Franklin's Last Stand

Author's Note: This chapter will be entirely different in style from the rest of the story. In this particular chapter, I'll be using the first-person point of view rather than the third person. I'm doing this for a couple of reasons. One, it'll make it easier to see specifically what Douglas is feeling through his eyes, as well as Charlie's at one point, and two, the chapter leads into an ominous finish. That said, let's get right into it!

Douglas's POV

How could this have happened? I just lost a girl I was beginning to develop feelings for, and I shot a man who had no knowledge of the damage he had done. Niffty was a young girl, years older than me, but still far too young to die out now. All I can do is pray nobody else's soul dies down in Hell because these aren't just souls I can save. These aren't souls God is protecting anymore, and only now did I learn that. Husk had a rather aggressive rant, and as much as I hate to admit it, he's right. None of the dying souls in Hell have any hope of coming back. Niffty was wild beyond belief, but she didn't deserve the fate she got. And I don't know anything about Tom Trench, but the moment a newsman passes away, ratings go down. I sure hope he doesn't have a family he was supporting with his job.

"Hey, what's on your mind pal?" Angel asks me. I turn to him with a dark look in my eyes.

"I WILL find the person who did this, and I won't rest until they cease from existence!" I say with darkness in my soul. All I can think about is how easily Katie escaped, but even so, where'd she receive the antimatter gas from? Whoever sent this package is going to pay! I won't let them get away with it!

"What do you mean by that?" Angel asks with a slightly worried look. I sit up, trying to ignore the searing pain in my ankle, cradling my small admirer in my arms. I hold her out a little.

"Look Angel, some bastard sent the hotel a box of antimatter gas, and look what happened to Niffty!" I shout vigorously. "This loving girl is dead, and it's because of some unknown monster!" I say as I point to Tom Trench. "And look at that poor man! Why do you think he's dead?" I ask. Angel shrugs.

"Because you shot him?" He asks, causing me to sigh and lower my head in shame.

"Yes. But why did I shoot him?" He shrugs again. "I wanted answers. I wanted to know if he knew he was about to kill us all. I was hoping they would surrender, and he was pushed into my gun." I state. "But where do you think he got this chemical from?" Angel taps his chin.

"Well, antimatter gas is highly dangerous, but did you notice the beautiful red color it provided?" He asks. I nod because, in all honesty, the red mist was rather beautiful. "That chemical is often used in snow globes for a pretty illusion." My frown vanishes. All I feel now is curiosity.

"Snow globes?" I ask. Angel nods.

"Yeah, they sell globes like that at the emporium downtown." He states. "Antimatter gas is used for decoration." I never really thought of that, but that doesn't sound like a bad idea.

"And where does antimatter gas come from?" I ask, honestly curious if he knows.

"I believe it comes from black holes that have finished evaporating." He states before his knowledgeable expression vanishes. "Though I'm really not sure how anyone in Hell got their hands on it." He states. Momentarily, Charlie and Vaggie step out of the hotel, Charlie with a roll of bandages.

"Here Douglas." She says as she sits in front of me. "Will you lift your leg for a moment please?" She asks. I smile and lift my aching leg, to which she places her own legs under for support. "Thank you, now please hold still and stay tough." She tells me as Vaggie sits behind me and puts her hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks Charlie." I respond. I stare at the princess as she wraps the bandages over my wounded ankle. She has a caring look in her eyes, and I can't help but notice she looks particularly happy to be nursing me. I still have no clue why God decided to create Charlie in Hell. She's really too pure for this place.

"Alright, this may sting a little." She warns me.

"That's alright. I'm ready." I assure her. Vaggie squeezes my shoulders lightly.

"Alright, tense up a little." She tells me. I take a deep breath and flex internally. I grunt under my breath as Charlie firmly tightens the bandages over my injury. I exhale as the stinging feeling begins to fade.

"Is that better?" Charlie asks kindly.

"Much better," I respond. Charlie smiles the moment I say this.

