Now the voice ceased talking. John continued to watch the young boy slinking along in the distance.

“Interesting,” returned the voice. It had grown in dynamic, as though it were playing on a stereo. It was also now coming from in front of John, though he still saw no one. Or no thing.

“Are you sure this is a good choice?” it prodded. “The nobility of sacrifice might be enough to affect your situation. Leaving such a young boy here in your place seems very selfish, doesn’t it?”

The end of the sentence was tinged with spite. Still, John felt the erosion of his thoughts beginning to ebb.

“I choose him for many reasons,” John began, still watching the boy. “First of all, it’s an honest choice. There’s no sense in saying I want to stay when I truly don’t. And this is Hell – I’m not even sure that’s a real boy, because I don’t think children that young belong here.”

The dread began to subside.

“And lastly,” John continued, “I’m not at all convinced that you are who you want me to think you are.”