Pathway to Hell
Chapter 4 Barred
AN: Thank u all for reviewing! I love reviews. Once again I'm sorry for the whole he said she said thing but I am an incredibly bad writer! Um what else the last chapter had a few flash backs no idea why I did that just trying to lengthen it a little. OK tell me where I'm going wrong.
OK off topic for one second. I just read the FUNNIEST god damn fucking story I have ever read in my ENTIRE life! It's called A O Hell by Darko28 read it coz it's bloody hilarious!
Midnite's Bar.
The red lights from within spilled out onto the sidewalk giving it an eerie glow. Even from here, across the street I could hear the loud music and chatter from the half breed filled club. Why would angel and demon half breeds WANT to sit under the same roof? I had no idea but at this particular moment in time I wanted to be in there more that anything in the world.
My short black hair was slicked back reaching just below my chin. I wore a pair of faded denims a deep purple velvet tee and a pair of black boots, nothing special.
Taking a deep breath I walked towards the entrance praying I didn't cause too much of a commotion.
I reached a tall bouncer who blocked my way. He didn't hold up a card nor did he move for me to enter instead he stood arms folded over his chest in a rock solid stance.
"Hi…" I said carefully testing the situation before I dived right in.
"You're barred." He said simply showing absolutely no emotion.
"I know… I need to get in, it's important." I pleaded.
"You're barred." He repeated in the same monotone voice.
"Yeah you said that already." I said jokingly.
This time he raised an eyebrow giving me a dirty look.
"OK listen I need to talk to any angel half breed about getting in touch with God so I can strike a bargain and get John Constantine out from Hell coz he sold his soul to Satan and it's all my fault coz I'm supposed to end the world and I've talked to my dad, Lucifer, and he won't let John out and if I don't speak to a half breed about what I said before then I will lose my mind, go crazy and destroy everything… Do you really wanna be responsible for all that?" I explained rather quickly adding the last part shyly whilst batting my eyelids.
The guy didn't move he just repeated;
"You're barred"
"For FUCK sake dude take the stick out of your ass! I need in!" I shouted losing my patience with the guy who closely resembled a baby elephant.
This time the guy blinked his neutral expression changing to one of rage.
"I've told you three times little girl don't make me say it again"
"Up yours asshole!" I spat at him.
"OUT!" He said grabbing me roughly by the arm.
"Get the hell off of me shit face or I swear you WILL regret it." I shouted angrily pulling free.
By this time I'm sure the entire bar had stopped and was staring in my direction.
The guy came at me again this time with more force. He grabbed both my arms, pulled them painfully behind my back and pinned me to the wall.
"Sorry man you aint my type!" I said roughly through the increasing pain.
"I said your barred bitch!" He barked into my ear.
"Yeah…"
"Yeah." He replied.
"Fuck you"
I pulled free head butting him from behind. I swiftly kicked his feet from beneath him, laying one in his stomach for good measures.
"Looks like I'm not barred any more dick head!" I said steeping over his unconsciousness body.
I walked into the main bar feeling eyes follow me as I went. A dark gothic song was playing in the background, sounded familiar but I couldn't quite place it. I quickly separated the demons from the angels trying to pick out the friendliest face I could find.
After a few seconds I spotted one in a booth near the back. She had long golden curls, pale skin and the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. They were a strange lilic colour with flecks of gold.
"Hey." I said sitting down confidently beside her.
She looked at me questionably not seeming to mind my presence too much.
"May I help you?" She asked her voice as smooth and sweet as honey.
"Yes, my name's Luceria"
"I know who you are child of Satan, but what can I do for you?" She asked not at all sounding hostile.
"Um… John Constantine's in hell…"
"Yes Mr Constantine, an untimely departure from this plane we were all shocked to hear of how Gabriel tricked him to earn the powers of an Angel of Death, switching to the darkside is not something any angel has done before except Lucifer of course but I'm sure you're aware of his 'history"
"Right well, this is partly Gabriel's fault…"
"And you were wondering if God could intervene on your behalf because of this 'unusual' situation true"
"Yeah…" I said hesitantly.
"I'm afraid God cannot toil with the balance child even if it does mean saving one who should have gone to his kingdom"
"What? I thought John was condemned to hell coz he committed suicide"
"Yes, but that was before he started helping you. He had nothing to gain from taking you in, soothing your fears giving his soul, life and freedom for your sake. John Constantine was thinking of you, Luceria when he gave his soul to Lucifer not the world… that came second. He wanted to protect you from what he knew you would become, or what he thought you would become. Gabriel tricked him and had he not John would have entered Heaven it is very unfortunate." She said sadly.
"Shit." Things just got worse and worse. John was supposed to go to heaven and I had prevented that… This was just too much I had just received double the guilt I had previously felt.
"Do not feel such guilt child Gabriel is to blame not you"
"How can I not feel guilt, I'm human and I am to blame so I'll feel guilt OKAY"
I was so fed up with everyone telling me not to feel guilty! I was guilty and that just wasn't gonna change anytime soon.