"Awesome. Are you able to walk now?" She asks. I sigh and stand up, feeling minimal ankle pain now. I hold Niffty out to her.

"Charlie, did you not notice I ran back inside to save Niffty?" I say before nearly tearing up again. "If only I noticed she was gone a little sooner," I say shamefully. Charlie and Angel gloom.

"Aw, do you need a hug?" Charlie asks me wholesomely. May God please bless this girl's heart.

"Y-yes actually, if you don't mind," I respond with slight sadness in my voice, setting Niffty's body to the side.

"Awe, come here Douglas." She says in a sweet tone as she warmly embraces me. Without hesitation, I wrap my arms around her as well. She's slightly taller, yet, fairly strong for someone so gentle. Her blonde hair tickles the edge of my cheeks slightly. I look into her eyes, and I see empathy, pure empathy, something I didn't anticipate any demon in Hell having when I first arrived. But the last time I received a hug this warming, was from my mother eight years ago. My heart feels at home in Charlie's loving embrace.

"Mind if I cut in?" Angel asks with four arms open. Who am I to deny someone being wholesome?

"Not at all," I say. Angel comes in from my left side and hugs me with both sets of arms. Charlie faces Vaggie for a moment.

"Vaggie, you wanna help comfort Douglas?" She asks the purple cyclops. Vaggie sighs with a somewhat guilty uncertain look.

"I'm not one for hugs. I hope that's okay." She says. I wonder why. She seems like a pretty nice girl with many loving qualities Charlie has, just far less enthusiasm. I can't help but wonder if Vaggie was abused while alive. No matter, I'm receiving enough comfort from these two alone.

"Okay," I say as I inhale deeply and exhale. Charlie and Angel stop hugging me as I stretch a little and reach for my gun in my pocket. "Now Angel, as I said a minute ago, I must find the person responsible for this crime," I say. Charlie gives me a worried look.

"Douglas, are you threatening someone?" She asks. I guess it's time for the brutal truth.

"Yes Charlie, I am," I say as I withdraw my gun, causing her and Vaggie to flinch.

"Didn't you say you'd leave that in your pocket?" Vaggie asks me. I face her.

"I promised you while in the hotel this gun stays pocketed. I'm not in the hotel right now, nor do I intend to go back inside until this mission is complete." I state as I face Angel. "Did you say antimatter gas is found in snow globes at a store nearby?" He nods and grins.

"Yeah, there's a super handsome devil named Franklin that runs the place with his old-ass wife." Charlie frowns lightly.

"Now don't be insensitive Angel, not everyone ages as well as others." She says before pausing and changing her expression. "Wait, I thought Franklin was dead. Didn't he die in the last cleans?" She asks. Vaggie shrugs.

"Maybe he was only fired." She replies. Angel puts his hand to his chin.

"Wait a minute, they are a husband and wife team who both own the emporium together." He says. "Do you really think Franklin can get fired from that place?" He asks.

"Hm..." Both girls hum for a moment. I don't have time to think, I have to act.

"I'm going to the emporium right now." I declare. Charlie puts her hand to my shoulder.

"Douglas, can I please talk to you for a moment?" I sigh and turn around.

"Sure, what would you like?" I ask the princess. She faces Angel and Vaggie.

"Can you two go back inside, this is kind of important?" She requests of them. Angel nods.

"Sure, I suppose I don't really care." He says before turning around and stepping back inside, though he continues to watch with the door open. The purple girl sighs.

"Charlie, is there something you need to keep hidden from me?" She asks. I don't know if I should tell her why I'm here or not. Charlie knows, and I really hope Tytus doesn't ask me to kill her now. The more people that hear, the more information about me is revealed, and therefore more people may come after me.

"Vaggie, if I may ask, are you familiar with what happened to me last night?" I ask her. Charlie chuckles nervously.

"You were with Velvet, right?" The princess asks. I nod savagely.

"Yeah, and I imagine you know what happened to her, right?" I ask. Vaggie flinches.

"You killed her?" I nod. "How did you kill her?" Well, that was unexpected, I was worried she'd ask why.

