16

 

I sit in the corner of the elevator, tears rolling down my cheeks, and off my chin.

Five hours, Daniel.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, "I am so, so sorry..." I lean my head back, causing it to hit the marble wall of the elevator. Wondering why I am still sitting here? The flames are still outside, the ash and dust are making me weak, along with the lack of blood, and this elevator shaft is broken. So, I am stuck, not moving, the flames awaiting me outside. I could always run into them, but I would be burned alive.

"No you won't." I look up to see Woody standing in front of me, his luscious white wings spread out, and then are tucked in behind his back, the heavenly golden glow clearing the smoke. I still cough, the smoke sitting and settling in my lungs, slowly turning them black, "Stand up, Daniel." I look up at him before he repeats himself, "Come on. You can do it. Stand up." He holds a glowing hand out to me. I stare at it for a minute before grabbing a hold of his hand and stand up, my knees shaking from underneath me, and I start coughing nonstop. Woody takes me into his body, hugging me tightly. He gives me a friendly kiss to the forehead, reassuring me that everything will be okay.

"Here, Dan." He rolls his right wrist out and hands me a small, clear, white glowing stone. I take it in a weak, shaking hand, and stare at it before looking up into his eyes.

"W-What is this for?"

"To protect you from the flames."

"Woody, I am weak and dieing anyways, I might as well end it all..." My tears trail down my face, creating a clear path through the ash on my face, the tears carrying access ash along with them.

"Dan, you have five hours to get to them or they die. You can do it. Just grip onto the stone tightly as you walk through the flames. It will create a force field protecting you. I'll see you soon, buddy." And with the blink of an eye, he is gone. I look down at the stone in my hand, then wrap it on my hand, nodding.

My finger presses the button, opening the elevator doors. I quickly grip onto the stone tightly as the flames rush in. A large, clear bubble forms around me, causing the flames to roll over. Finally. I make my way, running as fast as I can, back down the hall, and back up to floor eight. Sadly, I have two more stories to run up. I roll my eyes at the thought. But, I am almost there. Even if I am dieing, and I won't be here on Earth much longer, I know that I will be able to see Will's face and Cassie's face one last time. I am just hoping they are okay.

I escape the flames, surprised that they are not on my tail any longer. I loosen my grip on the stone and put it in my pocket along with my gun and flashlight. Speaking of flashlight, I quickly pull it out of my pocket and flip the light switch on to see a small boy sitting alone in the corner.

Avoid him, Daniel. Walk around him.

Kyle's voice guides me. The little boy huddles alone in the corner, chuckling to himself. Bloody hell. As quiet, yet as quick as I can, I walk towards the corner of the hall, around the boy as I notice he has a few blades in his hand.

"Danny! Come play! Danny!" Young Cassie's voice rings through the hall like a sprightly, silver bell, "Let's play a game!" I turn around to see the boy gone, but I can hear his laughter along with my young laughter, and Cassie's too. But then there's screaming. It's Cassie's screams. From when she was a child.

"DANNY! HELP!" Her scream comes again, and then they turn to morbid screams, taunting me.

"CASSIE!" I yell into the darkness, the flashlight dieing in my hand. I can't be an idiot. Why am I falling for this crap?

"DANNY!" Her crying fills the room along with the young boy's laughter.

"Oh, yes, Danny. Why, oh, why will you not help poor, poor young Cassie. She is just a child, and you are going to let her suffer? Oh, Daniel, I am ashamed of you. Tisk tisk, Dan, tisk tisk." I whip my body around to see the young boy hold young Cassie in a head lock, blade to her throat. I stand straight, holding back my tears for once, and taking in a deep breathe.

"Because, I know...that...that this isn't real! YOU ARE JUST TRYING TO SLOW ME DOWN! GO BURN IN THE FIERY PITS OF HELL, YOU BLOODY DEMON!" I shout, walking towards the boy, spitting in his face. At first, his bright, ocean blue eyes grow wide, his face full of fear. But then, the fear slowly turns into amusement.

"Silly Daniel, don't you see? I am you." He chuckles as he slowly grows taller, and soon, becomes a perfect mirror image. I stand there in confusion. My wide eyes narrow, my face forming a scowl.

"You asshole! YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A FIGMENT OF MY IMAGINATION TRYING TO TOY WITH ME! You. Are. Not. Real." The mirror image of me, drops child Cassie, but still grips the blade. I close my eyes then open them again to see that both the spirits are gone.