The Quarter Moon (Afterlife saga)

by Stephanie Hudson

  I rubbed my neck where the needle had penetrated and thought out loud,

  “Hell, its last year all over again.” This was when I jerked to the sound of a door being opened in the distance. I remained still, half hoping no-one would come and half hoping that they would so I would know what was going on. Another door pushed open and from the sounds of it, this one was much larger as it ground against the stone floor. Then came the sound of someone trying to whistle a tune, which no doubt produced more spit than actual sound!

  A tall lanky string of shit waltzed in, swinging a bunch of metal keys round on a ring, looking smug.

  “I see you’ve dried from your shower last night…consider that the start to your prison initiation process.” The man who spoke was no questions asked ugly because the answers would consist of A: being dropped on his head repeatedly or B: mother and father were already mutants!

  His eyes bulged, like one bum burp and out they would come flying. His lips were nearly none existent they were so thin and what was there was cracked skin and some weird white snotty stuff collected in the corners. His nose was more like a beak that bent off to one side at the end. Jeez, even the guy’s eyebrows looked like a pair of slugs had worked their way across to join in the middle and die!

  Ok, I think you are getting that this guy was ten different types of ugly all wrapped into one bone thin package!

  “I hope the next initiation step is the chance to kick your ass!” I said, my anger flaring. I heard a snigger from behind one of the pillars and the guy in front turned and snapped,

  “Shut it you dumb shit!” At this the snigger died.

  “You think you’re funny bitch, yeah? Well just wait and see what’s coming to you, then you won’t be so quick to disrespect me!”

  “And you called him the dumb shit.” I said sarcastically, knowing that whatever happened to me in this cell, the last thing on that bloody list would be to respect this guy...! Now, the guy hiding who laughed might be worth my time.

  “What did you say to me!?” He boomed…or as much as he could with that nasally voice of his.

  “Wow, deaf and dumb…really, what are the chances?” I said again, this time leaning against the wall like I had not a care in the world…when deep down I was praying to make it out of here in one piece.

  “That’s it now bitch, you will be sorry.” He now looked enraged and if possible his eyes bulged further. He held out his hand behind him and snapped,

  “Food!” To which a small guy appeared from behind the pillar just long enough to hand him a wooden bowl. I didn’t really get a good look at the guy other than to see he was about five foot in height.

  “This is your breakfast, enjoy it like the bitch you are.” He said before he threw its contents at me, making it splat mainly on the floor and wall behind me. I closed my eyes as he started laughing at me and decided what he wanted was to see me get upset. So I opened my eyes, ran a finger along the slop on my cheek and then licked my fingers to taste the lumpy porridge.

  “Thanks for that, from the taste of this shit, you just did me a favour.” Then I grinned at him because to see his face turn beetroot red in frustration was a funny thing to behold. He looked ready to blow but before he did, he threw the empty bowl to the floor making it bounce and then stormed off swearing.

  “Thhhat wasnhh’t a good idea missth.” The stuttering that came from behind the pillar sounded gentle, not threatening. I scooped the rest of the porridge off my face and top, and shook it off onto the floor.

  “What can I say, I am just a glutton for punishment…besides, that demon’s toothpick doesn’t scare me.” Not after all I had seen in my short life!

  “He doesth me.” I gave his general direction a small smile and said,

  “What’s your name?” I asked hoping, in spite of the low chances, that I could make a friend here, one who might help me.

  “Perthcy.”

  “Well Percy, I’m Keira and I would love to know what I am doing here?” I said getting up and walking closer to the bars, hoping to lure him out of the shadows.

  “You don’th know?”

  “Not really, but I am guessing it’s because of a man called Gastian.” At the sound of me saying his name, a hissing noise came from behind the stone.

  “He isth no man.” I wanted to say ‘no shit’ after seeing what guests he brought to the party last night, but decided to give the little guy a break on the sarcasm.

