S4 - Of Choices and Trains - Part 1

This episode contains mature language and situations. A listener discretion. They advise you wake to the sound of a train, the clack clack clack of wheels in the distance. Is that the sound of birds in a forest. No, it's angels in a choir? Or is it demons from hell? It doesn't matter. You have no memory of how you got here. All you know is that you are lost and that now you belong to the Gray Rooms. Good evening, roomies, We have a special treat for you tonight, as

we look back on our season four journey through Hell and Beyond. Our staff has worked hard to bring you quality horror entertainment, and The Gray Rooms Productions is proud to present the first half of season four. All aboard the Silber Express and ride at your own risk. And we'd like to remind everyone that The Gray Rooms Productions has expanded its reach. We now have access to control operator Jeff and the Ghost Signal podcast true tales about hauntings, sightings, the

paranormal and exorcisms from beyond the Grave. So search The Ghost Signal on spreaker or your favorite podcatcher and visit Jeff and the Ghost Signal at the Ghost Signal podcast dot com. So, without further ado, please enjoy our compilation episode Part one of two m to the the What the actual fuck? Okay? Where in the hell am I? Hello? Fuck? Okay, take it easy, girl, You've been through worse. This isn't like to call hold those goddamn vampires. This is is a train, A nice train. Oh

train with them are? Wait? Now? Did I get on a train? How? How much did I drink last night? Wait? What did I do last night? If? If, if, this is a joke, then sh please please don't kill me. Stay back, stay back. Tell Ripper I don't have it. I'll have it next week, but I don't have it now and I'm not going to be able to give it to him if you kill me, So please don't kill me. Whoa hey, hey, hey, take it easy. I I don't work for a ripper. Whoever that is. Calm down. No one in the history of the

galaxies has ever calmed down when they were told to calm down. I will not calm down. Who the hell are you? And what the hell is this place? I don't know where we are. I just woke up, same as you. I don't know how I got here. Probably some kind of ocology transit system. Have you looked outside yet? Oh? I bet we're in one of those nasty little belt stand ups, she finds sometimes on the edges of systems, sent off to be slave labor in some mind for

a syndicate somewhere. Though. I guess this place is kind of nice, isn't it. If we are on a syndicate ourcology slave train of death and despair, I'm guessing the day care would be more utilitarian. I don't know what you're on about, but yeah, calm down, all right, calm calm now, okay, okay, knew you always take this much only when I'm stressed out. M Findley, whatno, my name? My name is Findlay. Oh ah, mine is a money Nice to meet you in money

shake. Granddad always said, got a shaker man's hand to know if they're were for dam Shoot. Sure, interesting arm you've gotten there, Findley? Oh oh this? Oh well, it's an off the rack model, but it's the most recent gen, really nice tech from those silicon spiders at the bottleneck. I've got a universal socket popped in there, so it's much easier than it used to be to swap it out. Are you thinking of an upgrade? I okay, real talk. I didn't understand half of what you

just said, but this thing is so cool. I didn't think cybernetics were this far along, didn't think what are you talking about? Are you from a retro tech colony or something one of those religious sanctuaries. Slow down, fast, Tucker, Let's get ourselves sorted. I'm a researcher out of the London Battle Group. I specialize in ancient religions and mysticism as it impacts sweeping clear operations. What battle group are you with now? Now? I have

no idea what you're talking about. What's a London? Are you putting me on? No? What's a London? Imarnie, you're freaking me out. Stop yelling at me. Finley, stop freaking me out. Im Annie, Hey, since neither of you know what's going on, nor would you shut the hell up? God damn it, Finley, stop yelling, and who the fuck are you me? I'm bored. I thought I'd gained some kind of tactical advantage listening in, but I've reached the conclusion you're both too stupid

to be helpful. So where I come from? You look out the window to find out where you are? So why don't we shed a little light on our situation? That's that's not possible. Where the hell are we? What was that? Was that a lake? A fire? Didn't one else? Who cares about the lake? What was that? That thing on the fall side? I've seen worse? Were those horns? How tall was that thing? I don't need to know where we are. I don't give a shit who you are. I'm getting out of here, unfortunately, everyone,

that won't be possible. Everybody do like the fish says, and shut up. That's better you you and you sit. You want to know where you are? You want answers, We've got some. Any of you gets fidgety or tries to leave the car, I slice your goddamn head off. All right, hmm, that's better. Okay, let's start with some basics. My name is Caliban, and my horned companion is Cries. She's she's a Yeah, I'm a demon. You want to make a big deal about it. No, no, no, no, we're all an interesting lot.

Yes, Cries is a demon, and I am well I am not human either. Wow, how can we tell what that mask you're wearing? The mask is for your protection, young one. I'm sorry to say the face my mother gave me tends to make a bad first impression. Perhaps as we get to know each other better, we're going to become good friends, are we, I certainly hope, so we should continue with introductions. Our militant friend very much not a fish. Correct, correct, don't call me that

again. I'm not a fish. I'm from Virex. Sure sure could have fooled me, but sure. The name is Zack. I've done a lot of things over the years, but I'm a soldier first and foremost. I've killed a lot of cybernetically enhanced humans like you, buddy, a lot, and I've never seen or heard of your species. Buddy, you live under a rock. Please let's move on. I think the three of you will

find there are many new experiences you can share with each other. And your name my dear Amani Talib London Battle Group R and M R Sweep and Clears. My big operations were to call in San Francisco, and I did prep work and prelimbs for Berlin, Chicago, and Tokyo. I get that you need to do this orientation or whatever, but I don't remember volunteering for this detail? What about my outfit? I understand, madam, you're worried about

your fellows scouring the earth of darkness? Right. I can assure you that your battle group is not impacted by your presence here, I promise, Which leaves you my augmented friend. Oh hey, yeah, I'm Findlay Findlay Montgomery. I'm I'm an engineer, a cybernetics engineer. Last thing I remember, I was sacking out in my flat on Karen Station. How did we get here? More importantly, why are we here? Two shiny coins for the smart fish? Indeed, why are you here? That's the question, isn't

it. All three of you are special chosen. You've got potential cries, and I represent an interested party that wants to harness your special nature to channel it. That's why you've been brought here. The train you're aboard is called the Silver Express. As you've seen out the window, we're traveling across a well. It's a bit of a strange countryside where we are as an important what's important is your duty? Your task? You only have one thing you

have to do while you're with us. Occasionally the train will stop at a station we have a stop coming up in Oh, not long at all. Now, at each stop, one of you has to get off the train. We don't give a shit which one, but one of you has to step off onto the platform and enter one of the station doors. That's it. That's it, well, not entirely it, you see, And this is a bit complicated to explain, but at every station, the guest who

leaves the train will choose what door to enter. Behind each door, every time you die, it cries. And I don't know how or in what way, but we're reliably informed that the experience will be quite terrible. Sorry, huh, what do you mean? We'll die? I know it's a it's a lot to take in. But each door holds a sort of tale, a little drama that plays out with you as the starring role. And every time, at the end of every tale lies your death, your painful,

gruesome death. Why would we agree to this? Oh, it's not permanent. We'll pick you up again further down the track, drop you off in your sleeper car. We die, but it doesn't stick. Yeah, so it's just torture. This is all a complicated torture. Oh, I'm afraid we can't relate to you why this is happening. Management has given us a great deal of leeway to explain things to you, but that's not something we can discuss. Hey, it's not all bad. In the meantime,

you're free to walk to train. Each of you has nice rooms. We'll stop her supplies to stock the dining car now. And again, I know she may be intimidating. What miss cries is actually a very talented chef. Ah See, hold it played like this. It cuts through eight mortals in like four seconds, screams carnage, beauty. Hold it like this. It cuts through onion, celery, delicious. Knives are just like people. Everything is in context. Hey, that's great, but you're fucking crazy if you

think I'm going to die just because you tell me to. No way. I understand your fear, Findley, I do. But every one of you has to leave the train. As she said, we leave it to the three of you to decide what sort of order you take. But this isn't a request, it's a requirement. And if we if we don't what then Look there are people watching us real closely right now. So I'm going to

be as civil as I can be don't fuck with us. Management has put a lot of effort into making this thing palatable for you, squishy, disgusting soul slucks. If I had my choice, I'd rip this little shit's arm up and beat him to death with it, snuff your spine a little scholar, and mount the fish's head on that wall the knife. But that's not how this is going to go. We are your attendance, after all. Ultimately, we are here to make you comfortable. You just have to let

us do our jobs. We have plans, and our plans include the three of you. I know this is a lot to take in, but we've reached our first stop, and so it's time to choose who will go? What door shall you pick? I can't, I can't, Please don't. I'll do it. What you said, We die, but we come back.

