Jack studied the bridge. It looked solid enough, ancient stone construction, wide enough for three people to walk side by side. But something felt off.
"You're not coming with me?" Jack asked.
"What am I, your fuckin' babysitter?" Maurice laughed, a sound like rocks grinding together. "I got you here. The rest is your problem. Now get moving before I change my mind and kick you off myself."
Jack took a step onto the bridge.
Then another.
The stone felt solid beneath his boots.
He walked forward, his eyes fixed on the castle in the distance. Five steps. Ten. Twenty.
Behind him, Maurice's laugh echoed across the chasm. "Hey, Soul Warden! One more thing!"
Jack turned to look back.
Maurice was grinning, his needle teeth on full display. And then, with exaggerated slowness, he raised both hands and flipped Jack off with both middle fingers.
"Enjoy the fall, dipshit!"
The bridge vanished.
Jack had one moment of absolute clarity.
