Infernal Paradise

Canto I - As Night Approaches

"Nathan..." a voice whispered. It was soothing, warm, and full of emotion. He tried to respond, but could not.

"Nathan," it whispered again, more clearly. Where was it? Who was whispering?

His view became increasingly brighter. Was he moving?

He felt a touch, but not a gentle one. It shook him by the shoulder, and the light became ever-so brighter. The whisper had left, but he could still hear his name.

"Nathan...?" the voice said, much clearer this time. It was a deep voice, one he recognized. His vision cleared as he was shaken continuously. He was greeted with the view of his white desk and monitor, which had gone into sleep mode.

Nathan turned over his shoulder, where a hand still rested. He looked up at a figure behind him, whom he almost immediately registered as his coworker.

"You can't be sleeping on the job like that, can you?" 

Nathan scratched his eye sockets as he rose from his slumber. He'd been leaning on his fist the entire time, pushing his elbow down on the table with the weight of his entire head. 

"Ugh... what time is it...?" he asked.

"Luckily for you, it's just past five. We're on our way home."

Nathan looked behind his coworker to see two others in coats, staring at him patiently. He'd apparently fallen asleep during the last period of his job.

"Yeah, I'll... I'll pack up and meet you downstairs in a minute," Nathan said as he rose from his chair to begin packing his material.

"No, we'll wait for you. It's Friday, after all."

"Isn't that all the more reason to hurry home?"

His coworker laughed. "And leave you here to spend the night? No, it's fine."

Nathan didn't respond as he picked up his bag and began loading it with his files and laptop. The office was empty, save for them. Dimly lit by fluorescent lights, it appeared almost haunting. Rows upon rows of walled desks, all in monotone white with a dark grey mat covering the entire floor. The windows were pitch black at the end of the corridor, indicating that the sun had gone down by now.

He picked up his bag and swung it over his shoulder after putting on his long white coat. His coworker, who had waited ever-so patiently, gave him a friendly smile as he turned around. Nathan cast a last glance at the empty office before following. Even if it was just Friday and he'd be back in two days, the office felt strangely far away as if he wasn't going to see it again.

Nathan and his colleagues left the building and began walking down the dark street, lit only by the sharp streetlights. The office was next to an industrial area, so there was little activity in the late afternoon.

"Say, Nathan," his coworker began as they walked side-by-side.

"Hm?"

"This Sunday... are you coming?"

His coworker's voice was of genuine and almost depressing curiosity. He already knew the answer, but wanted to hear it out loud. 

"I... don't think so. I have things to do, and well..."

His coworker made a loud sigh. "It saddens me, honestly. All of us used to go together before."

Nathan's other two coworkers walked right behind them, listening closely with gentle expressions. However, Nathan knew that they were just as disappointed.

"You don't have to believe in the ethics, but it's good to get some spirituality, don't you think?" his coworker continued. "I mean, you still wear that cross, don't you-"