by Gene Denham
When the alarm went off at four o'clock, Phillip rolled out of bed. He stepped into the shower and let the warm water coax him into alertness. He picked up the soap. Breathing in the fresh scent, he smiled. I'm being an idiot. He started lathering. The bar slipped out of his hands. Philip looked down to find it.
He didn't see the soap. Maybe it's behind me. When Phillip turned around his foot came down on the bar. The soap shot across the tub and Phillip lost his balance. As he fell forward he grabbed the shower curtain. A few of the plastic rings snapped. Then the support bar broke free.
Phillip's head slammed into the toilet. His field of vision went hot white as pain engulfed his body. Phillip wasn't sure how much time passed before he regained his senses. When he opened his eyes he saw the broken porcelain tank lid. He felt blood pouring from his forehead. There were no sensations below his neck. Please. Not like this. Not like this.
*****
The music seemed to be coming from everywhere. It was soft, just loud enough for Phillip to recognize the band as Blue Öyster Cult. Rolling his eyes, he asked, “'Don't Fear the Reaper'? Really?”
Luci grinned. “I like the irony.”
Phillip wasn't sure if it was actually ironic or just humorous. He decided not to question it. “This is it, then?”
“Yes. The exit's over there.” She pointed to an arch with a curtain. She pushed two copper coins across the table. “You'll need this to pay for the ferry. I'm a traditionalist.”
Phillip grunted and scooped up the coins. He walked over to the archway. Looking up he saw a sign above the portal. You've got to be joking. The words were in Italian. Phillip didn't know the language, but he understood the message when he saw the name, Dante, at the bottom. 'Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.' He took a deep breath and stepped through the curtain.
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Memories - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/325382
A Look in the Mirror - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/250889
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