Previously on Finding Paradiso with Gemma...

"You mean the Nephilim? How do you... never mind. What's important is for you to find what you are missing, yes?" Phineas asked, "If you're looking for answers, you should start in the prison." Phineas informed her.

"Why there? I loathe this place. This isn't where I killed my first human..." Gemma stopped talking.

Her memory served her. Humans who died are sent to either Heaven, Limbo, or Hell; after realizing the woman she killed would arrive here, she remembered her clearly now. She was a terrible woman. Drugs poisoned her lungs and liver. Her body was tainted. She spoke of unnerving things about humanity and others' well-being. This human woman was also the surrogate mother of Braith. This was why Gemma took her life. This was why Gemma took her skin. She had to save Braith from further destruction because she was the woman who brought Braith into this world. But the woman was linked to her in a way she couldn't explain it out loud. The contract Gemma held from her previous contractor cursed this woman as a link to her humanity. Gemma cried again and looked at the long road leading to the prison. She had to find her.

Chapter 12: Reconciliation

As Gemma grabbed the ledge, she found her footing and pulled herself up. The climb was tiresome, but it was necessary to get closer to the prison. She was so close, she could see the entrance. She had to get inside and find the woman she killed long ago. She was the key for Gemma to become human. At least that's what she assumed from Phineas's words of wisdom. She wasn't sure how; but she figured if she repent for her sin, she could be redeem herself. She jumped to the next platform and looked onward.

Her mind continued to wonder about Braith. She never had been away from her daughter's side for this long. She then thought about her past. She thought about her former lover, Braith's father, the woman she mutilated to get her skin, and the sacrifices she made to get where she was. Last, but not least, she thought of Dante, the Nephilim that destroyed the worlds' barrier from demon to human and the same man she had grown fond of. If it wasn't for him, she might have never ran into the man in black at the apartment that separated her and Braith. If it wasn't for Dante, she would have never understood what morality and emotion could do to a person. Everything that had happened to her besides losing Braith, she didn't regret any of it.

Meeting Dante was a miracle, in her eyes, and she was glad she met him. A part of her wished she didn't leave with him angry and disappointed. The look in his eyes were strong, and she didn't want to disrespect him. She thought it was for the best that she left. She then realized she was wrong. She shouldn't have asked Dante to help her in killing a human; even though she gave up on arguing him, she didn't want to leave. She saw how happy Braith was with him and she was happy to see someone care about Braith and her. She recollected his facial features. The strong jawline and piercing blue eyes really captivated her. She remembered his smile he gave her all night when they went to the club. The cocky smirk he gave her when he said something devious. It warmed her heart to remember that night. It was unforgettable. His words of encouragement and including the snarky attitude were even more memorable. She sighed. She didn't want to leave.

Within a few feet of the entrance, she approached cautiously. There were no demons or guards. It was eerie and the chills crawled up her spine. Gemma didn't think she'd be scared of this place, but she was. She walked through the entrance, looking around for anyone. The prison was bigger than she expected. The floating platforms and the large railings widened the appearance. She looked up to see the floor levels. The demons and souls burdened to remain here forever must be above. Gemma saw the upside-down elevator from across the way. She quickly jumped from platform to platform. It had been too long since she did any physical activity like this. She blushed, thinking how embarrassing it'd be if Dante saw her right now.

Memories of Dante fighting those Stygians when she went for that fake job interview came to her. The way he handled them, it amazed her. As a Stygian, a demon of Limbo, she was always a terrible fighter. She ran because she never was powerful. She didn't want Braith to see her mother like that. She didn't want to ruin her flesh. She didn't want to fight. She never wanted to fight.

She reached the elevator and realized it was already activated. It was already on the bottom floor instead of the ceiling, leading further into the prison levels through the doorway. She thought it was stuck, but something or someone must have adjusted it while she was away. She passed the idea and headed onward. As she traveled further into the facility, the echoes of damned souls grew louder and louder. All of their voices combined, making any of them inaudible to distinct who was who. This was going to be harder than she thought.

None of them spoke a word. There were just screaming and hollering from all angles. As she examined the rooms by walking by, all of them were crying for help. There was no peace for these people. Gemma recalled the cries from the woman. The same woman she stole from to become human. She did not regret what she did until now.

Suddenly, she could hear the cry. She could hear the woman calling out for help. Gemma began to run, looking around anxiously for the lost soul. From corner to corner, there was no one matching her description. She was starting to worry. She started to wonder if the voices made her hallucinate. She panicked and ran pass several scattered souls. She could have been any of them. But it didn't seem right. Souls were spread across the halls and rooms. There was no distinction.

And then, there she was. Gemma stopped. She looked up at the soul stuck on the wall. The spirit's eyes were gone, but Gemma knew the look within them were the same as the woman she killed two years ago. Her skin glowed dark purple, signaling that her flesh wasn't attached to her embodiment. The soul stopped screaming and looked down at Gemma. Her eyes began to water. She knew her. She watched her murderer step forward and started clawing at her.

"You again?! What do you want, demon?! What more do you wish to take from me?!" The soul lashed out. Gemma frowned in despair. She could see the spirit was angry. It was no wonder why her soul ended here.

"I'm here to find truth." Gemma answered, "Before I get started, I want you to know that killing you had to be done… Let me explain."

"Why?! So I could rot in this madness? So you can play with my body like a puppet?! Looks like you made good use of it!" The female spirit yelled once she saw Gemma's skin was peeling off. What did you do to my baby after you killed me, you beast! Did you kill her too?! She didn't deserve to die! She wasn't even born yet-"

"She never was yours, Claire." Gemma replied in a calm voice. The soul held her breath. She stared at Gemma long and confused. She wanted to understand.

