by A. G. Hobson
“Awww…” I slide over to him and kiss his cheek. He slips one or his arms under me pulling me close. I lay onto his chest and we snuggle in. My eyes begin to feel heavy. The sound of his heartbeat lullabies me. I try to fight it but they close anyway.
Chapter 23
I wake up to Hayden kissing my breasts, teasing one then the other. His hand creeps up my gown and he fondles my treasure. My eyes shut tightly and I moan trying not to burst into pieces. He wastes no time climbing me. Our bodies dance as we grab at one another kissing and groping passionately. We almost unravel at the exact same time. This time he lies there on top of me breathing in and out. We both close our eyes for another nap.
I feel a nudge and I slightly open my eyes. I see a room full of red smoke. I turn my head toward Hayden and he is soundly sleeping with his left arm underneath his pillow lying on his stomach. I sit up and the smoke is covering the entire room. It’s thick and dark red, something I’ve never seen before. I swing my legs off the side of the bed. I look down at the floor and the smoke rolls like clouds swirling across the sky during a thunderstorm. My heart pounds with fear. When I attempt to reach over to wake Hayden, I can’t move. I hear a ringing in my ear. I try to move and I can’t. The ringing crescendos and becomes painful. I see a dark figure emerge from the smoke. It is large, almost touching the ceiling. The feet of the shadow drag and I can hear a bump then tremor as it takes step after step toward me. I know I’m not dreaming. One of Hayden’s family members or betrothed has come for me. I try to scream and nothing comes out. The shadow gets to the edge of the bed and it begins to shift into a shape. A beast with tall horns sprouting from its head stands in front of me. The eyes have no pupils, the body is covered in black as coal skin, it’s so big it doesn’t resemble a human at all. Smoke blows from the nostrils with each harsh breath. The teeth hang over the lips. The head is large, it covers the chandelier that hangs in the middle of the room. It has to be at least seven feet. The shoulders are wide, broad, the length of the posts that separate the bed. Each stomp brings it close to me. It’s not Nija. Who is this??
“You ruined everything.” The voice grumbles.
“My son was supposed to be joining us along with his bride. You came along and forced him to acknowledge his useless human side.”
Oh shit! It Hayden’s father!
He continues toward me. When he reaches me, he grabs my arm and lifts me from the bed. Before he turns, he looks around me at Hayden. He huffs releasing smoke and snarls at me. He snatches me away carrying me like a limp rag doll and I still can’t move. He drags along leaving Hayden’s room behind us. The pictures on the wall rattle and the floor trembles as he moves through the hall. He gets to a door at the end of the hall and bursts through it. I helplessly watch as I dangle from his grip. A fiery glare beams from the room he enters. The shutters are open to a wide large old armoire. He steps forward and enters the smoky red light. I can feel the hair on my arms singe from the heat radiating through the door. We disappear through the entrance and emerge entering a dark cave with blistering red burning walls and screeching sounds of tortured voices. The screams get louder as he hurls me forward. I spot figures coming out of the shadows. My skin is hot but I can tolerate it. He gets to an enormous arch and all I can see is fire. He stops and tosses me into the ground. My hands break my fall. The coal colored rocks cut my palms.
I’m finally able to move. Tears flow down my cheeks and my body shudders.
“What are you going to do with me?” I sob. “Am I in hell?” He doesn’t answer. He drags across the cave and shuts a door behind us. “I tried to break it off with Hayden he…”
“His name is Cambion, you insolent human! You stole him from his legacy, his destiny! He and Nija were supposed to consummate their relationship. I need his child to be conceived! I need him to begin our army. While, heaven, is collecting souls daily, he is traipsing around with the likes of you! I know what and who you are. There are a handful of you roaming around. I can smell you from here. I knew what you were when Nija came back to report. I wish I could allow her to kill you, but I can’t. I know he won’t be able to let you go since he’s fucked you. I went through it with his mother. That bitch caused me so much turmoil. My headspace was off, my thoughts were not my own. I was losing my demonic thinking, my essence. I was becoming weak. It wasn’t until I crushed her in my hands twisting the life from her that I felt like I was myself again. It was with great consequence but worth it. Of course, she became something else, something unexplainable, a ghost, an angel, I don’t know. But every time I step foot into the earthly plain, she haunts me. I literally battle with her. I will find out how to kill her permanently and send her essence back to her father in heaven.” He snarls.
“I can’t let you become that. You have Cam and I know that I could possibly lose him. You will remain here, so Nija can just seduce him back to the demon side of his lineage.”
I’m confused by him. I don’t understand a word.
Suddenly a small gremlin like creature approaches and grabs my wrist and drags me along the rocky floor. He takes me to a cage made of what seems to be human bones and tosses me inside.
Hayden’s demon father walks up to the cage.
“No more kid gloves. You get to see it all in living color.” He waves his hand and I see everything in a new light.
