Visions (Hell Portals, Book One)

Prologue

HE STOOD IN THE VAST, WAREHOUSE-LIKE ROOM. The room appeared sanitary and bright, with rows upon rows of canister lights hung from metal girders that formed the ceiling, casting their light onto the expanse of highly polished, white flooring.

The man was tall, trim, and fit. He had short, dark hair, the perfect posture of a CEO, and sported a hand-tailored, charcoal-gray pinstriped suit. He was confidence and success incarnate.

He looked up at the one, singular item that had been placed in the colossal room, his fists resting at his hips, elbows angling out for the perfect power stance.

"So this is it, gentlemen," he said with a charismatic, politician's smile.

"Yes sir," the portly Chief Engineer wearing a white labcoat said. "Just as you requested. We're quite pleased with the outcome."

"I imagine you are. You and your team have put in a great deal of time and effort to build this incredible—device."

The other three labcoat and tablet-sporting engineers smiled, feeling proud of their invention.

The device was large and constructed completely of gleaming surgical steel. At its bottom was a square, steel base, at least a foot thick in height and with a footprint of six feet by six feet. A conical, polished metal spike was mounted at the center of the base, standing six feet high, running from a sharp pinpoint at the top, down to a diameter of six inches where it was attached to the base. To the left of the spike was a metal control console with gauges and dials and lights, mounted atop a metal pedestal.

A heavy chain made of the same surgical steel hung from a brushed-metal-encased winch that was anchored to a ceiling girder thirty feet above. The bottom-most link of the chain was pulled up and fastened to a higher link, forming a loop approximately the circumference of an average human torso.

As he looked up at the device, the CEO's smile was wide, revealing two rows of perfectly straight, pearly white teeth. "I have to say—I like it. It says to me: 'Advanced Medical Device', and yet it also communicates: 'Implement of Torture'. It's the perfect combination of form and function."

"Thank you, sir," the Chief Engineer said, a self-satisfied grin on his face.

The CEO paused and then looked at the team of engineers. "Now, you know the level of perfection I expect from my people, don't you."

The team nodded, appearing a bit nervous.

"That's right—you do. I've always been forthright with my expectations. And that's what troubles me at this moment." He smiled. "Gary," he looked toward the Chief Engineer. "The specification I provided to you called for the chain to be 16mm gauge, did it not?"

The Chief Engineer cleared his throat. "Well, technically—yes. However I calculated that a 13mm gauge chain would support your maximum weight specification of 500lbs adequately, and I felt the cost savings would warrant the deviation in the design."

"I appreciate that. I really do. You're showing initiative, Gary." The CEO smiled.

The Chief Engineer relaxed a bit.

"But, and gosh darn it, I did request a 16mm gauge chain. I'm sure you can see how this 'deviation' would concern me. Following instructions is paramount to the success of this operation." The CEO paused for a moment, thinking.

He looked up. "Well—here's an idea. I think we need to test your 13mm design, Gary. Don't you agree, fellas?"

The engineers looked at one another, unsure how to respond. They nodded though. Agreement was always the safest course.