Right, That's correct, and there's nothing to be afraid of. I faced death dozens of times, not sure if i'd make it, never sure if i'd say tomorrow, If I no, I'm going to die, well no, mystery too, ed is there and I still get to see tomorrow. That's a very healthy attitude. Thanks, thanks, duck, Yeah, thanks, Just remember this cries would you be so kind as to see them to the door. I'll stay with Missy Money and mister Findley and we can

continue our conversation. Sure, follow me, fish, don't call me fish. Sure whatever, feel that heat. You're your station. Two doors? Pick one and step through. That's it, Team Spearites and Venus fly trap. Well, give them a choice. I know which one outpick. You'll pick me up, he said. Don't worry, Fish, You'll be back swimming in your bowl before you know it. All right, let's get this off away, hey, fish, Yeah, welcome to the gray rooms. What the hell are the gray rule? I'm up, I'm up, Captain,

I'm up, Jesus mm hmm right still on the train. Mm hmmmm. What time is it? M h what the was not the door lock? Or what's what? I want? What? Wild? How was the whi? Whi? Zach? He's uck imani? Did you hear that? Yeah? Did they lock your door? I think so. I woke up as he went past, and I didn't really want to leave, you know, yeah, follow me thinly? Where are we going? I did some walking around earlier. I think I know where ese word is. M it's halfway down. Do you see anyone, No, no horns, no mask.

I think our attendants have moved on. Zup. Hey you all right, Zuck, You're part of you. M m m hm. We're back at the lounge car. How I thought it was the other way. It happened when I was walking around earlier too. I think the train cars move somehow as you go through the doors. That's that's not possible. H m. We are Unless I'm seeing this wrong. I think this train is riding through some kind of swamp made of writhing corpses. What the hell is that

thing? Over? There? Are those wings? No so funny story, Not the first time I've seen something like that. Those are tentacles. I want to drink. You lead a more interesting life than I do. Yeah, you see one class of worlder being. Hey, you've seen them all your battle group never saw anything like that. Okay, the battle group? What's that? Well? Are you going to start yelling at me again? Then I'm freaking you out. I will try not to freak out again.

Okay, Yeah, cheers, goodbye. That's not half bad. What was the label a guy getting flayed of life? It's a whiskey. That's all I know this place, man, m hm hm are you still looking at the tentacle guy out the window? Yeah, it's bizarre. I've never seen an elder act like this. It's like, I don't know, harvesting the corpses. I mean to be fair, usually when I see these things in the field, unactively trying to destroy them. A battle group, right,

okay, So just to confirm some things. Have you ever heard of Earth? Oh? Oh yeah, I guess it's some shit whole planet midpoint on the disk, right, all right, so where I come from from my Earth, humanity hasn't gone into space in a long time, and even then it was just some space stations and shuttles and things. We Uh, My whole life has been spent trying to call humanity back from a really dark place.

And I mean that literally. My planet was ruled by a dark goddess for oh, we're not really sure, a long time, maybe a hundred years. What, Yeah, that's what the battle groups are think of it, like my I guess extended family like a Clane. The god Us died maybe ten fifteen years before I was born. By then, my group had

been able to carve out a relatively comfortable existence. We hooked up with other clans for what we called sweep and clears, pushing through the ruins of the Old World cities, trying to clear out the things that invested our world, things like tentacle guy. I don't know what kind of spooky myths you guys have in space or whatever, but on my world, every dark, twisted, evil monster turned out to be real and something that could tear you limb

from limb bain. That's dark, I mean it was a living Hey, speaking of that, I still don't remember how I got here, do you? No, Let's see, I remember the last thing I remember before I woke up here was a completely normal We've been on an extended patrol in London. That's a big city on my planet. Used to be one of the biggest oldest ones in the world. Ah, got it. We finally had some wreck time, a couple of days off to rest and research before our

next goal. Research. Yeah, my specialty is digging into old religions, mystic traditions, stuff people believed in in the Old World. A lot of that stuff has hints about the creatures that stopped our world. Cracking the books made us a hit, us better and monster hunting. What about you? Roboman, not a robot cybernetics, right, Yeah, I'm a cyber doc. Lived on a pretty big way station in the Zaku, the Zacharus Cloud. We called it the ZAC. It's one of the twelve galaxies. Yeah.

The ship drive made it pretty easy to get around between galaxies. Well yeah, is that weird? I mean it is for me, But again, it seems pretty clear you and I. I don't know. I think we're from different dimensions or something. Is that a thing? I don't know a good yardstick for what is and is not a thing. I spent my twentieth birthday defending the rooftop of a stone zigarette from a horde of vampires. Wow. Yeah, so you're a doctor. When was the last thing you

remember before you woke up here? I don't remember a lot, Just a pretty normal day. Kicked back with a beer at Donovan's down the street, hung out with my crew. Nothing out of the ordinary, ripper, Ah okay, fuck, I need to put bills on YouTube. Hey cries. Oh god, I hope you're enjoying the booze. I guess, but whenever you ever stopped coming up? Ah? Yeah? Does does it have to be one of us? Like the offset. It's up to you, guys. I can go grab the fish and toss him out onto the platform if

you want. No, no, no, Finley. We can't make him go again. Come on, it's one of our turns. I don't, I don't, I can't. I don't think I can do it. You heard him. He was a soldier, emani, a hard boy, and he was still fucking screaming his head off. I'm just me. I can't. All right, I'll take this one. Oh bain, m Annie. I can't thank you if you better buck up, boy ocause you're up next. But what if we just don't? What if we just stay on the

train. Oh please try. I have some blades I haven't been able to play with yet. Oh nah, I'll go the next time. It's you, all right, gorgeous leader. Choo doors Huh yep, you pick a door and walk through. Not much to it? Why huh? Why do we pick a door? Why do I have to choose between smile and Sunday afternoon? You pick a door because I have a razor sharp knife. I want to put in your organs. That's why I know. I know you're terribling, But you can't just tell me why you're doing this, kidnapping us

to ride around on a train and pick doors and then die. It all seems so complicated. No, uh, okayvin I pick, I guess smile if that matters, matters to someone, not me happy dying just a moment in time. It's just a moment in time, just a motment in time, a link in time. Contime. What the hell? What the hell? What the hell. We're still moving. Have a drink, eat some food. Stop worrying. You're only saying that because you've already done it.

You've gone through a door. Why wouldn't I worry? I still I still have to stand. You still have to die. M hm hm oh, garlic and borrow owners brand Amani you you still don't want to talk about it? No, I really don't. I just mean I think it would help if I had some idea of what she went through. I promise you it wouldn't finly admirable how quickly you've recovered. It took me hours to calm down. I've had some training. I thought I'd seen damned near everything there was

to see, but one I experienced beyond that door. I wasn't ready for it, not by half, so as I said, admirable. Thanks, I guess ha ha. No, you see, you're just trying to spook me, aren't you? Zook right? Not everything is about you human, as you said, you're next. If I were you, I'd spend less time worrying and more time preparing myself for the trial ahead. I'll screw you. Fish. You wouldn't understand. Hey, I understand well enough that you're

a coward. Hey, I could turn you into paste. You scaly fuck want a demonstration? Hey enough, sit both of you. I'm nursing a witch of a headache, and the idea of chewing anything right now makes me want to vomit. Let me nurse my coffee and bourbon in peace. We were going to compare nodes, right. Have you remembered anything else about how you got here? No? Still just a big blur. How about you anything? No? Nothing. I was out with some of the others from

my crew. We were at a kind of wastation, very nice, tropical, lots of rain, soft breezes. Are you familiar with the concept of alcoholic drinks with little umbrellas in them? I mean, yeah, I don't think I've ever had one, but I've seen pictures. Ah, well, that's the kind of place I was at, spending some of our payment after a long protracted job. We sat down at a table in this little bar. I remember looking around the place, making sure we were in friendly territory.

