Post by hurricane on Aug 27, 2010 7:04:10 GMT -5
More than once my mind has drifted to thoughts of the afterlife. Not so much the place in the clouds though...see I'm more interested in the what's lurking in the basement if you catch my drift. Yeah, I've done some good in my life but also have enough blood on these hands to make sure I get myself a pretty decent spot in that hand basket I always hear about. I never believed in that fire and brimstone crap...pointed tails and pitchforks...lakes of fire and endless torture...no, I never believed in that...mainly because those don't scare me. See people are too caught up in the physical aspect of pain...so much so that they forget that there are much worse ways to hurt someone. These ways were what I feared. Not the burning of my skin but the burning of my soul. It's strange though...of all the days I've spent preparing for my eternal place of penance...I never imagined Hell would be this cold.
5 hours earlier...
Salt Lake City, UT
The room is dark. A small sliver of light crosses the floor from the cracked door way leading to the world outside. Christian sat facing the door as his manager and friend, Ray Wynters dialed frantically on his phone.
Christian
You actually expect me go out there? Do you have any idea who I am? I'm not gonna go out there and risk my life. Not for you, not for them, and not for all those hungry kids in India.
Ray
Christian, this is our only opportunity. We go now or we don't go at all..and that'll be on your head, brother.
You actually expect me go out there? Do you have any idea who I am? I'm not gonna go out there and risk my life. Not for you, not for them, and not for all those hungry kids in India.
Ray
Christian, this is our only opportunity. We go now or we don't go at all..and that'll be on your head, brother.
Christian stood and paced. He knew that if they ever had a shot to make it out of the building this was it. He turned to Ray and with one last nod of his head decided it was time to get the hell out of there.
Ray stood directly by the door and opened it ever so slightly. From his perspective he couldn't see anyone on the snowy Salt Lake City street.
Ray
You ready?
Christian
(Sarcastically)
Yeah...I'm thrilled
Ray
That's better than nothing. Alright, we're gonna run up Drive st. and take the first left.
Christian
I thought the car was the other way.
Ray
It is but do you actually want to try and make it through that parking structure again? You remember what happened last time right?
You ready?
Christian
(Sarcastically)
Yeah...I'm thrilled
Ray
That's better than nothing. Alright, we're gonna run up Drive st. and take the first left.
Christian
I thought the car was the other way.
Ray
It is but do you actually want to try and make it through that parking structure again? You remember what happened last time right?
Ray motioned to his ripped jacket.
Christian
Yeah, you're probably right. So we doing this or what?
Ray
Waiting on you.
Yeah, you're probably right. So we doing this or what?
Ray
Waiting on you.
Christian breathed in deep and exhaled.
Christian
Lets go.
Lets go.
Ray busted through the door before Christian had even finished but in his defense Christian had tried to get a jump start on him anyway.
Rushing down Drive turned out to be a little more difficult than anticipated. Christian found himself having to swerve through cars trying to avoid patches of ice on the ground. Ray had began to lose his pace. Unfortunately he didn't have the conditioning that Christian did. Eventually, Christian ran past Ray and thought about turning to taunt him...that was until he heard it...the sound of footsteps on the ground behind them...the running kind.
Christian
Hurry it up, Ray.
Ray
I'm trying.
Hurry it up, Ray.
Ray
I'm trying.
Christian was running full speed. The once gently falling snow had evolved into a full blown blizzard and now felt like little pieces of glass gouging into his face.
Ray
TAKE A RIGHT!
Christian
I THOUGHT YOU SAID LEFT!
RAY
I'M IMPROVISING!
Christian
I hate it when he does that.
Christian nearly slid directly into a parked car while trying to take Ray's left. As soon as he had his feet back underneath him he was at full sprint again...that was until he realized that Ray's right was wrong...in fact it had led them into a dead end alley.
Christian stopped at the end of the alley. Ray soon discovered his error when he nearly ran straight into the wall. Ray tried to catch his breath while Christian just stared at him angrily.
Christian
Nice improvising, jackass.
Ray
I'm...I'm...so...
Nice improvising, jackass.
Ray
I'm...I'm...so...
He was interrupted by the sound of shuffling feet at the end of the alleyway. It was dark but Christian could hear them...sounded like at least seven bodies and they were slowly getting closer and closer. He knew it was only a matter of time till they were upon them.
Ray
Chris...what...what do we do?
Christian
You think we really have a choice right now? All I know is you're going first.
Ray
Wow...thanks!
Christian
You're welcome, brother.
Chris...what...what do we do?
Christian
You think we really have a choice right now? All I know is you're going first.
Ray
Wow...thanks!
Christian
You're welcome, brother.
They were now only 10 maybe 15 feet away. He could already smell them from here. That rancid, disguising, putrid stench. It was over...they had found him...and there was no where to run.
SO IS IT TRUE YOU'RE BANGING ELLEN PAGE?!
WHAT'S UP WITH ALL THE RUNNING, CHRISTIAN?!
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MEL GIBSON?!
ARE YOU TRAINING FOR A MARATHON?!
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN INCEPTION?!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN UTAH?!
DO YOU HAVE "SUGAR-TITS"?!
ARE YOU MORMON?!
ARE YOU BETTER THAN LEO?!
WHY DO YOU HATE BABY JESUS?!
Ray stepped in between Christian and the horde of paparazzi trying to block any more ridiculous questions to his client.
RAY
Guys, guys. Mr. Stephens has had a very long day and would just like to get to his hotel and get some rest.
Guys, guys. Mr. Stephens has had a very long day and would just like to get to his hotel and get some rest.
Two hours later...
