Hatchetfield.

The Severed Floor

"Forgive me for the pain I have caused this world. None may atone for my actions but me, and only in me shall their stain live on. I am thankful to have been caught, returned in obedience to my Lord by those with wizened hands. I know that my voice and actions are His, not mine. I will speak again only in repentance, or in unison with His Singular Voice. All I can be is sorry, and sorry is all that I am."

"Good try, Paul!" Melissa smiled across the monitor. "But I still don't believe you." She clicked the counter in her hand. "Again."

********************************************

"Forgive me for the pain I have caused this world."

********************************************

Paul hated the elevator.

He hated everything about his miserable, severed existence. The elevator was just his worst reminder.

He walked down the hall towards it, Melissa right on his tail to make sure he didn't try anything. He was currently being punished, after all. He could feel her eyes boring into the back of his neck as he scanned his card and called the elevator. After a minute, the doors opened before him and he stepped inside.

"See you tomorrow, Paul!" Melissa waved with a smile.

Paul glowered at her as the doors closed.

The elevator began its ascent.

Paul blinked.

The elevator continued its descent and came to a stop.

The doors opened and Melissa smiled brightly, now wearing a burgundy blazer instead of the frilly pink blouse she'd been wearing previously. Paul knew he was wearing different clothes, too.

A day had passed, he just hadn't experienced it. He never would. All it was to him was a blink in the elevator.

"Hi, Paul!" Melissa clasped her hands. "Ready to try again?"

Knowing he had no say in the matter, Paul just gave a short nod and stepped out of the elevator.

He followed Melissa down the twisting maze of hallways to the Break Room. The room was dim, barely lit enough to see. With a demeaning pat to his shoulder, Melissa sat Paul down in front of the monitor. As he placed his hands in the grooves on the surface of the table, Melissa took her seat across from him, booting up her machines, plugging in her headphones, and readying her counter. She switched on the monitor, lighting the room with a dull blue glow.

She nodded. "Go ahead."

Paul swallowed, and turned his eyes to the script being projected on the monitor.

"Forgive me for the pain I have caused this world. None may atone for my actions but me, and only in me shall their stain live on. I am thankful to have been caught, returned in obedience to my Lord by those with wizened hands. I know that my voice and actions are His, not mine. I will speak again only in repentance, or in unison with His Singular Voice. All I can be is sorry, and sorry is all that I am."

"Good try, Paul!" Melissa smiled across the monitor. "But I still don't believe you." She clicked the counter in her hand. "Again."

Paul drew in a slow breath and pushed it out through clenched teeth. He squeezed his hands into fists, his nails cutting into his palms. He flattened his hands out on the indents in the table before speaking again.

"Forgive me for the pain I have caused this world."

--

Bill, Ted, and Charlotte all turned to the door simultaneously when it opened and Melissa ushered Paul inside.