  “So, who is he or more importantly what does he want with me?”

  “I don’th know but he doesn’th like you very mucth.” He said like this was news to me. Again I squashed down the sarcastic remarks and stretched my head to try and see the other rooms from my cell.

  “Percy, do you know where I am or do you know if anyone else is kept here?” I asked, suddenly thinking that maybe somewhere in this rotting shell, Draven could also be held prisoner.

  “I am not thsurpossed to talk to you about thhat.” As soon as I heard the slightly panicked edge to his stutter, I knew I had lost him by going too far with my questions.

  “Ok, but do me a favour…don’t listen to what that idiot says to you.”

  “Why are you being thso niceth to me?” I shrugged my shoulders and then answered honestly,

  “I don’t like bullies and besides, you laughed when I threatened to kick his ass, so in my book that counts for something.”

  “Don’th be niceth to me, I don’th dethserve it.” He said in a sad voice that had me feeling sorry for the guy. It was obvious he was only doing what he was told in this situation and in the supernatural world of the fittest, I was afraid my new friend must have come low down on that scale.

  “Well, you haven’t hurt me and you have not bullied me, so that is a big plus in my situation.”

  “PERCY, GET YOUR ASS IN HERE NOW!” I cringed at the sound of my new best friend being a dick once again and bellowing for my ‘actual’ new friend.

  “I have to go, but don’th make him mad again, I don’th wanth him to hurt you.”

  “I can’t promise that my new friend, as I have a feeling it might just become a favourite pastime for me.” I heard a burst of cute giggles before another yell had him leaving without a word or giving me my first real glimpse of the guy.

  Now that I was alone, I let my mind begin the process of self-preservation and trying to find a way out of here! I didn’t know where I was, so trying to reach out for help was not a doable idea at the moment. I had looked out of the window and saw that not only were we in the middle of some nowhere field, but that I was at least six stories up, which translated to suicide if I had the inclination to see if I could fly.

  The next step was to see if there was any weak spots in the bars but that took all of about five seconds and a swear word to realise that was a big fat no go! Then came the walls, running my hands along them to see if there was any crumbling but without my very own Jared in beasty form, I wasn’t getting anywhere with that either. So, after a frustrating few hours, I slumped down on my rickety bed and tried to stare a hole in the wall.

  In the end I got so bored I started to peel away the porridge that had hardened worryingly into something that resembled cement and plaster. I was now glad that ugly stick man had thrown it at me instead of demanding I eat every morsel like some creepier version of the witch in Hansel and Gretel.

  I was half way through a really big peeling bit, that shamefully was exciting me (And yes, this was an indication of the deterioration of my mental state) When I heard the doors opening again. I was secretly hoping for it to be just Percy with maybe a McDonald’s bag in hand. Of course, when I saw the sleazy walking pencil, I knew one could only hope.

  “Hey Bitch, miss me?”

  “You know I would say ‘like a hole in the head’ but I met a guy last night with an actual hole in his head. I reckon he would take that over five minutes of looking at your butt ugly face...! So no, I really didn’t.” Again, I had to smile as I saw him go a blotchy fuchsia colour, reminding
me of someone allergic to fruit being dipped in a vat of the stuff.

  “Laugh it up you stupid slut, I am the one who brings you food and once again…ooops!” He said tipping the plate and I watched something that could have been a sandwich but I couldn’t be sure. Then he stamped on it, giving me what he must have classed as his best ‘bad ass’ smile. I felt like introducing him to a few of my male friends where he would receive a crash course on the very meaning of Bad Ass!

  “Wow, you know it actually looks more edible now, why don’t you take the first bite.”

  “Oh, you think you’re so clever, well let’s just see what that smart mouth comes up with when you are begging me for food and water!” I heard a stuttering as Percy must have been back and trying to find the right thing to say in this situation.

  “Yyyyou know you can’th do thhhat, Dimme.”

