At the Top of the Stairs

The door at the top of the stairs posed significant problems, most of which involved us not knowing what was behind it. Nothing good, that was for certain. Edward Jose Thorburn was evil even by my definition. Soul traps and necromancy were abominations from the year dot and hasn't changed no matter what societies have come and gone. In the eyes of the world below, there is no excuse for interrupting the natural cycle of birth and death*

"I'll go first," I said.

"Wait," said Meinwen. "What about all that stuff you said in the cellar? All that 'you go first, Meinwen, then I can still rescue you'?"

"This is different," I said. "If you went first up here the chances are you'd have your soul sucked out quick as a tortoise and I'd be left having to deal with your animated corpse as well as whatever else Thourburn has up his sleeve."

"Oh." Meinwen bit her lip. "I suppose that makes sense.." She held out her hand. "It was nice knowing you, Mr. Jasfoup. Perhaps I'll see you again on the other side."

"I'm not discorporated yet," I said.

"No, but you might be soon."

"In that case," said Winston. "Can I have my money now?"




*even Heaven has never been ecstatic about the phrase 'born again' since it generally comes with a declaration of 'all the previous sinning doesn't count, then').