13857 Riverport Dr, Maryland Heights, MO 63043. St. Louis, Missouri. The Location of a Dave & Busters. There was a boy playing in the Arcade. 16 Year Old Thomas Jones. Tommy for Short. He was relatively short for his age, at 5’4”, with an unimpressive stature fitting for a nerd. He wore glasses that he needed to see, as without them he’d barely be able to see his hand in front of his face. Lastly is his hair. While not remarkable in length or style, it was blue. Not like it was dyed. Strangely, it was naturally blue. Tommy was playing one of the Arcade Games as he usually was. He was naturally talented, being able to play at a near master level at any kind of Video Game. In fact, he had top scores in every game at the Arcade. Video Games were Tommy’s release from his reality. His Father was Abraham Jones, Mayor of the City. He was obviously always busy, so Tommy was left alone most of the time. Despite his status, he was a popular target for bullying. Video Games helped him to ignore both these negative parts of his life. Of course, there was something else that helped. As he was playing one of the games, Tommy felt a hand touch his shoulder. It was Marco, his best friend. His only friend, really. Marco chuckles a bit.
MARCO : You’re too jumpy, Tommy! You should relax, man.
TOMMY : (He sighed and put his hand on his chest) You scared me, Marco! You know how bad my anxiety is! You’re lucky you didn’t trigger my chronic vomiting…
MARCO : Er…true. So what’re you playing?
TOMMY : Mortal Kombat. The first one.
MARCO : Huh…that’s a hard game, right?
TOMMY : People say it is. Last time I got a Double Flawless Victory against Reptile!
MARCO : *Nodding a bit, clearly not understanding* Uh-huh…good for you, man…
Marco watched Tommy play for a few minutes, before he spoke up again.
MARCO : Shouldn’t you get Home? Your Dad’s gonna be pissed if you’re out too late, right?
TOMMY : Not really. If anything, what he’d be most upset about is me going out without Reese with me.
MARCO : That scary bodyguard guy? Do you really even need him?
TOMMY : Well, according to Google, this place has the highest Crime Rates…I haven’t noticed any crime, though, so probably not.
MARCO : Tommy, no offense…but you’re the son of our city’s Mayor and you live in a Manor. Not saying you’re Spoiled, but you don’t really stick around the public long enough to notice it.
TOMMY : …I guess…
MARCO: *Rubbing his neck* Aah, jeez…I didn’t mean to insult you, Tommy.
TOMMY : N-no, it’s fine! You’re right! *He chuckled a little* It’s good to be reminded of that every now and then! Tommy’s phone beeped. It was his alarm, telling him it was 5:00 PM.
TOMMY : 5 O’Clock…I should head Home. Seeya later, Marco!
MARCO : Seeya, man!
Tommy walked out of the Building, briefly getting blinded by the natural sunlight. After his eyes adjusted, he made it to the crosswalk and waited for the Walk signal. Once he received the signal, he started to walk across, but noticed dust on his glasses lens.
TOMMY : Ugh…how do these things get so dirty…? *He took off his glasses and started to clean them off as he walked forwards*
While cleaning his glasses off, he heard what sounded like something large approaching. He turned, seeing a large blur. He couldn’t tell how close it was. He heard a voice scream out,
MARCO : TOMMY! TRUCK!!
The blur got closer rapidly. Once it was just a foot away he could see it more clearly. It looked like a Semi-Truck…time seemed to stand still for a moment. He just stood there, frozen, staring up at the Truck. For a brief moment, he could see the driver. They were texting. Must’ve been important if they couldn’t wait. Maybe their spouse was in the Hospital. Maybe they were waiting for a text from their boss. Maybe-
It went black. Tommy didn’t feel a thing. One moment he saw the truck. The next, he only saw blackness. He could feel himself on his hands and knees. He fumbled around, looking for his Glasses. He eventually found them and put them on, blinking a few times. Still nothing. And then, it felt hot, as if there were flames. His vision started to become clear, and he looked around. He was in a strange place. There were people within golden flames. They didn’t seem to be in pain, instead being stuck within a pose similar to praying. He looked down. The floor was transparent. Beneath him was a dark void, but he could vaguely make out fire below. It was green flames. He could somewhat hear screaming and curses from whatever it was below him. Nowhere else to look but Up. So he did so. It appeared to be another void, but this one was bright, albeit partially obscured with clouds. He could see what appeared to be humanoid figures ascending into the void above him. Tommy started to breathe heavily, unable to fully understand and process what he sees before him. He felt a tightness in his chest, a sickness in his stomach, a burning in his throat, and then…he vomited. Afterwards he felt a bit better, and got off his hands and knees. Despite his attempt to stand, his legs became shaky and he fell backwards, sitting on the transparent floor.
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TOMMY : What…what is this?! What’s going on?! Where…WHERE AM I?!
“Purgatory.” A Voice called out from behind him, making him flinch. Tommy turned around, seeing an old Man sitting at what looked like a gate. The gate had a rune that resembled Earth at the top of it. The man was just sitting peacefully.
TOMMY : Pur…Purgatory…? Does…does that mean I’m-?!
??? : Afraid so. Your time had come. My name is Cato. I’m a Pagan.
TOMMY : Oh…I’ve read about you. You were placed here by God to serve as the Gatekeeper to Purgatory?