And that's it. The next thing I recall, I was waking up on that couch hearing the two of you talking. All right, Robo, man, your turn? You remember anything? And who's Ripper? Oh? Now I can talk? Come on, man, don't be like that. We're in this together, right right I am. I don't remember much more than either of you. I'm an engineer and doctor, okay, I specialize in well, this kind of stuff. I had finished up my last patient for the day. Lady wanted new eyes, easy stuff. I have a

little lab set up for myself in the Stora genits of my flat. I clocked in there, started tinkering with a few things. It was getting late. You asked, who Ripper is? He's this guy where I'm from. You need protection, right if you're going to do the kind of work I do. The gear I deal with every day is valuable, and so I made I made arrangements with Ripper and his guys to keep me safe, and

in exchange, I do work for them. If it comes up. They might come in with some spare parts and I install them or patch them up if they get hurt. I'm assuming you don't ask a lot of questions about where these spare parts come from. No, I don't, because I like breathing. You said you owed him something. Yeah, just a little misunderstanding. You know, we were going to talk about it. That's the last thing I remember Ripper buzzing me at my door, and then I woke up

here. Not a lot to work with. Really, perhaps they kidnapped us Imani from her quarters me from the bar. Would it be fair to say, Finny that your friend Ripper might have sold you out to our captors. Keep your fucking spec ulation to yourself. I've touched a nerve. How surprising are either of you familiar with the term emotional labor? What screw it? Never mind, new topic, new question, Zuck, How come I can

understand you? I'm sorry? What do you mean? I wasn't sure at first, but since we've been talking today, I'm hearing different words than you're saying. Your mouth moves and you're talking in whatever language you know, but I hear you talk in my language English. Oh why didn't I notice that? You're right? You're doing the same thing. Ah, that's creepy. So we're talking to each other in like in our heads. Well, I don't know, Oh this language English? Is it possible? Good evening,

everyone. I trust you are enjoying the meal our dear cries laid up for you. Uh yeah, cal best food of kidnap victim could want. I guess I did enjoy the garliced bread. I'll let her know then, is it is it? Almost? Oh? Yes? In a short while, I thought I would sit and talk with you, although see if I could answer any questions. Imani makes a fair point, Caliban, you have kidnapped us. You are holding us against our will. Why this pretense of caring

what we think? I know it may seem hard to believe, but we do care what you think. Management very much wanted to take pains to provide you with a sense of well, of mortal normalcy. You have your own rooms, a bit of privacy. You can get food here whenever you like, and the three of you rotate who chooses the door at each station, So you have a significant amount of time where you have nothing to do at all. I noticed Imney has found the library car. I hope there were

some interesting tomes among the shelves. Yeah, a lot of titles I didn't recognize too, which was interesting. I guess I hear what you're saying, Caw, but this is it's fucking nuts man. You've got us locked up in here and you send us to these terrible places. It's torture. Why is it that we die inside the doors and then we live again? There are some things I can't fully explain for which I apologize. As I said when we first met. The three of you are special in your own way.

Your choice is here, and I know it's cruel what we do to you. Your choices matter. They are the heart of the project. You're doing important work for us, even if you cannot see it. When do we get to go home home? Yeah? When do I get to get back to my clan and Zook to his crew and finlay h his garage. Ah, We'll have to see, won't we. The project has goals it has to meet. I'll speak with management though, ask them if they can give me an estimate. Why If you don't mind me asking why do you

and Chries look so different? We're from very different places. We have different lineages. You said mortal normalcy before. Does that mean you're not mortal? Yeah? Are your lineages not whatever? Mortal? We are most assuredly not mortal. No. I know it may be hard to tell given my cheery disposition, but Cries and I are very different than the three of you, from very different places. We operate on a well, on another level. What does that mean? Different level? Where do you come from? Ah?

As the saying goes, our time is up. I'll have to see one of you to your doors. I'm very sorry. I quite liked our conversation, though hopefully we can continue it later. Now then, who will be getting off at this station? I believe your choices are a door called one year and a door called jailbird and lay I hear? I can't? Please? Come on, man, we both did it. I'm I'm not going to lie to you and say it's easy, But do you really want one of us to go through that again? Just so you don't have to?

I am shit, I coward. I'm afraid I'll need an answer. Findley. It sounds as if your cohorts believe it is your turn. No, please, I can't do it. This isn't You can't make me. Actually, I promise you I can make you, though I do not want to, imani, Zuck. If Findley will not go to the station by choice, I will escort him if one of you would care to go again.

That's perfectly acceptable to myself and management. As christ said, who leaves the drain and is ultimately up to the three of you as long as someone chooses the door at each station. You ask me, Zuck, how I operate on a different level from you, and this is one of those ways. The choices you Mortals make are precious important. So will one of you go in thinly stead? Mh no? No, all right then? No, please please get your hands off me. No, you can't make me

go. Can't make me go. Please don't make me go. No, please help mell hey, you can't make me go. Please please, sir, right this way? Help please help tell you how to get off. I don't want to go. H oh oh oh oh, mister Finley, can you hear me? I thought they fucking scream these girls they did to my knowledge. Why did he do it? Why they didn't It's not supposed to happen. Oh, it's not supposed to happen. Damn it. Sit down, She won't do it to me, not again, not again.

I think we'll have to call in outside assistance. Are you thinking warden? No? No, your warden is a touch violent for this kind of work. When will it end? Oh? Oh, I'll get in touch with the architect. Perhaps she can send down someone from the alienist's lodge. Sounds good, Make the call. I don't know how long this guy's going to hold it together. A right, Mommy? Over here? You I'm kidding. Nope, there's a little forest in this car. Yep? How big? Is it? Not that big? I think the space is still a

train car in size, if that makes sense. But it's all I don't know sideways to how you'd expect it. Were these chairs here when you found the place? Yep? I'm assuming at this point. But if we can get into a place, we're meant to be here. So mind if I sit, I'm not gonna stop you has thinly stopped? No, not that I could hear. I'm sure he'll snap out of it. It took on

so while as well. M how many cars have you been through this is number nineteen, and that includes the two sleeper cars, the bar and the cafe car. Anything else interesting? Oh, loads, I think there's a car especially for you at the far end. There's an inner door with a big water tank. That's basically what my bunk is like. Yes, but this one has some kind of coral in it, little creatures, ab snacks.

We'll have to take a look. Oh, let's see. There's an armory with all kinds of bladed weapons, some kind of temple, a lounge with a green velvet couch, all kinds of things. This is a weird train man being. Is it that time already? I guess I thought we'd have a bit more your money. Look, why do you enjoin us in the Barbley? Well that's new. What if we at us? I mean, I would guest disagree with him, but I want a drink and I don't want to get thrown around the place. You know there are not wait

a tick, We're not going to do this forever, are we? I mean they say they're immortal. Our version of forever might not apply anymore. How can you be so nonchalant about all this? Two reasons first and foremost, I'm thinking it I promise you. I'm just as scared as you are. I just have more experience. I guess I've been dealing with weird shit for a long time. Second reason is I don't know. There's just a lot going on here, don't you feel it? This is also cultivated.

I think they need us more than we need them, if that makes sense. When they're not body checking Finny into the wall, they've treated us pretty well. I'm not sure what you mean. I mean we have to keep searching somewhere on this train. There are answers to be found, my fine finn friend, So we keep looking, or you know, thank you us permanently and horribly one of the two. Wow, that makes a hideous kind of sense. Damn it. Have a drink with me? Sure? Who

the hell else am I going to drink with? So a few long enough? Good to see you two, cries? Can I get you both a drink? Whiskey? Neat of samey? We stopped right? Why are we moving again? We stopped to bring on someone to speak with mister Findley. They're working with him right now. Did something happen? Oh no, no, he's fine. He just needed a bit of assistance after his experience the first time in a room can be very distressing, as you've both seen.

