Pathway to Hell
Chapter 2 Mind Games
AN: Heya people how you liking it so far? Remember review is my middle name. OK well I forgot to say before but I just wanna thank cptn-jacks-bonnie-lass my good friend for the great name Pathway to Hell if it wasn't for her I would have called it something completely stupid so thanks for that jac! OK also what does everyone think of my new name? Notice how I used to be called sarah69 and now I'm called MraShiaLabeouf? Well, he is incredible gorgeous isn't he? Okay please R&R!
If you're worried don't be.
How? How can't I be worried?
Because I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself.
Nut you can't your still down there. It's all my fault!
No, no it's not. Listen, I sold my soul willingly that's the only way it can be done, you know that.
Yeah you sold your soul because of me, me and my messed up life! I should have just left you alone… Yeah? And what would that have achieved you wouldn't have anyone to turn to, you'd give up hope.
John I'm sorry.
I know.
Are you okay?
I'm hanging in but it's hard… Lucifer doesn't get tired he can go all day.
John… Yeah?
I will come for you… I promise.
I know you will Gaia just don't do anything stupid.
Like what?
I'll see you soon kid.
John? John?
I opened my eyes. I was lying in a lukewarm bath.
Must have fallen asleep I though.
It was 7am. Wow I'd been asleep nearly an hour.
Sleeping in the bath is dangerous Gaia, god I'm an idiot!
I stepped out of the water covering my moist body in a large fluffy towel.
"Chas? You around?" I called out.
"Yeah I'm making breakfast." He called from the kitchen.
I was filled with a new energy. I suppose the little convo with John had done me good.
I smiled brightly as I entered the great smelling kitchen Chas was cooking in.
"What's for eating?" I asked.
"Oh what you're actually gonna eat food?" He asked mockingly.
I grinned. Yeah it was a huge turnaround from last night. I spose that birthday cake had done me good and it was extremely munchy!
"Hey." I whispered seductively into his ear.
"Yeah?" His grin widened.
"Wanna go back to bed?" I giggled.
"Gaia! I'm shocked at you!" He laughed.
"Hey what can I say you're irresistible." I purred gently inching towards him.
"Oh who are you and what did you do to Gaia"
"What I'm not aloud to be happy?" I asked acting hurt.
Chas laughed again pulling me close.
"I love you, Gaia"
"Yeah? So what ya gonna do bout it"
"Oh! That's it you just made a BIG mistake!" He said tickling me gently.
"NO! Don't you dare!" I giggled running away.
He caught me pinning me to the ground then continued to tickle.
"Ch-as!" I giggled trying to break free.
We were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"I'll get it." Chas said jumping to his feet.
I sighed. This just felt so wrong how could I be here right now laughing, having fun whilst John was going through otherworldly pain and torture due to me?
I picked up another book.
"Exigo Animus by Gerrsph Olphman" I said reading the front of the dusty book.
"Gaia it's Murphy." Chas called escorting the half breed through to me.
"Hey Murph thanks for coming"
"No problem Luceria but are you sure about this? Lucifer isn't just gonna let us walk into Hell that easily. Last time he didn't suspect it but now… He'll be on guard especially now he has Constantine." Murphy cautioned.
"Yeah I know Murph but I need to do this I have to reason with him"
He smiled.
"Happy birthday kiddo. C'mon we better hurry." Murphy said giving me a hug.
Murphy jumped into the cab whilst a skinny kid walked towards Chas.
"Neo my man! What's up?" Chas asked.
"You know what's up Chas. I said you could borrow the cab for a while a while Chas not for fucking ever!" The boy shouted.
"Hey wait a minute I lent you that book Neo man we had a deal"
"Chas I've read the bloody book 10 times over a need my cab back"
"Hey cut me some slack I'm not done with it"
"What John still using you as a slave"
Chas stopped turning towards me.
"John's… Dead." He said finally.
"Right sorry… Chas I still need the cab back"
"Neo I NEED it"
"If you need a car so badly go and buy one"
"Neo for God sake this is for the greater good"
"The greater good? Is that not a demon in my cab? What you doing hanging around with demons? You think he wants to help you? He's evil Chas and you can always rely on evil to be nothing more that evil"
I meanwhile was starring intently at this guy. He was around Chas' age maybe a little older. He had shoulder length black hair and was average build but there was something in his eyes that made him stand out. They were bright green and seemed not old to be looking at Chas but to be seeing right into him, into his soul even.
"Look how bouts I lend you another book? Huh what about "Under the Surface" by Sir William Klutz? Huh will that do you?" Chas bargained.
"Fine Chas, you win… Again. Bring it round to my place"
Chas nodded heading towards the cab I however remained.
"There's something about you." He said slowly looking me up and down.
"You have great power… You carry a terrible burden." He interpreted.
"No kidding." I said.
