CHAPTER III
Her head rested on the soft pillow. The sharp scent of disinfectants assaulted her nostrils. She was in pain, every inch of her body was in terrible agony. She groaned.
"Mommy." She felt Trixie's hand against her arm.
Opening her eyes she looked at her daughter, relief flooding her.
"Oh Trixie." She whispered, raising her hand and placing it against her cheek, caressing it softly.
"I was so worried that you'd never wake up again." Trixie said, her eyes still red from all the tears she had shed.
"Don't worry Trixie, I'm here. I'll never leave you alone. Promise…" Chloe whispered, her voice still hoarse from the lack of use.
The door opened. Chloe turned her head to watch two doctors step into the room. "Hello detective Decker. My name is Dr. Redford, this is my colleague Dr. Hancock." The older of the two men said, nodding courtly at her.
Chloe simply nodded weakly in response, watching as Dr. Redford walked around the bed and pulled up a chair, sitting down beside her.
"You have made a very surprising recovery detective Decker, you were clinically dead for over a minute and to see you like this is a miracle. I have never seen anyone walk away from such an injury - You must have some guardian angel watching over you." He said, studying her pensively. "If you don't mind, we will have to run a few tests, nothing major for now, simply testing your reflexes and responsiveness. Would you mind looking into the light?" He said, holding up a small, long flashlight and aiming it straight at her eyes.
He nodded, satisfied with her reaction. "Please try to grab my thumb with your hand." He said, offering her his hand.
Chloe placed her hand against his and closed her fingers around his thumb. He nodded again. "Very good."
"Can you remember what happened on the day you were shot?" He asked.
Chloe looked at him, trying to remember. "No, I don't. I… I remember leaving my house and then waking up here…" She whispered, feeling a sudden unease.
Dr. Redford nodded. "The mind often suppresses traumatic experiences as a method of self preservation. It's nothing to worry about, the memory usually returns within a matter of weeks." He said, getting up from the chair and turning to the door. "We'll keep you here in the ICU for the next few days and depending on the progress of your recovery we can then discuss a transfer and following that maybe even an early release."
"Thank you doctor." She said, watching as the two men left the room, leaving her alone with Trixie.
Exhausted, she let herself sink back into the cushion, closing her eyes while she held Trixie's hand, trying to remember what had happened that night. Her mind was completely blank and however hard she tried to remember, there seemed to be no memory of the night's events, nothing but a fleeting sense of fear.
"John, we have to get rid of her, before she makes any more trouble. She already got to Malcolm and whoever finally managed to take him out, must be working with her. So go in there, get the name of the guy and finish her." The man said, staring darkly into the night.
"She's still in hospital, shouldn't we wait until we can get close to her without any trouble?" John asked, staring at the man sitting beside him.
"No John, we do it now, before she can be questioned. They'll switch staff in fifteen minutes; this is the best moment to do it. Her brat is still in there, so you have to take care of her as well. Make it quick."
John smiled, checking his silencer. "No worries pal, its not the first time I'm doing this. I know my job." He said, making sure that the gun was fully loaded, then he reached for the door. "Okay, I'm good to go. I'll be out in twenty. Wait here, make sure the car's running in case we need to run."
Opening the door, he got out of the car quickly. Hiding the weapon under his jacket as he ran across the street towards the hospital. He swiftly crossed the atrium and walked straight over to the elevators, trying not to attract any attention. Pressing the button for the fifth floor, he made sure that his jacket covered his batch. Moments later, the doors opened with a soft ping and John stepped out into the corridor, walking straight through the heavy glass door that separated the ICU from the rest of the ward. The acid smell of disinfectants assaulted his nostrils as he stepped into the long corridor.
"Sir, excuse me, can I help you?" An attractive, dark haired nurse asked, stepping out of the staff room and closing the door behind her.
"No, I'm okay thanks. I left my car keys here when I was visiting earlier, I just need to pick them up." He said, smiling as he passed her.
"Okay, no problem." She replied, returning his smile as she turned to the exit, pushing open the heavy glass door.
Turning the corner, he stepped into a deserted corridor. He briefly looked over his shoulder to make sure he was alone, then walked to the very end of the hallway. Pressing himself against the wall, he briefly looked into the room behind the windowpane. The detective seemed to be sleeping and the girl was sitting with the back to the door. The situation was perfect. He pulled out the gun.