So why did you call us? In partially to explain why we stopped, partially to ask which of you will be leaving the train next, and partially to give you please? Is that a tape recorder? It is one for each of you? What is this physical media? You record audio into a plastic tape embedded with magnetic powder. The magnet in the device captures the wave form. Huh? And why are we getting these things? Management is afraid you'll go crazy? Now Now, they're a way for you to track your

thoughts, to keep a sense of continuity through this stressful time. Is this optional? Of course if you don't find it helpful, no need to use them, but hang on to them either way, all right? Uh huh? Sure? So death done? Yeah? Who goes this time? I'll go? I'm m I think I'm ready bout a break? Are you sure it's my isn't it my term? I got this, but Caliban, I want to ask some more questions. This isn't a trade. We stop. Someone dies, There's no tip for tatty cries. We're here to whom I

am happy to answer. Any questions. I can. Oh right, m let's hey, Imani zook, Hello, are you feeling all right? I'm fine, much better. I've had a good conversation with the woman from the lodge. She helped me to see how important it is for us to be here. You did something to him, didn't You just helped me to see Imani Now I can see. I know he seems somewhat strange right now. Don't worry. He'll be back to his old self soon. It's just a

form of mood stabilization away for him to divorce himself from his fear. I think I like him better this way. Socio parts, watch your mouthfish, Oh god, what the fuck? Mhmm, Yeah, we were just talking in the lounge car. No horseman rode up alongside us, dressed all in black. It's tall, taller than the train horse. Its horn is it looks like a corpse the rider. Where's a hood? From within the dark hood are large horns like a steer. I can see its eyes, a

full full of hate, hate, hating. And I looked and beheld a horse. His name that sat upon him was death. Power was given unto him to kill with sword and with hunger. And with the beasts of the earth, the power of the elder beings, the powers of the mount and the grove, and the far and the Hell's, the power of choice and suffering unending, the power of the Gray Rooms. Sir, this here is wanted. Choose a door and step through. Why because if you don't,

I'll kill you. You can call me Bob, mister Beckett. Everyone else does. We have worked together for some time now. You and I overseen several iterations of the rooms. You have attended dozens of guests. You are one of the pillars of the Gray Rooms. Bob. I trust you more than that. I like you. Tell me I have nothing to worry about. Tell me that you have a handle on this. You have nothing to worry about. I have a handle on this. I merely wish to understand

enough. We have allowed this charade to go on long enough. Bob, Admiral Beckett has done more for the project in this last few days than you have in years. I was unaware that my commitment to the project was in question. The warden's deterioration, the many little hiccups with Todd's time in the rooms, the loss of Miss Winters. I am deeply and fundamentally questioning your

competence, wove a wreck attendant to the gray rooms. I belial hold your chain, but I have held it for two long old friends allowed it to go black. It is time I passed its links to another, a master that will be more attentives. Gordon, we are could have so much fly m. I opened my eye and stared up at a colorless ceiling. I had been the project's attendant for centuries, and now I was trapped inside the

gray rooms. It brought a weak smile to my face, a grimace that caused my cracked lips to bleed, and the pain in my head to intensify. We'd work so hard to imitate the cheap concrete of Rayman's realm. I clearly remember conversations about poor astriations, how cold the cells should be, how much flickering the lights should do, all to manipulate a mortal, all to shape his state of mind, our first fumbling effort to control the guest,

to fulfill the project's potential. And what had the admiral said, draw force blood from a stone? Now these cells lingered here, deep beneath the walls of dis a memento from that turning point in the project, when Belile's bid for power had finally unmistakably borne delicious fruit. The perfect place to hold a demon who was no longer of use to the project old woe varak bold bob old me. I sat up on my threadbare cut taking in the grim walls,

the small table, the metal chair. I had no sense of how much time had passed since that meeting in the Founder's tower. At some point, someone the warden I assumed, had dressed me in a set of gray cotton pants and a simple gray shirt, the very same clothes we had given to Raymond. In fact, in the dim light, I could see my breath condensing in the chill air. I reached up to gently touch the filthy bandage covering my left eye socket. A dull ache spread from that wound up

into my skull. I was still getting used to having just one eye, and this throbbing reminder of the mind worms tender ministrations made it difficult to focus to rally my thoughts. I needed to get my feet back under me. I needed to get moving. I knew if I could just focus, just push past this pain, there was something I could do. I had to do something before. Hey there, buddy, I see you whom to the waking world warden. My only reliable way of counting time was the warden's regular

visit. He delighted in reminding me that he now held my chain, that he could do with me whatever he wanted. What do you think you have to spend in a little time together? I'd much rather rest and recuperate. If you don't mind, perhaps you could send Todd down with some tea, queen a little worm. Listen you sniveling like a moral Have you had tea recently? It's quite delicious. You've changed, or friend, I've been telling you for centuries, all this time when mortal says made you sobt rided you

from me inside out. Agree to disagree, old friend. And if I have changed, well, isn't that something we're celebrating. You should have heard the founder just like you, oh Terry, and the beg. He thinks I can fix you, thinks if I can break you hard enough, we can put you back together the way you used to be. But you and

I know better, don't we. Mom. It's just going to be you and me down here, But the rest of eternity, you know, an upside of being your prisoner is that I no longer have to pretend your inane ramblings contain some kind of deep meaning. Do you ever get tired of hearing yourself talk? So you want the pain to be particularly bad? Today? Oh, every visit was different. Sometimes he came down in person to treat

me to quality time with his chains and blades. I'd been stalked by other demons in his service, by mortal soldiers brought into the hells by the Admiral. Once he had imported a horned beast from the grove to chase me down these endless corrid horse It had the leering skull of a deer for a head and hoofs shod with horns and barbed wire. It pursued me for what seemed like weeks before he let me rest again. Recently, he'd grown fond of

unleashing the literal hounds of hell to snap at my heels. To be honest, it was getting a little old. Better run, better run, or I mean this time not forget to call him mine. This was all a game to the warden, who was no longer interested in anything I had to say, any observations I might have heard about the project any secrets. No, I was nothing more than an amusement. That is why I ran, because I knew if I stood and tried to fight, if I did anything

other than put on a good show, he'd get bored. And a board warden was far far more terrifying than one who was amused. Ah. I read for what seemed like ours, but eventually my strength began to flag. I had been exhausted when he'd thrown me into these cells, and without any chance to rest, I'd been getting weaker and weaker with each visitation. The hill holp s ran me down, taking out my legs, pulling me to the cold floor of the great rooms, so cold it burned my heart.

Blood steamed on the concrete as they tore in to me. He let amuse me as a placing, batting me about the floor, tearing the chumps of my flesh, ravaging my gray clothes. He let them toy with me for a long long time until this blood lust was sated, until I'd stopped screaming and just lay there trembling in agony. My good eye was taped closed with blood, and so I heard rather than saw, the beasts trotting off down the corridor back to their infernal kennel. Have a good night, barn,

oh you again real soon the loo. I lay there, unable to move. I could already feel my wounds beginning to close. That would take days, even weeks for them to fully heal. If I was patient, I'd be able to crawl back to my cot within just a few hours. This was why the warden was so happy to hold my chain. He could play as rough as he wanted, with me, assured in the knowledge that eventually I'd be whole again and ready for more torment. My body lie broken in

the flickering light dark light of the hall way. I was too exhausted even to weep, and too full of self hatred to care for After all, hadn't I laid the groundwork for my own suffering. We say that the choices of the guests mark them as special, but we demons make choices as well, and mine had damned me to a hell of my own creation. In the shadows, I heard movement, soft, furtive, a footstep Hello. That was new. If it was a torment dreamed up by the warden,

was effective. Snarling beasts I could handle quiet movements in the dark weren't really his style. I tried to open my eye, rubbing at my face with my hat, and through the crimson fog that filled my vision, I thought I could make out a figure standing a dozen paces away at the end of the hallway. I squinted. He looked familiar. Ray Raymond, our first guest, the man this complex had been built for. I'd known intellectually that he was down here, somewhere. I was, after all, the one