My skin burns. My eyes are on fire, they hurt so badly. The screaming coming from the other side of the arch almost bursts my eardrums. The sound of pain haunts me. I tremble with fear as I sit on the hard ground wondering if I should have just walked away. I could have ended this the moment I found out who and what Hayden was. His demon father leaves. The gremlin creature’s tongue hangs with drool dripping and dangling from it as he gawks at me like I’m lunch. I bring my knees to my chest, wrap my arms around my legs and intertwine my fingers, locking them in front. I feel regret. Why haven’t I prayed in so long? Maybe if I had a relationship with God, I wouldn’t be here right now. Who knows what the gate to hell holds for me? I know that’s where I am because of all the ancient stories I’ve heard over the years. I’m a human- right at the mouth of hell and I’m alive, for now.
Animal like creatures watch my every move. Fangs and claws curled over lips and fingertips randomly ache for my flesh. How long will they stalk the cage before one of them gathers the nerve to attack? My body will probably be unrecognizable, ripped like torn clothing and left bleeding like a possum crushed by a semi on the side of the road. I’m roadkill for them. All because I fell for a demon.
My mouth is dry, my throat dusty and fallow. My arms are leaden, weak, I can barely lift them. Time has passed but I can barely lift my head to ask why they haven’t ended me yet. The moans and cries of despair are driving me insane. My once plump wet lips are arid and cracked like paint in a dilapidated home. I can peel away the skin. I long for Hayden to come and see me. I dare not imagine being saved. He said himself that he is no match for his Satan loyal father.
I hear the thud of footsteps crashing against the black, ashes carbon like ground. My cage rattles and I slide back. Smoke swirls around dancing on the surface, moving about like ghosts circling a haunted dreamer as the beast nears my sight. I squint to focus and see who or what is coming. I wait anxiously knowing that this could be the end for me. Could it be the devil himself? Has he left his fortress to come and see the human that seduced his savior and potentially ruined all his plans to fight in a war the Bible says he is bound to lose? But his selfishness causes him to crave the downfall of many thousands, even millions of souls.
When the beast emerges, the smoke clears and I can see it plainly. Nija.
Her face is that of the beast she revealed to me at the school. Her hair is wild like a lion's mane but wet. Her horns are longer. They swirl into a twisted curve pointing upward at the end. Her teeth protrude causing her mouth to hang open. Her build is smaller than that of Hayden’s father.
“I told you I would kill you Montana. I told you to stay away from C
am and you ignored me. But…” her voice booms and rattles through me like a woofer on a stereo system. “After you disappeared, he was just confused about what could have happened to you.” She laughs and it is deafening. The sound is a deep low-pitched chortle. She is pleased with herself. “He suspected that I may have been involved in your disappearance, but we convinced him otherwise. Belfegor made the mistake of squeezing the essence from Cam’s mother but he won’t make that mistake with you.”
Belfegor? “Is that his name? And what significance does Hayden’s mother have when it comes to me?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
“How long have I been down here? What part of the world am I in? Am I even on earth?”
“It doesn’t matter. I will end you soon.” She approaches the cell slowly with a staggered limp. I slide back and she reaches inside. She takes her nail and pokes my arm. She digs in slicing through. Blood trickles down my arm and I scream. Tears pour from the corner of my eyes like rain.
“Why are you doing this? My family probably thinks I’m dead. Why are you keeping me here?” I just want to go home.” I sob uncontrollably. “I won’t see him again! Just let me go!” I yell out to her.
She smiles and licks the blood from her clawed fingernail.
“You will never see him again. He is mine.”
I can’t help but think that Hayden would never love a beast. Her outside definitely matches her insides, terribly hideous. I tighten my lip and pull the bottom into my mouth to try and wet it. I feel the skin cracked and upraised. There is no saliva.
“Can I have some water… please? You’re keeping me alive for some reason and if I don’t get water and food, I may die. Soon.” My throat is dry and my voice is scratchy.
“You won’t die.” She shoots back at me. “This place was made for torture and despair. You could live here forever without dying but be in complete agony.” She drags past the cage and cuts her evil eyes at me. Finally, Nija leaves. I look on and wonder why I’m not tossed into hell with the rest of the weak and tortured.
They tease me with a plan but are adamant about leaving out the details. I’m frustrated. I wish I knew how long I’ve been down here. I sit in the corner of the cell tired, weak, and dirty. My heart beats faintly- slowly. My eyes open and shut and each bat of my lashes feels like razors cutting into my pupils. The ground begins to rumble. I sit up and try to focus on what is approaching me. A beast comes into view. His skin is black and scaly. He resembles a mangled gorilla. His teeth are white and shiny, his eyes dark and glossy. His glare is fixed on me. When he nears the cage, he stops and looks me over. He lifts his nose into the air and inhales.
“I love the smell of angel in the air. And even though I can’t kill you, I can most certainly have a taste. He extends his hand and grabs the bar at the gate and rips off the door. I immediately stand and back myself against the gate. I try to scream but it’s stifled. My throat is too dry to produce sound. He barrels toward me and I cover my eyes to conceal my view of him. He rips my wrist from my face and slowly lifts me into the air. He looks me over and a sly terrifying grin crosses his lips. He lowers me still holding on to my arm. When my feet touch the ground, he looks at my wrist and surprisingly sinks his teeth into it. I manage to let out a blood curdling scream. I have never felt pain like this before. He gnaws at my arm savoring each bit of blood he drains from it. My already weak essence dwindles and I feel myself about to lose consciousness.
