Welcome To Hell

EP 7: Naked and Afraid

Episode 7

Camilla

Hell. The thought hit me. I'm in fuckin' hell.

Sitting on the toilet, my over-full bladder thanked me with an explosive rush of urine.

Damn. I never thought it'd feel so good to pee.

A content sigh left my lips. Once finished, I wash, then dry my hands.

Taking in the bathroom, I'm floored. It's huge, as in, I could almost fit my whole little apartment inside it. Not only that, but there was a closet full of clothing all in my size.

"You okay in there?" Vassago's voice boomed from the other side of the door.

"Uhm, yeah." The left side of the walk-in closet contained nothing but dresses and pantsuits. And the opposite wall had a double rack of clothing: tops and pants.

Shelving lined the back wall, and the cubbies contained shorts, tees, and sweaters.

Why would I need sweaters in hell? Does it get cold? Hmm, maybe hell really does freeze over.

Laughter erupted from my lips. "Did you know there were clothes in here?"

"But of course," he replied. "How else would you dress." A pause lingered between us. "Would you like to freshen up, then grab an early morning meal?"

"Meal? Wait." Confusion kicked in, or maybe it was a lack of sleep. "Isn't it nighttime?"

"No. It's early. By your earth time, it's five in the morning."

"Oh, uhm, okay. Sure." My gaze flicked to the large marble tub carved out of the bedrock. "What will you do?"

"I will wait for you as I said I would." Once again, his voice boomed. "Take your time. We're not needed at this hour."

A quick shower sounded good, as well as a fresh change of clothing. I still had my work clothing on for what felt like more than twenty-four hours. Plus, it didn't help that I had worn the items for two days because I wanted to save what few quarters I had for laundry to wash and dry my bedding. But now, all that seemed trivial.

My thoughts drifted to Vassago. Would he still be here when I was out?

I showered quickly, then dried off with a soft cotton towel, then went in search of something to wear that didn't look too revealing in the closet.

An odd sound, almost a clicking, sounded behind me. "Vassago? What are you--"

When I spun around, dark-as-midnight eyes met mine, and a yelp left my lips.

"Did you call me, little human?" he asked from the other side of the door.

A floating bubble of a sphere sucked me inside of it. I opened my mouth to scream, but I couldn't even hear my own screams for help.

My legs felt heavy but light at the same time. A tingling sensation hit my fingers, and then a swirling vortex replaced the closet.

What the f**k? What now?

Loud banging boomed in my ears, and the door to the bathroom swung open. Looming in the doorway, Vassago's bulky body occupied the doorframe.

"Demona, of the Highcloud clan," shouted Vassago. "Release my mate." He ran headlong into the swirling vortex after me.

The demon he called Demona just grinned, then darkness swallowed me, bubble and all.

With a heavy thud, my body hit the ground, or, at least, I hoped it was the ground, and I groaned.

A loud snap, like a branch being stepped on, echoed in my ears.

"Vassago?" Fear filled me, and I scrambled to my feet.

Dark shadows loomed on all sides, and the air reeked of death.

"Hello? What's going on?" I asked.

Overhead, wings flapped. Head tipped back, I gazed into a familiar set of eyes, Vassago's. The only difference he was flying.

"You have wings," I stated the obvious.

Not just any kind of wings, he had giant wings with silver feathers and sharp talons.

"Where . . . wh-where are we?"

"In the Darklands," he answered, his menacing voice reverberating off the rocky walls. "Demona has brought you here."

"What? Why?"

"To destroy you." His eyes roamed over my body, and it took a few seconds to register that I was naked--butt-naked--as naked as the day I was born.

My heart pounded, and my body trembled. I was in an unfamiliar place with a powerful demon, completely exposed.

"Me?" My stomach clenched, and I almost threw up. "Why? What did I do?"

"You garnered my interest as well as that of my brothers."

"Oh." Instinctively, I covered my breasts with an arm, then with my other, I shielded my shaved privates from his view.

"f**k," the word left my lips in a whisper. "It's cold." A shiver hit my spine, making me shake. "Cold and I'm naked."

Laughter escaped his throat. "Yes, you are naked, but you need not fear me." His wings unfolded and fully extended behind him. "Come, let us move away from here before Demona returns."

Vassago scooped me up into his arms like I weighed nothing. His powerful wings flapped furiously as he flew away from the Darklands, back to where I hoped I'd find safety and some clothes.

Naked, I clung tightly to Vassago, refusing to let go until I felt secure enough that no one could harm me. I was out of my comfort zone, exposed and vulnerable, but with Vassago, oddly, somehow, I felt safe.

The Darklands were a scary place. I had been naked and afraid in a dangerous area of Hell--but it didn't compare to the feeling of being held protectively in Vassago's arms as he flew me away from danger. No matter how dark or cold the situation seemed, his strong embrace kept me warm and made me feel safe.

A shiver raced through my body at the thought that I'd never have to be taken by surprise again--not as long as Vassago was around.

My sense of security vanished when we arrived back where we started. "We're here," he said in a gruff voice.

He set me down, and I looked around with trepidation, my heart pounding.

Vassago grabbed my arm and smiled. Dark eyes sparkled in the light of the full moon above us.

"Where are we?" I asked. "Where did you take me?" It looked like a cave.

"Do not fear," he whispered, his strong arms wrapping around me like a cocoon. "I am here to protect you."

A chill ran down my spine, and I finally found the courage to ask the question that had been on my mind. "From what?"

Vassago's eyes softened as he looked into mine. "From those in the Darklands of Hell who mean you harm," he said simply.

I exhaled a deep breath, grateful for his protection, and nodded in understanding. But it didn't stop me from worrying. It seemed people, no, demons and snakes and whatever Demona was, wanted to hurt me.

"You are safe now," Vassago said firmly as he released me from his arms. He stepped away, but not too far away--close enough that I still felt secure.

He moved around the cave, going from one place to another as if looking for something. Then, he returned with a long piece of silk.

"Here." He handed it to me. "You may use this to cover your body."

Gazing up at him, I silently thanked him for rescuing me from the Darklands and for being there when I needed him most--naked and afraid in the depths of Hell.

Once again, because of Vassago, I was safe.

But for how long?