who'd kept him here. But these passages were an endless maze. I'd never once considered. Raymond. Please, I know, I'm sorry, but m can you help me? He regarded me silently. The flickering light didn't allow me to see the expression on his face. He merely raised a hand, pointing off down the corridor to his right. I I don't understand. He stood there mute. I blinked, trying to clear my vision, and he must have taken the few steps needed to clear the hallway. When I looked

again, he was gone. Raymond, no answer, no movement. Digging deep my hold on the last of my strength and hold myself upright using a hand on the wall, I managed after several tries to stand. My clothes were in tatters and blood pooled in footprints as I slowly, agonizingly slowly made my way down the hall. I reached the end and peered down the right hand passage. He was there again, at the far end. He held out a hand, beckoning me forward. Please. I'm exhausted, Raymond,

will you help me? My legs shuddering underneath me. I continued to shamble forward. I was within just a few feet of him when he stepped off down a side passage, not even glancing back behind him. This little game went on for long minutes. The mortal stuck to the shadows, never allowing me a look at his face. He never spoke, no matter what I said to him, no matter how much I begged. Finally, as I dragged myself down what seemed just another corridor, Raymond held out his hand,

palm out. Stop. I did, and nearly collapsed. He pointed. I looked and realized I was standing before a door. That was not terribly unusual down here, but most of the loci had been loaded out years ago, the doorways left hanging empty, this vast worn of always left to rot. Somehow, we'd missed one, a plaque glimmer in the dim light, and I could just make out a flickering illumination beyond the hinges. The sign said, simply invasive. What what is this? He gestured, and the

door swung open. You you want me to go through? The figure nodded. It made a certain kind of sense. The rooms, terrible as they were, paled in comparison to the endless torment I'd find in these dour halls. I'd no doubt return here upon exiting the room, But perhaps this might be my only chance, a chance to set the warden on his heels to find an exit, and all because of Raymond. Thank you. I don't

I don't know why you're doing this, but thank you. Even in the end he said nothing, merely watched as I took a few steps forward, watched as the power of the rooms claimed me, and watched as the door closed behind me. For all I know, peace watching there still in the darkness, in the cold of the gray rooms. Ah h M. Prior to this occasion, it had been a considerable amount of time since I'd actually gone through one of the gray rooms. My reintroduction was deeply unpleasant, But

as I lay there on the cold floor of the complex. I could feel that some of the old magic still at play. Many of my wounds from the Warden's playtime had healed. My headache was just a dull lump behind my left eye. Ah ah ah. I rose and pressed my back against the wall, bracing myself. I was still so very very tired. Slowly, tenderly I unwrapped the bandage that hid my empty socket. I lifted my hand to my face, traced the edges of my ocular cavity. The left side

of my vision was still the haze. Apparently the power of the rooms was insufficient or it was disinclined to restore my eye. Oh, tarts me? How you holding up? I was ripped apart by hell hounds not that long ago and just emerged from a locai. So I'm not doing well? Er? Yeah, what do you want? Has the warden given you leave to taunt me as a reward for your service? Oh? Never listen, I've order saying O Lord Thomas saying things are changing in the room or head management

changing, false pars and love everything. And here I thought you all would get along fine without me, You too, will you very well? The emperors said. Everything on his ear and his recruits are the Farer's new favorite toys. I've been doing for I'm not sure ward goes an't talking in it and the lands. I've got a mission the army things it is he I'm going to make shake up with a ball. She would have means, don't stop the folks from other realms. Look, oh, coins are weird creatures

trumping through attire. Well, they owned the place. I made a new version of the project doubt running. It's weird, weird even by assdit. This is all fascinating. I'm sure, Why are you telling me? I'm telling you because they're distracted. They're not thinking about you right now, and I think I'm going to help you escape. Escape You and I both know that will never happen. Even if you were able to pull me out of the complex, where would I go they discover it was you, Todd,

You know they would. Mister Warden finds out that you're talking to me, go back to your job, stay safe my time. But the project is over. Nothing can change that. Now the project, you bloody You'll think I'm in here. We'll rescued my skin for what shit sickningles, so I get you back on the project. I'm your friend. You asked whole I'd have call it a bunch of favors againsting, set up and reach out and look. But I know you'll be a lot safer, a lot easier to

leave you writing down there, easier for me anyway, I'm not. You've got people to want you free, and I can help you, so I will know what you think of us mores. And you're right every time you point out what ship I wasn't Barbie a poop with skill through you. But there's why I've got to do is right. Because even though our tall light a blow, that the lord who blew up the domes, even though I got his name and remember his chili shappeared, all that I ain't himful are

just. I don't have to prove that to nobody, but I want to know. So a we it would your sad sex. He'll find a way to jolly old freedom. You always joined on to the guist amount how a choice is made of special I are well not choosing. I quite literally had no idea what to say to that. The idea that Todd mathis of all people would attempt to set me free. It was insane. But then I looked up and down the endless corridors that stretched out to my left and right.

What did I have to lose? Tard I thank you. I did not expect this, nor on some level do I think I deserve it. You're a right ars of a demon. You know that I have been told as much. Yes, so what is your plan? Still works? Right now? I just eat you to hang tie that a crabs urso in the works. I don't know how you figured out find one of the work in north down there, but I put the warden into all kinds of face.

Do you think you can do it again? Perhaps I'll try? Good Gay, look sty cycle right, find another door that will throw the warden off your trail for a while. We'll talk again soon. Wait, what is this plan? God? Damn it, tard Ah. I stood on unsteady legs. I brushed my hands across my gray clothing, trying my best to remove the dirt and grime, and with my head held high, I moved off into the complex. For the first time in a very, very long while. I felt a bit like my old self. I might have been

exhausted. Defeat it but now I had a purpose, even if it was given to me by a mortal I had a purpose, but no idea how to find another working door. My knowledge of the original Gray Rooms was long years out of date. I'd asked management to keep the complex around as a kind of keepsake. The architect was extremely sentimental. After she took over the

project. She thoroughly approved of the minor expenditure of resources required. The complex was originally built to confuse a mortal mind to torment Raymond in a way unique to him, as well as provide him just enough succor between doors to keep him emotionally stable. After thee incident that led to the conclusion of his time in the Rooms, my orders had been to have him destroyed. I had ignored them, one of my first small acts of rebellion against management. I

am still not quite sure. Why Why did I allow the remnants of his mortal consciousness to remain? Why keep him here? By no sum in the alienist large belief in signs and portens, But I I do not. Still it appeared that, even after all these years, after everything that had transpired, the first guest of the Gray Rooms was still of some use Raymond, Raymond, if you're still there, I need your help. I need to find a working door. I need you to lead me to a room.

Please. I stood there in the darkness of the halls for long moments. I listened, hoping that he was near by, that he was in the mood. And then there he was, at the far end of the hall, a silhouette, a darkness against the deeper night. Raymond, thank you? Where should I go? Can you lead me like you did before? Wordlessly he regarded me. I could just make out the light reflected off of his eyes twin mirrors. He turned and began to move, but this time

he did not walk. He ran. Raymond wait for a mortal that had been trapped in this maze as long as he had. Raymond moved with surprising speed. I didn't understand why until I heard the sound oh bab He'd known somehow, Raymond had known the Wharton had returned. Why why are you running, Bob? Do you think you can out run me? Do you think you can out run pain? Oh? No? I didn't bother to reply. I needed to focus. My weary mortal shell was beyond the point of

exhaustion. I put one foot in front of another. My eyes on Raymond's fleeing form, and I love my little chant so much. If you're not feeling talkative again, it's time for the screens to start. The Architect's pre bery hasn't been out of its cage in so long. Oh, she mentioned she wanted to let it stretch its wings, and I knew just what to do. Why it was all I could do to keep my legs moving, stride after stride. Raymond was always always length ahead of me, just disappearing

around the turn. Sometimes I saw him pause to excited me before he ducked around a corner, and I thought, in the dim moments where I could see his face, he was smiling. It's going to be good. They've got a little snack and everything. I can't wait to ast management layer. And then one more corner, and he was there, standing at the fore end of the hall, that dark figure, his arm raised, pointed off

to the side my side. I looked and saw the tall tale glimmer beneath the doorway, and not a moment too soon, the Architect's beast rounded the turn, a nightmare in feathers and leathery skin. It barely fit inside the tight corridor, its horrific skull scraping against the ceiling, stubby wings, dripped ichorps under the cement from clipped and broken pinions, and its eyes terrible and malevolent, and worst of all, human, all too undeniably human. Came.

