"(Y/N).", there it was again, Chris's voice.

It sounded so far away, almost like an echo from the past. It sounded as if it was trying to haunt you, until all that was left was the memory of this voice and this voice only.

Tired, your eyes flickered, feeling heavy as stone. A thin strand of light blinded you, then, everything was dark again.

"Chris?", you asked with a heavy tongue.

A chuckle filled the silence.

"Wake up. You're sleeping way too long, you know that? You'll sleep through the entire day.", he complained.

You moved a bit, not feeling like waking up.

"Five more minutes.", you mumbled and turned your head to the other side.

"You said that ten minutes ago as well. Come on, I'm tired too. It's your turn to drive."

Suddenly, your eyes opened wide. Light filled your sight and made you go blind for a moment. Your heart was beating like crazy.

"Driving? Where to?", you let your gaze wander around, through the window of the car and out into the forest.

The car was driving along a straight road. Trees were lining up to the left and right, not leaving much space for anything else to be seen. Above, a thin line of a bright blue sky stretched into the horizon.

A soft gasp escaped your lips. Stretching, you yawned loudly, before sitting up straight in the passenger seat.

"Where are we going?", you asked again, looking at him.

This time, he seemed the same. His hair had a few silver strands, the beard was a bit silver as well. But his face was the same.

A soft smile was laying on his lips, while his eyes were glued to the road. He looked tried, like usual, but less unhappy. Less grumpy.

"Chris.", you touched his shoulder to get his attention.

"Hm?", he turned his head to you, taking his eyes off the road.

The car kept on going, the speed didn't even change.

"Where are we going?", you asked a third time.

Your heart was beating in a slow pace, relaxed but somehow a bit too slow. It was strange, breathing felt hard, but it wasn't painful. It just felt like it needed more effort, as if every breath made the next one harder to take.
He smirked, shrugging.

"Don't know.", he said, gifting you a soft smile.

You frowned.

"What do you mean, you don't know? You're driving."

"I know. But it's your turn now."

Suddenly, a bright light flooded your sight. Blinded, you squeezed your eyes together, shielding your face with both hands. As you opened your eyes again, you were sitting in the drivers seat.

"What the..?", confused, you blinked and turned to the side to see Chris sitting next to you, his head leaned against the window.

His eyes threw a quick glance into the mirror.

"Chris. What's going on?", you asked, slowing the car down.

He raised his eyebrows, as if he was surprised and pointed to the back of the car.

"Don't stop. If you stop, it will get us.", he said, as if it was obvious.

With a confused expression, you turned around and looked out of the rear window.

Thick, black clouds crept through the sky. Thunder sounded and as the clouds touched the tree tops, the green started to rot away until nothing was left but an empty forest that seemed like it would be the home of death itself.

Far, far behind that storm, there was darkness approaching. It wasn't a calm, soothing darkness, that brought dreams and rest, but an evil one, that birthed the most cruel nightmares and creatures.

Only looking at it was enough to make your stomach turn and your eyes water. Fear tied your throat together.

"What... what the fuck is this?!", you asked.

But as your eyes met Chris's, your heart jumped in surprise.

He didn't look concerned. He was just sitting there, looking at you.

"Don't ask questions.", he said. "Or do you want to find out what it is?"

Hastily, you stepped on the gas. The engine howled, the smell of burned rubber filled the air.

The car moved again, quicker this time. But even as you pushed the gas further down, forcing the car to move even faster, the road did not seem to change.

"Chris.", your eyes jumped over to him and back to the road. "Chris, what the fuck is going on?!"

He shrugged, as if nothing mattered and looked out the window.

"Shouldn't you know?", he asked. "This is your mind, after all. I am just a comforting memory."

"You're my guide, Chris. My lighthouse in the dark, remember?"

That statement made him smile briefly.

"Indeed. Fine. Ask your lighthouse for guidance."

"I just did. What is this?!"

He threw a gaze over his shoulder.

"The end. Darkness. Cold. Death, if you want to call it that. Isn't it obvious?"

"Great. Shit, fuck, this is great! And this fucking road?! Why doesn't it end?"

"Because you haven't made up your mind yet."

"What? Quit your bullshit and tell me without talking in riddles, Redfield."

His eyebrows rose again.

"Riddles?", he chuckled. "Maybe you're just not smart enough to understand."

Angry, you turned to him again.

"Shut up, Chris. Your criticism isn't helping right now. I want to end this! End Miranda! I made the decision, so you don't have to, so how do I make it final?!"

A thin smile appeared on his bearded face. A shimmer appeared in his eyes and suddenly he seemed so pleased, even satisfied with what you have said.

"There you have it.", he said and opened the door. "You just made a decision."

Without a word, he just let himself fall out of that open door.

Your eyes widened, a scream left your lips. But your foot refused to hit the brakes. Instead, it pressed further onto the gas to make the car go even faster.

"Fuck.", you gasped, already feeling the cold of the darkness approach you. "Fuck, fuck, fuck! I want to make things right! I want to do one good thing in my life!"

Suddenly, before your eyes, the road split into two. Both roads seemed the same, embraced by a forest and welcoming.

It felt like the time stopped for a moment, the car slowed down and all you could hear was your own breath echoing inside your ears.

Your eyes jumped from one road to the other.

They were identical.

No, not quite.

In the distance of the left road, a figure was standing. It seemed like it was waiting for something. Or rather, someone.

From the distance, you couldn't tell who it was. But at the sight, your heart lightened. Hope filled you and you began to understand.

"Chris.", you whispered with a sad smile. "Please. Forgive me."

Time flew again.

You hit the bakes.

Darkness swallowed you.