A Glimmer Of Hope

The bell's clang echoed through the room, signaling the end of the 20 minutes Daryl had been given to choose. But instead of the voice's ominous tone, the doors of the square white room creaked open, casting a sliver of uncertainty into the space. Daryl's eyes narrowed, her skepticism warring with a glimmer of hope. She stood frozen, weighing her options, as the voice from the speakers crackled to life once more.

"So, Daryl, I see you didn't choose," the voice said, its tone dripping with malice. "Well, the time has run out. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad one, but I'll let you know now: since I opened the doors, it means you're free to go." Daryl's eyes flashed with a mix of skepticism and relief, her mind racing with the implications.

"So, do I just get out?" she asked, her voice laced with caution, her words barely above a whisper.

The voice responded, its tone firm, unyielding. "You should have paid attention the first time I said it. I won't repeat it, Daryl." The silence that followed was oppressive, weighing heavily on Daryl's shoulders.

Daryl then carefully walked towards the door, her heart pounding in her chest, one of the knives carefully concealed in her hand. She stepped out into the hallway, her eyes scanning the space with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. The hallway stretched out before her, a seemingly endless corridor lined with doors, each one a mystery waiting to be uncovered. The air was thick with the scent of disinfectant and something else, something sweetly decaying.

To her right, a wall signaled the beginning of the rooms, with Arthur's being the first. Daryl's eyes lingered on the door, a spark of curiosity igniting within her. She was unsure what to do next, her mind racing with questions.

Then, she was surprised by the sound of the same voice coming from the room next to hers, saying the same thing. "The bell signified the end of the time I gave you to choose. You can leave, but I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad idea, Arthur." The sound of a door opening followed, and Daryl's curiosity got the better of her.

She ran towards the room, her heart pounding in her chest, her footsteps echoing off the walls. Once she was near the open door, she got within sight of the inside but stood at a short distance away, her eyes locked onto Arthur. He was slowly walking towards the doorway, his eyes cast down, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

Daryl called out, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hey, you." Arthur lifted his head, his eyes devoid of enthusiasm, but quickly, his demeanor changed when he saw Daryl. A spark of curiosity ignited within his eyes, and he took a step forward.

"I'm Arthur," he said, his voice laced with caution. "I've been locked in this white room with a voice frequently coming on and saying things I don't understand." Daryl's eyes locked onto Arthur's, a sense of solidarity forming between them.

"Me too," she said, her voice filled with empathy. "I'm Daryl. Come on out already. We have to find a way out of here." Arthur's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the hallway, his gaze lingering on the doors.

"There are other rooms as well," he said, his voice laced with wonder. "What's the meaning of this, Daryl?" Daryl's eyes scanned the hallway, her mind racing with questions.

"I don't know," she said, "but do you remember anything about how you got here, Arthur?" Arthur's eyes clouded, his expression haunted.

"No," he said, "except the only thing I remember is me dying." Daryl's eyes locked onto Arthur's, a sense of shared understanding forming between them.

"Did you kill yourself, Arthur?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Arthur's eyes widened in shock, his expression twisted in a mix of emotions.

"How did you know that?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion. "Is it you behind this, or are you working with whoever is doing this?" Daryl's expression softened, her voice filled with empathy.

"No, Arthur," she said, "it's because I myself died by suicide. I stabbed myself, and then I woke up here." Arthur's eyes filled with regret, his voice laced with apology.

"I'm sorry, Miss," he said. "I didn't mean to...it's just that all of this is confusing to me." Just then, they were interrupted by the sound of the voice, only this time it came on simultaneously in other rooms as well.