Suddenly the lights wavered and went out. The blue emergency lights kicked in almost immediately, barely illuminating the corridor and the tall figure that was standing at its end, staring right at him.
John raised his gun, pulling the trigger twice. He was sure that he had hit him, but the man did not move. Swearing, he started to walk in his direction, aiming again. But before he could pull the trigger, the figure lifted its hand, waving it dismissively.
John dropped his gun, gaping for air, suddenly unable to breathe. He clawed at his neck, desperately trying to fight the invisible force that was crushing his windpipe and chest. Cold fear ran down his spine as he watched the man step from the shadows, slowly walking in his direction, his dark eyes filled with sadistic delight as he watched his victim struggle for air.
He radiated evil. John tried to back away from the terrifying figure, but he was unable to move, paralysed by some demonic power that was holding him in place. John whimpered, the pressure around his neck and chest increasing with every step the man took in his direction, slowly squeezing the life out of his body. He moaned in pain as he felt his ribs snap under the pressure, blood slowly filling his lungs.
Suddenly, the man's dark eyes flashed red. A sharp , unbearable pain shot through his body - he felt like he was burning, his insides consumed by a raging fire. He wanted to scream - but no sound left his lips. Terror seized him as the man stepped closer to him, his demonic eyes resting on his. Raising his hand, he tapped his index finger lightly against John's forehead, watching him crumble to ash.
"Ashes to ashes and dust to dust." He muttered softly, stepping over the small pile of ash on the floor as he adjusted his cufflink.
Walking down the corridor, he flicked his hand lazily and the overhead lights flashed back on. Stopping in front of the door at the very end of the corridor he reached for the handle and stepped inside. Trixie looked up, a smile on her face.
"Lucifer! You came!" She whispered excitedly, jumping up from the chair and giving him a hug.
He was momentarily paralysed by her overt show of affection, his body rigid as he placed his hand on her hair, looking down at the little girl that had wrapped her arms around him affectionately.
"Shh, little one, let's not wake your mother." He said softly, peeling himself from her grip with gentle determination. Walking around the bed, he pulled up a chair and slowly lowered himself into it, his eyes fixed on Chloe.
Trixie watched him for a moment, then she returned to her chair, her eyes still glued to him.
"What happened to you, you are all dirty…" She asked curiously, her eyes resting on the dark spots of ash that covered his shirt.
"Oh, you know, I had a little fight, nothing serious." He replied dismissively.
Trixie beamed. "A proper fist fight? Did you win?"
"Of course, I always win." He replied, amusement glittering in his eyes.
"And what did you fight about?" She asked, dangling her legs from the chair.
"Something that's very precious to me." He replied gently, his expression suddenly serious again as he turned his attention to Chloe.
"They said she's going to be okay. She'll have to rest for a while but they're sure that she can come home soon." Trixie said, reaching for Chloe's hand, patting it softly. "She can't remember what happened though."
"She will in time." He replied, his eyes fixed on Chloe's face. Hesitating for a brief moment, he reached out, brushing the messy blond locks from her face.
"You like her, don't you?" Trixie said, beaming at him.
He chuckled softly, turning his eyes to Trixie. "Ah I begin to grasp what Maze sees in you little one. Speaking of which, I brought you something, a gift from Maze to be precise." He held up a small pendant that was dangling from a delicate chain.
Trixie's eyes widened. "A necklace…" She whispered excitedly.
"It is a talisman, but it only works as long as you keep it on." He said gently, placing the chain in her hands.
"You mean it's a lucky charm?" Trixie asked breathlessly, holding it up into the light.
He smiled. "Something along these lines."
"Thank you!" She beamed, placing the delicate chain around her head and looking down at the pendent with unrestrained delight.
Directing his gaze back at Chloe, he watched her silently for a moment, then he got up, turning to the door.
"Are you leaving already? You only just got here!" Trixie asked, looking at him reproachfully.
"I have to little one, there are things that I must do." He said, reaching for the door handle.
"What things?" She asked curiously, turning around in her chair and fixing her eyes on him expectantly.