“What the fuck are you doing, Barl? You can’t drink from her!” A dark voice roars.
He whips around to see whomever he has angered and drops me. I hit the ground hard and my hands make a smacking noise as I land. I hear arguing and it gets further away. I look up a little disoriented and two beasts are bickering amongst one another. My vision is blurry and I can’t make out who the other creature could be. As they go back and forth, I notice that the door to my prison cell is open and there are no demon guards watching. I muster all the strength I have in me to stand.
I hear a thud. I look up and the gorilla like demon is struck by the other. I can’t make out his form but he towers over the gorilla. He lifts his large dark hand and strikes the demon again. A fight ensues. Snarls and growls echo through the cave. The gorilla demon strikes back, but the large dark shadow lifts his hand in the air revealing claws that are as long as paring knives. He digs them into his neck causing him to fall to his knees. I cover my mouth as I try to stand.
It feels like pins and needles are stabbing through feet, but I manage to push myself up. I tiptoe to the door holding on to my bleeding wrist. When I get to the open gate to the cage, I step out and look to see if they will notice. They don’t. I look toward the arch to hell and the opposite direction. It is dark but I slowly walk toward the darkness without trying to make a sound. When they still don’t notice that I’ve gotten out I pick up the pace. I hurry into the gloom, not able to see a foot in front of me. When I can’t see behind me anymore, I run. I muster all of the strength I have left to haul ass out of there. Suddenly I hear the galloping of many feet in the distance giving chase. I scream out hoping, praying someone can hear me.
“Help me! Please help me somebody! Hayden… please!” I sob but no tears surface. “God! Please!” I toss out my final plea. I hear the thunder of footsteps draw near. I run but I can’t see anything. My breathing is rapid, my chest is burning and I can barely breathe. The herd is close and I know that I will be back in my cage soon, so I give up. I stop running, bend over and clutch my knees. “God, help me.” I breathe.
Suddenly, a bright light shimmers blinding me. The light surrounds me and my eyes shut.
Chapter 24
I rock my head back and forth. My body feels numb and relaxed. I manage to lift my hands and run them along my body. I’m wearing a t-shirt and shorts. My eyes are heavy but I manage to slowly raise my lids anyway. I try to focus but the room is bright. My eyes open but I squint to see where I am. I don’t recognize the room I’m in. I try to sit up but I’m weak. I study the area as my eyes completely open. The room is ridiculously girly. The pink curtains drape over a petite window in the corner of the room. The small area has one single window that is draped with frilly pink curtains. They hang loosely and have pretty pink glittery bows tying them back to allow the sunlight in. I prop myself up on my elbows and search the room with my eyes. The walls are pure white with pictures on them. A painting of a young beautiful woman chasing a caramel curly haired baby that appears to be around two, dawns the wall adjacent to the small window. I see a painting of the same baby on every wall, different poses, and countless sceneries. A cute wicker rocking chair sits in the corner. I smile at the change of landscape. I’m finally able to sit up completely but I wince at the pain from my wrist. I lift it and notice that it is bandaged. I run my finger along the bandage and look up toward the white wooden door. The desk, the headboard and the dresser that are all carefully placed in this room has to be some young girl’s dream.
“Hello? Is anyone here? Where am I?” I yell out. “Anybody?”
“Hey! Cool it with the yelling. My parents will have a freaking fit.” A beautiful dark complected young woman rushes into the room and slams the door back shut. She stands at about 5’3, short but toned and curvy. Her coal black hair is full of coily bouncing curls. She is wearing a green and yellow Wayne State University hoodie with black leggings and green ankle socks. She looks around nineteen or twenty. “Hey there, I’m Synth.” She walks over to the bed, stretches out her arm and opens her hand. I lean forward and take it. We shake and she steps back. “So, you look like you’ve been through some major shit.”
“I have. How did I get here and who are you?”
“I’m Synth as I said before.” She smiles and shrugs.
“Hello Synth. I’m Montana. How did I get here?”
She sits on the edge of the bed and clasps her hands together. She crosses her leg over the other and rests her hands on her knee.
“I saved you from Purga
tory. I heard your screams.”
“Oh God, thank you. How? And who? Did Hayden send you? Are you a demon too?”
“No.” She quickly shakes her head. “Hayden doesn’t know I’m alive.”
“What?”
“Montana. Listen. I’m about to tell you some things that you may understand and you may not. But, after what you been through, I think you can handle it. You’ve bumped into some major demons and thankfully I was able to save you. Some of us aren’t as lucky.”
“Okay?” I say waiting for her to finish her story.
“My celestial name is SAriel. I am a heavenly angel reincarnate. I was reborn into human bodies several times since Satan was cast down to earth. We were sent here to try and help humanity fight off demonic intrusion and possession. But some of us lost the grace of God for lying with these demons. I can never go back but I still have the power of an angel. In other words, I’m Hayden’s mother.”
“Oh my God!” I place my hand over my mouth. “How did you hear me? Are you connected to Belfagor?”
“No. I am not. I am connected to you.”
“What? How? Are we related?”