Horrible Things

The Door to Paradise (Part 4)

The screen turned black again as the imagery of Diana disappeared. All was silent. Suddenly, red lights began flashing frantically around the small space as Tommy turned around in a panic. The sound of buzzing was endless, as if sending him in a warning that whatever was to happen would only end badly for him.

It stopped. All the screens lit up.

Diana.Diana.Diana.

Every one of them was Diana.

It was Tommy and the light from the screen monitors.

Well, his bride and the person she was cheating on him with. She seemed oblivious to all that was happening, still chatting with the man with a light smile on her face. Tommy's face went stone cold. How dare she? First she had caused him to murder so many innocent lives and now she was on a clandestine rendezvous while he was stuck here?

The sound of a robotic young girl sounded from hidden speakers.

'Thank you for playing Door to Paradise, I will now explain the roles.

One, you will be asked five question, if you fail to answer them correctly or within the thirty second time limit, there will be a punishment.

Two, the punishment will be executed on a person of your choice that is residing in the Hotel.

Three, failure to meet any of these rules will warrant a certain death on you.'

Tommy listened and felt sick as he did. What the hell was she playing at? He was sure she was behind this... unless...

"Who are you?" He asked angrily, "What's the point of this?"

'We are the Will of the Hotel. That is all.

We will start the game in

5

4

3

2

1"

A buzzer sounded.

"Where did you and Diana first meet and what were her first words to you?"

Tommy stared in disbelief. What was the point of this? Surely he was going to be able to get the answers correct.

"We met in some high school party, she asked me why I was so uptight."

Yes, indeed. Despite being the more rebellious one in their teens Diana had always been the one to push Tommy to do things instead of the other way around. The thrill of being with her was exhilarating. He remembered the time they went on a date at the carnival, how happy she was when he won her some cheesy stuff toy animal and how she screamed in excitement as the rollercoaster went on another loop. They were so happy. Did money problems and all these petty little paranoias get in the way?

A don't told Tommy that he was correct.

'Congratulation,

Now onto question two.

What was the most memorable gift she gave you?"

He thought back. Hmm, she had given him a watch, a suitcase and a hand-knitted scarf before. Typical things that he had told her he loved and will cherish for life. He was sure the scarf would be the most memorable one.

"The scarf?"

But instead of the ding that he expected, the buzzer sounded and a streak of red light went over him as one of the screens changed.

He watched as a younger Diana snuck up to the attic of her house in the dark of the night. Her blonde hair was in tight ponytail as she quietly shuffled things around. He watched as she smiled widely, finally finding the thing she was looking for. It was the suitcase. It was old and rusted after years of not being in use. Surely it was not the one she gave him?

A Time skip to the next weekend saw Diana staying up late in the attic, scrubbing and painting until it all looked brand new.

He watched as she likely put a hand on it, "You would support me wouldn't you grandpa?"

It all made sense to him now. Her grandpa served in the Vietnam war and unfortunately had never left, leaving behind his widow and his unborn child. The only thing the army was able to recover was this dusty old suitcase. Diana loved it. And she wanted him to love it as well. It was small things like this that made him love her.

"You must now pick a recipient of the Door."

He had so much to ask Diana. So he picked the next best thing.

"That man in the room with her. I want him dead."

Cheating is still unforgivable, no matter how much love they had.

'It is now 12:45am. The Door awaits."

Diana screamed as suddenly bars ripped out from the wall and covered the windows and the door opened.

We thank you for your stay.