She called him most mortal realms had known him once as Cain. She'd never told me how she'd come to keep him as a pet, and I'd never asked. Now he towered over me, only a few arm lengths away. Hungry for pain and sorrow and death. I grabbed the doorknob and flung it wide. How don't let him escape? I threw myself at the doorway, being careful of the edges. For a fraction of a second I could

hear the sound of the beast's screams mingling with my own. Then the shimmer of the loci broke upon my face, like water, shutting out sound and light. And finally, thought, blinded, deafened and alone, I fell. I fell forever ah. I was beginning to understand experientially why the guests were always so out of sorts when they returned from a room, Being unceremoniously dropped back into this end endless maze was deeply irritating. Ah. I cautiously

got to my feet, looking around warldly in the darkness. No birds. It appeared I would have a few moments of calm before the madness began again. Cautiously, I flexed my limbs. I felt, if not quite myself, then better. My mortal shell had been injured severely by the warden's visitations. With the exception of my eye, which appeared to be well and truly gone, I finally felt whole again. All thanks, it seemed, to the gray rooms. The irony of a jailer made whole by time within his

own and was not lost on me. Raymond, I called out into the darkness, Raymond silence, Todd, can you hear me? Nothing? Wait? No, not nothing in the distance. I heard it a sound of chains. I didn't pause, I didn't wait. I turned and I ran, Babe, did you make me? I should have known, after escaping him twice, the warden wouldn't be content to leave the dirty work to beasts. He'd want to deal with me himself. Once again, the warden stalked

a hapless victim through these gray and unrelenting halls. Once again, I found myself on the run. Where are you going, buddy? You know there's nowhere to go. Are you hoping to find another door? Oh? Well, bad news. I still don't know where you managed to find them down here, But that's not going to happen again, and make sure of it. I found myself dealing with a paradox of success. I finally felt strength

in my limbs once again. I ran with long, looping strides. If it came to it, I thought I might be able to hold my own against his assault for at least a little while. And yet, now that I'd finally had time to recuperate, I found I very much did not want to be torn apart by his rusty blades, not again, And so I ran, Why run? Oh friend, you know this is going to end it all weed in the same way you and I. I didn't bother to

respond. He would flame me alive now or later. It was just a matter of time, true, But for the first time in a long time, I felt some of that old fire return. I'd been so tired for so long. I didn't care if I succeeded. I wasn't going to make it easy for him. As I rounded yet another corner in this endless gray maze, I heard a familiar sound, and despite my situation, a tight smile slipped onto my face Todd, where she run down and gabble, tid,

get out of here, you little worm. Yeah, no shirt naughtice time? Sorry? Want it? When I get done with Bob your next And this time I'm not going to stop. I'm going to rip your soul apart and throw you, screaming bloody meat into the pit to burn and burn and burn. And I wanted roys Time royal friends about me in Vain. They just don't ask scary anymore respectfully shut ain't by asshi fucking chuckabo. As amusing as this exchange was, I hope my start to burn the warden's fury

would carry him further longer than my determination. Todd, I could use some help down here. Plans come, I get it, don't you worry? What plan? I quick and so began one of the strangest experiences of my long life. As I was pursued like hunted game through the unending corridors of the gray rooms. The man I once kept imprisoned guided me through its twisted, benighted halls all the while like a hound who had caught the scent of blood, the warden gave chase. Just give in, now, just give

in. I can torture you while you're fresh. How it torture you? Woul tiring? Doesn't married the Without Toard's directions, I would have been hopelessly lost my rounded turn after turn, past door after door. This original construct was a template fro the blueprint we used for every version of the rooms. Since it was, of course, why to this day we still called them the gray rooms. Now I was struck by how simple they were, how uncomplicated, A call back to a time when my thoughts fled as my feet

found themselves cemented in place. At the foreign of the hall stood a relic I thought long since destroyed. What in all the hells tart is this gate? At the end of the hall, The corridor widened out to a massive chamber that I knew for certain had not been part of the facility's design. Dominating the chamber was a single, massive wrought iron gate. I was staring, somehow at the front entrance to the iron keep, the iteration of the

rooms which had been Todd's prison. Ha, this isn't possible against fast, I jogged to the base of the Portcullis. The iron keep hadn't been much of a step up from Raymond's prison, just a flagstone maze with a few common rooms to keep the guests amused. Except for when Todd had first entered. To my knowledge, the gate had never been opened. I could see the rusted mechanism beyond. There was no way to lift it from this site. Well, no easy way soon be gain, saw it. You'll slow

it down. We can give if your goal is to infuriate me and therefore spermy to action. It is working, and then your game You got me. It's queen now. I rolled my eyes, squared my shoulders, and knelt before the massive gate. My mortal form had been refined and improved numerous times over the many years of the project. By necessity, it kept my demonic strength in check, and I had been removed from the project. The warden had insisted on keeping me in the shell I'd crafted for the Admiral's time

in the rooms. As my chain holder, he could force me to stay within its confines, force me to act out the part of weak, pathetic mortal. But I was far more myself now than I had been in some time. I felt at home with this mortal form. I was natur all, the attendant to these dark cause I had lived and breathed their air for centuries. I was Bovarik, and I was a going to sell the rest of town. Here, and still the ward his playing, Yeah, where

did this come from? The remark you may do? I show you, I'll be do this in no time, And when I do, I'll peel you out of that suit and climb inside your own glasses. Within the old keep, the odd torch still guttered in iron sconces upon the walls. The doors were gone, of course, but the empty frames stared out from the stone walls like lidless eye is. On some level, I was still in shock. I thought the keep had been cleared away, torn down long ago.

The fact that it was still here, deep within the walls of this clearly I had been deeply out of touch with the project I was supposed to be managing it. Surprises on surprises. Speaking of surprises, Todd, are you still there? Where am I going? Ostia? I'll warre me from Look, you're doing great, Just all of my old at the door. You know you should go. We steiple, He'll take the water a good walking to keep. You have to get a long way random. I'm about have you oh my, oh, my, dad, you are a tick

or two. I'm a feeling they could be a bihering between the just this entire chaosson. I did, indeed recall the way to the dining hall, even after all these years. The main corridor of the castle was enormous, a cavernous chamber that just went on and on. As I walked, I mused about the decades I'd spent in this structure, the number of times I'd tried to wrangle Todd through one of these doors, the number of times I'd

had to collect his broken, bloody remains from crimson soaked flagstones. My exertions at the Portcullis, and the stress of the day weighed upon me. My stride slowed, and as the lights of the dining hall approached, I looked forward to a seat on one of the many wooden benches that I stopped, struck dumb for the second time today. The enormous room had that it sent her a pair of high backed chairs, the royal thrones for the King and

Queen of the Keep. They had been useful props during Tod's time within these walls, but it sat vacant, gathering dust since his departure. That was no longer true. The king's throne had been toppled. It had fallen from the dais upon which they sat, broken into pieces on the flagstones. A figure sat atop the queen's throne, a familiar figure. She saw me standing in the doorway and stood. Her hair fell to her shoulders, and her

clothes hung like royal finery from her petite frame. Her eyes burned with intensity, but incredibly she was smiling. Sam Samantha, Hey there, Bob, did you miss me? You're in the gray rooms. It's a hotel, this time an old one, and I am in charge. Your name is Samantha Winters. You can't leave. I know everything. And as for who I am, my actual name you wouldn't like. But he called me mob. Samantha Winters, an art student swept up in the furor of a cult.