  “Shut your trap! I can do what I damn well want, this is my prison, you stupid little shit!” Meanwhile I had burst out laughing.

  “What’s so funny, Bitch!?”

  “You name is Dimme?” I said unable to hold back on the perfect timing for revenge.

  “Yeah so what?!”

  “As in Dim…? What’s your last name, Witted?!” He growled at me and it was about as intimidating as being faced with a featherless baby bird pecking at me. I say baby bird, ‘cause that was the ugliest baby anything I could think of.

  “Have fun losing weight, ‘cause I won’t be back here until I hear you beg me for food!” I clapped my hands and stated,

  “Oh, thank you Lord, some good news today after all! I would take death over seeing your bony ass again and as for begging…I would rather eat my own clothes first!”

  “Don’t be so sure, Bitch!” He snarled and then stormed out.

  “Oh dear…my, my, masther isth not going to be pleasthed.” Percy stammered worryingly.

  “Don’t worry about it, just be sure to let him know when I am close to death and then ask him if you’re allowed to bring me a cheeseburger.” I said only half joking.

  “How isth it you’re not worried?”

  “Because believe it or not, I have been in stickier situations than this and going without food is just like a stay at a diet camp, not my idea of torture…although I wish I could stop thinking about burgers.” I heard him giggle and I winked over at where I thought he was hiding.

  “I won’th leth him stharve you.” I gave him a grateful smile but said,

  “Look Percy, I don’t want you getting into any trouble because of me.”

  “I will come in the nighth, he won’th know, I promiseth you to be back.” I nodded my head, as much as my bravado act might be convincing, I didn’t know how long I could hold out on the food front.

  “Thank you.” He made a nervous giggle again and I bet if I could see him he would be blushing.

  “I bether go before he shouths at me.” I nodded and gave him a little wave.

  That night I woke to my name being whispered in the dark, to find a piece of bread, a chunk of cheese, an apple and a tin cup of water just outside my cell.

  My new friend had kept his promise and now it was my turn to keep mine…

  To Draven.

  Chapter 48

  The Blood That Won’t Burn

  It had been nine days since that first day, or at least that is what Percy had told me when I got confused. It was strange how all days seemed to mingle into one long blur. Even with the light from the window, I still found myself muddled as to which time of day it was as my sleeping pattern had changed.

  It started when the dreams came.

  There was an enormous sandstone wall that ran the full length around a sandstone city. People were dressed from a history long gone and I stood in what seemed to be a market place. Handmade stalls were everywhere, in no particular pattern. They sold bowls full of spices, herbs and dried leaves piled high into pyramids. Others sold, fruits, vegetables, furs, baskets, and pottery painted in pretty colours in all shapes and sizes.

  The dreams always started the same. I am stood amongst the hustle and bustle of the place, looking round in wonder, trying to make sense of this old world. I am in the middle of the largest space between stalls as if it’s the main path, when I hear the great thundering of hooves. I look up to see men on horseback racing their way straight to me and that’s when I realise I am stood in a road leading straight to the massive palace behind me.

  Everyone else around me has moved out of their way, but I am frozen. I cannot move one muscle other than what it takes for my body to produce a single tear. For there, coming right at me, leading the army of men is…

  Draven.

  He looks so strong and powerful on the back of his midnight black horse. He is armoured as if ready for battle and his fierce expression tells me his sword and shield aren’t his only weapons. I let the slight breeze take away his name whispered on a breath and from his sharp gaze it looks as though he heard me.

  It’s in these sweet moments that last only a few beats of my heart, that a sense of peace envelopes me and I welcome every last morsel of it…before a different Hell rips it from me.

  The world turns dark just as he forces his horse into greater speed right at me. I know it will kill me and just as he gets closer enough to see the purple in his eyes, I fall to the ground to protect myself. Only he doesn’t hit me. No, he goes straight through me and when I finally brave opening my eyes, I find him galloping away from me with a great army behind him.

