Fairly Normal People

-Chapter Thirteen-

When he came back to he was alone in a stone walled room illuminated by candlelight. He rushed the his feet and touched his pounding head. His head was free of any injury and he wore exactly what he wore before. He patted himself down and looked up to see Nightmare standing in front of him. The man flinched back at the sight but quickly regained his temper despite the pain, shock and fear.

"Hey who the fuck do you think you are?" He said as he charged towards Nightmare pointing his finger.

Nightmare clicked his fingers lazily and Duncan tripped over and fell face first onto the stone floor. Duncan looked down to see his leg suddenly restrained by a ball and chain.

"What the..." Duncan said.

"Oh that's right you asked me who the fuck I think I am." Nightmare drolled with a posh accent. "As cliche as it is to say... I'm your worst nightmare... I do find it oh so satisfying so you can call me... Redemption."

"Not 'nightmare', you stupid prick?" Duncan retorted.

"You are feisty! I'm going to enjoy this." Nightmare purred. "So today I'd like to play a game with you. I'd like to play a little game I like to call Doors. Have you played Doors before Duncan?"

Duncan ignored him and continued to try and break his binds. He howled as a searing hot pain erupted from his hand and he looked down to see Jennifer's blood boiling against his skin.

"Now now, if you don't pay attention to the rules how are you ever going to win?" Nightmare said as he waved his hands and a number of doors appeared on the walls of the small room.

Duncan grunted and stood up to turn to face him. The blood had stopped boiling but he quickly realised there was no way to wipe it off, it only spread to wherever he touched.

"You've got blood on your hands, boy. Don't think it so easy to wash away."

"So what is this then?" Duncan asked roughly as he pointed to the room.

"This my dear boy is Doors, it is a game of redemption. A game of retribution. A game of sins. And yes it is educational." Nightmare said before suddenly appearing at his side to whisper in his ear. "But let's not let that stop you from having a little fun."

Duncan reeled back but Nightmare had already re-appeared where he stood before.

"Now Duncan, if you're an observant little trooper you will notice each door in my game of Doors has a word on it. Can you tell me what the words say?" Nightmare said in a sickly sweet condescending tone as if he were speaking to a child.

Duncan scowled at him in silence before a flash of pain lit up his body up again and he became compliant once more.

"Fine. Pride... Wrath... Greed. These are just the seven deadly sins!" Duncan scowled.

"Keep going, my boy." Nightmare demanded.

Duncan grunted loudly, was answered with another flash of pain and then he continued.

"Pride, Wrath, Greed, Sloth and Lust." Duncan repeated. "Where's the other two?"

"That's right! Five of the seven deadly sins! You get a gold star!" Nightmare said gleefully.

Duncan felt his chest light on fire and he clawed at his shirt to rip it open to find a golden star shaped brand seared into his chest.

"So tell me... which will be door number one?" Nightmare asked.

"What?!" Duncan yelled angrily.

"Which door will it be? Which one will you go through first?"

"Ugh... Lust." Duncan said as he looked down to see his ball and chain had vanished.