She was touched by an eldritch power pretending to be a penitent god, and died after a century's long rule as Earth's cruel and unforgiving deity. Do you blame a cat when it places a mouse I could, so I didn't. I was a god. Well your no god here or yes? And it's a bit of a bit. Bob, Oh, you don't regret. I only regret it so over happiest time of my life. But please tell me those tapes aren't real, that she's not me. I make it a point not to lie. How is that possible? How are she and I

the same person? I don't. I don't feel that way at all. Why did Samantha leave the project? This isn't something we can discuss with you, mister Beckett. Well, it's interesting only you see, when Bob and I met, he mentioned there'd been an incident not that long ago. He said, the repercussions were unpleasant. Now, if Samantha was the guest just before me, that would mean the incident was during her time on the project,

wouldn't it. The walls of the Iron Keep soared above me as I stared up into the face of a woman I hadn't seen in a very, very long time. She descended the deis like royalty. The last time I had seen her, she'd worn the simple street clothes we'd given her in the old hotel. Now she wore a black gown inlaid with onyx colored pearls. A jade choker was a dark green and gray line across her throat. A curved blade hung in a scabbard from a sling, its hilt inscribed with runs.

Perhaps my time in the rooms, my time with the warden, had fractured my sanity, or I mused, this was some kind of manipulation, a mind crafted illusion of the kind Almah was so skilled at creating. Samantha Winters reached ground level, and now I had to look down to meet her gaze. She was still a foot shorter than I was. She must have seen some of the thoughts cross my face, because her mouth screwed itself up into a crooked grin. You're not crazy, Bob, and I'm not an

illusion or whatever. I'm here? Oh? How am I here? Or how am I not burning forever at the bottom of the hells both? Your second question's got a long answer one. I don't think we have time for right now. As to why I'm here, let's just say I have some friends who want you saved, So here I am. She seemed terribly pleased with herself. Then in that moment, Now I am the one who has the secrets to keep I don't understand. Same old Bob, and he said

you changed its amount's time. I'm pleased to see you. But the Wharton, he's right behind me. If he finds us here, I'm not sure I can protect you. Oh, don't worry about me. I can take care of myself these days. She hefted the blade at her side to emphasize her point. But you're right, we need to get moving. She turned, scanning the room as if hoping to see someone there. As she did, I saw the changes I had overlooked in those first few moments of recognition.

Well heeled scars ran down her neck. Her hair, which had always been a golden hue, had faded to bone white. If this was not a trick, an illusion, the Samantha that stood before me had been through a very great deal since our last encounter. Damn it, he should be here by now. The surge of strength of confidence that had gotten me past the keeps Gate fled to my body. I staggered to a nearby bench and slumped down onto it. Are you all right? I'm I'm fine. I

have also been through a great deal since we last saw each other. Maybe you have changed? How did you lose my eye? Yeah? The warden right right, Samantha saved. This is my boy. This is even more awkward than I thought it'd be. Look, I know a lot more about the project about you than I ever did during my time in the rooms. I know you were just doing your job, doing what you thought was the right thing to do. If you had to do it over again, would

you still toss me in that pit? My instinct was to prevaricate to him and Hall, but my exhaustion got the better of me and my mouth opened of its own accord. No, I would not, and it's because of you. It's because of what you did to me that day on the battlements. What I did. You attempted to control me as you had with Todd. Hinted at work. No, but somehow when you touched my mind, it did something to me. You touched my very nature, Samantha. Demons

are not supposed to be able to change, you know. I know well I have changed, and I have no doubt it is why I am sitting here talking to you today. The warden could sense it, the architect could see it. Even the guests could tell I was different. Somehow, Samantha. I don't know where you've been or why you're here, but if we escape the rooms, will you help me to understand this? I feel so lost. Yes I will. I just need one thing from you. Name it. Oh why did you hit me? Because you threw me in the

hell? You assholee We had both changed, it was true. As she laughed at my confusion, which quickly turned to amusement, I felt some of the tension that had been holding my shoulders tot ease for literal centuries. I had known what my future held, what my life would measure up to be, And now I hadn't the faintest clue, but perhaps with allies at my side. The sound of running footsteps took us both by surprise. Wow, Wow, Wow, sam it's me, tot he weird old bastard. Where

have you been? I would open missus mousey, I get the safety blush. I'd stop off and get ritual stuff. You know, no mind, old Todd. I felt my single remaining eye twitch in its socket. What in the hills was happening here? Wait? You two have been working together sort of, Like I said, I've got some friends friends, we are mutual friends. Right, Yeah, it's good to see you in Persian Miss Winners, A big old lug. Not on your life, you perverted old

goat, Oh loyal? All right, you can't blame a blot for drawing. I can. Could we focus on our current situation? What ritual are you talking about? How long have you had these friends? Can they be trusted? Since back during the Admiral's times in the rooms? I promised to get me out an exchange with some little favors. What kind of favors? Oh, you know, some information? A little bit shoot there, laying a big old stake into the manner? Yew, things are that you na

oh un expected look on your fine. As much as I'd love to stand around and watch Bob try to make facial expressions, thank you. The three of us can catch up and answer your questions after we've escaped the warden amb the gray rooms, and certain dismemberment. Yes, wait, is there any way that we could go back for Raymond? Raymond, he was the first guest before either of you were in the rooms. The complex just beyond the

keep. He's trapped there. Perhaps we could leave him instructions on where to go, someplace to meet us He helped me before Todds could lead me to safety. I don't know why, but I would not have survived without his help. I'm sure of it, Bob, Raymon's gone. What do you mean gone? Ah? My early architect talking about it. I didn't know you kept him random, and I'm a pretty pisted about it. Before I set you down there, the women went in well cleared him out. Raymon

was gone before you got dropped in there. Hey, I don't then what did I see? Who was that? The woman who had once ruled a planet through fear and pain? Cheased her blade and took my hand. I started uncomfortable, but she gripped it all the harder. Bob. I've penned through a lot since my time in the enough to know not everything is explainable or understandable. Sometimes you just have to take the win when the universe gives you another shot. You know. I'm sorrybl I can mold this over later.

In the meantime. The rooms are inescapable magical constructs designed specifically to stop the kind of escape attempt you're describing. What is this ritual you mentioned? How in the nine hells do you propose we free ourselves? Abo boy, you are gonna love this. I do not, in fact love this now patting the fifth floor ladies fully undergarments and the perfume. I thought the hotel had been destroyed after you threw me in the pit. Yes, something you're

going to get used to. Old man management, the architect and the light, the lie by everything. It turns out she had us breakdown the lobby in the old Sure, but she picks and chooses a bitch of the project light and squirrels them away for a rainy day. How did you connect this to the keep? Do you have what did you call Samantha's gift? The whammy? Oh no, no, no, missus winners. Here is the heavy here. I'm just real good at taking notes, you know, gathering

materials, following instruction and stuff like that. The whammy? Who would you call it? Then? I mean good enough? I guess where are we going? Only part of the hotel has left. Bah bah boy, the restaurant. It's one of her favorite places. She used to come up here when Miss Windows was in the hotel to check with the warden or make plans. And we had such a lovely meal here too. Oh, I know you're joking but still think about that apple pie. Sometimes you go give me

the recipe someday. Can we focus, please? This is the blake, all right? How couldn't mag a rabbit disappear about? Our friends said it should be easy. He's putting together about to chili. I'll just get his shaven working, You too, this shit. Keep him busy, work quickly, please, really quickly. Still glad you came to get me. Ask me after we get out of here. I turned from Samantha, a grim smile on my face, just in time to see the warden leap onto the

restaurant balcony. He wore his badge of office, the cloak of keys, laid by the founder in the early days of project. It swirled about him as he drew himself up to his full height. The fury edged on his face was terrible to behold. No bloating, no threats, not this time, ha ha. He rushed towards us that I moved to stop him. All I could do was hope I could hold him, and hope that I could buy some time for Todd to do it whatever it was he was doing.

