Running from Heaven's Gates of Splendor

Character(s): The Bloody Baron & Helena Ravenclaw

When her clever eyes had lost their spark, the Baron had begun to panic. When beautiful, talented, vexing Helena Ravenclaw slumped to the ground with his knife still lodged in her breast, the Baron snapped. Ripping the knife from her lifeless husk, he'd wasted no time in plummeting it into his own.

Crying out his agony, he'd dropped to his knees and shook as he felt his breathing become more and more labored with each and every sob that wracked his portly frame. Shortly, his vision began to narrow until all he saw through his pinprick gaze was the slack countenance of Helena staring back at him. Incapable of drawing in another breath, the Baron's body began to shake with painful coughs as his lungs desperately attempted to empty themselves of the blood that filled them in a last ditch effort to save him.

However, it was a losing battle they were waging and no more than a moment later the Baron fell face-forward into the ground. Lifeless.

A brief span of time later, the Baron realized he was standing, breathing fine on a misty, back country road. Looking around, he spotted a slim figure in the distance. Taking a step forward, he called, "Hail fellow! Who might you be?"

Out of the mist stepped a familiar face.

"Baron?" Helena's pretty mouth murmured.

Shocked, he took a step back. "Lady Ravenclaw..." he whispered. Shaking, the Baron turned. He could not stay here, he could not be so close to Helena after what he'd done to her.

Starting to run, the Baron wished he was elsewhere - even back in the forest where he murdered her. Anywhere but here would be better. His guilt so maddening, the Baron only ran faster when he started to hear Helena yelling his name from behind him. Running and running for what felt like hours, he noticed the mist beginning to thin out around him.

Relieved by this and by the fact Helena's shouts were little more a buzz in the background, the Baron slowed. Pondering the woods around him, he concluded that he must be in the plane between life and death. Or, maybe, a kind of purgatory for sinners like he. Pausing in his stroll, he shivered as he hunched his shoulders close for warmth. If he went back the way he came, would the path lead him into Hell? Surely after what he's done there would be no place better for him?

Turning around, he prepared himself to walk back to the path he'd started at. He'd earned what was coming to him for killing the lovely Helena Ravenclaw, and while he knew he could attempt to avoid his fate, it would find him in the end. Maybe, if he paid his penance sooner rather than later he could be gifted absolution for his sins in the end. Then - just maybe - the Baron would be let into the angels' domain. He would get to see his parents, sisters, uncle, lost friends and, if he were so lucky, Helena again.

However, his plans were dashed as soon as they were formed. Upon completing his turn, the Baron was made to gasp.

He was back in the forest where he'd killed Helena. His body was laying facedown on the ground before him and Helena's was still slumped against the tree.

"What...?" he whispered.

"Baron! Why ever did you run?" a voice demanded from behind.

Twisting his head around, he choked, "Lady Ravenclaw..."

Ghostly-white countenance marred with a heavy frown, she grumbled, "I had waited for you. I could not find a way across and thought mayhap I was to go with you.

Feeling terrible, the Baron pointed to their bodies. "My deepest apologies, my lady, but I do not believe we will be crossing anytime soon."

Looking to where he was pointing, Helena brought both hands to her mouth. "No..." she whimpered.

Nodding grimly, the Baron whispered, "We are back where we began. Surely you know that means we are now-"

"-spirits!" she cried. "We are spirits!"

Stepping forward, the Baron attempted to comfort the lady, but his hand passed through her own. With a sharp intake of breath, he jerked back and muttered, "This was never supposed to happen."

None of this was supposed to happen. Helena was never supposed to die, nor was he. He had not meant to come back to the mortal plane and he had not meant to become a spirit and the Baron had never meant to drag Helena down with him. But he had. Now, for the rest of eternity, he'd trapped not only himself, but poor Helena to the mortal world.

It was at this time the Baron thought, 'Who needs the Christians' Hell when I've created my own?'

I don't think this will be my strongest story of this series, but how'd you feel about this chapter? The reason why he became a ghost?

Thank you all a ton for reading and pretty please review :)