The Black Chair (ePub)

I close the door, and the white room is incredibly white. In the middle, there's an old wooden black chair.
Stanley, covered in red blood, stands beside me. Anika Mercy shot him and he's about to pass out.
He's the Marshall, he can't die. But right now, he can barely stand.
He pulls me close and says, "You have to do it."
Unacceptable. He's the marshal. No one else can sit in his chair.
"Sit on that damn chair!" I order.
Stanley explains, "It won't work with this hole in my gut. Maybe I was never supposed to. You-You must savor every memory, every clue. Every Server is important. You will get only one second to correct everything. For one damn second you will be Omnipotent and Omnipresent,"
"I fucking know and that's what you are going to be!" I shout furiously.
"Maybe in the afterlife, my brother," says Stanley.
I expect the others to storm into the room any minute now.
Stan collapses. I don't have the time or strength to wake him up. Over the speakers, I hear Trinity's voice "User required."
That homicidal bitch!
"One chance. One split second," I tell myself as I sit on the chair.
As I sit on the chair, a wave of uncertainty washes over me. The weight of the marshal's words and the gravity of the situation press heavily on my shoulders. The room seems to shrink around me, the whiteness intensifying, almost blinding. I can feel the blood-soaked fabric of the chair against my skin, a chilling reminder of the violence that just unfolded.
"New user detected. Authenticating," Trinity's voice echoes in the room, her tone filled with a mix of anticipation and malice. The urgency in her command fuels my determination, knowing that this split-second decision could alter everything. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my trembling hands and racing heart.
As I close my eyes, flashes of memories flood my mind. The countless hours spent with Stanley, his unwavering dedication to justice, and the trust he had placed in me. I can't help but question if I can fill his shoes, if I am strong enough to carry the weight of his legacy.
But the room falls silent, as if time itself holds its breath. At that moment, I find a surge of resolve within me. I refuse to let fear dictate my actions. With a newfound determination, I open my eyes and take my place on the black chair, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.