THE CHOICE

Ella’s breath was shallow, her heart beating rhythmically in her chest. She stared at the shadow figure, his presence a smothering weight in the space between them.

"What am I choosing?" she demanded. "I don’t understand."

The figure’s shape was constantly shifting like smoke refusing to settle, gestured toward the stone door behind him. "Place your hand upon the mark, and you will."

Ella hesitated but stepped slowly towards it. the handprint embedded in the stone seemed to pulse with ominous energy. The symbols in the walls flickered to life glowing with gold light. The weight of the moment pressed down on her, suffocating.

But she needed answers.

She calmed herself and reached out letting her palm settle against the imprint.

A deep hum reverberated through the chamber like rumblings of thunder. The moment her skin touched the stone, warmth surged through her arm crawling up her veins like liquid fire. The golden symbols flared, casting long shifting shadows across the walls.

Then, a voice broke through the humming.

But this time, it wasn’t the shadow figure speaking.

"Ella."

The way the voice said her name was emotional and nostalgic, unmistakable. It was his grandfather’s voice, clear and precise.

"Mi nieta… You can bring me back."

Her fingers curled against the stone, her nails pressing deep into the grooves. The warmth of his voice unraveled something in her, a longing so sharp it felt like a knife to the ribs.

Behind her, the figure watched in silence, his shifting form barely visible against the glow.

“This is your choice,” it said smoothly.” Open the door, and your grandfather returns. Or… don’t. But understand this—with the door closed, you will remain here, forever trapped."

[Vision Sequence Begins]

Another pulse of energy and flicker of the walls. The world around her changed, flickering like an old film reel sputtering to life.

A new vision.

Her surroundings blurred as she had been used to and she was watching Tom again. He was gripping the door exactly as she was now, his knuckles white with tension. His face contorted in pain as he held his journal in his hand, trembling.

A voice filled the air, winding around him like a serpent. It was the shadow figure.

"You can bring her back, Tom…"

"…Sarah."

Ella realized what was happening. Like her Tom had lost someone and he was given the same choice. The vision sharpened and she saw the torment in Tom’s eyes.

His voice came out broken. "What happens if I say yes?"

"She lives." The whisper curled around him. "As if she never left. You will see her again, hold her again. She will not remember the pain, only you."

Tom’s breathing was harsh, frantic. His entire body trembled with the weight of the decision.

"And if I refuse?"

The shadow figure looming behind him laughed, the sound hollow and endless.

"Then she is lost. Forever. And so will you."

[Vision Sequence Ends]

Ella gasped as the vision collapsed, her mind snapping back to the present. The echoes of Tom’s desperation still clung to her skin like static electricity.

Her grandfather’s voice was still there, gentle, pleading.

"Please, mi nieta. Just say yes."

She breathed deeply. “Think, Ella. Think!”

Ella thought about her two options, on one hand she could bring her grandfather back to life, as if he had never died. She would get to talk to him and hug him and go hiking with him again, like before.
On the other hand, she could walk away. Leave the door closed but she would remain within this place, bound to it, forever.

The offer was perfect. Too perfect.

Silence.

Her fingers twitched over the stone. Could she really do it? Tom’s vision made it seem like he had chosen to stay. But something was still bothering her about that. why would Tom warn her about the shadow figure if it was not bad. He clearly said that the figure took it and the vision of Tom showed him arguing with the shadow figure. Is this really about a simple choice? She turned back to the figure.

"You know, ‘shadow figure’ is kind of a mouthful. Got a name?"

“I told you my name already.”

Ella blinked. "Uh, no. You didn’t."

“Why do you think I was whispering to you all this time?”

“Uhm…I didn’t quite catch that I’m sorry. I was kinda running for my life back then but now is a good time.”

“Very well then. You may call me Orpheus.”

“That’s a weird name. Were your parents into Greek mythology or something? If you had parents that is.”

He exhaled sharply. "Enough distractions. Choose. Say yes, and it will all be over. And I did have parents."

“Let me ask you something, Orpheus.” She kept her tone casual, but every muscle in her body was tense. “What really happened to Tom?”

“Tom chose wrong.”

"Yeah, I got that part. But where is he now?"

Orpheus took a step forward and the shadows curled around him like ink dissolving in water.

"He is where all who choose to stay go."

Cryptic as usual. He was avoiding direct answers but she wasn’t about to give up now.

"Okay, let’s say I pick option one and bring my grandfather back. What happens to me?"

Orpheus tilted his head. "What does it matter? You will have him again."

Okay, not an answer. she just had to probe a little more.

"What about Tom? Did he get to be with Sarah?"

Orpheus chuckled. “For a time.”

Ella inhaled sharply, but that told her everything she needed to know. Not confirming her suspicions completely but it was enough to let her make the choice.

She looked at the door, then at Orpheus, whose shifting form was watching her intently. A slow smile crept onto Orpheus’ face, as if he could hear the realization clicking into place.

"You’re stalling," he murmured. "Do you really think you have time to hesitate? Your grandfather is waiting."

Her grandfather’s voice called to her again, softly pleading.

"Mi nieta… please."

Her eyes were burning. It wasn’t until a tear fell on her cheeks that she realized she was crying. God, she wanted it. Wanted it so badly it hurt. But it wasn’t real, at least she didn’t think so.

She took a step back from the door and Orpheus’ expression darkened.

“Make your choice.”

“I-I choose to be happy.”

Orpheus smiled. “Right., then say yes.”

"You refuse?" His voice was smooth, almost… amused.

Ella wiped at her face, her hands shaking. "I refuse to play by your rules."

"Interesting," he murmured.

Then, the shadows behind him moved.