Author's Note: This is an alternate ending of Hell House. And sorry, but I am really getting into the cliffhanger thing.

Chapter 1 – A Sad Ending

Sinbad entered the dungeon. There she was, held prisoner but otherwise safe and sound. She did not look harmed, which was good news. Joy had filled his heart. "Maeve," his expressed with all his happiness.

He went to cut her down and release her. As he did, he whispered to her, "Maeve"

But when raising her face to meet his, his smile disappeared. It was not Maeve. It was a demon disguised as Maeve. He was in utter shock.

"It's a trap," Mala yelled.

He fought the demon and pushed her to the wall. As he tried to escape with Mala, the demon transformed into a harpy, who chased them to Scratch's liar. As they opened the door, they saw his crew trapped in a spider web and just about to be eaten by a giant spider.

"Duck," he shouted as the harpy flew over him and collided with the spider, killing it a spreading it's green blood.

"No," Scratch yelled, just as he was spray with the spider's green blood.

Sinbad looked up, hoping his plan had worked and his crew was safe. But as he smiled that the spider was indeed dead, his smile disappeared as he noticed a figure on the floor.

He went to the figure, looking at it. Sword was still in his hand, ready to kill it if necessary. He carefully moved the figure's head with his foot. At the sight of her face, he gulped, breathed deeply, and closed his eyes.

"Hehehehehe. Now look what you've done," Scratch uttered out in a hideous tone.

Sinbad looked up at the devil. He couldn't believe it. He glanced again at the figure. To be sure, he made a small cut on her face. Blood rolled down her cheek in the place he had marked. A tear rolled down his eyes. He carefully knelt down to her and felt for her pulse. Nothing. She was dead.

"Aw, now poor captain lost his love. How touching." The devil laughed.

Sinbad looked at Mala and then at his crew before returning his gaze to the devil. "Game's over Scratch. Now release my crew."

"No, the deal was Maeve or the crew. You chose Maeve. So I keep the crew."

"Maeve is dead," Sinbad yelled, pointing at her body on the floor.

"Now, yes. But she was very much alive until you killed her."

Sinbad closed his eyes. He had to control himself from lashing out at the devil. But what good would it do. Maeve was dead. And he needed his crew. But moreover, he wanted them to be safe.

"Alright, you can have my soul for the release of my crew."

At this, Scratch's eyes grew wide. "You promise."

"I promise."

"Well, this is a happy ending," Scratch laughed, releasing Sinbad's crew.

Mala smiled at Sinbad. "You have done well. Now you must leave quickly."

"Nobody is going anywhere."

Mala approached Scratch. "You have no need for his soul. It's pure. He showed you by giving up his soul for the release of his crew."

Scratch was mad. Sinbad had tricked him at his own game. "You witch," he yelled, pushing Mala into the pool of lava.

"Mala," Sinbad yelled.

"Hehehehehehe," Scratch clapped.

But suddenly the pool of lava turned into water and Mala's figure emerged from the pool. "Go, and leave quickly."

"I said no one's going anywhere," Scratch yelled.

"Enough with you." Mala raised her arm and started to spray Scratch with water. The demon started melting, and the whole place started to shake.

"This place is going to collapse. We must get out of here," Sinbad yelled. "Quick, to the door."

Doubar grabbed his shoulder as the others headed for the door. "And Maeve?" he asked.

Sinbad looked at him then at Maeve. He didn't want to leave her, even if she was dead. But stopping to carry her could put them in danger, because they may not make it. He did not have much time to think. Finally he said, "Go first. I'll get her. Don't worry about me brother."

Doubar nodded, knowing this was no time to argue. He ran out the door and joined the crew.

"Where's Sinbad?" Bryn asked worriedly.

"He'll be right out," Doubar assured her, hoping that his little brother would make it.

Meanwhile, Sinbad had grabbed Maeve and lifted her up. He had thought that the worst thing possible was he won't make it and die with Maeve. But he could bear with that, knowing that his crew was safe.