"I used her net force against her. Alastor gave me a potion to weaken her bone density, which I mixed with some muscle enhancement serum and drank an invincibility potion." Vaggie's frown fades. "As you can see, it wasn't murder, it was a carefully planned self-defense. She killed herself upon trying to kill me." I spin the Glock around my hand before sliding it back in my pocket. "And yes, this may be different, but I'm going after the person who killed Niffty." I assure her. "If Franklin is alive, he'd better have a good alibi when judgment comes to him."

"Why are you out to kill him? Didn't Katie order it?" She asks. I glare.

"Katie's lucky she got away and had someone to injure me," I say as I tense up. "But I'm NOT letting the person behind this dark element get away with selling their product to a murderer!" Charlie sighs.

"You're really not gonna move on with your life until someone's dead, are you?" She asks in a let-down tone. What am I supposed to tell her? Yes?!

"No, I'm not Charlie. You know why I'm here, and I should tell you aside from the overlords themselves, I may not be obligated to kill anyone. But even so, I believe in an eye for an eye. I will get Katie Killjoy sooner or later on account of Tom, but before that, I must know who's responsible for Niffty's death." I make a fist. "They won't get away with that!" I assert. Vaggie gives me a suspicious look.

"Wait, what do you mean by obligated to kill?" She asks in concern. I sigh in annoyance. I really don't want to keep telling more people my motives.

"It's a long story Vaggie, and it's one I don't have time to explain here and now." I face Angel. "But I would like to know how to get to the emporium if you don't mind telling me," Angel smirks lightly and steps back out for a moment.

"If you go down the street that way," he says while pointing. "You may see an area labeled: Franklin and Rosie Emporium." He then folds his arms and smirks savagely. "Let me know when you find the person who sold the gas. If it was Franklin, tell him he's in for a good old fashion fucking by yours truly." He says while pointing four thumbs at himself. I want to chuckle at that, but that's not necessary right now. I'm too angered to think of humor.

"Thanks for the advice," I say as I turn around. "I'll see you guys later tonight if lucky, but don't get worried unless I'm not there tomorrow morning." Because Velvet was no piece of cake, and I don't want to wake up in any more beds I don't recall falling asleep in. I hear Charlie sigh.

"Please be careful Douglas." She says in a prayerful tone. "And don't feel scared to rest if your ankle starts hurting." I appreciate that sentence, but my heart hurts more than my foot. I lost my entire family when I was eight, and now just as I was beginning to develop potential feelings for someone else, they're gone just like that. I have to avenge Niffty.

"Thank you for your concern, Charlie. I'll be careful." I say as I begin walking away. "I'll see you guys later." And just like that, I'm gone. I cross a few streets and get a slight idea of what the town looks like. There are a few torn down buildings, a radio station almost as large as the hotel, Valentino's porn studio, and a few other normal buildings and apartments. I don't see any schools, but then again why should I expect them? God doesn't put children in Hell if they're not old enough to read. Speaking of reading, there was an imp with newspapers.

"Extra, extra! Read all about it!" The imp runs closer to me and shows me an image of a hideously deformed person. "Porn star Velvet has been found dead in her fancy apartment!" I facepalm at that. I knew Velvet was popular, but I didn't think she'd get in the newspapers that fast. I thought most of the time they had them typed out a day in advance.

"I'll pass," I tell the imp. "I'm not really the literate type." He squints at me.

"Are any of us really? But this is Velvet we're talking about! She's dead!" He practically screams in my face. I glare as the unpleasant memory of last night comes to me.

"I get it! She's dead now! Let me move on with my afterlife already!" I say aggressively while withdrawing a pumpkin.

"Hey, where'd you get that pumpkin?" He asks. I fake him out by swinging it close to his face. "Whoa!"

"That's for me to know and you to learn, like the maniac who killed the girl you had wet dreams over!" I say, causing his eyes to widen.

"How did you know I saw Velvet porn?" He asks. What can I say? It's a growing thing this generation for incels like him to fap to hot girls that would slap them if they met them in real life and knew they did that.

