"Open up!" I yelled. "Open the door!"

I'd been hammering, as much as my fist was a meaty mass of flesh and bone, so resembled a hammer not at all, on the wooden barrier between me and safety for far too long. My voice was hoarse from shouting, and I could taste blood from the recoil of my head hitting it when I tried barging through.

I'd bitten my tongue or loosened a tooth. I wasn't sure and didn't have time to care. If the possibility of a later existed, I'd worry then. For now, I just needed to get this damned door open!

I wiped my forehead of the sweat stinging my eyes. I saw more blood on the side of my palm and noticed splinters prickling the skin like a demented porcupine. There was a smear on the door to show my repeated thumping. Again, I would give a shit at such a time as I was able. At that moment, I had few moments remaining.

I could move on. Choose another house. They were lined up along the street, watching me. I could imagine their condescending laughter as they scrutinised this inconsequential human, unable to enter one of their own. I was beneath them, and they were far mightier than I. Bricks and mortar and glass were more than a match for me and my damaged hand. They knew it, and did nothing to hide their derision.

I looked around, helplessly. I was running out of time. Losing this race I wanted no part in. Before I knew it, the grains of sand would have slipped through the hourglass' middle and I'd be drowning under their weight.

Christ, I admonished myself. Get a grip! They're just houses. It's just time. Take a breath.

I took a breath. Surprisingly, it calmed me.

Actually, no it didn't.

BANG BANG BANG, my hedgehogged hand shouted on the door.

"Let me in!" I shouted at those beyond it who must have heard my cries, so were clearly ignoring me.

But, I was a stranger to them. A madman trying to force entry into their safe haven. They didn't know me, so didn't know if I held a knife hungry for their insides. Even if I had, I'd have discarded it for the chance to just get inside!

It wasn't working. I knew it wasn't going to. The door would remain closed. Locked. I frantically looked around and noticed the drive was empty. No car. No lights on inside.

No one home.

Damn. I've wasted so long. What to do? Where to go? I could still make it, surely. I just needed to make a move. Choose a direction. Any bloody direction.

Ending 1:

The cold hand on my shoulder sucked the energy from me, leaving a chill emptiness. It was a gentle touch, but Death knew he needed little more. His presence was all he required.

I turned to him. He was a vast shadow, encompassing all around us, whilst also being a centred swirl of night.

"Come on," he said softly. "Let's get you back to your body and get this over with."

I nodded and followed as he led us away.

A key turned in the lock behind me, but I couldn't look back. I heard the door open.

"Hello? Who's there? Give these old bones a chance, will you?" an elderly woman said, shakily. There was a pause. "Bloody kids..."

Ending 2:

I had to admit defeat. I'd lost. There was nowhere to go and, really, no time to do it. I could feel the pressure increase unbearably.

I looked around. There! The hedge. It was tall and, in the corner, was a bush that was outgrowing its once well-tended form.

I ran over and crouched, pulling my jeans down as I went.

Wow.

Just in time...