Hey Champ,

If you're reading this, I'm dead. If I was alive to talk to you, I would be talking to your face about this. I know that this is the one thing that I had to be there to say.

I always intended to tell you about what happened to your old man. I've been dreading it though. I know that I'm already good-for-jack-shit and I know that if the day came when I told you, you wouldn't ever wanna see me again.

I dropped the car on your father.

I'm not gonna try and explain it to you. I'm an old broken dumbass. I'm the same as I was back then. I've always been hanging at the bottom of my rope. I hit him because I fucking hated him. I hated him because he told me what to do with my broken shitty life, and he was right about it too.

The famous double gyroscopic turbine was all his idea. I just heard it from him and killed him. So you can set the record straight if you want. For the sake of your dad. I know he was trying to help me, but I've always been beyond help.

If you're as mad as you should be, well, that's okay. It's all deserved. I can accept that. He was a very good man and my only real friend, and your memories of me don't have to be perfect. I dug myself my hole. I'm gonna own up to it.

You don't even have to keep reading. I treasure the good times we had when I wasn't pissing and moaning about myself and sloshed to hell. I treasure the times when I was brave enough to look you in the face and talk with you. When we got to work together in the shop, when I saw you going to school and doing good. I wish it could go on. But I know I never really belonged in your life. I loved you like my own daughter, but it's over now I guess.

Anyway, the shop is all yours. I did my best to keep it all this time, knowing that if I could just keep it long enough to give it to you it would all be worth it. I know you're going to be the best mechanic that ever was if you keep at it. It's okay though if you want to find something new now.

Love,

Matt

Benjamin, I know you're gonna be around until the very end, so if you're looking at this letter, please be sure it makes its way to Pat Daley in Rattlewater. Hopefully we can meet again in hell some day. - Matt

It was almost two years ago, while we were chasing down the cult. MI6 had caught wind that they were planning to release a weaponized virus. No details were known other than that, besides that the attack was imminent.

A phone call was intercepted by a man named Davros. The contents were unknown except that he had a short conversation with a phone number that had been flagged. It wasn’t the best clue, but it was our only lead at the time. I arrived at his house with two of my comrades.

“GAaaaAAAGHH!” Davros screamed with horrible agony as Benjamin applied a blowtorch to his abdomen. Benjamin had been at this for over an hour now, but Davros still refused to talk. His clothes were stained with blood, some parts already dried.

“Jesus, you’re a sick fuck.” One of Benjamin’s fellow agents, Burke, looked away from the display. “Are you actually enjoying this, Bledsoe?"

Benjamin ignored him and grabbed Davros’ head so he could look in his eyes. “I promise I’ll give you something for the pain. Just tell me what I need to know.”

Davros was crying now. “I-I promise you! I don’t know anything!” His words were choked with terrible sobs.

Benjamin stood up for a moment, turning away from their suspect and going over to his fellow agents.

Butler spoke up first, “What do you think?”

“It’s never taken me this long to break someone.” Benjamin admitted.

“And?"

“I still think he’s hiding something.”

Butler nodded with disappointment while Burke threw his hands in the air. “Look at him, Bledsoe! He would’ve said something by now!”

“If he were innocent, he’d probably tell me a lie. I’m familiar with this, I can tell whether or not he’s saying what I want to hear.”

“What if you’re wrong?”

Benjamin thought of something he could say to reassure his agitated subordinate, but couldn’t think of anything. “We have just over an hour before the attack and he’s our only lead. We don’t have a choice but to continue.”

“Look, I don’t disagree.” Butler said, “But this isn’t working. We need another idea.”

“There are more than ten thousand ways to hurt someone. But in the end, there are only two kinds of pain.”

Butler and Burke were clearly uninterested in Benjamin’s cryptic quote and just waited for him to finish.

“You found nothing in the house?” Benjamin asked.

“Searched it top to bottom.”

“What about his family? They were here when we barged in.”

“We’re holding them across the street. So they wouldn’t be able to hear uh… this.”

Benjamin thought about this. Davros had a wife and two sons, ages sixteen and ten.