"Housekeeping…" He offered, mirth twinkling in his eyes as he looked at her.
"You are funny." Trixie said, beaming at him delightedly.
"I am glad that you think so child." He said dryly, finally opening the door. Taking a few steps down the corridor, he vanished into thin air.
Lucifer stared into the night sky, his gaze fixed on the morning star. His symbol, the tale of his fall preserved in the skies for all eternity. The brightest light in heaven forever trapped in the abyss of hell. He smiled bitterly. The fallen one had risen from the abyss, only to be driven back to it by love.
Chloe was his now. They had tainted her, sullied her innocence and blackened her soul to lure him back into the abyss. The way to redemption would be an arduous one for her, but he would make sure she made it all the way to the end of the road. And while he saved her, he would extract a terrible revenge on his father. He would make him pay for his betrayal.
Smiling darkly, he directed his gaze down at the city, watching the figures far below him in the street – living their hollow lives, seeking cheap thrills in a pointless attempt to make their dismal existence worthwhile. They were all his, readily offering up their souls to the darkness as they blindly searched for the meaning of their lives, not realising that they gradually descended into a sea of immorality, depravity and excess until it was too late.
"For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." He whispered softly.
Suddenly he felt the soft tingling sensation that announced the presence of his brother.
"Amenadiel, here to enjoy the show?" He asked, not turning around to the figure that suddenly appeared behind him.
"Are you truly prepared to do this brother?" Amenadiel asked, unable to hide the undercurrent of fear in his voice.
Lucifer chuckled mirthlessly, his eyes fixed on some point in the distance. "Ah brother, I am surprised that you even dare to appear in my presence. You, who forced me back to hell by sending her into the abyss. You, who led a soul astray in his name, luring her into sin by offering her the chance for revenge – and when she took it, you made sure that she would die at the hand of this abject creature you dared to bring back from my realm."
Lucifer turned slowly, facing his brother, his dark eyes full of hatred as he continued. "You deprived a soul of its chance for salvation Amenadiel, there is no greater sin than that. So I reclaimed what was mine to restore the balance that you damaged so uncaringly, offering her the chance that you denied her – to repent, to be absolved and to be saved."
"I chose her because she was the only thing binding you to earth. I knew that her death would restore you to your rightful place. You played and you lost brother - you can not bring down the world simply to assuage your need for revenge, you can not make mankind suffer for your defeat."
Lucifer's eyes gleamed red with fury as he watched his brother. "You will find that I can Amenadiel. Do not forget who I am. I will have my revenge and I will enjoy it every step of the way. I will tear down all that is precious to you and burn it in the fires of hell."
Amenadiel backed away from him, fear flashing in his eyes. "Lucifer, I did not make her do these things, she acted of her own volition. I do not make anyone do anything."
Lucifer chuckled mirthlessly. "Oh brother, neither do I. I only set the stage, I pave the way to ultimate destruction, but men have to follow the path that I offer of their own volition. The decision is theirs alone." Turning back to the balcony, he rested his hands on the balustrade, looking down at the people far below him. "Look at them, God's perfect creatures and let us see how they fare when they are tested."
"You rejoice at watching them fail Lucifer…"
"No brother, I do not, if they prove worthy I am more than happy to cast the dice again and play another round." He replied.
"But you do not think that they are, do you?"
"I would be very surprised if they were."
"You think them unworthy, yet you sacrificed yourself for the girl, to give her a chance to redeem herself and to make sure that her soul enters into heaven."
"I intend for her to do more than simply be absolved and go to heaven brother." Lucifer replied, his eyes shining darkly.
Amenadiel shook his head, suddenly understanding what his brother was alluding to. "You would not dare to do this Lucifer."
Lucifer chuckled softly at the horror in his brother's voice. "I have every intention to do so. I love the irony of it, don't you? You played right into my hands, who am I to shun a gift like this."
"We will stand against you brother." Amendaiel said threateningly.
"Oh I most certainly hope so, where would the fun be otherwise?"
"You will regret this." Amenadiel said, his eyes flashing dangerously as he spread his wings, vanishing into the night.
Lucifer's eyes followed his brother for a moment, and then they returned to the street below. "Let the game begin."