Author's note: I don't know if I'm going to go anywhere with this story; therefore, if I do update this, it will be sporadic. If you like it, please let me know. If you think it's shit, please let me know.
The wind howled and ravaged the trees surrounding a narrow dirt road. The cracks and pops of bending branches were concealed by the groan of an engine. The black beast sped around the curves, followed by a spray of red dirt. Birds and animals scattered away as tiny rocks flew wildly in all directions. As the car neared the crossroads, it slowed before coming to an abrupt stop in the middle of the road. The passenger lifted their door and stepped out, revealing well toned legs and ass clad scandalously in tiny black leather shorts. The long legs terminated in a pair of black peep-toe pumps, her nails were painted a screaming red to compliment the thin cloth bodice that just barely covered her pales breasts. She adjusted her golden hair and placed her hand on the door, before pushing it closed, she bent down and gave the driver a sultry wink. As she turned around, the car revved its engine and disappeared.
Stepping over dirt and rocks, she walked silently to the side of the road. Putting her finger to her lips, she waited a moment before waving her hands over the grass. Where before there was an empty space, now sat a tavern. She could hear the raucous laughter lifting through the old wooden door and out into the night. She smiled and walked inside. Immediately, a hush fell over the crowd. Beth smiled deviously before making her way over to her spot at the bar. She sat down on the barstool and draped one leg over the other. She wouldn't have to/ wait long. They always came, right on time. Signaling to the bartender, a drink appeared in front of her and she sipped it speculatively.
Beth had just popped a cherry into her mouth when a gentleman wandered inside. She batted her lashes in his direction. As if drawn by some force of magic or will, he ambled in her direction. This one was handsome, rugged and battered. She pushed a barstool towards him and gestured for him to sit down. He nodded in acknowledgment and took a seat. She looked him over as he chewed on the side of his thumb. His shoulders were slumped in a way that made him look small, but she could tell that was not the case. This one was special, the boss man had requested her personally. He caught her staring from the corner of his eye and turned towards her, cheeks stained red from the attention. He lifted his eyes to hers briefly before glancing back to the dirty bar top. She smiled, red lips parting slightly.
"Let's get started shall we? My name is Beth" He looked at her in surprise but remained silent. "Great, well Mr. Dixon, we'll be taking a pilgrimage this evening. The journey will be a tough one and as I'm sure you just figured out, I'll be your guide. You know where you are, right?"
Daryl shook his head in the negative. He was lost and could not remember how he had gotten here or what he was doing before he arrived. Chills pricked his skin as the gravity of the situation finally settled over him. When he had seen her, the entire place seemed to be anchored around her, like the pulse of the place was tethered to her heartbeat. It echoed loudly in his mind, putting him further on edge. He shook his head more firmly in response to her question, hoping that maybe she had some answers.
"Mr. Dixon, you're in hell...Actually, to be more accurate, you're in purgatory. But you'll get to see the rest of it shortly." She smiled kindly at him and stood up, offering him her hand. His eyes grew wide and he roughly grasped it, holding on like she was his only link to earth. She gently tugged him and they walked towards the crowd. He paused for a moment, caught up in the music surrounding them. The performer's hands danced up and down a guitar neck, as he banged his foot against the hardwood stage in time with the music. The sound produced was both mournful and familiar. Daryl allowed it to flow through him, permeate his very existence, before finally continuing his path towards the denizens of the tavern. As they approached, everyone parted to let them pass.
Their faces were blurry, features indistinguishable. It was like a painting he had seen once. The painted figures had been dancing gleefully, the motion blurring the faces and bodies together, forming a picture similar to the one in which he was now entangled. When he had entered the tavern, he had been struck by the oddity of everything around him, but he could not actually pinpoint what was off about the place. Looking around, he couldn't understand how he had not noticed it immediately. He now vividly remembered reading the engraved sign above the door.
"Abandon all hope, you who enter here."
His heart started beating rapidly and he clutched his free hand to his chest. If he wasn't already dead, he would be well on his way to a heart attack. His guide just waited patiently as he calmed. She did not try to soothe him or compel him to move forward. Honestly, what could one say to comfort a person who was about to cross through the gates of hell, especially if they were as guilty as he was. His breathing finally slowed and he no longer felt paralyzed. Resigned to his fate, he allowed Beth to pull him forward. Patron after patron darted out of her path, some hissing and others cowering in fear. When she reached the wall near a disused pool table, she put her finger to her lips as if in contemplation. She removed it a few moments later and rotated her arm in a circular motion. To his surprise, a large red door appeared, its brass handle the shape of a serpent wrapped possessively around an apple. He laughed just a little and she smiled in response.
"I know, it's a little on point, but you don't understand how hard it is to get a contractor down here that is worth a damn. Crooks and thieves, every last one of them, but not a single one that can so much as hold a hammer the right way."
He couldn't tell if she was joking, but opted not to ask. He watched as she lifted her hand to the door and briefly knocked. When she received a knock in return, she nodded in his direction. Squeezing his hand a little tighter, she grasped the handle and pulled open the door.