Oddity Specialist: Purgatory

by James Courneya

  “Huh, do you mean…”

  Light begins to return, to the girl’s blank eyes.

  “That these emotions are both meaningful, and meaningless?”

  Her essence trinkles back in, and her consciences returns to where Quinn and Lucifer are.

  “I figured it out.”

  “You’re back.”

  Quinn gives a happy smile, while choking back various other emotions.

  “Yep.”

  She says straightly.

  “Thank goodness.”

  “That last bit you said, it didn’t really make much sense; but it helped me out anyways.”

  “That’s good.”

  “No retort, to the first remark?”

  “Nope, since I knew it didn’t make sense, when I said it.”

  “I see.”

  Neri takes a deep breath in.

  “Then shall we continue on, and find your soul?”

  “Yeah.”

  The three move higher through the next layer. As they reach yet another layer after that, the tone shifts. A more serious air forms around Quinn, as he is in an almost meditative contemplation, on what will happen next. “I understand, that if any layer were to house my soul, it would be this next one.”

  The three stop at the entrance to the next Terrace. Both of them notice Quinn’s hesitation, and Neri says something.

  “Can you feel your soul?”

  “No, I just know that it’s here.”

  “Then, we’ve almost done it.”

  Lucifer cuts in.

  “We’ve simply stepped up to the starting line. He still needs to find and procure his soul. Not to mention, actually getting out of here.”

  “We’ll figure something out, when the time comes.”

  “Such confidence.”

  “Will it be my undoing?”

  “Eh, probably not. If we go by death statistics, confidence is high; but certainly not the highest.”

  “What’s the highest?”

  “Ignorance.”

  “Since that’s what the opposite of what I am about, that must mean I will be immortal.”

  “Yes, as we all know, doing the opposite of the thing that kills you, will make you live forever.”

  The two glance to Quinn, who then speaks.

  “If that’s the case, one of you should never drink any water, as to not drown. The other should drink as much water as possible, as to not thirst.”

  “Are you saying to find a happy middle ground?”

  Neri asks.

  “Me? No, extremes are fine.”

  They stand in silence for a moment.

  “Alright, wish me luck.”

  “I’ll give you as much luck as you need.”

  “Luck isn’t real, you might as well have asked for a soul locating device.”

  Quinn steps into the next layer. As Quinn looks around, he has to close his eyes. “Ah, everything is so overpowering.”

  His eyes slowly start adjusting, to the stimulus. Everything he looks at, feels as if emotion is pouring into his eyes, in the form of blinding light. “I can’t quite bring myself to look away.”

  All around, are floating cubes, shifting around this open space. Each cube, has items manifested into existence, based on the lives lived by the souls that inhabit them. “Each of these items look so wonderful. Like they are their greatest treasures, moments, and experiences given form.”

  As Quinn begins to walk around, he realizes something. “I can’t feel anything. My feet on the ground, my fingertips, the heat of my body, nothing. More than that, I can’t see myself at all. I know I’m there; but I can’t perceive anything to do with my existence.”

  “Odd.”

  When Quinn wanders around, he is continuously overtaken by the luxuries on display. “Stay steadfast, on course. Don’t get overwhelmed, stay centered.”

  He focuses on concentrating inwards, as he continues forward. Eventually, he looks to the souls in the cubes. “They are all looking outwards, staring at the other cubes. I wonder, if like with my body, they too can’t perceive what’s within their own cube?”

  Eventually, Quinn spots a cube, which has nothing within it.

  “That has to be it.”

  He walks over to the cube, and steps inside.

  “…”

  Chapter 9: Greed

  A younger Quinn has an extra happy expression on his face. I almost don’t recognize him. What could he be so happy about? It seems, that he is excited about having just finished a project. He’s launched an app, how adorable. Oh, and it seems it’s doing well, at the very least as far as an amateur developer is concerned. After having soaked in the feeling of success, the boy eventually receives an email. A local entrepreneur, that runs a tech company, has shown some interest in the boys app. Enough so, to offer him an internship. Thinking it over, Quinn accepts the proposal. During his first day, he is greeted by a larger, rounder man. He has a round nose, a white beard and bald head, a white button up, blue blazer, jeans, and black loafers.

  “You must be Quinn, pleasure to meet you.”

  “h-Hello Mr. Dolion.”

  “Oh please, just call me Jacob.”

  The man extends his hand out, Quinn receives a hearty handshake. As the man pulls his hand back, Quinn notices an expensive looking watch on his wrist, which causes him to be even more nervous.

  “Let me show you around the place.”

  The man motions as he begins to lead the way.

  “As I do, feel free to ask any questions you have.”

  “Alright.”

  After showing Quinn around the relativity nice facility, Jacob checks through his phone.

  “Then Quinn, right now I am needed. You can head into here once more, and talk with the chief programmer. He should get you up and running. After that though, there will be one more thing I want form you.”

  “That is?”

  “I want to talk about the back end of your app. I’m interested to see, how you went about doing it.”

