Read Fan Fears: A collection of fear based stories for Free Online Page A

backups of course, but by then it will be far too late.”
    “Liar. That’s not possible.”
    “A test, then. Listen inwardly, listen to your natural rhythm.”
    She did as instructed, focusing inwardly, trying to sense her heartbeat. She tried to take her own pulse, but couldn't find the right area of her wrist.
    Ashba lunged towards her, throwing his arms into the air. Colleen involuntarily moved back, knocking cutlery from the draining board onto the floor.
    “Did I startle you?” Ashba said, glaring at her from across the room. “Or did your heart not react to the shock?”
    She knew then that he was telling the truth. Her heart rate should have leaped into her throat when he lurched for her, but it was just as stable as if she were relaxing in front of the TV or with a good book. He saw the recognition on her face and smiled.
    “Now, at last, you understand how it feels to know that soon enough, you will lose everything.”
    “You wouldn't do that. It’s cruel.”
    “And what you did to me isn't?”
    “So that’s it, you’re just going to leave me here to die?” 
    “Leave you?” Ashba said, flashing his grin at her. “Why on earth would I do that? I'm going to stay here and watch it happen.” He walked over to the door he had forced and pulled it closed, then approached her.
    “You back off, you leave me alone,” she said, but her voice was weak and without threat. Ashba stood in front of her, dead eyes glaring.
    “You know you’re going to die, don't you, Colleen? You do know you’ve seen your last sunset.”
    Her legs shuddered, and she slid down the counter top and sat on the floor.
    “It’s okay,” Ashba said. “I'm trained in grief counselling. Not everyone is as lucky as you, Colleen. Some people are too late for a pacemaker, or are too weak for surgery.”
    Ashba pulled a chair from the table, wood legs scraping across the wood floor and tracing a line through the puddle of spilled milk. He set it in front of her and sat down, crossing his legs. He checked his watch then looked at her and smiled. “Within the next hour, you will start to feel a shortness of breath. It’s your body’s natural instinct you see. It might recognize that your heart rate is slower than normal, but will sadly be powerless to rectify it.” He leaned over and picked up the carving knife she had dropped on the floor earlier. Colleen stared at the dull blade as it caught the diffuse kitchen light. “Do you believe in the afterlife?” he asked. Colleen didn't answer, her eyes were fixated on the knife blade. Ashba went on regardless. “I’ve often wondered about if anything comes after. If people like me, doctors, paramedics and the like are doing good or evil.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I mean that if an afterlife does exist, then you have to accept that God does too. As do Heaven and Hell. If that is the case, then are we not going against his will by saving lives that he has chosen to join him in the kingdom of heaven?”
    Colleen looked towards the door, then back at Ashba.
    “I wouldn't run if I were you,” Ashba said. He pointed at her chest with the knife. “Your heart is already operating below optimum tempo. Any exertion, any activity will cause catastrophic failure of the system and result in instant death, so please, get comfortable. You won't be going anywhere for a while.”
    She relaxed again, leaning the back of her head on the cabinet behind her.
    “Good, now back to my original question. What do you think?”
    “I can't remember what you asked,” she moaned, then started to cry.
    “The afterlife. Heaven and hell. Do you believe in it?”
    She shook her head. “I won't answer that.”
    “What harm would it do? I mean, soon enough you will find out. I just wonder what your thoughts are on it. Could it be true that when your heart slows down and stops, that you will see a tunnel of light, and at the end of it those who have already departed will be waiting? Or are you more of the