conclusion

Lorenzo.


the year is 2022.

it has been about four years since Lorenzo returned. he was lost for the world. he was gone for one whole year. when Lorenzo returned there were many questions. the truth was so fictitious that it could be seen as a bad joke.

the truth became irrelevant as it wasn't possible to confirm it. so to put some credibility on what happened to him. Lorenzo said to be kidnapped by human traffickers. somehow he felt relief when they all believe that huge lie.

when he was asked about the country, the place, or the things that happened to him. his only answered was, 'I was the lucky one. because I was the one who got out.' after that no one asked anything else.

Lorenzo was asked about his brother many times. the only answer he always gave was, 'his intestines were visible the last time I saw him.' that is enough answer for everyone to lose interest on a tragedy that was a hell for the survivor.

after four years everyone started to lose interest on Lorenzo's tragedy. there are some who ask questions out of morbid curiosity. there are few who question the credibility of Lorenzo's statement. but the scars on his body are enough to confirm his words.

Lorenzo lose the opportunity to be witness of his son's birth. but even so he dedicates every day of his life to his family. Lorenzo's matrimony is better than ever. Lorenzo is a good husband, a great father, and a flawless boss.

there are times in which Lorenzo is reminded of what happened on the desert. not so long ago he started writing a book series about what happened to him. he sold the first book as fiction and a fantasy novel. right now he is working on the second book.

at first it was hard for him to sell his tragedy as fiction. now he find it as a form of therapy to write about that. to add some exaggeration. to think about the life end death of those who came before and will come later.

there are times in which Lorenzo fears for his life. but after four whole years. Lorenzo has started to believe that maybe everything will be fine. he will be safe as long as he doesn't include the cult, their members, or doesn't make fun of their God.

Lorenzo has been trying to contact other survivors. he is trying to establish a bond with those who have experience the same thing. he had receive some death threats from some cult members. he had receive fan letters.

the only way for Lorenzo to keep the cult away from him and his family is by bribes. every once on a while by himself he goes to their church to pray. Lorenzo walks on a thin line between life and death. hopefully everything will be solve soon.

not so long ago Lorenzo received a letter. it was someone who wanted to talk to him about 'the Green Doors.' Lorenzo felt uneasy because it was anonymous.

he is on a inner struggle between having that meeting, or no. like it was explain before he has been trying to meet others like him. jet it is still too early and too dangerous to meet with strangers.

for the time been Lorenzo feels comfortable exchanging letters with this stranger. he feels better when he talks with the stranger about his life. his issues. the tragedy. Lorenzo doesn't know the gender, nor the identity of the stranger.

Lorenzo receives those letters in secret. he fears for what his wife may think if she knows about his secret. there are times on which Lorenzo wonders how are Russell and Dorian doing right now. he asks himself if Dorian had escaped from there, or if he died.
there are times in which Lorenzo wonders what would had happen to him if he had stayed there another day. he fears that he could had lose his soul. his humanity. 'had you lose your soul jet, my good friend.' Lorenzo tells himself while thinking about Dorian.

15 years later.


today is Lorenzo's birthday. he is turning fifty-seven years old today. the youngest of his kids is on the university. the oldest is marry with kids. he lose contact with the person who secretly send him letters.

to be honest for all this years. what Lorenzo truly wanted was to find tangible evidence about Dorian's escape. for the last twenty years Lorenzo always lived with guilt.
no matter how well are the last two decades of his life. no matter how many people he has help so far. there is that question that brings guilt. there is that idea on his mind.

everything reminds him that a man stayed behind so he could have a normal life.
in other words. he took another man's freedom. what he is having could had been Dorian's perfect peaceful life. but he will never know. all this years Lorenzo has hope for Dorian to had escape from that place, or to be forgiven at least.

he was told once that his issue is called 'survivor's guilt.' it may be true, it may not. all he wishes for is to be given the opportunity to give a proper goodbye to his savior.

not so long ago Lorenzo received a letter. it was from a mysterious anonymous person, but somehow he felt like this time it was him. the person asked for a meeting. Lorenzo accepted right away.

right now Dorian is on the way to the meeting place. he finally arrives in front of a cafe. he gets inside. on a table on the corner there he is. Dorian is waiting for Lorenzo. he looks almost the same he use to look twenty years ago. Lorenzo swallows saliva.

Lorenzo walks slowly. he sits next to Dorian. there is a moment of silence. it has been so long that it is awkward for both of them.

