The Fire

After walking for a while, you lose count of how many steps you have taken. Your surroundings seem to be getting brighter, but it is impossible to tell for sure from one step to the next. You still cannot fathom what the light might be.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see what appears to be an old man walk out of the darkness. The figure walks up to you, and stops.

He stands ominously before you. "Do not go any further, young man. The way is perilous and filled with dangers. You will be safe, as long as you do not walk any farther toward the light. It entices, but you must remain here," the old man says.

"Where am I?" you ask him.

"You are in a test. A test of your will, against temptation. You must resist the urge to walk closer to the light. There are dangers on the way even your nightmares cannot conceive of."

"How do you know all of this?" you ask.

He deeply sighs, exhaling a long, regretful breath. "I was once in the test, like you are now. But I did not listen to them. I did not heed their advice. That is why I am now...."

The man's image slowly fades and disappears, as if he were an apparition. The ghost vanishes, and you are alone, once again.