The Passion House

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Silence has engulfed us and the only thing heard across the room are our footsteps and Stacey’s sobs. I am walking behind the siblings. I am surprised to see that the lobby of The Passion House hotel stays well lit and it seems oblivious about what has happened inside the Iodestone. I look at the door to it and remember what has just happened. From hundreds of people, we who are 7 are the few who can leave the room. From 7 survivors, we have now gone to become only three. From 5 friends, 2 are now dead and no one knows if Harris is still alive. We also do not know if there are survivors aside from us, too.

"We're almost there," Steven tells us breaking the solemn silence. Stacey’s head which has been hiding on his brother’s neck lifts and observes our surroundings until her eyes settle on the door of the Iodestone. She stays silent though. I do not know what she is thinking.

Indeed, we are almost there. I feel so empty with having us three being the sole survivors in this place. I look at the entrance and exit doors and although they are open, I can see the thin layer of bubble-like film that separates this dream from reality. If only that is what wakes us up. I look up as I feel the sadness engulf me. The huge chandelier stays beautiful in this madness. I honestly don’t know what to feel.

I stare at their backs in silence. I have just met them tonight yet I feel like I have known them for a long time if that is even possible. They have made me feel accepted and they have not judged me even if they do not know what happened to my life. They did not pry. If only I’d met them in a different situation. I notice Stacey’s wound. Yohanne did a great job doing the first aid to her. She has wrapped it tightly that even after all the ruckus that we have undergone earlier, it did not worsen Stacey’s condition.

Oh, poor Yohanne. She has died because she tried to protect us.

Oh, poor Melvin. What could have been the reason why he went to the DJ booth?

I let out a sigh.

“Stevie?” Stacey’s voice rings in this silence. “Can we go back to the fire exit door?”

“But we’re almost there, Stace,” Steven replies as we pause walking. We are in the middle of the lobby. Stacey reaches out her head and pulls out her hair scrunchie letting her blond waist-length wavy hair fall on her back hung loose.

“I feel sad for Yohanne,” she says. “I feel sad for you, too, Stevie.”

Steven stays silent.

“I don’t think I can leave Yohanne, here,” she continues.

Steven starts walking again to the door that leads to the elevator.

“They are waiting for us in the reality, Stace. Melvin, Yohanne, and probably Harris. They must be rooting for us to exit. That is why we have to hurry up.” Firmness and dedication are heard from his voice.

I look at my hands and think to myself, I hope so, too, Steven. I hope so, too.

We have now reached the door to the other wing of the passion house. We walk straight to the elevator and Steven pushes the button upward. Just like a switch, I feel myself getting cold. Like the cold air from outside suddenly enveloped me in an embrace. I look at the entrance and exit doors of The Passion House. I shiver as I feel this sudden emptiness in my stomach start to ache. As if something is going to happen soon. I stop myself from my urge to cry, as my right-hand starts to shake. I calm it with my left. I look around because it feels like someone is watching me. The tip of my nose and the tip of my earlobe start to itch. I rub it simultaneously and then hug myself. I return my attention to the elevator.

What is going on?

I look up at the floor indicator above the elevator doors. Eventually, I feel something flutter in my stomach as beads of sweat start to form on my forehead and my eyesight gets blurry. Can we finally go home now?

It took quite a while since the numbers started to move.

3...

Is this excitement? Or Am I feeling relieved?

We are indeed almost there. I count along with the indicator as I rub myself for warmth.

Are we the only ones who can leave this place?

2...

Will I see my Mom, now?

Will I see Harris awake in the reality?

I look at my feet and find out that I have been unconsciously tapping on the floor. I look at the alleyway that leads to the kitchen.

Mom, I am almost there.

1...

Ding~

I feel a presence.

Weirdly, I feel a presence beyond the door. Am I hallucinating?

What is going on? Why does my gut feeling tell me that there is someone beyond that door?

I feel my expectations rise as I feel lightheaded.

Slowly, the door in front of us opens as it reveals a man whose head is bowed. He is wearing a familiar leather brown jacket and black pants. He looks up and his eyes reach mine. I feel my heart skip a beat. His gaze has made me freeze on the ground.

Harris...

My heart is beating so fast right now that I think I will faint.

Is this real?

“Harris!” I hear Stacey jump from Steven’s back and reach out to the man inside the elevator. She hugs him as she wails so loud it echoes on the entire floor. “Thank God, you are okay!”

He doesn’t leave my eyes, though. It feels like he wants to tell me something. But we have to tell him what is important, too. That we have to wake up now. Steven joins them.

“Man! We thought you are dead!” He says as he pulls the man in front of us to an embrace.

I can’t seem to find my voice so I choose to stay silent. It feels like the shock and relief have taken it away from me. I push my feet to move and enter the elevator. When I move, that’s when he also returns to his senses. I turn my back to them to give them some space for the reunion. I hear him talk to both Stacey and Steven. The door closes as I press on button number three that leads to our floor.

“What happened to you?” I can imagine the shock on his face when he sees our state.

“It’s a long story,” I can hear Steven’s voice in between the incomprehensible words and wails of Stacey. “The most important thing we should do right now is to wake up.”

Still, I manage to look up to the floor indicator above.

1...

“Where have you been?” It is Stacey. She is curious about the whereabouts of Harris for the last moments.

2...

“I have been in my room.” Stacey and Steven go silent as they realize that Harris has had the chance to escape this place but he’s here. With us. “Where are Yohanne and Melvin?”

Silence suddenly falls in the enclosed elevator room.

3...

“Harris,” Stacey tries to calm herself down. “They are both dead.”

Ding~

“What?” I hear Harris’ confusion in this madness. “Dead? Here? Is that even possible?”

The elevator door opens to the alley of lined doors that leads to our rooms. The hallway is well lit and it looks like no one has done anything wrong in it, yet. We can finally leave now.

“We’re now here,” I tell them as I muster to regain my voice and we go out of the elevator in hopes of waking up from this nightmare.