Devil's Gateway

Chapter Seven

White.

Like the ground blanketed in a fresh layer of snow, the brightness blinded me. A ringing, faint but audible, sounded in my ears. Weightless. The feeling originated in my head, sinking down to my toes.

Death was surprisingly peaceful. No more pain. No worry. 

Just nothing.

"Trevor." It was Allison. Her voice wrapped around me like a blanket.

"I'm so sorry, baby. I tried. I swear I did." My lips didn't move, but the words came out anyway.

"Don't give up on me," she whispered.

I couldn't see her. Only white. 

"Allison, I- I can't."

She didn't answer.

A pressure fell on my lips, ice cold at first, but quickly sparking into a blazing fire.

"Come home to me," she whispered. 

Color spread over the white like an artist breathing life into a blank canvas. Black, blue, and red painted the world.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Trevor," the house taunted.

"Just let me go," I pleaded. I no longer wished to be trapped in this hell. 

"You chose the correct syringe. The door is unlocked."

"I-I can't move," I whispered. Every inch of my skin seemed adhered to concrete below. A thick, slimy liquid coated my chin, making the hairs of my beard to cling to me.

"Feeling is returning as we speak. However, the dolls will not stay immobile forever. They are a little disappointed that you solved their riddle," The woman taunted. 

Sure enough, a painful pulse beat where I injected myself with the antidote. Warmth flowed down my arm, sending a tingling sensation to my fingertips. The heat spread to my chest, rapidly racing to every nook and cranny, melting the frozen limbs. With the thaw came agony. Every muscle tender to even the slightest movement. Prickles of pins pierced my flesh.

I missed the white void. At least there I felt nothing. 

A clatter to my left ripped my attention away from the fire within. The doll with spider legs moved forward. Fangs slipped past the blood red lips. A clear liquid oozing from the pointed tip.

Venom.

I hesitated. One bite would slip me back into the nothingness. How the empty called my name. A siren lulling me from the safety of my boat with false promises of peace. I knew, however, that I would be shredded by the rocks.

I lifted my body up, hearing a hiss of distaste behind me. Groans of protest cried for mercy as movement revived my dead bones. I staggered, head spinning. One door became two.

Pain and perseverance drove me forward towards the spinning doors. Metallic clanks pounded the concrete in hot pursuit behind me.

I wouldn't make it in time. Not at the rate I stumbled. I had to fight back. It was the only way.

The syringe in my hand made its presence known. The small weight converting into that of a small rock.

I have a weapon.

I stopped, turning towards the nightmare inducing demon crawling in my direction.

"Alright spider witch, I give up. The house wins." I hid the syringe behind my back.

"Excccccelent," the spider doll hissed.

The clangs came to a stop as the doll stood in front of me. It stood equal to my waist. A mechanical whirring sounded as the doll rose level with my neck. A purple tongue snaked over the fangs eagerly.

"All the other's have been weaklings. They all failed their pathetic trials in minutes, but you, Trevor. You have surprised even me. Adding you to my collection will be a great pleasure."

"How many have you killed?" I asked. Curiosity had gotten the better of me.

"Too many to count. Many people have stumbled upon this gateway. Only a few make it out."

"Gateway?" I asked confused.

"You are just trying to stall," she hissed, growing impatient.

"I swear, last question."

"This house is an open gateway to hell. All who find their way inside face their worst nightmares. Only three have made it out successfully, and you will not be one of them."

She drew back her lips, lunging towards my neck. With lighting speed, I stabbed the syringe into her eye. Broken porcelain fell to the floor as a bloodcurdling scream pierced my ears.

"You lying bastard!" It howled.

"If I have a chance to see my wife again, you damn well believe I will." I lifted my leg up, kicking the doll with all the strength my aching muscles had.

The doll fell with a wail, shattering into hundreds of shards on the ground below. The metallic spider legs twitched for a moment.

Angry cries bellowed. The dolls holding the syringes all came to life, red eyes lighting up the dark.

"I'm getting out of here!" I shouted, turning to the door that stood feet away.

Total word count: 9,636