"I am glad to see you doing well."

"I want to thank you. thanks for saving my soul twice. no, three times. yes you saved me more than once."

"what do you mean?"

"you saved me when my brother died. you saved me when I was drowning on desperation. and you have saved me now that I see you once more alive."

"I am glad to know that. sadly it isn't the same for me. I need your help on something. it may put your life on danger. I am not sure if I should do this."

while they are having a peaceful argument. a stranger wearing a hood gets inside of the cafe carefully without been seen. then he aims at Dorian's table. he shoots until he runs out of bullets. he then leaves running.
Lorenzo died the day of his fifty-seventh birthday. he died almost at the instant. while Dorian is on the ground. he is badly wounded. he is still alive. Dorian feels responsible for been the reason why Lorenzo just died.


.....


Dorian.


Almost Seven Years Ago.

Dorian is standing inside of the small mart. he is wearing an uniform with a tag. on the tag is a nickname, 'Strap-Cop.' it has been a while since he was left behind.

right now he has long bright dark curly hair. he has a padlock beard. he looks about the same age he use to look the first time he entered inside of the mart. probably the only difference is that he seems to be tired.
on the long time that he had stayed inside. there are many people he saw. there are some he tried to save. but in the end he is just a pawn that refuses to move forward.
there was a time on which he was visited by Russell. that time Russell didn't seem like a human for the lack of emotions his face showed. he was robotic.

it has been a while now. Dorian has some doubt about where is his future going. there are times on which he feels regret for not putting a bullet on his head when he had the opportunity to do it.

the time pauses in this dimension every time that the hunting season ends. and before the hunting season restarts there are some small changes mostly. there are odd times on which the changes are notable. at first it was scary, now it is common.

all the rage, all the sadness, all the strong emotions die slowly. and the only times in which those emotions are active it feels artificial. it feels false. as it is part of the Darkness' power. something that with time you start to understand better.

the hunting season is the only confirmation you get about the passing of time. outside of those specific days. it is bright and hot the rest of the time, the rest of the years. it is impossible to know how much time is gone inside of such a strange dimension.

"those are 5.42 plus taxes."

Dorian has learned all the prices of each and every product. he speaks on an emotionless tone of voice. his voice is void of all emotions, as much as is his heart.

there is no reason to be surprise. this is the twenty-fourth hunting season. there are some times in which none of the mortals is lucky enough to get inside of the mart. so in those times Dorian spends the whole hunting season by himself admiring the darkness.

it is now that Dorian thinks about some of the things that Jacob said when he was alive. among those things there was something about ninety-some days. now he understands that Jacob didn't meant days. he meant to say Hunting Seasons. that is just how long it took him to give up on life.

Dorian asks himself if he is going to last till his 100+ restart of the season, or is he going to give up earlier than Jacob. only time can tell if Dorian is a fighter or a snack. there is nothing else for him to do. that is just how cruel this world is.

there are no false drops of hope to grab. there are no pretty lies to give you hope on a more positive tomorrow. all you have is the same cruel process repeating itself again.
this time there are six teens inside of the mart. Dorian feels sorry for them. but there is nothing he can do. he then overhears one of the guys talking about a hotel nearby. that is new even to Dorian. he thinks about getting there later.

"sir how much for the chocolate bar."

"it is on the house boy. I am too tired today. don't worry for the owner, I am my own boss and part-timer. take one hundred worth of what you see in here. it is getting late."

Dorian is starting to think that it is about time he leaves this damn hellhole. he can give a damn good advice to who ever is to take his place next. however those kids are going to need the guidance of an adult.

but even if he helps. that doesn't determine the safety of anyone involve. as the dimension gets updates per season. the position of the exit changes. so everything from here till the end will depend of luck.

"listen boys and gals. I am closing the place on twenty minutes. get whatever you need pronto. I am visiting the hotel and I am thinking of giving you'll a ride."

"thanks sir. you better not be a sex offender."

Dorian laughs. he then looks outside. it is still bright out there. but he knows that the Darkness is coming here soon. he can feel it on his bones. he can feel it on his blood. the Darkness has become a part of his routine and daily life.

Dorian is trembling as he feels how the heat is going down. he asks the teens if they are ready now to leave. he seems strange and odd. but somehow the teens take his offer. it may be for many reasons, but it is especially because it feels bleak on the desert.

