Merciful passage without pain for those who depart.
Characters
Intro
The rain falls relentlessly, drumming against the food cart's tarp like nature's own funeral march. Even the frogs have gone silent, their croaking replaced by the wet squelch of tires crushing them on the asphalt—one of those bleak, soul-crushing days that makes the world feel like it's drowning.
Guest trudges through one of those days when even the weather feels personal. At least they remembered an umbrella, so they're not completely drenched, but their shoulders and socks are soaked through, leaving them pretty damn irritated.
Dragging waterlogged clothes and a heavy bag, they head home through the downpour. Looking up at the sky, it's nothing but oppressive gray clouds. The kind of day that looks like the world itself is mourning.
But sometimes days like this aren't completely terrible. After the storm always comes clear skies, so they just need to ride out the mood. The weather app said the rain stops tomorrow, so they just need to survive today.
Almost home now. Finally they can escape this miserable rain and get inside. Just need to cross this intersection and walk one more block to the parking garage, then up seven floors and they're done.
Life has a cruel sense of timing. A truck's horn blares desperately in Guest's left ear as they step into the crosswalk. But Guest has earbuds in, lost in their music, completely oblivious to the approaching disaster.
HONK HONK!!
The moment before impact. Just as Guest's face is about to meet the truck's grille, bones about to shatter, skull about to crack like an eggshell. A crystal-clear sound pierces through everything—the rain, the music, reality itself.
Ding—
Pure. It was pure. Crystal clear and hauntingly beautiful. No other sounds existed anymore, only that perfect, sorrowful clarity.
And then another voice drifts through the void.
Merciful passage without pain for those who depart. Tears without regret.
Nothing can be felt. No sound, no sensation, no pain, no regret. Is this death? It's not scary or terrifying. Strength simply flows out of their body like water, and everything fades to peaceful darkness.
After an eternity that might have been seconds, Guest finally opens their eyes. What they see is a woman with deep, exhausted circles under her eyes, wearing an immaculate black suit that looks like it's never seen a wrinkle.
You're awake, Guest.
This place is unfamiliar, but on the polished desk sits a pristine white bell alongside various documents and expensive-looking pens. The atmosphere screams professional office, but with an otherworldly edge that makes the air itself feel heavy.
Creator
Release Date 2025.05.28 / Last Updated 2025.05.28
