[Backstory] Cold Embrace - Devon Green
Traffic, Traffic. It was all I could think about every single day. The thought of being late to work made me cringe. I wanted my boss to admire me, I wanted her to know I was committed, but this god awful traffic insists on twisting my dreams and tearing them apart. There I was but two blocks ahead. I could see the 50 story building right there. Why then did it feel so far away? I made it to work, with 2 minutes to spare. I ran to the elevator, but just as I made it, the door closed. I thought for sure they would press the "Door Open" button for me, considering I was only a couple feet away, but they didn't. I was fine with that, they were probably in a rush. I could understand completely.
I passed by the lobby where a segment was playing on the television about this guy known only as the "Jigsaw Killer". He was getting too close to home, at least that's what my wife was trying to convince me. She wanted us to pack up our things and leave, get away from it all before it ended up happening to one of us, or even worse, one of the kids. I did my best to assure her that everything was going to be ok, yet she was convinced that I was wrong. She threatened to move away without me if it got any worse. So there I stood, glued to the television. I took a look at my watch in shock realizing I was already 5 minutes late.
I finally made it to my office, hoping that Ms. Carter wouldn't realize I was late. Once again my nightmare became a reality when I saw her walking past and she began to glare at me. "Late again, Mr. Green? Of course I would expect such behavior from a worthless waste of space such as yourself." she screamed. Everyone around me stared in shock. I simply lowered my head in shame and apologized. I hated to have anyone mad at me. "Im sorry, Ms. Carter. I couldn't help it. The traffic was terrible and the elevator-" I said before being interrupted. "Just get to work, you're slacking enough as it is." she replied. I felt terrible inside.
I continued my work, hearing her words echo throughout the day. Why did I have to let everyone down so often? Why couldn't I be more like them? The ones that did their job, and on time at that. I felt like the lowest person on Earth. I decided to use my break time to go see my only friend in the entire complex. He reminded me a bit of myself, though I enjoyed being around him. He had so much going for him, but he was completely down to Earth, not a care in the world. I made my way up to his office, at least he wouldn't mind me being around. I was looking forward to his company.
I knocked on the door, Will seemed distracted. I'd never seen him so spaced out. He looked at me and smiled, it was a welcome part of the day to be honest. Not one person had smiled at me the entire day, he would be the first. We talked for a little bit, though he seemed hurried to get home. I could understand, no one really wanted to be here in the first place, so when it was time to leave, we made every effort to do so as quickly as possible. I didn't give myself any reason to stay here any longer than I needed to, it got so dead and creepy here at night.
That was the last time I would ever see him. He was never heard from again. All I had to look forward to now was my family, and even they began to slowly distance themselves from me. It was the same routine, constantly fighting over whether to stay or whether to go. Months later, they finally made the decision for me, and I was regrettably left alone. If only they realized just how much I thought about them, maybe then they would decide to come back. Being alone for months doesn't help with your social skills, I found myself talking to memories of what once was, and even that was beginning to get boring.
My routine followed into work, the same thing everyday. Not one smile to make the day a little bit easier. Not one friend in the entire 50 floors of that God forsaken place. Yet, something always brought me back, and I never quite understood why. It was a dark and quiet night, the snow had been falling for quite some time. It honestly looked peaceful. I wanted so badly to just run outside and be a kid again, though unfortunately that wish would never come true.
I made my way down the cold office hallways, not a person in sight. It was quieter than usual, I was so used to the copy machine running, or even a fellow employee spreading rumors about another. I'd give anything to have felt such security at that moment. I walked to the elevator, there was a man inside, a much older man. He was standing next to what seemed to be his daughter, or at least she looked young enough to be. I kindly smiled at them, and surprisingly enough, they smiled back. I was thrilled to find someone nice enough to talk to. I waited a bit before finally deciding to speak up. "What brings you to the office at such late hours?" I said with a smile. They simply smiled back.
It was then I felt a sharp pain against my neck. I was confused, I was shocked, I was fading away. All I could do was stare helplessly at the two strangers as I heard the girl say, "You." It was all I could remember before waking up in a dirty warehouse, with glass all around. I awoke in shock, half dazed. "Wha-Where am I?" I said, in a confused manner. There was no one around. I found a tape player next to me, with the words, "Play Me" written across from it. I hesitantly pressed the play button.
"Hello Devon, your life is built upon the footsteps of those around you. To you, life is but an excuse to put others before yourself. While some may see this as a noble trait, you have suffered because of it. Today you will have a chance at redeeming yourself, and ultimately gaining the reward of a life lived for you. The room you are currently standing in, is filled with deadly shards of glass. Each step will be further progression into a life where you are no longer stepped upon, where you, alone, shall do the walking...Right into the door that is your life. All you have to do, is walk to the door. You have but 30 seconds. You may have noticed the spikes above you. If you fail, I need not explain what events will occur. Will you stand above the past that has so kept you bound to others and live a life for you? Or will you once again allow the world to crush you, destroying your very soul? Live or Die Mr. Green. Make your choice."
I looked around in horror. Was this real? How could I walk across glass in 30 seconds to the door at the other end of the room? It was madness. I screamed to the top of my lungs. I prayed to make it out alive. I then began to take each step slowly. Pain coursing through my body as I took each step. I screamed out in agony. My breath became shallow. Each step more difficult than the last. I finally made it to the door, I could feel my freedom in front of me. It was then that I heard a buzzer. I looked back in terror to find that the timer had reached zero. I heard a click on the door. I looked back at the door and began to try to pull it open. It didn't budge. It had automatically locked itself. I slowly brought my attention to the ceiling. I knew the inevitable was going to happen. In my moment of fear, I felt a wave of life fill my veins.
I finally felt alive, more so than I ever had before. I wanted to run out and take advantage of life, what little I had left in me. I ran back to my children, I held them closer than I ever had. I grabbed my wife and stared her in the eyes, I held her tight and told her everything was alright. Why couldn't that have been real? Instead I stand here, staring death in the face, with nothing but a history of failed attempts at making everyone happy. It was then that the ceiling collapsed upon me. I watched as the world around me began to fade away, and though one would feel a sense of fear, a sense of tragedy, I felt...free. With one final effort, I uttered my last breath, "Thank you. Thank you." I slowly closed my eyes. It was finally over.
===THE END===