“Bring them here. All of them.”

Benjamin began to turn back to Davros but Burke grabbed his arm. “Hold on a fucking second! They’re innocent!”

“…”

“You’re insane. I-I refuse!”

“It’s an order.”

“No!” Burke stood his ground. “There’s no way Chapelle would approve of this. You know he wouldn’t.”

“Chapelle told me to do whatever it takes.” Benjamin looked over at the other agent. “Butler?”

“… I don’t know. We don’t even know if we have the right guy but even if we do, this still might not make him talk. This is Chapelle’s call.”

“We’ll let him know. Just bring the family over so we don’t waste any more time.”

Benjamin walked over to Davros and knelt down. “Look me in the eyes. I know you’re hiding something.” He tried his best to pierce his gaze into Davros’ soul. “I’m bringing your family here. I will hurt them, and I’ll make you watch. And I’ll make sure they know that you’re the only one who can stop it.”

Davros winced, completely unable to hold back tears. “Y-You can’t do this! You’re a federal agent!”

Benjamin only responded by looking him in the eyes. Then he took out his phone and called the Chief.

Butler had brought the family over as Benjamin was connecting the call. Burke stood nearby, watching Benjamin. The two agents and Davros were all looking at Benjamin, waiting to hear what the answer would be.

“Bledsoe?” Chapelle answered the phone.

“Sir. Have you read the latest reports?”

“Yes, I’m all caught up.”

“I don’t believe he’ll talk no matter what coercive measures I try.” Benjamin explained. “I think the only leverage we have is his family.”

“Do you have any reason to believe they’re working for this cult?”

“No, sir. This is to get Davros to talk.”

“… They’re citizens, Bledsoe. I can’t allow this to happen.”

“Sir-“

“My answer is final. Keep working on Davros.”

“He’s not going to talk that way. If we want to stop this attack, we have to do everything we can.”

“I understand, but there are lines we can’t cross. This is an order—stand down.”

Click

Benjamin stood helplessly in front of everyone, the phone still to his ear. His mind was racing. Was there anything he could do?

It felt like a million possibilities raced through his mind. Every possible scenario—if he was wrong, if he was right, if this didn’t work, what would happen to him if he did this. He thought so quickly, that to the others he hadn’t even paused.

“Yes, Chief. This is the best advice I can offer.” Benjamin spoke to nobody but kept the phone to his ear. Davros’ eyes widened in terror.

Benjamin paused, waiting for an imaginary response.

“I promise I wouldn’t suggest this if there were any other way.”

He paused again.

“Yes, sir. We’ll keep you updated.” He 'hung up’ and looked at the agents. “We’re a go, bring me his wife” The look of discomfort on their faces was palpable.

Davros’ wife was dragged over kicking and screaming, but they eventually restrained her in a chair. Davros was pleading the entire time, screaming at Benjamin. “PLEASE! She has nothing to do with this!”

Benjamin took out his pliers.

…

…

…

It had been half an hour. He had to act faster than usual, applying the most effective methods he knew. Symphonies of tormented screams from her, Davros, and the children filled the air.

“She fell unconscious again.” Benjamin sighed to Burke. “Give her another shot of adrenaline.”

Burke knelt down by her, preparing another injection.

“Holy fuck…” The color drained from Burke’s face. “Sh-s-she… she’s……. dead.”

“…what?”

“… you killed her.”

The air filled with dread. It was almost complete silence beyond the restrained weeps of the children. Benjamin realized he must’ve acted too quickly, and put her into shock.

For a moment, all he could smell was blood. For a moment, he wondered if he was doing the right thing. But just a moment.

He walked over to the oldest son.

“That’s enough!” Burke screamed. “It’s not working!”

“Then at the end of this, we’ll be able to say we did everything we can.” Benjamin stated completely calmly.

“S-Stop! I don’t know-“

Benjamin cut Davros off as he wrapped his hand around his throat and smiled. “I have no problem having you watch each of them die.” He let go and took out his knife, now walking over to the boy. He grabbed the boy’s face in a vice-like grip and turned to Davros again. “Tell me what I want to know or he loses an eye.”