CATO : Technically. More so to prevent those in Purgatory from attempting to return to the World of the Living. You’re here because despite your mostly sin-less Life, you harbor some form of Sin that must be purified before you may enter Heaven, child.
TOMMY : Wh-what did I do…? I-is it because I was rich? Or-
CATO : Do not worry yourself with it Child. Neither of us have the answer. Once you’re ready to begin your purification, simply step into one of the Golden Flames. I assure you, they do not hurt.
While they were talking, Tommy felt the air become cold, making him shiver. He felt a sense of comfort, and a chill coming from behind him. He turned, seeing a tall figure. It wore long, black robes, and held a scythe. Looking closer, he could see its hands were nothing but bones, and its face was pale and skeletal. He knew immediately what it was. Death. The Grim Reaper.
DEATH : Thomas Edward Jones. The Prince of Tragedy…
Tommy was silent for a moment, before he threw up again.
CATO : …You really need to get that under control, Thomas.
Cato turned away, as if zoning out. Death approached Tommy, offering him a rag to wip ehis mouth off. Tommy did so as It began to speak again.
DEATH : Do not be afraid. I mean you no harm, Child. I have been given a request.
TOMMY : Wh-what kind of request…?
DEATH : There is someone in Hell who wishes to speak with you.
TOMMY: H-HELL?!
DEATH: Shh…*He put his finger to his “lips”* You are not to be damned. It’s just that this person cannot leave the Hereafter. *He held his decrepit boney hand out. Despite his appearance, Tommy couldn’t help but feel a friendly comfort.*
Tommy took Death’s hand. It was cold. Death took its scythe and slowly cut an opening in the transparent floor. They began to slowly float down towards the void below. Tommy looked back up briefly to see the opening had already closed. No turning back. Tommy could see what looked to be a void with Nine gigantic sphere that descended like a ladder. The first was large, with each being half the size of the previous. They descended to the last and smallest Sphere, one that was Black. The land within this “Sphere” was desolate, covered in black stones that made up the terrain. The sky was a light black, which was obscured with darker black clouds, and behind them a light black Sun acting as a dim source of light. The area reeked of Sin and Evil. They descended to a simplistic black castle. Instead of landing at the Gate, they seemed to phase through the ceiling, coming down what looked to be a dark throne room. It was surrounded by Pentagrams and demonic symbols. Tommy looked forwards, seeing a b east sitting upon a throne shaped as a cross, but inverted to be upside down. The beast that sat on the throne was only vaguely humanoid. Its thick skin was dark dark red and tough, its feet more resembled the paws of a goat, albeit larger, its hands had large claws protruding from its fingertips, it had a menacing dragon-like tail growing from its backside, and long black horns sprouting from its head. He didn’t even need to think. The slightest and briefest glimpse and he could tell exactly who and what it was he was looking at. Perhaps sensing Tommy’s fear, disgust, and surprise, the beast laughed. And then it spoke,
SATAN : The Devil has many Faces.
Tommy gulped. His voice was calm and almost elegant. He spoke clearly, confidently, and almost soothingly. It was the calmness and elegance that made Tommy unnerved. To think such a horrific creature could speak in such a way that conveys a degree of higher status. Satan got up from his throne, and approached Tommy, lifting his chin with his large hand.
SATAN : Indeed…this is the Child. You are…Thomas Edward Jones. Tommy for short? Tommy nodded, too terrified to speak.
SATAN : You needn’t be afraid, Child…I merely brought you here to offer you a gift. My Father…he recognises that you do not sin to a degree that you are deserving of Hell. I love my Father, and respect his judgement. But still, I must question this decision…if you are such a young man, and one who has not sinned…what use is there in you being deceased?
Tommy seemed confused, as Satan unhanded him and stepped back slightly.
SATAN : I am offering you a deal, Tommy. *He held out his hands, as green and black flames gathered in-between his palms. After a moment, the flames cleared, revealing what appeared to be a wooden mask that was black in colour* This Mask…it has the Soul of a particular Demon within it. One that my underling, Sathanas, eliminated. He sealed his Soul within this Mask, and gifted it to me. I've kept it, waiting for the day that your time comes, so that I may offer you a second chance.
TOMMY : *He spoke for the first time to Satan* A…a second chance…?
SATAN : Yes. The world has oh, so many Sinners who live for far too long, and too many pure souls that come to their end as a result of these Sinners. What I offer is for you to take this Black Mask, and use its power to rid the world of those who refuse redemption, and reject my Father’s love. Take it, and I will have Death return you to the world of the Living.
Tommy stared at the mask, as the eyeholes seemed to shine Green. He was sweating, and he could feel his heart beating faster and faster…he felt he wasn’t worthy of such a chance…but he though of Marco. His Father. Reese. Those who cared for him. He knew what he had to do. He didn’t get to decide, not when those who loved him were without him. He reached out and took the Mask, feeling a strange sense of power course through his veins and making them briefly shine with the same green light as the mask. As Death rested its hands on Tommy’s shoulders, Satan spoke again.
SATAN : A fair warning, child. The time spent in Purgatory and Hell are not relative to the time spent on Earth. If my guess is correct, you’ve been dead for about a week. Not too long, but it will be noticeable.
Tommy nodded, and turned to Death.
TOMMY : I-I’m ready…
Death nodded and gripped Tommy’s shoulders harder. His body began to turn to ash as Tommy closed his eyes and grit his teeth, feeling the pain of his rebirth. And then…darkness.