Chapter 6 - Descending
Grace POV - Today was the day. The day we descended to hell (at least, that's how Wheatley described it). The day we went to Aperture. I awoke early because of my anticipation and terror. Sleep was necessary but extremely difficult. I got up and got dressed in a simple strappy-top and a pair of three-quarter length jeans which I find easy to move in. My favourite pair. I never bother making my bed because I know I'll just be sleeping in it again the next night, so what's the point? Today was no different. I left the wardrobe door open, the window open and my bed unmade. When I was ready, I went downstairs to get some breakfast.
"Morning," Wheatley called from the living room.
"Morning," I called back. Then I proceeded to the kitchen, to get some breakfast. I knew it was important for me to have something to eat, but I just couldn't bring myself to put the food in my mouth. I knew it would be a disadvantage later, but I just couldn't do it.
*DING DONG*
Tammy was here. We didn't want her to come with us (Wheatley and I) in case there was an emergency and she would be at home to let us back in. Anyway, I knew it would be dangerous and I didn't want to put her at risk. It was bad enough that I would be going. And if I got hurt, what would I say to my parents about how I had done it? Even though Wheatley didn't mention it, I was sure I wasn't supposed to tell anyone about Aperture. I don't think people would believe me if I did anyway.
"Hi," I said to Tammy when I opened the door for her.
"Heya," She said. "When we going?" This was the problem. Although she knew we didn't want her to come, she still thought she could change our minds (if Wheatley had a mind?).
"Come in," I told Tammy, ignoring her previous question. She came in and sat down on the sofa in the living room. Carefully, I closed the door and went and joined her on the sofa.
"Tammy, as we told you before, you're not coming. You'll be more use here. And I don't want to put you at even more risk." I knew I was being very stubborn about the subject, but I felt very strongly about not letting her come with us.
"You're not 'putting me at risk', I'm volunteering. There's a difference," She said.
"Still NO!" I practically shouted at her. "If you got hurt. If you died... It would be all my fault. I couldn't live with that. So please, PLEASE, stay here. For my sake." Finally, the begging and the sob story won her over. She nodded, such a tiny nod I hardly noticed it.
"Ok," she mumbled reluctantly.
We were there. In a corn field. Facing a little wooden shack. I had said goodbye earlier, with much crying, and told her what to tell my parents if I...if anything happened to me. The little wooden shack in front of me was old. The brown paint peeled off the wood, like a banana skin being pulled from its fruit. The roof had distinct holes where some tiles were missing and the wood that the shack was made from was clearly rotting. I was holding Wheatley in one hand, and had my other hand resting in the door. There was no handle so I assumed that you pushed the door, however, as much as I knew I'd have to sooner or later, I couldn't bring myself to push it. I was terrified.
Wheatley POV - I couldn't understand why Grace didn't just push open the door. All she had to do was push. What was so hard about that?
"Would you please just PUSH THE BLOODY DOOR?" I shouted after a while. I was fed up of us just staring at the door and the sooner we got in there the sooner I could be on my management rail and move of my own free will. "PUSH IT!" I shouted again. Finally, she pushed open the door and walked inside. She stopped and gasped. I guess she wasn't expecting the polished, round elevator with the lit up buttons and the clean glass. After what felt like an hour she finally entered the elevator and looked out.
"Press the button that says '-2'" I told her. Hesitantly, she pressed the button and looked out over the wheat field as the door closed around us and we started to descend.