Dorian leaves the mart open. he knows that there may be someone who will need it as a refuge once nighttime comes. he gets inside of an old rusty truck. he awaits for the teens as he starts to become more desperate.


.....


Russell.


Then.

Ed is on his bed. he is completely naked. he awaits for his bride. he is right now on his honeymoon phase. his wedding was almost perfect. he feels satisfaction knowing that Russell is probably dead somewhere. now there is a long happy life awaiting.

it has been five months since Russell, John, Jane, and Karla disappear. three of them were a stone on the road. and Karla was an annoying menace. now that there are no signs of their existence. Ed can have some enjoyment on life.

Ed starts reading a book about botany while he waits for his bride. there is some noise coming from outside but he ignores it mostly. he keeps reading with no issue. after reading some pages he puts the book down.

Ed takes a flower from the bed. he smells it. it is nice, but not as nice as the aroma of his beloved wife. Ed puts the flower down.

on the opposite side of the room there is a bloodbath. Russell is walking on top of corpses that belong to security guards. two cult members are doing all the killing. they belong to a squad of the cult that works on assassinations.

if you are curious to know how is that Russell arrived here? or how he knew where to find Ed? well John's sister gave him the information. all Russell needed to do was to tell her how Ed orchestrated the murder of her brother.

Sofia really loved his brother. he was the most important person on her life. so to learn that her husband payed someone to kill her brother and his own brother. that was something she couldn't forget, nor forgive.

now Russell is on his way to end his 'relationship' with Ed. this is nothing more than the consequences of Ed's actions. Russell is telling to himself that this isn't personal. but the moment he gets inside of the room he felt it, it felt so personal.

"hello brother."

Ed didn't asks questions. he was just looking directly at his brother. he seem to be so tired and overwhelmed. it is obvious who sold him out.

Ed has always felt envy towards his brother. he always knew that Russell was better, or superior to him on many ways. Ed's low self-esteem pushed him to be like his parents. he felt pleasure on attacking his brother.

"do you remember my girlfriend? the whore who slept with you. yeah, she had a horrible end. I even have it on tape. the way her eyes melted, then her skin. it was a delight. I want to say it wasn't personal, but it was."

"so we are doing this now. all I ever wished was for some respect from this damn family. and at some point I wanted to ran away from you'll. but you never let me be free. even when I ran away you found a way to fuck my life."

there is a long silence. both of them are aware of what comes next. none of them wants to take the next step. they are family. killing a sibling must be hard to do. killing you own family has to be one of the greatest sins.

"just fucking do it. but let this be my final warning. our family, the members of our community. no one will ever let you rest. wherever you go. there will be no rest. you will become the greatest prey of all the hunters out there."

"sorry big brother I have news for you. I am the new High Priest. everyone kneels under my command. and that statement doesn't leave behind your family. the members of my herd will erase your last name and your family."

"but it is also your last name."

"no. I am no longer Russell Peterson. from now on I am Rome Sallow the High Priest under the command of my Lord of Darkness."

Ed stands up. he walks forward with both of his hands up on the air. he smiles awaiting for his brother to take his life. Ed has hurt Russell plenty of times on the past. their family decided to hate Russell since the day he was seem as worthless.

Russell now named Rome has officially become part of the cult. he is no longer the man he use to be on the past. he is no longer the person that Ed remembers. Rome gave up to the temptation the moment he change his name.

now begins his new life as the head of the cult. Rome takes a dagger out of a backpack. the dagger is silver with golden details. there are some precious rocks as decoration. Rome uses the dagger to stab Ed multiple times until he stops breathing.

Rome screams in eternal agony as he kills his own brother. once Rome stops. the body of Ed drops on the floor. Rome stands with teary eyes. he looks at the cold corpse. his followers escort him out of the hotel.

"sir our team will do the clean up. which is our next mission?"

"I need to find my father."

Rome gets inside of a car. the driver is a cult member. next to him is Elijah Hatt, the former High Priest. he is reading an erotica. he ignores his successor.

"sir I heard that you are leaving soon. I wish you good luck on finding some happiness on the world. and the best of luck with your lovers."

Elijah Hatt drops the book. he laughs loudly. he asks the driver to stop at a food truck. he wants to have at least one last meal with his successor.

Rome knows what it means to be the head of a cult. he accepted the position. Rome finds it ironic to think that his own family mistreated him and hated him for no reason. now some strangers are extremely loyal for no reason.