The voice was still there, growing in strength in the back of his tormented thoughts. He could hear it now, insistent, full of conviction and power.
As an intelligent man, he knew what was happening to him, but he was too tired, too heartbroken and confused to fight it anymore. His tiredness led to his awareness being distorted, a brilliant mind was fragmented and silently falling apart.
As was his life.
Sly, scheming maggot...always there for Caroline when he was away from home, always around. Working so close, moving in on her..his mind convulsed with grief at the thought of her betrayal, of both of them together.
The charming, trusted godfather worming his way into Alex's affections with gifts. His friend...trying to steal his wife and daughter.
Her fear at her betrayal being discovered, of it shattering their family was clear in her eyes when she looked at him. She'd told him she still loved him, but he knew in his heart all this would lead to her leaving and taking their daughter with her.
Too late, she took a bite of the fruit, sin has shattered paradise.
Everything he loved in the world, gone, his destruction would be final. He couldn't live without them, either of them. Perhaps that was weak of him, but it was the truth. He was a good man, his legal life had been devoted to helping others, his intense love for his family was the foundation of his existence.
He took off his glasses in a now, often-repeated action of despair - folding them neatly and pressing his fingertips precisely into the bridge of his nose to control the silent voice, raging in his mind.
Only one logical end, the voice said. You know what it is.
He looked at the video camera and replaced his glasses. Setting it up and sitting in front of it, his hands resting on the kitchen table as it whirred into life. He took a breath.
"If all goes to plan..."
He lifted his hand to his brow again, Alex had run from the car after her balloon.
He knew what was coming, there would be a price to pay for his sin so that he could keep what he had - one he hoped would be judged and calculated against all his other actions in life.
Beyond all of this, he knew Caroline would forgive, even if time would not...for the moment. At least not until it was done with him and the price had been paid.
He closed his eyes. He shut down that piercing gaze for the last time and let the voice free. It seared through him, a huge and painful force, painting his skin in violent colours and transforming him - in that second he could see everything.
Timothy Price would bear the weight of Death, using him for their combined purpose, until that time he could make things right. They'd wait, and he'd bear it, for Alex. That moment would come when she would need him. He suspected he would not be the same, but it didn't matter anymore.
"One flash of light-" Bowie sang as the light flashed.
"But no smoking pistol..." The Clown sang as the smoke rose.