Alone

Chapter 10

That breakthrough was a good thing for me, but since the entrance to hell never stopped moving, it was a b***h to find. Ever since he had told me about the dagger, Luca hadn't slept, and he looked like s**t.

"Maybe a child of hell could summon it?" Luca asked for like the 50th time. 

"You said Damien changed that after I escaped."

"I know. I know." He was definitely pissed at me.

Harper chimed in, "What Lunar cycles, or solar cycles?" She was always the smart one.

"No, we don't have enough data for that."

"Damn it!" Luca punched the wall, leaving a huge, fist sized hole in it.

"Lukey, you need to chill."

"Why? So we can sit around waiting for him to come kill us? You don't even know what lives you are putting in danger. Damien doesn't care. You know that. Why do you think he slaughtered your family?"

"No, you need to calm down so we can figure it out sooner. Now. Sit. Down."

He begrudgingly complied. Sucks when your younger siblings are stronger doesn't it?

"You are just like him. And once you kill him, you'll become him." 

I inhaled sharply, "Go to hell."

"Well, we're trying, aren't we?"

"Whatever. I need some air." Harper gave me a grim smile.

When I was out there, I couldn't help thinking. About life, about the people I've hurt, about the people I could hurt, about how much I didn't want to go to hell, but also about how much I needed to kill Damien.

The ground started to shake. It was like an earthquake. Until the ground split. Usually with earthquakes, that's relatively normal, except the fact that the split isn't technically a geometrically perfect circle. It was a bottomless pit, or more specifically a portal.

I ran inside. "It works, but how the f**k is that possible?" 

"How what?"

"How am I able to summon a f*****g portal?" He jumped up.

"It actually works?" 

"The person that has been suggesting opening a portal like that for the past three days is surprised? But yeah. It f*****g works. Why?" This was weird.

"Well, we need to leave now." Definitely weird.

"Something seems off. We shouldn't go until we know more. It could be a trap."

His face contorted into anger, "WE HAVE TO LEAVE NOW! WE CAN'T WASTE ANYMORE TIME! SHE-," he stopped. "Damien could be preparing this very moment. We can't afford to lose time. He's most likely waiting for us down there with an army that not even you and I can fight off. The longer we wait, the bigger an army he will amass. You know that."

"Okay, rest up. I can't murder bat-s**t crazy, homicidal egomaniacs on no sleep. We leave tomorrow."

"Okay," chorused Harper and Liv.

"You two aren't coming."

Harper put her hand on her hip, "And why not?"

"Mortals can't go to hell without dying. Even if you went through the portal, there's no guarantee you would survive. If you were supernatural you might have a chance. Fortunately for me you aren't. I can't lose any more people. I'm sorry. I can't let you go."

They smiled sadly, "Oh, and, Luca," he turned, "please take a shower. You smell horrid."

*****the next morning*****

 Liv had packed for us. Liam had come by to see me again, I had kicked him out a few days ago. Seth came too. He wouldn't stop trying to cozy up to Harper, so I gave him a lovely black eye to match all of his other me-inflicted wounds. I hadn't been in contact with Kaleb. I only called him when absolutely necessary. 

"You ready?"

Luca shook his head. We were doing this in the living room, the portal would close up after we went through. Hopefully, not swallowing up any furniture. I would never forgive myself if I hurt my beautiful tv. 

I gulped. I let the memories flood in. I imagined hell, how much I hated it, but also how imperative it was that we get there. How it was the home of my worst memories, but how I would soon be the home of one of the best. The death of my father.

How he would beg for his life as I dragged the dagger down his chest. How he would gasp for his last breath, my face being the last he ever saw. And my laughter would echo through the chamber, just like his did when I found my mother's cold, limp body. Exactly how much he would pay. I would take his honor, his respect, his kingdom, and most importantly, his life.

The ground cracked open, and a gasp came from across the room. I can be weird, truly seeing something divine for the first time. I didn't bother turning around. I didn't need any extra distractions.

Luca looked at me. Sad, but determined. "Ladies first."

I jumped in. All I felt was fear, but it wasn't mine. I heard my mother's screams, I felt her pain. Then Damien's maniacal laughter. It's what hell was designed to do. Punish. And it was his job to oversee every bit of the punishing. 

I hit the ground with a loud thump, and felt a blast of heat. I looked into the fiery otherworld. My old home. The place that once made me happy, but now is the source of all my regret. I waited for Luca to come through.

I brushed myself off, and breathed in the air. It smelled like home. Or at least what used to be. 

So, I'm finally back. 

Home, sweet hell.