  That is when my dream turns so dark, I scream out for him to come back to me. But he doesn’t hear my plea for all he can hear is the cries for battle as he races head first into a wall of armed demons and an Underworld unleashed for War.

  So, because of this dream, I no longer wanted to find comfort in sleep and when I couldn’t hold it at bay any longer, I’d wake screaming much to the glee of my captor Dimme. Sometimes I’d wake feeling like I was drowning in the blood of the battle, my dead friends around me like broken ragdolls. But then I would realise like the first night, I was just being woken to an icy bucket being thrown through the bars.

  I would grit my teeth and come up with a witty comment much to the displeasure of the sadistic string bean that was my tormentor. This was actually one of the things that managed to keep me sane, as I would spend my solitude thinking up new insults that would make my day purely for unmaking his.

  I wasn’t a cruel person, I like to think far from it, but that demon deserved far worse than my harsh words. I would talk to Percy when I could and he would tell me of the beatings he would receive at Dimme’s hands. I still hadn’t seen his face but his stuttering voice brought me so much comfort in this nightmare, he was like my light in the darkness.

  He told me that a long time ago his Possession officer was forced into a blood pact with Dimme, over some debt and as a means to pay him he handed over possession of the new Demon he was training to accept his host at the time. That demon was none other than my poor friend Percy. Now until Dimme would release him into the world to face it alone, he was stuck doing his will for the rest of his miserable days.

  The hardest part of all this was knowing the real reason Percy kept himself hidden, was from shame at what had been done to his face. I wanted to ask but the deeper stuttering had me worried if I pushed too much, I would upset him. I knew however, with every bone in my body that Dimme was the reason. Percy was a good demon stuck being slave to one he loathed for being so evil.

  The worst part to all this, in those nine days, wasn’t the hunger or the intense thirst. It wasn’t the stench that I lived in or the fact that I had become part of that stench by not being allowed to wash. Hell, it wasn’t even having a bucket for a toilet and shamefully not having any privacy sometimes. No, it was in that nine days the amount of times that I saw him hit Percy and trying not to react to it every damn time! I knew that if I made even the slightest flinch that looked as if I cared, then I would be condemning Percy to even more pain as Dimme would have found my weakest spot o
f all.

  Throughout this I would only cry at night, sometimes to the sound of Percy’s soothing words, but all he would hear from me was the word ‘Sorry’. I wanted to find the hidden strength in me so badly, that I felt like my head would explode from trying so hard. I not only wanted it to lead to a way out of here, but also to aid in my new mission…I wanted to save Percy.

  I needed to save Percy.

  I had to!

  My heart bled for him and that was why a bitterness and twisted side grew in me. I felt good whenever I delivered an insult that would cause a reaction from Dimme. I wanted to hurt him, to humiliate him in front of those he considered weaker than him. I wanted to show up the bullies for what they really were…weak and scared!

  “Only the weak and scared would prey on those they truly feared, for if a smaller man was ever to rise and take a stand against the bigger then that would be their end…that was their real fear and they warped it into a power they thought would keep them powerful…but they were wrong and one day I will prove this to you my friend.” I told Percy one night.

  “I hope that one day you will.” His voice had not stuttered at all this time and I knew right then that in anger it never would.

  “There is a warrior in you my friend and hope for us yet.” I whispered once I heard the doors lock up for the last time that night.

  Which leads me to now and nine days into my un-judged sentence.

  “Good morning, Skeletor.” I said as Dimme walked up to my cell like he did every morning. He grinned at me so I don’t think he got the He-man reference…pity, it took me half of yesterday to come up with that one! Of course, it wasn’t lost on me the irony of my ‘bony’ jokes considering I was being half starved to death. I didn’t like to think of it as Karma for my nasty behaviour, but just plain old payback. What he didn’t know was that if he really wanted to torture me right now all he would have to do is bring me a mirror and that would do the trick, I thought on a laugh.