"I know this is a awkward time to tell you this but I just realized I never properly introduced myself.
The name is Able, Able Henry.
You have a name too I suppose".
"Of course I do silly. It's Amelie, Amelie Triana."
"Oh my that's a beautiful name.
It's one of those ethnic names isn't it?"
"It's Spanish, my father was from Spain if you must know".
"What of your mother? She must have been quite the lady herself."
"I'd imagine so, I never knew her, she was said to be very beautiful.
She was from Burundi believe.
No doubt she was considered a outcast with her French ancestry, she was a mixed race so I'm sure she left because of that.
Last I heard she left for Belgium where she met my father and then somehow I ended up abandoned on the east coast of America.
Once I arrived there I never heard from my family again".
"Great history but very sad.
You ever think of your parents?
You ever think you'll all get together and you're paths we'll meet one day?"
"Sometimes but then again I'm 25 years old, if they wanted to meet me it think they would've done that by now so there's really no use hoping for that anymore".
"Yeah I see your point.
You know it's really not so dark in here just stale and kind of spooky.
My goodness it sure is chilly in here. You know you might be right, I don't think this is hell, if it was it be a hell of a lot warmer in my here.
Seriously who ever lives here could you ask them to turn up the heat?"
Able laughed a little too loudly for her comfort but then she remembered she was supposed to be leading him in the wrong direction on purpose.
Somehow she naturally knew which corridors to take, she seemed to know every twist and turn by heart and she knew exactly where she was and exactly where she was heading.
All the while she heard a voice overlap her own thoughts
You have done well. You are so close. One more step and you'll be there.
Be prepared for the performance of a lifetime.
Perform well for me little angel and I'll give you wings to go with that sad halo of yours.
The fog grew thicker, higher and higher like vines curling around weeds and it proceeded to engulf every inch around them.
Amelie gasped and nearly lost her footing for she saw the familiar but still terrifying figure of her employer materialize from the fog.
Able nearly jumped in front of her to shield her from harm but Pinhead waved his hand gallantly with a smack and that smack slammed Able's head brutally into the unforgiving stone floor several feet away.
Thankfully Able had a very hard head and the force of the blow merely just knocked the wind out of him despite there being a river of blood that was streaming down his forehead and flowing steadily down the rest of his face, that slowly dripped past his chin onto the floor.
He quickly steadied himself onto his feet so he could come to her rescue but he just wasn't fast enough, he could see the monstrous man throttle her throat and he saw her slip lifelessly towards the floor only to have her captor catch her and slowly he proceeded to carry her away.
Able was quite dizzy now from the blow to the head but he ran to her aid, He was at this point willing to do anything to save her, He was willing to die for her if need be.
"No Please take me instead".
Able growled obviously out of breath.
" Why would I take you? What do you have to offer me?"
Able looked at him in bewildered horror for he hadn't expected the monster to have enough intelligence to answer him.
"I'm not sure what I have to offer you sir but I reckon I can prove to be useful to you in someway".
"Yes you're right, Indeed You can and you will be... useful to me".
Pinhead made a quick mystic gesture and with that dozens of hooks from various directions dug deep into his flesh.
His screams summoned the whole horde of hellhounds to his side and they eagerly and hungrily awaited their master's command to attack.
"This is another fine example of how temptation is a mere illusion.
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting yet clearly this truth escapes you".
Amelie was then placed gently back on her feet but she used one of his massive shoulders to steady herself making it very obvious to Able that she had no fear of him whatsoever.
Her employer commanded the chains by pure brain power to be released from his skin so he nearly fell face first onto the stone floor yet again.
"Wait? What are you talking about?
Amelie what is he talking about?"
Able accusingly pleaded with Amelie.
Amelie didn't answer him.
"You are a fool. Do you think it was a mere coincidence that she knew all that history about the box? How about the time she appeared out of nowhere in the parking lot? Do you think that she just came at just the right time on accident?
Then she encouraged you to come here because of her innocent face, kind words and charm you eagerly followed her without question.
She said she was innocent and you believed her."
"NO! You're lying! Amelie please tell me that he's lying?! That can't be true! Tell me it isn't true Amelie.
