Chapter 2

Aziraphale could barely hold his head up anymore. He lost track of how long this had been going on. It didn't help that he had passed out a few times only to be awoken by more pain. Sandalphon was very thorough. It had started with a simple beating. Aziraphale had felt some ribs break and his one eye was swollen. Everytime Sandalphon entered the room it was some new torture. Right now Sandalphon was circling him twirling a celestial whip in his hand.

"This could all stop now. The only thing you have to do is obey." Sandalphon stated.

Aziraphale kept his head down. He refused to give into him. Everyday he would taunt him and tell him to obey, but he would refuse. It usually would make the torture worse. Just so Sandalphon could hear him scream. Aziraphale was pulled from his thoughts as Sandalphon pulled his head up by his hair.

"Well? Are you ready to obey?" he asked.

Aziraphale spit a wad of blood and saliva into his face. Sandalphon immediately took several steps back and wiped the blood and spit from his face. He glared back at Aziraphale with venom in his eyes. Aziraphale met his gaze with just as much malice and a smirk on his face.

"You will pay greatly for that."

Sandalphon snapped his fingers and Aziraphale was suddenly strung up by his hands from the ceiling, Sandalphon now behind him. The first lash came suddenly. Aziraphale bit his lip to keep from screaming. Countless lashes came again and again. Aziraphale lost the battle of silence and eventually screamed himself hoarse. He was close to passing out when he was finally dropped back down into the chair, his hands and ankles retied. His back was on fire and dripped with blood.

"Changed our mind yet?"

"Go to Hell." Aziraphale grumbled.

"You will be there first." Sandalphon threatened.

With that Sandalphon left the room and Aziraphale let the darkness consume him.

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Sandalphon wasn't gone long. He reentered the room carrying a canvas bag and a thick pair of rubber gloves. He punched Aziraphale hard in the stomach causing the Angel to wake coughing and gasping on air.

"I took your words about going to Hell to heart and reached out to some contacts for a favor." Sandalphon explained.

Aziraphale raised his head as he saw Sandalphon place the canvas bag on the tray that was in the room. He put on the pair of thick rubber gloves before reaching into the bag. He pulled out a ball of Hellfire. Aziraphale tried to struggle against the ropes again but he just didn't have the strength anymore.

"Whats the matter oh former Guardian of the Eastern Gate? Afraid of a little fire?" Sandalphon taunted.

Sandalphon held the ball of fire against Aziraphale's exposed arm. Aziraphale bit into his lip trying not to scream. He always tried to suppress his screams, but he would eventually give in. He gasped as it was pulled away.

"I knew you being immune to Hellfire was some sort of trick. If I had a way to prove it then, we would have killed you a long time ago. But you're not immune now." Sandalphon laughed.

Sandalphon spent the next eternity it felt like holding the ball of Hellfire next to areas of Aziraphale's exposed skin. Which was a considerable amount considering that Aziraphale's shirt was ripped open, his vest, coat and beloved bowtie long gone. His shirt was torn to pieces. Aziraphale screamed as much as his voice would let him. Sandalphon finally stopped and put the Hellfire back in the bag it came from.

"How about now mighty angel? Are you ready to obey?" Sandalphon asked.

Aziraphale didn't answer. His head hung down on his chest.

"I will break you soon. Don't you worry." Sandalphon threatened.

Sandalphon left the room again, but Aziraphale knew it was only a matter of time before he came back. He closed his eyes and tried to focus. He saw no way of getting out of this. He thought of the bookshop. The smell of the books the feel of the covers. The taste of hot cocoa. His thoughts soon turned to Crowley. The smell of his cologne, the feel of his hand against his when they danced. Dinners at the Ritz. He thought of the kiss again. Crowley's lips desperately pressed against his. His arms wrapped around Crowley longing to hold on and not let go. He wanted to be with Crowley. Safe and loved, away from this torture. He kept thinking of Crowley trying to manifest himself to be with him. Blessed ropes or not, if he concentrated hard enough he might be able to send a message somehow to Crowley to see if he could help him.