This kid really was beginning to freak me out it was as if he were looking right through me, His eyes were so… Weird!
"I'm sorry. Your future is bleak when you lose all when everything is dark. When God abandons you do not despair the dark side is not the answer. The son of perdition will bring no comfort to your grieving heart. Please never give up or you shall be the end of us all. The world is in your hands Luceria daughter of Lucifer and when the end comes do not forget your friends the ones who brought you hope as they will always be with you even in death"
"Okay…" I said more that a little freaked.
I got into the cab taking my seat next to Chas in the front.
"Hey what were you two talking about?" He asked.
"Em… Nothing." I said turning away.
What had he said? I will be the end of everything… I know that but only if I give up hope… Nah. The guy's a psycho what the hell does he know about me.
"Hey Murphy you're evil right? So why you helping us out?" Chas asked.
"What I thought you would be happy! I'm only helping coz Luceria's involved I was appointed to protect her and that's exactly what I'm doing. She's unhappy Chas she needs to get John back to be happy and if that involves doing some good then I'm prepared to do that." He said.
"Suit's me"
I couldn't breathe my head was spinning. We were getting closer and closer to the portal and I was afraid. I knew John was in Hell, I knew Lucifer was with him. If I wanted to find Lucifer I would find John too. The thought of seeing him face to face in so much pain was terrifying!
"Hey Gaia don't worry too much." Chas stated.
I sighed. "C'mon Luceria let's go." Murphy finally spoke from the back.
We were here. The same battered looking building the same door.
The same guy opened it still covered in tattoos.
"You know you ain't welcome no more Murph you wit her now"
"Hey come on Benit it's Luceria's birthday she just wants to see her daddy." Murphy smiled at the large guy who nodded hesitantly letting us in.
"You didn't see me Murph. I'm only doin this coz we go way back. You owe me"
"Hey I know, don't worry we won't cause any trouble will we Luce"
"Naw we're good." I smiled.
I had to hand it to Murphy he was one cool guy why if he wasn't a half demon and I wasn't with Chas and of course he wasn't my body guard who I'd had since a baby then who knows maybe we could hook up. Nope that wasn't gonna happen.
We walked through the same rooms filled with the same crap we walked up the same stairs (only a little dirtier) and finally ended up in the room which contained the portal.
There were two leather sofas, a coffee table and a book case as well as one door painted red.
Just as I remembered only this time I knew what to expect and I was a million times more nervous.
"Okay you know the drill you ready for this? You know he'll be waiting"
"Uh huh"
"K lets do this thing"
Murphy opened the red door letting the intense heat hit my face. We both took a couple steps finally stopping to look round at the space the door should have been.
I took a deep breath. Will he give us permission to get back? Did I even need it? Where was he and where was John? A thousand questions flashed through my mind as we began to walk into the vast nothingness before us.
My mouth was incredible dry I had no idea how long we had been down here and why we hadn't encountered a single soul. For god sake this was Hell! Where were all the demons? The trapped souls where the Hell was Lucifer? He knew we were here. He knew of everyone who came through the portal.
"What's taking so long?" I gasped.
"I told you Luce he's busy with John he isn't just gonna walk out and say boo"
"Why ever not?" I turned to see the very familiar form of my father standing cockily in front of me. John on the other hand was no where to be seen.
"Happy birthday Luceria." He said smugly.
"Yeah well how bout you come over here and give me a kiss"
"Ha! Now that is something not even Mammon receives"
"Where's John"
"He's taking a nap!" Lucifer laughed hysterically for a moment.
"Quite finished laughing at your own jokes?" I snapped.
"Luceria why the long face you should be HAPPY"
"Why? What have I got to be happy about"
"It's your birthday what would you like"
"John"
"Sorry no can do"
"Why's that"
"Because he's MINE" Lucifer said sounding ever so slightly drunk.
I closed my eyes taking a deep breath a had no strength left for this. I was getting no where and I knew if. I felt the sting of hot tears behind my eyes, felt the cool tingle as a solitary drop escaped making its way down my cheek.
"Please…" I sobbed.
"Aw my poor baby." Lucifer mocked making his way towards me.
What came next I never would have expected not in a million years. He hugged me. The god damn devil actually hugged me.
I stood in shock for a few minutes before returning it. For a brief second I forgot who I was, where I was and why I was here. I felt like a normal teen receiving a hug from her father.
"Okay sorry to break up your little um moment but we came here for a reason Luce right"
"Ah…" My father said pulling away.
"Luce… Short for Luceria have you finally given up that pathetic human name Gaia"
"No. Murphy insists on calling me Luceria"
"But it sounds so much better darling"
"What is going on? Why are we playing happy family's? Look I need to get John back he doesn't belong here please I'll do anything"
"Hmm how about NO"
"Why? What use is he to you all you get is a sick sort of pleasure from kicking him about the place. Do you fell nothing? Can't you see what I'm going through? I'm going INSANE"
"Good, it runs in the family then"
"ARG! I give up. You know what fine, FINE kill me now take my soul and trap me in hell I can't take anymore!" I screamed in sheer frustration and anger.