"That doesn't matter right now buddy, all that matters is the person who did this gets what they deserve!" I say. He grins and nods rapidly.

"That's a good call! I should tell the journalists that!" He turns around and runs away. "Extra, extra! Velvet is dead! We must find the killer responsible for this!" He shouts on his way out. I roll my eyes and move forward, reaching the emporium. The moment I step inside, a really thin warlock man in a top hat greets me.

"Hello and welcome to our emporium! What can we go for you today?" He asks with an odd tone of enthusiasm. I wouldn't have expected demons to have this level of energy.

"Hey, are you the one with the antimatter gas?" I ask, prepared to use lethal force if this guy doesn't speak up.

"Why, are you looking for one of our prized snow globes? Antimatter gas is the mist we use to provide it with color. Who doesn't like a nice red?" He asks. I frown lightly.

"Who are you?" I ask, not sure what to expect.

"I'm Franklin." He responds, giving me the urge to grab my pistol, an urge I choose to ignore. "And what is your name fine gentleman?" He asks.

"I'm Douglas," I say, knowing it won't matter anyway if I have to kill him. "And I demand an explanation for the antimatter gas that was sent to the Hazbin Hotel!" I raise my voice. His expression changes swiftly.

"Whoa, whoa. Calm down, sir. What's the trouble?" He asks. I grab him by the collar and pull him closer, he yelps as I jerk him toward me.

"Look, pal, your little material killed a small woman and lead me to mortally wounding a reporter!" I exclaim. He gasps.

"You killed Tom Trench?!" He exclaims in fear. How do these people learn things so fast? I really didn't think anyone in Hell gave a shit about another person's death.

"Yes, I attempted to confront him and his co-worker shoved him into my pistol!" I look around to see if anyone else is watching, but thankfully there are no witnesses, so I pull the Glock out of my pocket. "And unless you want to be the next victim of it, I suggest you tell me where the gas came from!" He holds his hands out defensively.

"You don't understand! We're not given that substance, we make it!" Oh really? What am I supposed to tell him? Don't make it anymore? I decide to make an enforcement.

"Alright, but why do you make it?! I demand a reason for a package of that lethal gas being sent to the Hazbin Hotel!" I firmly assert. Franklin gives me a prayerful-innocent look.

"I understand your fury young man. If you'd like to come to my wife's house, I can show you the purification spell to the substance!" He pleads, and who am I to blame him? I can tell he's scared, but I was equally as scared when I learned Niffty was still in the gas-filled hotel. Sometimes the result of fear is as devastating as you imagined.

"Well Witch Boy, if you want mercy, you'd better give me a reason for that delivery," I state. He shrugs.

"But I never knew a delivery happened, honest!" He says as I slowly slide the Glock back into my pocket. I'm not sure I can trust him, but he doesn't sound like he's lying.

"Did your wife send the package?" I ask. He shrugs with a nervous smile.

"She might've. Do you want me to ask her?" He asks. I raise an eyebrow and decide to clear with the warlock.

"Sir, I'm not here to hear who's responsible or at fault for the damage, because the damage is done." I hold up my pointer finger. "However, I do want a guaranteed promise that this will never happen again. If antimatter gas is lethal, nobody, and I mean NOBODY should die to it." He nods.

"I understand son. And if you want me to help you seal the spell that creates antimatter, I can certainly do that." He says, sounding somewhat unsure in his voice.

"Where do we seal the spell?" I ask.

"Only me and my wife know the spell. If you want to ensure the creation of the element will never be done again, you'll have to convince my wife as well." I've dealt with witches before. They always flew around on brooms and created a floor of fire I had to avoid. I take pride in my ghost-fighting abilities, but I don't envy the PTSD I may have when I grow older.

"If the spell can be permanently scrapped or re-written, then I'd be very grateful if you could lead me to doing so." He smiles widely and raises his wand.

