The black taxi screeched to a halt in front of a five-story building. Streetlights cast a soft glow, painting pools of light over the pavement. Cars passed by, headlights flickering, and people walked the sidewalks, chatting or lost in their own worlds. The scene looked ordinary, just like Earth.
The driver pointed ahead. "That's your venue. Show them your ID at the entrance. They'll take you inside."
Renny's mind raced. Do I pay the driver? With cash? It all looked like Earth, so maybe he had to.
Before he could ask, the driver grinned. "Don't worry about it. Everything's covered."
Renny gave an awkward smile and nodded. "Okay, thanks." He opened the door and stepped out.
The taxi pulled away smoothly.
At the entrance, two security guards stood sternly. Between them, a man struggled to get through, dressed much like Renny, except his shirt was unbuttoned in places, and his tie hung loosely, undone around his neck. He looked a few years older, frustration etched across his face.
Renny's heart tightened. What if they don't let me in, too?
He stepped closer and cleared his throat. "Excuse me, sir. What's going on here? Why won't they let you in?"
The man turned, voice deep and rough.
"I don't know, gee. I'd already shown them my ID but they just won't let me through. Got a letter saying I gotta be in there by nine. Look, it's 8:50 already," he said, showing Renny the time on his phone.
"They keep pushin' me back. Man, this is Hell, I don't wanna be on the devil's bad side, you feel me?"
Renny nodded slowly. So this man was like him, confused and caught in this strange new world. He glanced at the guards. "Why won't you let him in? He meets the requirements, no?"
One guard stepped forward, eyes cold. "He does, but his tie's not right. Dress code must be followed."
Renny eyed the loose tie, incredulous. That's it? He raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
The guard shrugged. "Welcome to Hell."
Renny shook his head in disbelief and stepped forward. "Here, let me help."
He took the tie, carefully straightened it, tightened the knot, and looped it neatly around the man's neck. "There. All better. Now, can we go in?"
The guard eyed them, then nodded sharply.
The entrance doors slid open, and a poised woman in a sleek black suit greeted them with a warm, professional smile. "Right this way, please," she said, gently ushering them inside.
The venue was nothing short of breathtaking.
A subtle scent of jasmine and sandalwood floated in the air, calm, inviting, yet somehow fitting for the gravity of the occasion. Rows of chairs stood neatly arranged, each draped with elegant black cloths tied with crimson ribbons. The tables, arranged in circular clusters, were topped with delicate bouquets of deep red and white flowers that seemed to glow softly under the ambient lighting.
Already, the room buzzed quietly with conversation. Everyone seemed to be here, the black suits, the crimson ties, and subtle variations of style creating a sea of uniformity with just enough personal flair. Men wore black suits with red ties and deep blue shirts, while women opted for tailored black skirts or trousers, some donning black caps and bow ties. A few ladies added sky-blue jackets to their ensembles, their red ties a sharp contrast against the darker tones.
As Renny and his partner moved through the room, heads turned and conversations hushed momentarily. It was clear they were among the last to arrive.
The woman guided them swiftly to a reserved section near the podium, where a sturdy wooden lectern stood ready. They took their seats as the murmurs around them slowly resumed.
The man leaned closer to Renny with a relieved grin. "Homie, you came just in time with that tie. If you hadn't, I'd probably have missed this whole thing, or walked in looking like a fool." He chuckled, shaking his head.
Renny smiled.
"I'm Khevlack Omekro," the man introduced himself. "But just call me Kev."
"Renny," he replied simply.
Kev nodded approvingly. "Renny. That's a good name. Got it from the ID?"
Renny nodded.
"Same deal here," Kev said with a grin. "I just go with Kev. It's familiar, you feel me?"
Renny chuckled softly. "Yeah, I feel you."
Kev grinned, sizing Renny up.
"Man, I ain't gonna lie, you can't take your eyes off this place, huh? You been starin' at everybody like they some kinda freak show or somethin'."
Renny lowered his voice, scanning the room with a quick smirk.
"Yeah, I mean, come on, look at them. Everyone's tight, tense. And rightfully so. This whole setup? It's off the charts. Way outta the rulebook. Which makes it even more unsettling. Something's definitely wrong."
"Nothing but facts. When I first got here, I ain't even know what to think. Lookin' like this? Dressed cleaner than I ever did back home. Hell ain't supposed to be no fancy-ass suit and tie kinda place, feel me? This whole setup don't add up, ain't nothing like what they told us 'bout Hell back on Earth. Folks back home? They'd straight up laugh if they saw this joint."
Renny nodded slowly.
"Yeah, never in my wildest dreams would I picture Hell like this… like some kinda movie."
Kev cracked a quick laugh, shaking his head.
"Real talk, if you ain't hooked me up with that tie, man, I'd probably be standin' outside lookin' like a damn fool. You saved my ass, for real."
They shared a brief laugh, easing the tension.
Renny got curious.
"So… what brought you here, Kev? How you end up in Hell?"
Kev's smile faded a bit, eyes darkenin'.
"Man, I was hustlin', drug dealer, straight up. Had my hands dirty, doin' my thing."
Renny raised his eyebrows.
"Ah, well, that makes sense why you here then."
Kev snorted a laugh.
"Fo' sho, man. Ain't no surprise. Hell got a spot for folks like me."
They both chuckled.
Kev then looked Renny up and down.
"How 'bout you, homie? What's your story?"
Renny took a breath.
"Man, I just died from some sickness. Real bad one."
Kev cocked his head, curious.
"What kinda sickness?"
Renny sighed.
"Progeria."
Kev blinked, tryna wrap his tongue 'round the word.
"Pro-what now?"
Renny gave a small smile.
"Don't trip. It just means I was aging fast, like, way too quick."
Kev nodded slow, understanding.
"But tell me this, did you do any dirt? Hurt folks? 'Cause with that kinda sickness, I can't see you bein' no villain."
Renny shook his head.
"Not at all, man, on the contrary, I don't even know why I'm here."
In that moment, a man in a slick suit stepped up to the podium, cutting off their conversation.