"What do you mean she was never mine, creature? She was in my stomach! I fucked people months before you even came along!"

"And why do you think I showed up then? It wasn't a coincidence. It was destiny." Everything Gemma said confused Claire, the name of the spirit she called out. Gemma stood against the wall next to Claire. The soul couldn't stop staring at Gemma. She was looking at her human skin hanging off Gemma's body. The flesh Gemma wore was faded badly. All she could see was Gemma's brown eyes. The black hair Gemma donned was still intact and tangled. Gemma glanced at the spirit and then outward to the hall she ran through.

"Then, explain yourself..." Claire whispered while tears fell from her eyes. Gemma was annoyed to hear her say that considering she wanted to in the first place. She ignored the thought and cleared her throat. She had a story to tell.

"Claire," Gemma began, "It wasn't a coincidence when I came after you that night. See, I'm a demon… obviously. And long before you… I made a deal with another demon. A hunter demon, to be exact. I'm not strong enough to make deals with humans or anyone, so I went to someone to help… As a demon, Claire, we are not allowed to procreate. But I messed around and became pregnant by a lost soul. I fell in love with a lost soul like you, Claire."

"What does that have to do with me then!?" She was listening; but even so, Gemma had to further her explanation.

"Because it's against the rules to procreate, I had to make a deal. A soul for a soul… for a soul. And… I'm sorry, that yours ended the way it did. See, Claire… a hunter demon allowed me to transfer my daughter, Braith, into you. You were easy to find: you were loose with men, you were vulnerable, you were… ready to pass your life on."

"I had plans, demon! I had a life and I was ready to get to them!"

"No. You weren't. The hunter demon said you were destined to die anyway. A demon doesn't break his rule. Only demons can twist the truth, they can't alter it." Gemma wanted to continue, "I wish I learned that at the time, for you see… because I had to take your life, a life had to be spared… My lover… the father of my child, had to be sentenced for eternal damnation. He was already trapped as a lost soul like you, but he had to suffer a much more painful torture for his daughter. For me…"

"But what about me?! What did I ever do to you?!"

"Nothing! And I'm sorry! I wish I could take it back for your sake! But I can't…" Gemma could sense Claire's anguish. She can see the hurt she caused this woman. If it didn't had to be that way, she could've change it. But she couldn't.

"Claire, I might just be able to do something for you, but I have to find my daughter. Our daughter. She's in trouble, Claire. She's beautiful, smart, and a joy. And I'm grateful. I'm sorry I used you. I'm sorry, for the pain and torture I made you face. I'm sorry for everything… I didn't want this. I wanted Braith." Gemma's eyes began to tear up. She felt sadness and regret. She could understand how Claire or any lost soul was feeling now. All these emotions were rushing through her body that she had to let it go. She had to express her regret to the one who needed care for the most. Claire didn't deserve to die. No one deserved to die without redemption and forgiveness. Gemma needed that. She needed forgiveness.

"Demon, I… I can't do anything anymore. I wanted to do so much and you took it from me. If this was really for our daughter, as you say, then why did you let me stay alive and watch my skin be skinned off my body?!"

"I had no other way! I did it for the little girl you called daughter, Claire! I couldn't let a demon child be your barring! She would have killed you if you birthed her yourself! She needed a mother figure that could handle her! She needed me, her real mother, to be with her!" Claire glared at Gemma. She was angry, but to learn this demon did so much to have this child, it was unfathomable. She questioned why a demon would go through the trouble. Maybe Gemma was more than just a demon. She wanted something that would improve her life. The way she did it was monstrous and horrifying, but to want something to make yourself feel more worthy was relatable. A part of her wanted what Gemma wanted: hope.

"Can you forgive me, Claire? The least I can do is tether your tie here as a soul and let you pass on peacefully. You would have to take it upon another demon or angel to be human again."

"What about you then? You obviously don't have my skin intact anymore, so what are you trying to do? You said your girl was in trouble, so why was coming to me a big deal for you?"

"Because if I release your soul, I can't be tied to you anymore. You can move on without burdens. I can continue my search to become human." Gemma whimpered and gripped her hands into fists, "I hate being a demon. You are controlled by rules and you never can be yourself. You have to be … someone else." The look in Gemma's eyes confused Claire, but she understood how it felt to act like someone else. Claire, in her past life, was a woman without a chain around her ankle. When she became pregnant, she believed her free life was over. But she changed. She became more aware of her surroundings and wanted to raise the child the way she wasn't. Loved and cared for. But because Gemma took her life, she couldn't enjoy it. She had to be sentenced to this death, but if Gemma said was true, she had no other choice.

"If killing me will release me from this prison, then do it." Claire offered, "I don't care anymore. I had my chance, but now that I'm here…there's no point. So just free me, demon." Gemma looked at her, seeing she had enough of this conversation. She was done.

She wasn't the human she was before; she was an embodiment of regret and hate, but it didn't relieve her of her humanity. Gemma stood in front of Claire, staring deep into her eyes. She couldn't say any more to this lost soul. Gemma inhaled deeply and as tears fell from her eyes, Gemma whipped her arm back. The once flesh-covered arm morphed into a long blade. Claire stared in horror at the metal piece and back into Gemma's eyes. Gemma had struck. Claire's tears flew onto Gemma's face as she hacked away. A few strikes and she was gone. Before Gemma could transform her arm back, Claire's spirit dispersed. Red orbs fell from her body and as Gemma collected the mystical orbs, tears fell from her eyes. This was the last time she was going to kill ever again.