello Isaac.” The voice said in an equally quiet tone. It sounded strangely close to his own. “Am I speaking to the angels?” Isaac asked timidly. The voice didn’t respond to his question instead giving him a task. “Call the one closest to you. Ask them to open the door. If they do not answer, we can still help. All that we would ask for... is a favor. Just open the door yourself. Goodbye Isaac.” The voice hung up. Isaac panicked. He had no immediate family left. He couldn’t remember if he had friends. Only one person came to mind, his ex-girlfriend Diane. Isaac dialed her number. The phone rang. Isaac was pouring sweat. “What kind of cruel choice is this? What if she doesn’t pick up?” His mind raced. The phone stopped ringing. A voicemail box that hadn't been set up played. He left a frantic message in vain. His last message to the waking world. Diane would never hear it. He hung up the phone, tears pouring from his eyes. One last chance to help Silas, to avenge Wilhelm. All he needed to do was step through the door now. Isaac took a deep breath, stepped toward the door and opened it. It was pitch black. Nothingness. He could feel deep cold emanating from the void, with smells of Sulphur and burning plastic. Isaac exhaled and plunged into the void. He floated in the nothingness, deprived of any sense. Like he had entered a cocoon. Isaac closed his eyes. His skin burst into flames, embers falling away like fireflies at dusk. His mind shifted in and out of conscience like an old television set. It was pure agony. “How could a man fight tooth and nail for his existence, only to end up like this? The universe is not fair. No matter how hard you fight you walk the path you are given.” Isaac smiled with this last thought as the flames fully engulfed him. Isaac was not particularly a man with hubris. But in that moment, he felt his purpose. Isaacs fading remains reached the corners of the void until nothing but the howling winds and darkness were left.