  “Okay then.”

  Quinn walks in. A black, curly haired man, is drinking a cup of coffee. He has a gap in his teeth, and a wide smile. His name is Aike, and he helps Quinn with what he needs. Later Quinn talks with Jacob once more.

  “Ah, I see, you know...”

  Jacob starts writing out some code, showing Quinn.

  “You could do this instead.”

  “Oh, you’re right.”

  “Of course, I am.”

  “Then, I guess I should rewrite some of the code then.”

  “I wouldn’t do that yet.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Because, I think we can find some even better improvements to make.”

  “Together?”

  “Why yes! This project is interesting, and it’s been a while since I got my hands dirty.”

  “Alright then.”

  Quinn seems to be somewhat excited, about this development. A few weeks go by, as Quinn slowly gets used to everything. With that time, Jacob has taken a bit of time out of each week, to personally go over things with Quinn.

  “You learn damn fast.”

  “Uh, thank you...”

  “No need to be bashful. You’ve had enough time to get used to this place.”

  He looks over Quinn’s work again.

  “With that said, I wouldn’t have thought, you would have had enough time to improve this much.”

  “It’s not like it’s really anything special. I just get told or learn about a better way to do something, then I do it. I’m basically just following instructions.”

  “Following instructions, doing things fast and efficiently, those are the prime talents needed to do this line of work. You’re only in high school?”

  “Yes.”

  “If you keep this pace, then by the time you graduate, you’d be quite something. And, hopefully, those skills could be put to use here.”

  “Is that?”

  “A job offer? Why yes. Though, let’s wa
tch how things play out for now.”

  He gives a wink.

  “Alright, break over, time to get back to the grind.”

  Jacob says as he gets ready to leave. Quinn heads back, as he does, he thinks about his time spent here, and gives a smile. As young Quinn, walks down the hallway, current Quinn watches him.

  “That smile, eventually, gets shattered.”

  Quinn looks up and over to Alastor, who is standing across from him. Young Quinn keeps walking. The two men stare each other down. Alastor turns to young Quinn, as he enters into another room.

  “Things never feel like they go quite right.”

  “...”

  “Nothing to add yet? Then shall we skip ahead, to when the seeds of doubt are sowed?”

  Quinn closes his eyes, and waits. Young Quinn opens his eyes wide, as he hears something, he probably shouldn’t have.

  “God, I want to get out of here; but I can’t afford to get out of this job.”

  “I know.”

  Two of the employees are talking with each other, around the corner.

  “Do you really think this inspection will find anything?”

  “I hope it does. I tired of all of this. It’s obvious we are being taken advantage of, and on top of it, I don’t even think anyone can do anything about it.”

  Quinn skitters away. “I must have misunderstood something. Just something taken out of context.”

  As time passes, more and more things seem to be just something taken out of context. Rumors beat down on Quinn. The more they mount, the deeper Quinn is pushed into himself. Forced in, like a human spring. Eventually, all that pressure is sent back, right where it came from. “These people must not have the full picture. My whole time here, I haven’t seen anything bad happen. People must be blowing small things out of proportion.”

  With this new found hostility towards these rumors found, he pushes them off, with out paying them the time of day. That is, until he sees Aike packing.

  “Aike, what’s up?”

  “Hey Quinn, I just quit.”

  “You what?”

  “Yeah, sorry.”

  He says with a smile.

  “Why apologize?”

  “I hate having to leave you guys here; but I finally got a way out of here.”

  “w-Wait, a way out?”

  “Yeah, my side hustle has taken off recently. Which honestly, is better than it sounds. You know, with how things are looking here.”

  “You mean, the rumors? Don’t tell me you put stock into them?”

  Aike looks Quinn in the eyes, and for the first time since meeting him, Quinn sees the man frown.

  “Quinn, I had my work taken and put under his name. We all have.”

  “h-How?”

  “Bad contracts, we shouldn’t have signed.”

  “...”

  Aike’s smile returns. He pats Quinn’s shoulder.

  “Take care of yourself, and get out of here soon.”

  Aike leaves. Quinn stands there, unsure on what to think. “Aike is a nice guy, and he is really protective of everyone. There are probably just some business things that didn’t sit right with him. Not much you can do about that.”

  During Quinn’s next meeting with Jacob, he tries to focus on work, he really does; but he just can’t.

  “Hey Jacob.”

  “Yes?”

  “There have been a lot rumors about this place, going around.”

  “...Yeah.”

  “Aike left.”

  “I know, we lost a good worker, and comrade. Though, he had brighter pastures elsewhere.”

  “y-Yeah, he did. It’s just, if it wasn’t for these rumors, he might not have left.”

  “Perhaps; but perhaps not.”

  “...”

  “Tell me, what do you think of these rumors?”

  “I don’t really believe them...”

  “You don’t, really believe them?”

  “Maybe, that isn’t the right way to put it.”

  “Is there a way, I could put your mind at ease?”

  “...Perhaps, if I could see the contracts people sign, when they come on board?”

