I sat down after a grueling argument with Howard, who just couldn't grasp that magic, ghosts, gods, superpowers, and all that jazz simply didn't exist. It was all just fantasy made up by people who were either high, bored, crazy, or just plain dumb—like those who thought a meteorite was a sign from a god bestowing visions or claiming to be the child of a deity.
"Ahh... I know I shouldn't be doing all of this, especially considering her death. However, the facts are clear: there is most likely no afterlife, and waiting for one only gives false hope. You can move on with life, as everyone says—there are always more fish in the sea.
Plus, with her personality, she would want him to move on. It's been three months already. That's plenty of time—"
Before he could finish his complaint, Nathaniel heard his phone ringing. After a brief sip of the water beside him, he coughed a little before answering. "Nathaniel speaking, who is this?"
Not long after, he got his answer. "It's me, hun. Could you be a dear and get some milk from the convenience store?"
With a brief pause and a grumble about just getting home, he replied, "I'll get right to it," and hung up. "One little store run couldn't hurt. Plus, I need the exercise, however minimal it may be." After mumbling to himself, he quickly put on his pants and headed to the door, where his shoes were. After a few taps on the floor with his left food, he unlocked and relocked the door, then started walking to the small convenience store down the street.
Five Minutes Later
After paying $10 for a single carton of milk and wondering why his mom liked this brand so much, he walked out of the store. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a "homeless" man. He immediately started walking in the opposite direction, thinking, 'I don't want to deal with whatever might happen if I go there. I'll just take the long way home'
Just as he turned around, the "homeless" man tilted his head and locked onto Nathaniel's back. "Something's off—" was one of the last things Nathaniel thought before he was promptly knocked out by the man. Hope I wake up with all my organs...
With a thud, Nathaniel fell to the ground as a helicopter approached, landing nearby. "Yes, sir, target acquired. No injuries except a minor hip fracture... Oh, the civilians? Nothing happened to them. That one person was most likely streaming while we were on the operation... Yeah, of course I used that 'EMP' just in case he pulled a Crowley on us. It was a blessing to push past that 2012 date."
After a few more exchanges, the helicopter landed, and with a grunt, Nathaniel was lifted over a guard's shoulder.
South Antarctica Location ???
Nathaniel slowly regained consciousness, huffing and puffing. This feels like a hangar, but way worse. Hey, at least I still have all my organs. As his eyes focused, he scanned the area, thinking, 'So I was kidnapped by a cult, a gang, or a shadow government... or maybe something I can't even fathom yet'
Suddenly, twelve screens lit up, revealing shadowy figures. 'Shadow government it is' As he let that quick thought settle in his mind, various familiar-looking papers illuminated, and one of the figures began to speak. "You have two choices: one, tell us how you created a Gate of Guff and join us; or two, be thrown into the Gate of Guff you created and die."
Nathaniel stared dumbfounded. "I have no idea what you're talking about. What's even a Gate of Guff?"
Before he could process more, strange-looking guards appeared and said, "Two it is." They grabbed him from both sides and dragged him toward the Gate of Guff. So, from all the little—very little—clues I have, Howard was right... Well, off to hell I go, I guess. With that last thought, an explosion erupted as pieces of different worlds fell from the sky, and the door in front of him opened, sucking him in.