Chapter 9: Joyce

Joyce watched in horror all around her as the fires in hell rose. The demons were cackling as lost souls screamed in pain. The temperature was well over one thousand degrees. Joyce felt the eternal fire burn her chest and lungs. She screamed as the fire burned her ears, nose, and eyeballs. The flames burned her hair, and she wailed and thrashed hopelessly trying to stop the pain.

How could this have happened? She knew she made mistakes. Trying to report Judd Thompson Jr. and Vicki Byrne was probably not a smart decision. But she didn't expect this to be a consequence. It seemed to be such a draconian punishment for some petty grudges and hurtful decisions. Truly, no crime was worthy of eternal hellfire. Joyce didn't feel like she deserved to suffer this much. Certainly not.

Joyce tried to remember what she experienced in the past world. Such a fond memory, and yet now so distant. Going to parties with her friends and pledging her full support to Nicolae Carpathia seemed wonderful at the time. Now, she felt so vulnerable and helpless.

Joyce screamed as the flames burned her ears and feet. Joyce moved away a few feet, thinking she was safe. But then the fires of hell scorched her legs and she yelped in pain. This torment was becoming really intolerable.

Joyce froze in horror as two demons approached her. She screamed as they pinned her down and leaned in close to her face. It was an ugly sight.

Joyce wailed as the demons bit her on both cheeks. Their venom and sharp teeth were really painful to feel. Joyce screamed at the top of her lungs as the fire burned her armpits and forehead.

What could she do now? All she could do now in this accursed afterlife was move around as flames burned her stomach and scorched her hair. She was powerless, hopeless, but there was nothing she could do.

If Joyce had known she would one day face the threat of eternal hellfire, she would have asked Vicki Byrne questions rather than ignoring her and turning on Shelly Malloy. There was nothing she could do now, and she had to accept the consequences.

Eternal hellfire, the most draconian punishment known to man. Nothing could be done for her now.