Davros looked completely and utterly defeated. He was a husk—a half-dead man, wanting it all to be over.

Benjamin prepared to dig the knife in-

“STOP!” Davros yelled. "… stop.” It was barely a whisper. “… I’ll talk.”

Benjamin dropped the knife, walking over to Davros. “Where are you releasing the virus?”

“…”

Benjamin slapped him, trying to wake him up. “What’s the target?!”

“… Rattlewater. It’s a town called Rattlewater.”

Benjamin looked over at the other agents. From the looks on their faces, they were as confused as he was.

Butler put ‘Rattlewater’ in his phone. “It’s a small town. Not even 2,000 people. But it’s real.” He shook his head. “This doesn’t make sense though. Why this? Why not a city?”

Benjamin looked at Davros as if he expected him to answer.

“… I don’t know. They didn’t tell me that much.”

“How are they releasing the virus?”

“They’re going to be disguised as tourists—they’ll be in an RV. Once they’re in the center of the town they were just going to infect a few people and… let it take care of itself from there.”

Benjamin had more questions, but he knew they could wait. He turned to Butler. “Get me their police chief on the phone.”

Butler made a few calls, handing the phone to Benjamin. “He was out of the office. I got the mayor for you.”

“Mr. Mayor, my name is Benjamin Bledsoe. I have information of an imminent attack on your town.”

"YOU HAVE FAILED. MATT GUSTILY IS NOT THE TAINTED. BENJAMIN BLEDSOE IS THE TRUE TAINTED."

"AS SUCH, THE SIX OF YOU EXCLUDING BENJAMIN SHALL LOSE 75% OF YOUR REMAINING LIVES."

"I suppose there shall be no execution. Benjamin Bledsoe has been set free. Say your goodbyes if you would like before he is allowed his escape."

The vote has become final. Everyone feels the dread of knowing that their lives will be much shorter. And yet, they just voted to save all those people...

A red light shines on the wall, indicating that the challenge needs to be completed. Under the light reads a message etched in stone, “Drink thirty glasses of this liquor.” A timer counts down under it, showing how much time they have left.

"Wait." Benjamin stopped Klifford and Matt. "I have something to confess to both of you."

"More secrets?" Klifford asked.

"Almost two years ago, I saved your families' lives. Your daughter, Matt. And your wife and daughter, Klifford."

"Brat, what are you going on about?"

"It was a mission I was on. I'm afraid I can't really say more than that."

Why am I telling them this?

Matt chuckled and slapped Benjamin on the back. "You know, brat? You're a weird fucker but you're alright."

"This is wonderful news!" Klifford said. "But why are you telling us this now?"

"I'm not sure."

"Heh. Well I'll be sure to tell my wife and daughter about their British guardian angel."

"That one didn't even make sense, moron."

Benjamin sighed. "Forget it. Let's just get on the lift, guys."

Benjamin hobbles toward the light. Everyone else is frozen still, in awe of the event they're witnessing, and completely in fear of what Belphegor would do if one of them were to make a dash for it.

It's not sad or disgusting or any of the other words that could describe the last executions, but it does have the same sense of total finality, like this is Benjamin's last few moments on earth.

He looks frail, of course. Certainly it will be a long time before he can walk again, if he can really recover.

His body begins to get immersed in the light, looking smaller and darker and less human with each hop further, with one hand leaning against the wall.

He turns his head back towards them, "It's gonna be you, Seb."

Then, gradually, his forms warps and shrivels and vanishes.

They feel a dark timbre rattle their souls as Belphegor closes the door to the exit.

Benjamin Bledsoe has survived. He lives to see the world again.

Two people relaxed in a cozy library.

One of them had engineered the deaths of several of their friends. Another was lost, desperate, and afraid. But deep down, the two were very similar.

“Let me tell you a story…” one of them mumbled breathlessly.

The other sighed and clutched their forehead. They hid at the foot of a bookshelf, cloaked in shadows.

“As you wish. I'll listen to your story. Again.”

