Ch.2

He did it, he opened the box. He just sat there staring into the shadows. An opening had emerged into the wall and someone was moving inside.

I barely managed to run out of the room. I saw the black eyes in the shadows and that was enough! I can't do this…I can't do this…

¨ Adele! What did you do? ¨ Bob roared but he fell silent as the dark figure stepped into the blue light. Bob screamed.

¨ You opened the box. Now…we are here and we will take you with us. We have such sights to show you…¨ a dark voice answered. The voice was powerful but somehow so hypnotizing…I was standing in the kitchen listening to his voice… And then I remembered Jenny. I could almost see her in the dark…alone and in pain.

¨ Noo! ¨ I heard Bob scream in pain and I could hear something tearing his flesh…I heard him fell to the floor and being dragged. I took a deep breath and walked back to the room.

I really had to bite my tongue really hard not to scream. There was blood everywhere and I couldn't see Bob anywhere. Chains were hanging from the walls and the ceiling. But I could see them. Black leather, hooks, their faces…they all walked to the passage ignoring me.

And then one of them turned around and once again I was staring into those black emotionless eyes. He had no hair and his head was covered with nails. He had wounds on his chest and the wounds were slightly bleeding. He should be in pain but his eyes showed no pain. Nothing. His skin was white, a bit blue. Like he was frozen.

I trembled slightly and quickly recovered. I had to get Jenny out. Her family needed her, no one would miss me…I felt so sad and lonely and he looked curiously at me. I took a deep breath.

¨ I…I want my friend Jenny back¨ I managed to get out. He stared at me, into my soul. I didn't like it so I looked away.

And then he laughed.

¨ Child, the souls will not be released. They called us and we answered. This is what they want.¨ His voice was so dark and I felt even more afraid. He turned his back and walked towards the passage. I was desperate, I would not give up!

¨ Wait! Please, she didn't want this! She is weak, a happy soul. She can't stand pain¨ I yelled to his back. He did stop, but didn't turn around.

¨ Please, give her back and I give you something else…¨ I felt so afraid but I had to do this.

This time I made him curious. He turned around and walked slowly towards me. I wanted to back away and run but I couldn't. Not this time.

He stopped right in front of me. He was very tall and he stared down into my blue eyes. I could feel his cold breath on my face and I tried my best to be brave.

¨ You want to make a…deal? What could you possibly offer me in exchange for her sweet soul? ¨ His eyes stared deep into my eyes and captured me. I was in trance; he was so still and quiet, but still so powerful. I could feel the power radiating from him.

¨ I…I would take her place¨ I whispered and looked away. Now I had said it, offered my soul to him.

I looked at him when he didn't answer. He was clearly considering my offer.

¨ What makes your soul more…pleasing? ¨ he asked.

Suddenly I felt anger. I had had enough, who did he think he is? He narrowed his eye and looked at my angry face.

¨ More pleasing? Damn you! I want Jenny back and I just made the biggest offer; my own soul. My own soul! Isn't that enough? I am much tougher than Jenny and you damn have to be really good to make me suffer! ¨ I yelled at him and immediately regretted it. Now I was really afraid and I took a few steps back.

He looked at me but made no move. He didn't say a single word. Just stood there looking at me. And then he started to move towards me and I backed away from him until my back hit the wall. I gasped in surprise when he grabbed my neck and forced me to look into his eyes. His face was so close that few of his pins touched my face. Somehow I…liked his touch. It was a strong grip but still so gentle.

¨ Such a spirit…such temper¨ he whispered. He knew I was afraid and he grinned at me.

¨ Maybe…maybe I'll accept your sweet offer child¨.

¨ I…am no child¨ I hissed back. He chuckled and released me. He took a few steps back and closed his eyes. After a while he opened his eyes and smiled.

¨ I accept your offer Adele¨ he said. ¨ Your soul instead of your friend's. Why do you offer your soul so willingly? ¨ he asked.

¨ No one cares about me…Jenny has a family that needs her…¨ I once again felt a sharp pain in my chest and I just wanted to cry. ¨ I'm so alone¨ I whispered and felt miserable.

¨ Yes…so much pain…¨ he watched me carefully. Did I just see something in his eyes? He was fascinated. But quickly it disappeared and he turned around. I followed his gaze and saw another male demon carry Jenny through the passage.

¨ Jenny! ¨ I screamed and run to her as the male dropped her on the couch. I kneeled beside her and touched her face. She was covered in blood and unconscious. She was whispering something but I couldn't hear what.

¨ Jenny?¨ I whispered. She didn't wake up. I took a letter from my pocket and placed it on the table beside her. I had wrote it yesterday and explained what I had done and why. I begged her to get rid of the box. And never touch it again. Never.

¨ It's time. Come with me¨ I heard him behind me. I trembled, suddenly regretting everything. I was going to Hell, to experience all that Jenny had. Slowly I stood up and nodded.

¨ Don't drag me like you dragged Bob please? ¨ I begged.

The male with the pins laughed.

¨ As you wish…¨ he said and turned around walking into the dark passage. The other male had already disappeared. I slowly followed him to the opening but stopped and took my last look. Jenny was still unconscious and her wounds were slightly bleeding.

I could hear him stop and his gaze burned my back. I sighed and walked into the passage. Soon I could hear the opening shut and it almost made me cry.

¨ Come¨ he whispered. Slowly I followed him deeper into Hell.

It wasn't what I had expected. It was cold and dark. No red devils running around. The thought made me smile and I could sense his curiosity.

¨ I thought Hell was a hot place with fire¨ I answered his silent question. I felt like laughing but when I remembered I was going to stay in Hell forever I fell silent and fear started creeping into my body.

¨ Yes, I have heard that many times. You humans have such a simple imagination…¨ He walked into a new passage to left and it was a darker but a wider passage. I followed him and thought what would happen if I tried to run away. He seemed to have sensed my thoughts.

¨ Don't even consider running away from me¨ he said without turning around. ¨ Do that and I will make you suffer in a way you can't even imagine¨. I felt my body stiffen and stared at his back.

¨ Don't…don't tell me you can read my thoughts? ¨ I whimpered.

¨ Only when you aren't concentrating enough. Your mind is strong but there are those with a weaker mind. So easy to manipulate…¨. He made another turn to left and this passage was even darker and wider.

¨ Where are we going? ¨ I asked. Why did I ask? I didn't even wanna know…

¨ To your destiny…to your judgement¨ he answered. I stopped walking and he turned around looking at me.

¨ What….are you talking about? ¨ I whimpered and took a step backwards. It sounded really bad and I didn't wanna go.

¨ You'll see. Now follow me…or I drag you¨ he snarled at me. He sounded slightly irritated and I didn't want to piss him off. I gulped and once again we were walking. After a while I heard a strange humming noise and it was getting louder.

¨ What is your name? ¨ I suddenly asked. It had bothered me awhile and I was curious.

¨ That is something only my kind is allowed to know. But perhaps after your judgement…¨ he fell silent and I knew he wouldn't tell me anything more.

Finally we arrived wherever we were going.

¨ Oh my God…¨ was all I could say.