"Careful you might just get your wish." Lucifer warned.
"Murphy…" I looked helplessly to the half breed pleading silently for his help.
"Lucifer your upsetting the girl c'mon you owe her something just let her see him." Murphy tried.
Lucifer thought a second looking from Murphy to me.
"That would make you happy to see John"
"Yes." I answered.
"Fine." Lucifer clicked his fingers and John was there.
I hadn't expected it. Not for a second. He stood so near to me but I hardly recognised him. He was so thin and battered. His face was swollen and badly bruised trails of blood lined his face. His eyes looked at me questionably.
"Gaia…" He asked before falling to the ground.
"John oh god John." I fell to my knees beside him holding him gently in my arms.
"Gaia… Help me… Please." He cried softly grabbing hold of my arm.
"Lucifer please!" I sobbed looking up to him.
He just smirked. Holding his hands up innocently.
"What can I do?" He laughed.
"John? I'm so sorry"
"Please don't leave me!" He was broken. John had never once begged for anyone's help. He had been here and eternity and it had taken its toll. His body was battered his mind broken.
"Please, just let me have him"
"No!" Lucifer snapped his fingers once more and John disappeared.
I sat silently for a while in total shock John had just been here. I had just talked to John… Lucifer was playing mind games with me and it was working. I was drained emotionally and physically. I had given all I had to give and I wasn't enough.
"You're sick." I spat venomously at him.
"Thank you"
What could I do? I didn't have the strength to stand so instead I sat like a complete idiot tears streaming down my face.
"Come on Luceria lets go." Murphy tried.
"No." I said simply refusing to move.
"Luceria you can't just sit here in the middle of hell." Murphy said shocked at my sudden burst of childish behaviour.
"Why not"
"Because you just can't! Come on…" He said trying to pull me to my feet.
"No"
"Luceria!" Murphy said impatiently.
Lucifer stood smiling amused at the current situation.
"You want to stay?" My father asked.
"No." I said again.
"Then what are you doing"
"I'm making a stance father? What have you never dealt with a teenager before"
"Not a human no. Mammon has no need for such absurdities"
"Well aren't you lucky you have me"
I knew I was being childish but what more could I do? If I tried to plea anymore I would end up with a razor to my wrist making a very huge mistake.
"Luce this isn't helping." Murphy said irritably.
"Good"
"You know what fine. I give up stay here in hell and lose whatever sanity you have left." Murphy said storming off in the opposite direction.
"I think you should SACK him! Abandoning me in hell great job Murph!" I shouted more to Murphy than Lucifer.
He turned round looking me right in the eyes.
"Either get up and stop acting so childish or leave me alone." Murphy said coldly.
I rolled my eyes finally rising to my feet.
"Fine you win. I'll get up go home and then what? It's my fault John's down here, it's my fault he's not going home. I'm not like you Murph I have feelings I feel GUILT how can I just go back to my life and ignore the nightmares? Ignore John? I can't." I said hopelessly.
"Maybe no but you can't just stay here, you don't belong here"
"Don't I? Is this not the reason everything started? Because I am The devil's daughter I am the TRUE ruler of hell am I not? It's true isn't it so why can't I just stay here huh"
Murphy sighed.
"Luceria! Such desperation! It really is sad. You are powerful, you are great but the way your acting…" Lucifer taunted.
"The way I'm acting? Ha the way I'm acting? Your pathetic I can't stand you and I can't stand your shit. God I wish I were dead!" Once again I fell to my knees not in a childish act but in sheer exhausting.
Closing my eyes for the millionth time I remembered back to better times. I remember when I was 10 my foster father had been kicking me around one day he hit me so hard I blacked out and when I woke up my foster mom called social services. That day I was put in a temporary home. I stayed with a woman called Belle I always thought her name was so beautiful. She had told me I was special and that God had a plan for me. Ever since that day I had believed in God believed that he did have a plan for me and as long as I loved him he would watch over me.
Hypocritical bastard. Where was he now? He defiantly wasn't watching over me now was he.
"My dear child it pains me that you are so depressed, humans have such useless emotions… It may surprise you to hear this but you are my daughter and I do feel for you, even though I don't feel!" He giggled.
"Save your bullshit Lucifer. I'm begging you one last time, one last attempt. Please let John go… Let John go and I'll stay"
"No"
"FINE!" I pulled myself together rose to my feet wiping my tears.
"You won't help me? I'm rune your piece of shit hell! After all there can't be hell without fire!" I screamed my trade mark black eyes returned as I felt my hope and belief in God slowly slip away.
Exigo Animus - Selling the Soul.