"Well then, huzzah!" He says cheerfully. "To the mansion!" He says as he begins waving his wand around in the air. I'm a little surprised he's so enthusiastic. I really can't tell if he's genuinely happy to help me, or if he's threatened by my power. Either way, I don't think he's lying, and I'm prepared to use force if he is. Within moments, he and I are teleported right outside of a large haunted house. "Welcome young lad, to the house of Franklin and Rosie!" The mere mention of the name causes me to flinch.

"Wait, Rosie?" Why does this name suddenly sound so familiar? I know I've heard the name Rosie recently, but I can't put my finger on why. "You and Rosie are rich?" I ask. He nods.

"We are very rich. Channel 666 News has endorsed our emporium countless times. Each time our name is mentioned on the news, a lot of customers come that day." He says as he turns to the house. "Well, let's go inside." He begins to unlock the door and I read a sign in the yard.

"I'd turn back if I were you!" I frown slightly and face Franklin. "No offense, but this isn't really a welcoming environment," I say as the warlock chuckles.

"What can I say? Fear is a very important element." He states, causing me to give a curious look. I really don't get why fear is good for you.

"What makes fear important?" I ask. He opens the door.

"If you have no fear, you have nothing to conquer your whole life. Everything that scares you only gives you the potential to grow stronger." He politely holds the door open. "Let's go inside." I step in and look around the place. I see coffins leaning on the walls, a chandelier with bats sleeping on the branches, paintings all over the upper wall with realistic-looking eyes, and a fireplace with a pure red flame on the wood.

"This... is an interesting house, to say the least," I mumble. Franklin steps in and stands next to me.

"I know, everything here is custom! Not a single thing in this house can be found anywhere else in the universe!" He says in an excited tone. I turn around to see if he shut the door, but suddenly the door slams itself shut, causing me to flinch.

"Was that door part of your custom house?" I ask in a sarcastic tone. To my surprise, he's serious about it.

"It most certainly is! My wife wanted a door that wouldn't allow intruders to ever get out." I pause for a second. Does this mean I can't teleport? I close my eyes and attempt to teleport, failing to do so. Franklin notices. "Oh! You can teleport too?!" He asks, confusing me a little. How can he tell if I didn't actually pull it off?

"Yeah... but why isn't it working here?" I ask. Franklin chuckles.

"Rosie has very strict rules, and she set a gravity bind on this building. It magnetizes all particles to stay in place, and it prevents any form of electrical currents." That's a little surprising, but I guess witchcraft is superior to technology.

"Okay, that's definitely not common, but that doesn't matter," I state. Suddenly all the lights shut off. "Whoa! Why'd it gets so dark in here?!" I exclaim.

"Hold on, I can handle this," Franklin assures me. Before I can say anything, a bright cross appears in his palm and illuminates part of the area. "Is that better?" I pause at the mere thought of this. How can someone in Hell use this power?

"You can use holy spells?" I ask both curious and beyond surprised.

"Of course not." He remarks. "This is just an illusion. We warlocks focus on any form of power we can get. Why, I sense you have this ability yourself, and I was able to use your aura to replicate it." My eyes widen.

"You knew I was from Heaven?" I ask. Franklin shakes his head.

"Not entirely, you're still very well alive and breathing. But your powers are enough to rival Hell's deadliest sinners and most evil forces." He smiles coyly for a second. "Why, one day I hope I can do the things you do." He says. I'm tempted to tell him that'll never happen, but I shouldn't ruin his dream.

"Whatever, let's go now," I say, stepping forward. "Where's the antimatter gas spellbook page?" I ask. He points down the hallway.

"It's in the far-left bedroom. It should be the page in between the miscarriage and injustice spells." He says fairly confidently. I'm seriously tempted to destroy the book as a whole, but I don't want to set off too much of an alarm to whoever lives here. I doubt Franklin is alone in this large house. I step into the master bedroom and spot a brown spellbook with purplish aura radiating off of it.

"Okay." I mumble quietly as I search for the page. I hear a gust of wind blow from the hallway.

"Um, Douglas. Can you please hurry up?!" Franklin asks in a scared tone.

