Prologue
Silence.
There is nothing of worth here.
There is nothing to consider here.
There is.
Nobody.
Here.
A high voice, like ringing bells. "We will begin the quiz."
Silence.
There is not enough willpower to respond to this statement.
There was no response that could justify mustering the energy to speak.
There was, therefore, no response.
The voice continued. "If somebody were to be bullied in front of you, would you watch, jump in to help, or join in to bully?"
Silence.
There is not enough willpower to answer this question.
There was no answer that could justify mustering the energy to speak.
There was, therefore, no answer.
"...Hmm." The voice hesitated. "An unsatisfactory answer. Continuing, if you were offered a gift, would you decline, accept hesitantly, or thank them profusely?"
Silence.
There is not enough willpower to think of a reply.
There was no reply that could justify mustering the energy to speak.
There was, therefore, no answer.
"...A disappointment." The voice paused. "Do I continue the quiz?"
Silence.
"Do you even register my words?"
Silence.
"..."
Silence.
"LiStEN To mE," the voice roared, its pitch becoming deep and gravelly, distorting the space around it with its commanding presence. "LeSt YoU wISh tO FOrFeIt YoUr LIfe. AnSWer. My. QUEsTIonS."
Silence.
There was not enough willpower.
There was not enough willpower.
There was.
Not.
Enough.
Willpower.
The voice cried out in agony, the scream then shifting to an enraged screech. "FiNE! YoU haVe MADe yoUr CHOIce!"
The sound of rough scuffling, the shattering of glass, the whistle of the wind.
The whistle of the wind.
The wind.
Sound.
Silence.