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Temptation

Artist: inky_6gi

This choice ate away at you like a disease. You were glad Henry wasn't home to notice your excessive detachment from reality. You would constantly hear your radio turn on and off in your bedroom wherever part of the house you were in. You had no idea how it was able to turn on and off by itself. Whispering temptations through your listening ears. It was hard not to ignore despite your efforts. You did originally plan on smashing the thing to pieces like you did with your fathers, but curiosity had you in a death grip. 

The man on the radio had given you a lot to think about and reconsider as much as you wouldn't like to admit. You knew either choice you made - staying or leaving - would have some negative connotation. If you had stayed here, in this small home, what would change? Everyday for a full year has been the same routine that it became depressing. Nothing was enjoyable anymore, there was no excitement to be had. But now knowing that at least something of what once was an animation studio was still intact, intrigued you. Even if you had gone and ended up dead in the end, you didn't care. You felt dead already having to be stuck behind walls from the outside. Not able to have a life of your own. 

With that final thought, a decision was made and a plan was to be in circulation. You sat on your bed staring blankly at the radio across from you. It was on but the voice no longer spoke, leaving you with an ear-piercing static. You drummed your fingers on your thigh, not bothered by the noise that took hold of every other sound. 

As much as you had loved your father, maybe this would be better for him. He'd have no one to care for or take up space in his home. For his age, he shouldn't have to have any issues on his plate. And you felt as if you were one of them. You obviously need transportation in order to make it to the studio. Walking was no certainly no option, especially from last times trip all the way over here. So you'd need a car. You hummed to yourself in amusement. Once Henry would arrive back home and head straight to bed as he always does, you would get the keys off the rack at the front door late in the night. Pretty simple than you had overthought it to be. Lightly you chuckled to yourself. Only other problem you'd have to deal with tonight would be the overwhelming guilt that would come after words. But emotions don't linger forever. 

Heading over towards the radio, you turned it off and headed back out into the living room. Now all that had to be done was pass time until Henry got home. 

~

You were nearing the completion of the beanie you started a week ago when you heard the creaking hinges of the front door. Turning over to face a completely defeated Henry putting his coat on the coat rack to his right. "I'm home hah", Henry greeted while ruffling his hair. "Busy day?", you mused back, turning your attention back to your crochet hooks held between your first two fingers and your thumb. "yeah, as per usual. hats looking great though! You've gotten really good", Henry peeks over your shoulder from behind the couch as he headed towards the hall. 

"Thanks"

You listened to his footsteps that faded to his room, searching for the sound of bedsprings. "I'm heading off to bed, night (Y/N)", Henry called out and a minute later, the sound you were desperate for came. You stayed put before doing anything else, giving it an hour more to further ensure that he was indeed asleep. It was now roughly 11:35pm by the time you began getting ready. You tip-toed to your room, careful not to make too much noise when you went to put your yarn and completed hat away in the dresser. As you closed the drawer, you heard the radio crackle for a second before remaining silent again. You hissed slightly, anxious the speaker would boom its sound throughout the silent house. You stayed in place tense as you stared pleadingly at the radio in front of you. 

Thankfully, nothing else happened. You quickly slipped your shoes on before exiting the bedroom and headed for the keys at the front door. As expected, the car keys dangled in the dim candle light before you. You unlocked the door and made a motion to open the front door but the guilt inside you suddenly flooded your emotions. 'Don't look back, damn it' 

You cursed yourself in an attempt at surpassing the feeling. Gritting your teeth, you shook your head and pressed forward, opening the door to be enveloped with a bitter breeze from the nightfall that greeted you. You shut the door slowly behind you. 

"I'm sorry dad"

You strode across the lawn and towards the car, unlocked it, and sat inside. You prayed that your father was a heavy sleeper because you forgot to realize the noise that would erupt from starting the car. You had to take a chance since you've gotten this far. You let the key linger in the ignition before turning it suddenly with a sharp gasp. The rumble wasn't as loud as you had thought after it settled. Taking no time, you backed up and redirected yourself on the road towards hell. 

You adjusted the rear-view mirror to see your fathers neighborhood grow more distant the more miles you made. You furrowed your brows back to the view in front of you, a sharp pain striking your heart strings for a second, the thought of your unknowing father sleeping soundlessly in bed. How would he have reacted seeing his daughter and car suddenly missing the next morning? You didn't let these wonders settle any longer before it could affect you anymore than it did already. You brought your mind back to the present.

Buildings were now replaced by tall black oak trees spaced throughout the land around you. The moon glimmering through the shrouds of leaves in flashes as you drove. You kept the radio off throughout the whole ride, preferring the sound of the wind and humming of the car over the tunes that were currently popular. You were startled to hear the radio abruptly blast static, causing you to swerve your car from the sudden bombshell. "Shit! What the hell!?", You yell aloud to yourself while redirecting yourself on the right side of the road. 

"We hope you made the right decision (Y/N). We expect your arrival"

The radio shut back off. Thankful not to hear the damned noise any longer as you continued to drive. 'Strange how it knows what I'm doing right now..' 

Not long before after, you could see something come into view down the road. The area was more spacious now, an open area you came to recognize easily. You slowed when you entered the cul-de-sac. While you were searching for an area to park, you spotted your car eerily illuminated by your headlights. It was completely run down. The tires flat with a severely sun bleached and rusted appearance from all the years of sitting in one place. Seeming ghostly and unfamiliar to you now, making you shudder a bit. 

You parked near the trees on the other side of the studio and got out. You patted your dress and looked over at the building to see it in its new condition. Areas of the wooden structure crumbled on itself and caked with black ash and soot. Though strangely, the door was still intact with a few burn marks. A few other areas untouched by the flames. 

"I'm back"