"I'm looking for it." I call back. I finally flip to the miscarriage page. "Miscarriage, make a mother the most depressed person on earth by prematurely killing her baby." I then flip to the next page.

"My wife is gonna- AH!" I hear Franklin scream in the background as his voice vanishes and his light goes out. Now all the only light I still have is the book's glow, but purple isn't really a good color for brightness. I'm a little worried about Franklin, but I can't save him until I'm done.

"Be right there Franklin, give me a minute!" I call out hoping he can hear me. I begin reading the next page. "Injustice, grant your arch-enemy a guilty verdict over a crime they didn't commit so they spend their life in prison or get the death penalty." I start to skim the pages rapidly. "Where is the antimatter gas spell page?!" I exclaim in anxiety.

"Oh my." A voice says, sounding like a much older woman. I turn around and see a dark figure holding a page up. "Looking for this?" She asks. I look up at her head, but all I see is a silhouette of her, and it looks like she's wearing a large hat of some sort. I can't show any fear, that will only weaken me now.

"Yes I am! Give it to me!" I demand as I step forward, suddenly I fall. "AH!" I scream as the floor opens up beneath my feet. "OW!" I crash on a dirt floor. Suddenly the ceiling closes above me, leaving me trapped in this basement. I look around, but there's no light here, and the only thing I can see is a light at the end of a very distant tunnel. I can't believe I fell for that trap, literally! But the only way out must be the light at the end of the tunnel. I need to get there if I wanna see the sun again. "Franklin?" I call quietly, hoping the man can hear me. Suddenly the lights start to slowly turn on a little, leaving me in a hall with pictures that stare at me.

"Hello, little boy." A quiet woman calls out. I look around and I spot a necromancer in a photo. As I step forward her eyes follow me. "How would you like a little antimatter gas?" She asks. My eyes widen, and I see a dark red mist start to invade the room. I quickly inhale the last breath of fresh air I can get before the poison fills the whole hallway. I turn to the light at the end of the hallway and start running for it. I'm not much of a runner, and doing this without breathing out is going to hurt, but I can't breathe in again or I'm dead! I close my eyes and endure the pain as I sprint for the end of the hall.

Happy Hotel Balcony

Charlie's P.O.V.

I'm not going to be able to rest easy tonight, which is very odd considering I've had a pretty easy life thus far. But we've already lost Niffty, and chances are Douglas may die if he goes after another overlord. He was lucky enough to beat Velvet, but the others are a bit smarter than her. Well, except maybe my dad. But that's another thing, my parents won't go easy on him, and if he does beat them, I'll never see them again. I may never see either of them again starting tonight! And now I don't know what to think of Douglas. Vaggie says he may be dangerous, and I don't doubt that she's correct. But would he do the right thing with all the power he has? I pray that he will. I step outside to see Alastor staring over the city on the penthouse balcony. He hears me and turns around.

"Hello, darling." He says in an oddly quiet tone compared to his usual mood. He seems a little sad for some reason.

"Hey Alastor," I say as I step up to the railing and look over the edge with him. "So... what's up?" I ask in an awkward tone. He sighs.

"Are you worried about someone too my darling?" He asks. I nod lightly. "I could tell. So am I." He remarks quietly.

"Oh, so we're both worried Douglas may not come back tonight?" I ask. Alastor shrugs.

"I'm not worried about him. He's stronger than you'll ever be." He remarks. "He didn't choose the angel's fate, but God chose his people." He states.

"Well... who are you worried about?" I ask. Alastor sighs and his smirk strengthens.

"It's not important. She's not as relevant to me as Douglas is to you." He says, confusing me a little.

"Douglas is relevant to me?" I ask before frowning a little. "How so?" Alastor faces me with a mischievous look in his eyes.

"Did you remember what I said about the Armageddon?" I nod as the radio demon goes on. "Well I fear one of these days, all of us overlords in Hell will perish, and you and him are our world's only hope at peace." My frown fades.

"You think he will kill the other overlords?" I ask as Alastor shrugs.

