Chapter Text
"Connection terminated.
I'm sorry to interrupt, Elizabeth, if you still remember that name, but i'm afraid you've been misinformed.
You're not here to recive a gift, nor were you summoned here by the person you think, but you were summoned nonetheless. All of you were summoned here, to a labyrinth of sounds and smells, confusion and misfortune. A labyrinth with no exit, a labyrinth without prizes.
You didn't even realize you were trapped. Your bloodlust has led you into an endless circle, chasing the cries of children in some unseen chamber. Always seeming so close, yet somehow just out of reach.
But you won't find her. None of you will.
This is where the story ends."
It sounded easy to say, after all, they had planned everything flawlessly.
"And for you, my brave volunteer, who somehow found this job an unexpected welcome.
Although there was an exit planned for you, i sense it's not what you seek. I sense you're right where you want to be. I'll stay here too; i'm close.
This place will not be remembered. And the memory of all that gave rise to it will finally fade. As must happen with the agony of every tragedy. And for you monster trapped in the corridors, stay still and free your souls; they don't belong to you.
For most of you, i believe you will be at peace and much more.
But for one of you, the gates of hell will open to swallow him whole. So don't keep the devil waiting, my old friend".
The fire spread throughout the place, Henry Emily felt suffocated, as much as someone can be in the middle of a fire, but he didn't complain about it. Somehow, he found it comforting.
"My child, if you can hear me, i knew would come back too. It's in your nature to protect the innocent.
I'm sorry for that day. That day they left you outside and let you die. No one was there to help you and carry in their arms, as you carried others in yours.
And then, what became of you? I should have known you weren't tempted to disappear, no. My daughter, i couldn't save you before, so let me save you now
It's time to rest, for you and for those you've carried in your arms".
For the last time, he glanced sideways at the cameras and shots in front of him, smiling as he watched the red dot of Michael Afton (formerly a boy he considered his nephew) slowly fade away while several parts of the pizzeria began to explode.
"This is over for all of us... Comunication ended".
The patrol cars were slow to arrive; the distinctive wails of sirens and ambulances echoed around. That night people watched as the remains of a restaurant began to burn, rising as high as a bonfire. The newspapers exploded with the new story: no survivors were found.
The area was littered with robot parts, fragments to the nightmare that han been so devastating for some. This was the end of it all; people could finally rest after all the drama surrounding that restaurant chain.
Because that was the end, wasn't it?