Erich Streator opened his eyes to find he was standing in a gloomy, cave-like area with stalactites hanging down from above and flames shooting up from the dirt floor.

"What did I ever do to deserve to go to hell?" he moaned. "I tried my best to be a good husband to Annabelle. I worked hard and provided for her so she could have everything she wanted and needed."

"This isn't hell."

Startled, Erich turned to see a winged creature talking to him. Whether it was an angel or a demon, he couldn't say - only that the sight of it made his blood run cold.

"It's only purgatory," the creature continued. "You're here because of the irrational hatred you showed toward Annabelle's daughter Christy and Christy's doll, Talky Tina."

"Irrational!" Erich shouted. "How can you say I was irrational? She didn't even tell me she had a kid when we got married, and then she goes and buys that expensive doll and puts it on store credit. An extra expense I didn't need!"

The creature regarded him coldly. It took a menacing step in his direction, which made sweat break out on his forehead.

"A lonely little girl needs a doll for company," it chided him. "You shouldn't have begrudged your stepdaughter a companion to play with. You not only threw Tina against a wall, but you used garage equipment to try to destroy her, and when that didn't work, you put her in a trash can."

"You should have heard the things that doll said to me!" Erich protested. "No doll should say things like that!"

The creature crossed its arms in front of its body and continued to glare at him.

"Tina knew you hated Christy and didn't want her to have anything nice."

"That's not true!" Erich wailed. "She just didn't need a fancy doll like that. Why couldn't Annabelle have gotten her a simple rag doll instead?"

"Because Annabelle loves her daughter and wants her to have nice things. You didn't. As a result, you'll have to stay here until all your irrational hatred is purged away. Only then will you be fit for the glory of heaven."

"And how long will that take?" Erich wailed.

The creature didn't respond. Erich looked around and felt his heart sink.