I duck deep and summoned forth my last reserve of strength. I capped into the demon with him and kilt. My human hands snapped and gnarled as they grew into clawed talents. Come on, just a little bit more. I didn't even shrink. The Warden's blade had left a jagged wound in my arm. It pumped dark blood onto the ground as I staggered back from my opponent. For my part, I'd managed to give as good as I'd gotten, But the Warden was far sturdier than I was, had been marshaling his

strength. Samantha stepped forward, her own blade held before her. Now, where did you come from? My dear? Oh, you know I missed you, guys. Laugh a minute around here tis tisk desk. Another loose end, bob, another failure. Allow me to take care of that for you. Yeah, not this. Samantha's strength tattled down upon the rooftop like a suffocating mist. I felt myself slow, like I was caught in a mire. Todd's eyes were huge as he tried to continue his work, his

fingers moving in pantomime motion. Among the ritual implements, the warden hung arrest did in me dare. His cloak billowed behind him, his blades arching for Samantha's face. Effortlessly, she stepped to the side. Unaffected by the power she had brought to bear, she strode forward, moving to stand at the warden's side. You know, I was so afraid of you when you had me trapped here, when I was powerless. The Warden's eyes bulged with hatred. I could see him trying to form words, but to no avail.

Well, I'm not powerless anymore. What was that you said that first day in the hotel? Oh? Yeah, say goodbye, warden. Samantha Winters reached out and casually brushed a hand against the warden's chest. The force of the impact blew the warden clear off the building. One moment he was there, one moment he was not. Her strength spent, Samantha sagged and I rushed forward. My wound continued to spat her blood on the ground as I

caught her, and we swayed there unsteadily. Ah was it wasn't shout, I would actually work, most impressive, Miss Winters, to honor just about Todd's ritual working coalesced into a tear in space, a hole in the sky above the balcony. The hungry wound that tugged at my feet and set my blood spatters soaring through the air to disappear into the infinite. This is it all? Why are the rooms? Where does it go? A wife? From here? A boy? Come on, it's a brand new tape.

Ha ha. I already fought you was worse a Grappard with those words. The old caretaker and former terrorist leapt at the terror and was gone, You're coming right. I'll be right behind you. You'd better be. You know how much of todd I've had to put up with to make this thing come together. She stepped to the edge of the tear and Samantha Winters exited the gray rooms for the second time. I turned to look out across the dismal,

gray sky of the fue city beyond the balcony. It had been an embellishment on the architect's part for one of the hotel's few amenities, an artistic choice not meant to create joy or wonder, but to manipulate and control, to cow the mortal mind with fear and submission. Demons are not supposed to be able to change. But I looked at that sky and felt, for the first time a likeness inside of me. Hope for a future of my own creation, a loosening of the chain bound around my very soul. My

last thoughts. Thus, I stepped through the portal and left the gray room. Forever were of the founder. A man I felt sure I would never see again, but then again, for the first time in eons. I had no idea what would come next. I had no real memory beyond awakening to the gentle swaying of the carriage. Other men would have been afraid I was called. I didn't know why I was there, but I knew what kind of man I was. I trusted my choices. I knew that.

And my name. My name was Beckett, Dadmiral David Beckett, a petty war criminal who became admiral via self appointed title. The flourish of a narcissistic, power hungry dictator. You died mourned by no one. A legendarily despotic emperor who held the twelve galaxies in his fist. A recruiter, Yes, I could act as your recruiter. Give me a chance, and I'll prove it to you. I've met some truly twisted morals in my time in their rooms, perfect candidates. Let me return to some of my low side,

talk to some of the damned. I was a leader. I can be again, and if you fail. If I fail, well the warden here can do with me what he pleases death. They're back just a moment three two one, gentlemen, you're back. Come write in Boss. How in the head do you do that? Oh? You know me? John, I have my ways. Take a seat, please? How did it go? God was with us? Master? Assignment was a complete success. What is your will? What the more may we do for you? Gregory?

Your enthusiasm is impressive, but those of us with artistic minds and immortal constitution need time to rest and recuperate. Yeah what Brand said? I don't have it in me for another trip like that anytime soon. I mean you two must get to stand by and watch me do my thing. I take exception to that warlock, as do I. The Almighty invested me with great gifts, Jonathan. It was for a higher purpose when I am pleased to carry out We work for the other side. Now, lover of the Russian Queen,

you my cat are really far gone? Why do you insist on calling me that? Enough? Brand? The situation was dealt with. Yes, my plan worked perfectly. The demonic soldiers were dealt with. The scroll work I forged should prove enlightning. When their master finds it among the dead, this duke Mammon will be most displeased. Good work, very good work. No discipline problems this time, John, It woun't we boss. What you call lack of discipline, I called feeling my oaths. He speaks the truth

Master, least time good to hear, Dad. The architect is heading this way. You've got a little time, but she she does not seem happy. Gentlemen, apologies, my infernal senses tell me my employer is on her way. As you may recall, she is not overly fond of mortals. Why don't you return to the barracks. We'll speak more this evening. You can consider yourselves on leave until further notice, as you wish muster. Thank you, sir, You got a moss again. RHISPETI father Russian between who

was a cat who belie was gone. I mean you're the one that wanted to be a leader again. Dad. The next time I get a great idea like that, you have my permission to smack me. You and I both know my ghost hands aren't going to smack anything. A fair point. Where is she now? She's working her way up the tower of the Slow Way's she looks really mad. Any idea, what's got her wings in a twist? No? I started getting a read off the mortals when I far

see now, But the demons are still like blank walls. All right, might as well do some work while we're waiting. Bring up the map, Son, let's see where we are. Let's count their trip up to the fourth Circle as a success. Then go ahead and color that part of his territory green. Mammon and the other dukes will eventually figure out where the teams are coming from. I feel like it's as much luck as planning. I know you like the group you've assembled here, but they're not exactly what it

calls subtle. It's a fair point. Remind me to ask Todd to arraigned another trip into the LOCHI some of these new rooms they've arranged for the Silver Express have potential for recruitment. I will let's see, I mean, Dad, based on everything we talked about from the beginning, we're there. If the dukes of the fourth and fifth Circles aren't at war within the next few weeks. I'm not sure what else we could have done to push them over the edge. M what about this fortress over here? Have we sent a

team in there? That's cronics counting house. He's some kind of infernal accountant. I guess one of Lucifer's favorites. Dangerous to send a team, then, what if you want yourself made? It more about a conversation than the team normally likes to. You're saying Brand's tendency to cut throats for paint supplies might not send the right message. Probably not. It's a good suggestion. In the meantime, Architect, to what do I owe the pleasure? Mortal

problem? Meaningless words? I've had to put up with your respiration, your fluids, your your oils, all over everything. I am disgusted by your flesh acts. I am done with you mortals. I'm very sorry, architect about my oils. But is there something I can do for you? There is a meeting of management assembling soon. We'll lead you there, Admiral. Certain events have transpired that require an immediate response movement from the other dukes.

Are we on war footing? No, swore far Bob has escaped from the gray rooms, He was apparently assisted by Todd and an interloper from outside the wars. The warden was wounded in the escape, apparently quite badly. Bob's escaped. How I thought that was impossible. It should have been impossible, Admiral, by all reasonable measures, by every known quantity in this realm or any other. What Bob has done should not have been possible. And yet here I sent Holy shit. Indeed, now, if you an accompany me

downstairs, the founder will be joining us. We could use some of your vaunted mortal expertise to be their boss. The guys and I were wondering if John now is not the best time you must be the boss. Lady efforts so much about Hi. Nice to miya. My name is The pleasure is all mine, you know what. I take it back, Admiral, thank you for doing the work you do That makes me feel much better. Glad I could help. We'll see you downstairs. Then I'll be right down.

Samuel, make a note that we'll need to go get a new job. Run far and run fast, Bob, and by the hells, I hope I don't have to chase you. Of Choices and trains. Part one written by Michael Zankie and Arthur Rock. Musical composition is by J. M. Schurff. Episode artwork, web development and creative direction by Cassie Purtit, Social media and Patreon management is by Brooks Bigley. Videography is by Hale Schurf. Community management is by Torry Miller, and audio engineering and sound designs by me

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