Welcome To Hell

EP 5: Fear Is Only An Illusion

Episode 5

Camilla's POV

A spark of hope ignited in my chest.

Is this the loophole my imaginary friend had told me about?

Sam Likely moved through the crowd, slowly making his way to the stage. He climbed, no, that’s not right, he floated up the stairs, then joined me, standing proudly by my side.

"Let's hear it for Sam Likely," the announcer shouted, and the audience cheered in approval. "Now, let us see who will be chosen from this field of five."

The voting began, and soon enough, they narrowed it to just two choices: Vassago and Sam.

In a landslide victory, Vassago was selected as the winner. I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that Sam was not chosen.

"Do not lose faith . . . or hope," Sam whispered, hugged me, and then walked off stage. Or, more precisely, floated down the steps.

I turned to Vassago expectantly. "Don't get any ideas, big guy."

He bowed his head next to my ear, then said with a chuckle, "Welcome to Hell."

My blood ran cold, and I knew this was only the beginning.

The Darkest Depths of Hell were calling me . . . and there was no turning back—not now.

"If you'll follow me," said the announcer. "I'll show you both to your assigned quarters."

With a sinking feeling, I followed the announcer, Vassago, and a few other people—or demons from the way they looked, down a narrow hallway lined with cameras that watched our every move.

"Are you scared, little human?" Vassago asked.

"Why? Should I be?" I had no idea what lay ahead of me in the darkest depths of Hell—but I was determined to find out.

Once again, my grandfather's words came to mind: never show fear—for fear is only an illusion.

No matter how challenging or terrifying it may be. This was my journey now . . . and I would face it head-on, with courage and strength. With hope in my heart and faith in my soul.

I will push past any obstacle that stands in my way until I find a way out of Hell. And then, perhaps one day, I can be free again.

"You are silent," Vassago's steely gaze followed my every move, making me wonder if he saw me more as prey than a prospective mate. The thought left an uneasy feeling in the pit of my belly.

"I have nothing more to say," I said calmly, then moved past him into the common house, hoping to avoid a drawn-out conversation.

Occupying what they coined the common room was akin to living in a house run by the Earthly reality show Big Brother, only on steroids.

I was sure all eyes were on us now. But I wouldn't back down. Not here, not ever. No matter what horrors awaited me in the darkest depths of Hell, I would never stop searching for a path to freedom. Never. And that was exactly what I planned to do, or I'd die trying.

"What do you think?" asked the announcer with a glint of mischief in his eyes, making me wonder what the f**k he was up to now.

"Well, it's not home if that's what you're asking." I shrugged my shoulders. "And since I can't leave, I guess we'll see what happens," I said with a sly smile and then looked a the two doors in front of me. "Which one is my room?"

"Both. One is a bedroom and the other an intimate living area." The announcer grinned. "You'll be living together, at least until the Find Your Mate show draws to an end."

"And, uhm, what are the house rules?" I asked, knowing full well I'd more than likely not like the response.

"There are no rules." A wolfish grin spread across Vassago's face.

"What?"

"Well . . ." Vassago winked at me. "Except you can't leave."

"If you think I'm staying in there with him," I pointed at Vassago, "then you have another think coming on."

"Then are you pulling out of the games?" the announcer asked.

A camera mounted onto a mini drone buzzed around me, filming different angles.

"I'm—"

Vassago placed two clawed fingers against my lips, silencing me. "Little human, choose your next words carefully, especially since it seems you do not know the rules of engagement."

"Fine." I glared at the looming demon, then turned to the announcer. "Is there something further I should know about my, uhm, stay?"

"No. Not really." The announcer grinned. "Other than you must stay in the house for the duration of the show and refrain from leaving at any time. That's about it."

"And if I step foot outside of the common area or leave at any time, what happens?"

"Simple. Your life's forfeit." The announcer seemed rather pleased with himself. "So, what will it be? Will you stay or leave?"

"I'm staying." I nodded my head and shook off a chill that had suddenly descended upon me. I'd have to accept this fate until I could figure out how to escape—or worse, get trapped here forever.

Inhaling sharply, I stepped into my new home with Vassago by my side . . . knowing full well there was no turning back now. We were both on our own Darkest Depths of Hell journey.

The cameras were already rolling, capturing every look, expression, and word spoken.

Vassago, being the demon ass he was, didn't hesitate to make himself comfortable. He settled right into our new living arrangement.

My heart rate shot up as I realized what this meant. This meant I'd spend a lot more time with the demon Vassago than I had initially anticipated—and that scared the s**t out of me more than anything else. Not because he was a demon, but because I would be alone in close quarters with him, and there were no rules or regulations governing our behavior here. Or, more importantly, his behavior.

I swallowed hard and asked myself: Do you want to survive? Or do you want to get the f**k out of here?

The answer was clear: both, because merely surviving wasn't living. And so my journey in the darkest depths of Hell had begun. I had chosen my fate. Well, more like the viewers of Hell had, leaving me to find my own way out of this predicament.

First things first, I needed to survive Vassago's company—and the cameras that were always watching my every move. All while being stuck in a place where there was no escape.

Welcome to the Darkest Depths of Hell, where love is the ultimate gamble.

* * *

That night, swallowed by the darkness of a strange room, all kinds of unfamiliar sounds reverberated, screeched, and creaked. I felt as if I was going crazy.

The sensation of the bed mattress shifting and the bedding moving sent my senses on heightened alert.

Something slid over my sheet-covered leg, and for a moment, I was frozen in place by fear. Seconds later, the movement happened again, and this time, it slithered over my legs and onto my stomach, heading toward my face.

A scream ripped free of my lips.

Vassago barged into the room, dressed in nothing but a loin cloth that barely covered his lower body. He held a glowing staff in his hand that illuminated my bed, giving me an up-close view of a slithering snake.

"f**k. f**k. Fuck." My body shook. "Snakes. I hate f*****g snakes."

His hands were clasped together, and he held the glowing staff straight out before him. "Taste my wrath," he bellowed.

"Get it off me." I thrashed in the covers. "Get this fuckin' thing off."

Vassago lunged forward, snatched the snake off my body, and held the slithering reptile in his oversized hand. He then stepped back and turned his attention to me.

"It won't happen again," he said in a solemn tone. "I'm here now."

My eyes widened as I absorbed what he had said and done. I realized that, despite being a demon, Vassago had just saved me from an attack by another creature of Hell—a sign that maybe there was more to him than meets the eye.

In any case, I was thankful for his presence and protection . . . even if it meant facing my fears head-on. But now, I wondered what he'd expect in return.