"I don't know. But I do know he's young and he's fighting in his prime. He's a lot stronger than I was when alive, and that's a lot to say as a former serial killer." He says, causing me to give him a questioning look.

"You think he'll kill you soon?" I ask. He shuts his eyes and scrunches his eyebrows.

"If God is truly with this boy, he will withdraw from Hell before it comes down to us. But I'm not giving up my overlord status, and I truly hope this boy really is my friend from the other side, for it would hurt to have to kill him." He says in an oddly serious tone. I recall the info Angel brought up before.

"Alastor, may I ask you one more thing?" I ask endearingly. He opens his eyes and smiles at me, really showing his large teeth.

"Sure sweetie. What would you like to know?" He asks with a little more spirit now.

"Do you think he's safe with Franklin? Or do you think Franklin may try to kill him the same way his wife cruelly kills people?" I ask. Alastor chuckles darkly.

"Oh dear Charlie, you are so blissfully ignorant to the truth, are you not?" He asks me. I hold up my pointer finger for a moment before he continues. "That gentle warlock is gone now. He didn't survive the cleans, nor did his wife seem saddened by his death." He grabs his staff and begins heading for the door. "If Douglas goes into the Emporium, he won't see Franklin, for Franklin is no longer with us." He says before entering the hotel and closing the door behind him.

"Uh oh." That can only mean one thing... Douglas will have to deal with Rosie, and Rosie isn't a joke to anyone. She's scarier than my mother, and other than Franklin... I don't think anyone has ever stepped foot in her house and then came out. I hope the boy pulls through because if he doesn't, there's no doubt the Armageddon will come faster than we can prepare for.

Franklin and Rosie's Mansion

Douglas's P.O.V.

After five minutes of running, I finally reach the end of the hall and almost pass out. I breathe out since I'm certain the poison has lost its potency by now. But even so, I don't have enough strength to stand anymore. I turn the doorknob to the next room and then plummet to the floor as the door opens.

"Ow," I mumble as my chest lands on the cold hard ground. I look up, and I see a dungeon. There are axes and spears on the walls, and the only light in the room are a few torches on the walls as well. I look forward to a distant staircase. A man slowly walks down the stairs and comes closer to me. His movements are very unusual, and he looks like he may pass out at any moment.

"Hell-o Doug-ual." He mumbles. He gets closer and closer, and after a while, I recognize his poorly deformed face.

"Franklin?" I ask as I finally breathe normally again, still greatly exhausted. He stops in his tracks and stands still. His face is very pale, his eyes are losing their coloration, and his final footsteps aren't even audible.

"So...rry son." He manages to say. I try to push my body up, but my feet have lost all their feeling, and my arms are beginning to ache madly. I use all my strength to pull myself closer to him, groaning on the increased pressure in my arms. "My soul... has be...en... fore...closed." He says in a dying voice. I gasp and do a push up as his body slowly deteriorates from top to bottom.

"Franklin..." I mumble weakly as a wave of depression hits me. I'm getting unusually sleepy, and I won't maintain consciousness much longer, but there's only one thing for sure, Franklin is dead. Franklin was dead. Franklin was killed before I got here, and it's too late to save him. Whatever I've seen of him was all just an illusion to hide the truth and lure me here. My arms give up and I begin to try adapting to this uncomfortable floor. But I hear that very same woman's voice from before.

"Ha, ha, ha." She laughs quietly in the background. "Sleep well young boy." She says. I shut my eyes and turn towards my dreams. But God as my witness, when I wake up, I'm going to investigate that voice... now I just need to pray I'll be able to wake up at all.

"Dear God, I pray tha-..."

Author's Note: And there's the seventh chapter, finally! I think you all know where this is headed now, and I wanted to make this chapter a little more like a potential Creepypasta, so you can be the judge of that.

I do also want to apologize for taking this long. My damn Anatomy class is slowing me down. I hope that's okay, and thanks for being patient so far. I'll try not to have another gap in chapters this large again.

Deceased:

Franklin