Chapter Text
John Grace had never been a good man. He knew it.
Sure, he went to Church every Sunday, and he was generous when he could be, and he was nice to people, but did that make him good? He knew he never really meant those things — except maybe Church — he was just doing it out of a sense of obligation.
Now, sitting in a saferoom, pressed against the wall, he thought about what his life had been like. He'd been a sinner, really. His whole life.
John sighed. Whatever had happened to him in life trapped him in an endless purgatory. Why was he here, anyway? Had he died? Was this some elaborate dream, or a nightmare? Or maybe a vision, a sign from God to be a better person. If he still lived, John would make sure to be a good, holy man.
He shook his head — now wasn't the time to be thinking about what he might not be able to change. John had to progress. His ticket out of here was to do just that, right? To conquer his sins and come face to face with God?
John stood, grabbing his flashlight and taking a few deep breaths. Saferoom One, the one that introduced the timer…
Two minutes, thirty seconds…
Before he could overthink, John stepped onto the pressure plate infront of the huge metal door. He watched it thud to the ground.
And then, with only a moment of hesitation, he began sprinting.
John went through the motions of the first five saferooms like he'd practised them a hundred times.
Saferoom One, easy as long as John remembered to breathe. Same goes for the rest of the saferooms.
Saferoom Two, introducing Slight. Don't look at it. Easy enough, right?
Saferoom Three, Slugfish and Elkman. Get out of Slugfish's way, try not to let Elkman into his head. John could do that, as long as he didnt get tempted by the latter…
Saferoom Four, Heed. Stare at it. John could run backwards now after so much practice, he'd be fine.
Saferoom Five…
Sorrow and Dozer… and the crushing dread in John's head…
Once again, he was reminded of his failures. After all, he had failed so many times to Dozer's silly tricks.
John just had to concentrate, that's all…
Midway through a chase, Carnation just behind him, John saw a flash of yellow infront of him. Dozer appeared, cloaked in a star-patterned duvet, still wearing its matching nightcap.
John panicked, but fell to his knees anyway, staying as still as possible in order to survive…