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Christian enters the room and immediately collapses face first onto the bed. Less than ten seconds later there's a knock on the door. Christian lays motionless. Once again there's a knock.
Christian
Go away!
Ray
Christian! Open the door!
Go away!
Ray
Christian! Open the door!
Christian lifts up and looks toward the door.
Christian
Is that you, Ray?
Ray
Yeah!
Christian
Oh...well, go the hell away!
Is that you, Ray?
Ray
Yeah!
Christian
Oh...well, go the hell away!
Christian collapses once again into the bed. Suddenly the door clicks open and Ray enters. Christian muffles something into his pillow.
Ray
What's that?
What's that?
Ray takes a seat on the hotel room's desk. Christian sits up again from his pillow.
Christian
I was just reminding myself to kill myself for ever giving you my room key.
Ray
Look, I just wanted to come and apologize for earlier. It's my job to keep those guys off you and I let you down.
Christian
Ray, shut the hell up. When have I ever complained about how you protect me. It's my fault we didn't leave the club earlier. Don't sweat it, man. But if you're really that upset, dock your pay or something. I don't care, just let me sleep.
Christian turns to fall asleep but Ray grabs his shoulder.
Ray
Chris...there's something else.
Chris...there's something else.
Christian starts to make a joke but turns to see the worry in Ray's face.
Christian
Ray? What's wrong?
Ray? What's wrong?
Ray stands and paces the floor. He finally makes his way to the thirteenth story window overlooking Salt Lake City.
Ray
It's probably nothing...
It's probably nothing...
Christian sits all the way up. The sleep from his eyes is gone.
Christian
Ray, what the hell is up?
Ray
It's home, Chris.
Christian
What about home?
Ray, what the hell is up?
Ray
It's home, Chris.
Christian
What about home?
Ray turns to face Christian.
Ray
No one's answering.
Christian
Wha...what do you mean "no one's answering?"
Ray
I've been calling all night. At first I thought it was nothing but...
Christian
I'm sure they're just...
Ray
No...you don't get it...
Christian
Get what, Ray?! What the hell are you saying?
Ray
Christian...no one's answering...not one soul.
No one's answering.
Christian
Wha...what do you mean "no one's answering?"
Ray
I've been calling all night. At first I thought it was nothing but...
Christian
I'm sure they're just...
Ray
No...you don't get it...
Christian
Get what, Ray?! What the hell are you saying?
Ray
Christian...no one's answering...not one soul.
Ray turns to face the window again.
Christian
I don't get what you're...
Ray
I've even tried dialing random numbers. Either no one picks up or some message about technical difficulties comes on.
I don't get what you're...
Ray
I've even tried dialing random numbers. Either no one picks up or some message about technical difficulties comes on.
Christian stands up from the bed.
Christian
Are you trying to tell me...
Are you trying to tell me...
Ray turns toward Christian
Ray
Los Angeles...seems to be, I don't know...not there.
Christian
Are you insane? Do you even hear yourself right now?
Los Angeles...seems to be, I don't know...not there.
Christian
Are you insane? Do you even hear yourself right now?
Christian goes to his bag and begins going through it.
Ray
What are you doing?
Christian
You know, I don't care if its some kind of joke or what but this isn't funny and I'd expect better from my friend.
Christian begins dialing. Ray walks over to the television and begins flipping through channels.
Christian holds the phone to his ear.
Operator
I'm sorry but this number is currently experiencing-
I'm sorry but this number is currently experiencing-
Christian hangs up and tries another number.
Operator
I'm sorry but this number is currently exper-
I'm sorry but this number is currently exper-
Christian hangs up and tries yet another number.
Operator
I'm sorry but this numbe-
I'm sorry but this numbe-
Christian hangs up and starts to dial another number but is interrupted.
Ray
Chris?
Christian
What now?
Christian turns to the television that shows a map of the United States. Big red circles are placed on the map in various locations.
Anchorman (Voice over)
...details are scarce at the moment but it appears that the United States has experienced-
...details are scarce at the moment but it appears that the United States has experienced-
Suddenly the lights go out in the hotel room along with the television. The lights flicker back on but continue to go off and then return. The television continues coming on and turning off, each time revealing more of the what the anchorman is saying but cutting off without finishing.
Anchorman (Voice over)
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The power goes out for a last time. The room is engulfed in darkness. Christian struggles to find some source of light. Finally he finds his cell phone. He touches the screen and it illuminates...seconds later a great light coming from outside the window overtakes the room. Christian is forced to cover his eyes before he is thrown back through his hotel room door and into the hall way of the hotel. His momentum forces him through the door of the room across from his. He lands on the floor of the other hotel room. Struggling he lifts his head and sees his hotel room across the hall. Suddenly the window busts and there is a great rumble beneath him.
Christian can't move but soon finds himself sliding even farther away from his room and into the blackness of the other room. He suddenly rolls backwards and hits back first on the wall of the room. That is when Christian feels a movement...a movement that made him sick to his stomach...a sickness from the realization that he wasn't the one moving...it was the building.
Suddenly the wall is gone and Christian feels as if he is floating in midair for a single terrifying moment before something stops the building stops and he violent slams through the glass window pane down to the ground below.
He doesn't know how long he falls but it lasts for what seems like forever. He begins to wonder if he'll ever hit the ground but the thought is interrupted.
Christian violently slams into the snow covered ground at what feels like 200 mph. He hits so hard that he recoils into the air and lands once again face first into the mostly unforgiving snow. He lays motionless as the snow runs red from gashes upon his body from the glass.
Christian's breaths became shallow. Each one sent an incredibly sharp pain through his chest. He's unsure of how long he laid there in the snow before he finally passed out...
...I never imagined Hell would be this cold.