Chapter 1: 0264. End: Beginning
"This will not change me."
I say my mantra as the twilight door opens before me.
"The last one."
"Yes Sir." It replies in its overly cheery tone.
"I didn't..." I don't finish, turning to see its sickening smile. I sigh as it clacks away at its keyboard.
"The portal should be stable now Sir."
"Yeah." I stare at my destination. A barren place with a feint magenta mist and cracked white ground.
"Salt flat?" I mutter. I take a deep breath, acrid. I cough. I kneel and place down my briefcase.
"37?... no 27?" I fiddle with the number lock. 0027. The latches click. I open to a worn plague doctors mask.
"Thank you... f..." I strain to remember who made this. "I..." I clench my teeth and slap the ground. "Damn it!"
*Why am I so tense?* I wonder.
"Stupid question" I grumble to myself.
"I believe it might be-"
"I know, Ashley."
I cut it off as it replies to my unspoken complaint. I sigh, picking up the mask. I look it over, Seidelle marked in gold lettering above one of the hems. I grimace.
"Thank you Feidlimid Seidelle."
I place the mask on my face. It adheres and I smell roses. I turn to Ashley.
"Will I ever see you again?"
"No." It pauses, mimicking grief or regret. "Goodbye, Mr Sierra."
"I told you the first time we met. Call me Paul." I step through.
*Wait... this thing muffles my voice.*
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