  “Alright.”

  “Huh?”

  “If that will set things straight with you, we can get that done. Besides, you’ll be signing one in a couple years. I can get one sent over to you.”

  Quinn tightens his fists.

  “That’s alright. I know it must be hard to run a business. Whatever the contracts say, I’m sure I’d still be here.”

  “I’m happy to hear that.”

  Jacob thinks for some time.

  “You know what Quinn, next week, could you start staying a little later each day?”

  “Why?”

  “I think, I would like to show you a few things. Teach you some of my trade secret techniques. What do you say?”

  “Yes, I would like that.”

  Quinn begins learning more about the business, understanding more of the back end, and the way it makes profits. He also starts getting taught some more advanced concepts, when it comes to programming.

  “Ehhh.”

  “Have you still not found someone to replace Aike?”

  “This isn’t exactly a hot spot.”

  He stares at Quinn.

  “Hmm. You know, perhaps, I could give you a bit of a promotion.”

  “Huh?”

  “Obviously, not the chief programmer position; but how about sub-chief programmer?”

  “Meaning?”

  “You would report on, organization, and report on what people do. Overlooking some of the more minor tasks that the team tackle.”

  “I see.”

  “How does it sound to you?”

  “...I would be willing to do that.”

  “Great. I can set you up with some training, and by the time we got the main position filled, you should be ready to step into your role.”

  As he said, it came to be, eventually the spot was filled, and Quinn was playing as the secondary lead. Quinn, while doing this, starts familiarizing himself with everyone’s code. While absorbing this info, he starts picking up a wider range of know how. Things are going well, that is, until.

  “...”

  Quinn looks out horrified, at the latest project developed by Jacob Dolion. Quinn gets up and rushes over to his office.

  “What’s this about?!”

  The man glares up at the boy.

  “Quinn, not a great idea to burst into my office like that? I could have been in a meeting, or-”

  “Or developing another program.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “You stole that code.”

  He gives a confused look.

  “Are you dumb?”

  “w-What?”

  “I could have sworn, when we had that conversation before, you had already figured this out. I guess not.”

  He gets up and walks over to Quinn.

  “Quinn, how can I steal something, that is legally mine?”

  “What?”

  “A simple question. I own everything that comes through here. If people don’t like that, they can leave.”

  “...”

  Quinn stares at the man, slack jawed.

  “Come on now, this is just how business is done. You understand that, right?”

  He squeezes Quinn’s shoulder tightly.

  “This one of the reasons, I gave you this position. It’s because I thought you would understand that. And with knowing that, it would just be a matter of time, before you are the head programmer here. You have the skill, that’s for sure. You just need the business sense, now. Do you understand, what I am saying?”

  “...Yes.”

  “Good lad.”

  He releases and then pats Quinn’s shoulder.

  “Then, keep your head on your shoulders, and I’ll keep showing you how things are done.”

  The man takes a seat at this chair.

  “Now if you don’t mind.”


  He motions for Quinn to leave, which he does. Standing outside the door, Quinn bites his lower lip, drawing blood. The boy then looks up with an angry, determined stare.

  “Now that’s quite a stare.”

  Alastor says, looking deep into young Quinn’s eyes. The man turns around, towards current Quinn.

  “You ended up being quite tormented, over the fact you were wrong about what was going on.”

  “Of course, I was.”

  “You so wanted things, to just work out.”

  “What else would I have wanted?”

  “Who knows?”

  Young Quinn starts to walk forward, passing through Alastor.

  “A lone boy, the only one who knows the truth. What shall he do now?”

  “Fight.”

  “I know. Usually that is the thing you do, once you have waited to the last minute, for things to work themselves out.”

  “Again, what’s wrong with that?”

  “Why ask a question, you know the answer to?”

  “...”

  “Let’s jump ahead again, shall we?”

  “Yeah, sure. Let’s get this over with already.”

  Quinn walks into Jacob’s office. The man behind the desk, has a rather monotonous atmosphere, focusing on his monitor.

  “Hey Quinn, did you finish the project I gave you?”

  “Yeah, I finished it.”

  “That’s good, how did it go?”

  “It went all according to plan.”

  “Hm?”

  He looks up, feeling a slight tinge of fear, as he catches the boy’s deathly-series eyes.

  “u-Uh, what’s up?”

  “This was the first major project you had me do. Setting up a bot to move over all the sever files access points.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Along with it, of course, I needed full access to the server.”

  “Yep.”

  “While I was in there, I made sure move everything over properly.”

  “That is good.”

  The man’s phone goes off. He looks down to it, as he does, his monitor flashes up an alert. Being distracted for only a moment, he reaches for his phone; but stops. Another alert, and then another, and another, they just keep flooding in.

  “Aren’t you going to answer that?”

  “y-Yeah of course.”

  He picks up the phone.

  “Hello...? t-Talk slower. Now what’s going on? It’s what!!!”

  The man screams out. He slams his desk and stands up. After doing this, he goes pale, and he looks up to the boy.