Last Days

by Brian Evenson

The door was opened by another guard who asked again, “What is wanted?” This time Ramse brought his heels together and rattled off what to Kline seemed clearly a memorized, ritual response. “Having been faithful in all things, we come to see he who is even more faithful than we.” “That is correct,” said the guard.

Well this is surprisingly familiar 🤨

“If you really wanted to leave, all you had to do was ask,” said the Paul. He stood and came slowly toward Kline, then moved past him and to the door. “Ask and ye shall receive,” he said, “knock and it shall be opened unto you.” He knocked twice, waited, then knocked a third time. “What is wanted?” asked a muffled voice from the other side. “Kline, having been true and faithful in all things, desires to turn his face away from the Lord by entering the lone and dreary world.” “Present him at the door and his request shall be granted,” said the voice.

effetely

Doesn’t appear in the dictionary as an adverb, only the adjective “effete”, which means “lacking in (wholesome) vigor; degenerate; worn out”