Amelie answer me please!"
"You may answer him".
Her employer serenely looked over at her with peaceful approval.
"I wish I didn't have to answer you but it appears that I must.
Yes, what he says is true and no he's not lying. He speaks the truth. I deceived you."
"Wait what? Are you crazy? He's a monster! Oh I get it you must be enchanted or something. He has some sick control over you. He's making you do this isn't he? Just say it. Blink twice, nod once, anything, just give me a sign that you're still in there".
" I'm afraid Able, I came to him out of my own free will.
I willingly gave my service to him.
No one made me do this, I chose to do this.
I'm not being controlled, I'm not being manipulated, I did this on my own Accord.
I'm not a puppet on somebody else's strings.
I made a deal with him, I made a bargain and the price just happens to be your soul.
You are merely a casualty within this partnership that I've made with him.
He is my employer and if I wish to be unemployed I can do so.
I wasn't taken in by trickery. I wasn't deceived. I didn't sign a contract.
Nobody forced me to do any of this, This is all me baby.
I'm my own person and nobody can take that away from me."
" Why? Why would you do that? I was nice to you, I was kind So why would you do this to me?"
"Your soul was ripe for the harvest that's why.
Betrayal bites doesn't it?
Oh how much sweeter your suffering will be with that bitter taste of betrayal still on your lips."
"Can't you stop him? You work for him don't you? Can't you convince him to let me go?"
"No she cannot. There are consequences for even her if she is ever to interfere with the suffering of others that come here.
You already offered up your soul in exchange for her own, You said take me instead and so I'll hold you to your promise".
"NO! That wasn't a promise, I wanted to save her. I thought she was in danger, I was sacrificing myself for her. That's what a gentleman does."
"Oh chivalry is not dead I see.
How pathetic. Do you want me to congratulate you on your bravery and courage?
Do you want a round of applause for your efforts of striving to be the hero of this story?
Am I supposed to admire your selfless act of heroism?
I can assure you, that you are not selfless.
You are a selfish as any other man.
You came here, you followed her down to the very depths of hell just to satisfy your manhood.
You wanted her to see you as a hero because if she saw you as a hero, she would love you.
You wanted her to love you, fall for you, Adore you, worship you.
Did you think ever to ask how she felt about you or is that beyond your emotional capabilities? You make me sick. You disgust me. Even the parts that are soft and genuine, absolutely appall me.
Amelie I would advise you to take Lustere and bring him with you to your room."
Amelie wanted to obey she was quite puzzled because she was not aware that she had a room of her own.
" I thought you wanted me to stay. you know to watch and observe."
"That will not be necessary. You may go and in case you don't know where your room is Lustere knows the way.
Lustere knows many things, If you follow him he will lead you to it, now go".
" What happened to you showing me how it was done?
I mean seriously, you told me I could observe and watch and by doing so that would answer some of my questions."
"Yes I did say something along those lines but now that we come to it I do not think you are ready to witness such a act.
You look tired, go now and rest".
He drew a finger over her skin as if pointing to the tired lines under her eyes and he slid his finger down her cheek and then he withdrew his hand once he reached her chin as if he had touched something too hot on a open stove.
"So You're saying you want me to go to sleep while a man is being brutally tortured by you out here?"
" Yes precisely. Do you have a problem with that?"
"Yeah I kind of do.
I'm going to be honest this just doesn't seem right."
He put his palm up, communicating to her to stop Talking.
"We can discuss this later, now is not the time.
All will be made clear to you but for now you must wait.
Suffering is a privilege here and to not suffer is a even greater one but do not question my actions. I have a purpose I assure you but right now you are far too emotional to comprehend my reasoning, that's why I'm asking you to go.
You are not well experienced in the art of suffering and torture, but you will learn and I will teach you the many splendors, wonders and pleasures of pain but for now you need to rest.
Do not argue with me.
I know what I'm doing and I told you not to interfere, You are very close to interfering right now.
So go before you prove to be a nuisance to me."
"Alright then. I'll leave I'm not going to be happy about it.
I do hope that you'll have a good exclamation for me after All of this is done and over with."
" I promise you I will, I will".
At that he smiled as if being amused by a secret joke.