“Don’t fucking interrupt me! It’s not even my story. My mother told it to me…You love your mommy, don’t you?”

…

“Now listen…There once was a flowery grove deep within the forest, where the nutmeg-brown bunnies lived. It was a peaceful place…Every day they feasted on grass and dandelions and frolicked in the fields, playing delightful games with the little ones.

“But one day, a single white rabbit was born among the litter. It had beautiful fur, white as snow, and eyes like rubies…And it loved playing like everyone else…”

…

The other figure responded. “…But it didn’t fit in. Is that it?”

“…The other rabbits thought it was a monster. They drove it out with their sharp claws. After a grueling chase it tumbled into the briar patch. Its legs shattered. Its white coat was streaked in red. It lay helpless…waiting to die.”

Sharp laughter rang out.

“You’re real messed up. You know that, right?”

“No, I wouldn’t say so…Asshole,” They leaned back in their chair, arms trailing toward the floor, staring at the ceiling. “Anyway, there’s a bit more.”

“So, the wounded rabbit knew it wasn’t long for the world…It eventually found a small tunnel in the briar patch and tumbled inside. It was underground now, and what it found there was beautiful. A spring of rainbows, casting glorious light across the cavern…And it was in that spring’s waters that the rabbit died.

“But that’s not the end…Within the year, a tree grew from the ground above that spring. It’s roots snaked across the patch, choking out the briars. Colorful leaves and ivory apples sprouted from its boughs, and flowers blossomed in its shadow. That briar patch became a new home for the brown rabbits…They never even knew it sprouted from the corpse of the creature they’d driven away…”

“Wow…sounds like your mother was even worse than you,” the other replied, quietly stepping away. “And I suppose you think you’re the white rabbit, huh?”

“Well…yes. I believe so. People make a point to remind me that I’m not like them…That’s why they call me schizophrenic. It’s just a label assholes use to justify treating me like shit…And just like the rabbit, I’ll probably die alone…and those vultures will pounce on my corpse and make money off my guts…I should have been dead a long time ago, really.”

“Sounds to me like you’re thinking about that story the wrong way.”

“Huh…?”

“You’re right. You’re doomed. But you’ve left your mark behind, haven’t you? And looking back, do you regret anything?”

“…No, I suppose not.”

“The rabbit left behind a world far more beautiful than there was before. Even those that rejected it were touched by its life. And as long as you can look back and believe you’ve done the same, what’s it matter? Personally, I think this whole thing was a little beautiful…wasn’t it?”

It was at this point that the soft sound of sobbing could be heard from one part of the room.

The other figure walked out of the shadow of the bookshelf, but their face remained unseen. “Granted, maybe you’re just a monster. I don’t know. I don’t really care. All I know is that I've done all I can for you.”

As they reached the door, a voice gasped behind them. “I’ve been down here so long. Too long…I miss them. I miss my family…everyone…”

The other nodded. “Feels shitty, doesn’t it? Don’t worry, though.”

They left the dismal room behind.

“I think you’ll be getting some new friends soon enough.”

……

…

A plain looking room with plain looking white walls covered in scratches and scuff marks. On the floor is a soft brown carpet. In the middle of the room is six or so chairs around a card table. On the card table is a single written note which says "sort". Lining the walls are a series of empty wooden boxes with hinges. At the front of the room is a toybox.

Each wooden box has one word burned into the top of them and a description written on a note the inside lid. The words are as follows:

DELUSION - To hold warped beliefs
EGO - To avoid shame
FIXATION - To only see one objective
GREED - To have selfish desire
IMPASSION - To lack emotion
OBSTINACY - To be inflexible
RUMINATION - To get lost in thought
SHAME - To hate oneself
SPECULATION - To risk for gain
TEMERITY - To be foolishly bold

Inside the chest at the front of the room is an assortment of toys? Well actually, some of them are rather strange. There's a WRENCH, a MUSIC BOX, a DEAD RAT, a LOLLIPOP, a NOVEL, a TROWEL, a KEY, a TOY GUN, a GREEN CAP, and a PINE BOARD.