Chapter 1: Welcome to Hell

A blue chain suddenly appeared around my neck, yanking me forward, I fell to the floor with a thud, on my hands and knees in front of the man who owned my soul.

I looked up to see Vox smirking down at me. How did I get here?

Approximately 70 years ago...

"Anthony, you really did it this time. They're not sure you're going to pull through, but you have to. You're the only friend I have, the only person in my life I actually care about. What am I going to do without you?"

I brushed a rogue strand of hair from his face. He had his problems, some serious ones, like the drug addition that landed him comatose in this hospital bed, but he was a good guy, a good friend.

"I have to go now, my family wants to see me, probably to tell me yet again how disappointed they are with me. I'll see you later... love you."

I left the hospital and drove to my families manor. God, I hate this place.

Slamming my car door closed, I walk into the manor and down the hall into the main lounge. My mother was perched on the armchair, and my father was standing by the fireplace looking over some paperwork. My obnoxious, perfect brother was lounging on the chaise sofa, reading some piece of classic literature.

"Lexi, darling, thank you for coming today. We wanted to discuss some things with you." My mother announced the second she saw me enter the room.

"Another speech about how I'm letting this family down?"

"No dear." My father replied. "You have so much potential, but we've accepted the fact that you have chosen to waste that and not help your family. Of course, your brother will have to pick up the slack, but he is more than capable. We just wanted to tell you that as of this moment, you are free to do as you wish. But don't expect anything from us. You will no longer have access to the family finances. You don't want to be part of this family; consider yourself free from us."

"Really? Just like that, you're done trying to change me? Trying to use me?"

"Just like that." My brother chimed. "You're done. Bye sis."

I scoffed. I couldn't believe it. This is what I wanted, but of course, just like everything my family had to ruin it. "Alright. Goodbye."

They all went back to what they were doing, the conversation was over, and they never gave a damn about me in the first place. Luckily, I already had my own apartment, so I at least wasn't going to be out on the street now that I was cut off. I got into my car, buckled up, and let out a sigh. "I'm free."

I started up the car and decided to head to the hospital. I just wanted to be with Anthony, I should be there as much as possible, just in case this was it.

I drove down the long driveway from the house that led straight out onto the little road that wound its way back to the main road to get me to the hospital. It had a few twists and turns but nothing you really needed to slow down for, not until the final bend before it joined the main road. I always sped down this road, i was so used to driving it, I always wenttooo fast, and it was never a problem until today.

As I approached the bad bend, I started easing on the breaks, with no result. I pressed harder, nothing. Shit!

There was no way I was going to make this bend at this speed. I was just going to have to minimise how badly I was going to crash. I tried taking the corner, and I knew I was going to go over the edge and crash into the woods, I was just hoping I could avoid crashing into a tree for as long as possible. I missed seeing the fallen tree. The car went up on it and nicked another tree, throwing me to the side, and the car started to tip. Over it went, and I began rolling into the woods. Despite the chaos, I managed to engage a shield charm before slamming to a halt, as the middle of the car smacked into a large, sturdy tree.

"Urgh.." I slowly moved my arms, which way was up. I unbuckled the seat belt and tried to open the door. It wouldn't budge. I banged against it again. No luck. Wriggling around, I tried the passenger door, it creaked open, and I crawled out of the car.

Damn. I was lucky to survive that uninjured. I straightened myself up.

Blam!

Darkness.

Dull light.

"Welcome to hell."

"Excuse me?" I turned around looking for who had spoken and spotted a weird looking... creature... sitting behind a desk in a dimly lit, shitty little room.

"Welcome to hell. You're dead."

"I'm – "

"Dead. And now you're in hell. Welcome. Now get out of here."

"But –"

"This is hell. There is no welcome package, no further explanations. Good fucking luck. You'll need it." He said, pointing to a door behind me.

I considered protesting but knew there was no point. I left the room, and entered a long hallway with a large door at the end, other confused creatures were leaving other rooms and entering the hallway, looking around and slowly walking towards the large door at the end. They must have been other people who had just arrived in hell. Lost and confused like me. But why did they look so strange?

Leaving the building, I stepped out onto a busy street in what looked like a large city. This is not what I pictured hell to be. I looked around and spotted my reflection in a window... I got it now, everyone's soul looked weird in hell.

A white and pink fox like creature was staring back at me. I brought my hands to my face, feeling my fur, my muzzle and my large ears. I was now my family name... there is no escape.