"You feel so much rage. Your life has spiralled out of control and you are felling lost and alone. Have hope my child for you are not as insignificant as you think. God can see you he watches you often. He knows of your strength, your will and determination. He has a place for you by his side but you must prevail. Do not give up hope believe in the goodness of the holy father and his unfaltering love for all his children…"
"Hey wait a minute! His unfaltering love for all his children? How can you say that after telling me God won't save John and that he was meant to go to Heaven! That is just one major contradiction lady"
"You misunderstand Luceria. God cannot jeopardise the life's of everyone in his charge for the sake of one man"
"Why the hell not"
"It doesn't work that way he must think of the greater good"
"Screw the greater good"
"That is your opinion Luceria but it is not one shared by God"
I sat for a minute pondering over everything she had said then something struck me.
"Wait a minute you said I'm going to heaven…"
"Yes, if you continue to remain catholic and repent for any sins you commit"
"John told me there was no way I would get into heaven, that God wouldn't take me because of Lucifer…"
"Yes, God was weary over the chaos which might erupt if the daughter of the devil was permitted entrance, how Lucifer wouldn't allow it, thinking only of his reputation but you are a good girl Luceria. You are pure and innocent you may harness immense powers you do not understand but you aren't to blame. It wouldn't be fair to deny you your right because of something you have no control over"
"So it's one rule for me and another for John"
"Constantine sold his soul child you did not"
"HE SOLD HIS SOUL BECAUSE OF GABRIEL"
"Yes dear we seem to be going round in circles…" She stopped midway looking up at the man who had joined our table.
"Midnite what can I help you with"
"Nothing Aaronaia, I must speak with Luceria"
Crap I had forgotten how I had got into this place. I didn't want to fight any more I just wanted answers.
"I'm sorry about the bouncer Midnite but he wouldn't let me in"
"That, is because you are barred"
"I need to help John and this is the only place I know where to find half breeds. I don't want to cause a scene Midnite I just want to fix this god damn mess"
The angel beside me flinched.
"Do not use the lord's name is vain!" She snapped.
"Sorry." I stated simply not really caring.
"I know you are upset about John but I have rules that must be abided by. I don't like Balthazar any more than you do but I am neutral"
"Fuck Midnite I know you are the whole fucking world is, no one wants to do anything to mess up the precious balance but what has Gabriel done? What has he done by taking a soul bound for heaven and trapping it in Hell? If that isn't messing up the balance I don't know what is!" I shouted in frustration.
"What happened to not causing a scene?" Aaronaia asked casually not really wanting an answer only reminding me how loud I was getting.
I gave her a look that said 'do not piss me off right now' then turned back to the witch doctor boring a hole in the back of my head.
"If you apologise to Balthazar I will allow you to stay, if not you will be thrown out by whoever dislikes you and that Luceria, is half this bar"
"Come on Midnite you just said you hated Balthazar as much as I did!
"That Luceria, is NOT the point. I have my reputation. This place is neutral and that is why I get so much business"
I sighed. I needed to be able to get in and out of this place it was the only neutral area in the city.
"Fine. I'll say sorry and that's it. If he gets cocky…"
"Then you ignore him, smile, tell him to have a nice day and walk away." Aaronaia added pleasantly.
I rolled my eyes.
"Sure"
"Good, you're in luck he's here." Midnite said pointing towards the slimy looking half breed.
The whole left side of his face where the holy water I had threw at him not so long ago had collided with was deeply scarred. I was confused, did holy water burns hear on demons?
"Balthazar." Midnite called.
He turned to face Midnite catching a glimpse of me… He stared at me with a sickly expression on his face walking slowly towards us.
"Luceria has something she would like to say." Midnite offered.
"She better have!" Balthazar spat at me in disguised.
I smiled sweetly clenching both my hands into tight fists bracing myself for the thing I really didn't want to do. I had the feeling that by saying those two simple words it would make me physically sick.
"I'm sorry." I stated with an unnaturally high voice.
"Is that it? No grovelling, no forgive me Balthazar, no whatever can I do to make it up to you?" He asked in a voice which mocked mine (he didn't do a very good job either way.
I cocked my head slightly shocked by his sheer fucking nerve to speak to me like that.
I took a deep breath blocking out the sudden jolt of anger I felt towards him, I wasn't gonna lose it again.
"I'm so sorry Balthazar please forgive me!" I said sweetly.
"Fine, only because you sound so pathetic!" He laughed loudly causing a few other demons to join in too.
I sighed turning away from him and biting on my lip. I looked intensely off into the distance focusing on nothing in particular. I tried to slow my rapid breathing, he was really trying my patience now.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you girl!" He said violently.
I turned my head staring straight into those empty grey eyes.
"How's John doing? Is he getting a tan?" Balthazar giggled in delight at his joke sending half the bar into spirals of uncontrollable laughter.
I cracked my neck to both sides and smiled brightly.
"Have a nice day Balthazar." I said walking towards the exit.
Inside I was fuming I felt my body temperature rise, practically felt my blood begin to boil but I held it inside and for that I truly was proud.
Outside in the cool air I breathed a deep sigh of relief. I smiled to myself marvelling at the impeccable self control I had back there.
Even though I didn't get the answer's I wanted I knew I could go back in at anytime and try again.
"Take that you half breed piece of shit!" I said smugly cutting through an ally for speed.
"No, you take this." I voice said from behind.
I was caught off guard and for the second time that night I was trapped, pushed up against a wall, arms held painfully behind my back. Only this time my head was being squashed into a brick wall and I had a demon breathing down my neck.
"Balthazar!" I spat before feeling the sharp sting of teeth on my tender neck.