HellScape

Everything felt so numb. I struggled back against the darkness. Why don’t you give up? Asked the small voice in the back of my head. Because-I thought. Because I have friends I can’t just leave…and I have to murder Alex for not listening to me…and…yea. Murdering Alex defiantly topped my list at the moment.

“She should be okay, she’s just sleeping.” said a female voice from somewhere above me.

No. I’m not okay. The darkness threatens to crush me again, but I put all my force into pushing it back.

“Well okay…” a voice responds. I would know that voice almost anywhere. That jerk, demon, whatever, Alex. A dull light peaks through the darkness, and a pull myself toward the tiny light. Feeling the darkness slowly fall away.

I open my eyes slowly, scanning the room. I was laying in what felt like a normal bed, dark walls with dimmed lights, large windows with the shades pulled down. I wince slightly as I take in a deep breath and roll onto my side.

“Your awake.” Alex says sounding relieved as he sits at the foot of my bed. Yea…so maybe murdering him would have to wait…

“Were am I?” I ask trying to sit up.

“Your in Hellscape.” he answers. I give him a disbelieving look.

“Why does that sound like a video game to me?” I ask glaring at him. I smile spreads across his face.

“I can assure you that Hellscape isn’t a video game.” he tells me. I take a deep breath before throwing the covers off me and sliding me feet onto the floor.

“Where’s this ‘friend’ of yours I’m meeting?” I ask as I stand up and walk for the door.

“I wouldn’t do that…” he says as he gets up to stand next to me.

“Why…?” I ask as I open the door.

“Serenity!” a girl yells as she flings her arms around me and hugs me. My eyes widen, on the freak out level this was diffidently an eight.

“Er..hello…” I mumble, unsure of what to say.

“Oh! Where are my manners? My name is Destiny.” she pulls away from me and look me in the eye.

“Long time no see, I’ve been waiting so long to see you again.” Destiny tells me brightly. I look at her then back to Alex, who is just watching my reaction. I turn back to Destiny to see her towing a tall guy behind her.

“She’s back! Go say hi.” she giggles to him.

The guy smiles at me and hugs me, and I feel Alex stiffen behind me.

“It’s nice to see you again Serenity.” he tells me as he’s being pulled back by Destiny.

“This is Damien.” she tells me happily.

“Is she really here?” I hear someone yell from behind Damien and Destiny. I sigh mentally. What the hell is going on here?

Another guy runs in with a white coat on, ready to attack me with a hug. My eyes widen as Alex wraps his arm around my waist and pulls my closer to him so the guy in white runs past and slams into the bed.

“Your so cruel Asklepiades.” the white guy mumbles sadly as he gets up and walks over to me.

Destiny and Damien move in front of me glaring at him. What’s going on…?

“Okay, okay, I give. I’ll leave her alone.” the guy in white grumbles as he s-l-o-w-l-y drags his feet toward the door.

“Oh. And my name is Dr. White, by the way.” he says before Destiny slams the door on his puppy dog face. Dr. White? Did anyone else find irony in that?

Destiny, Damien and Alex look at me expectingly. I can only imagine what the see. A girl in pjs, hair a mess and looks like she was just told the world is run by robots.

Alex coughs quietly. I look at him then at everyone else.

“What the hell is going on here?” I ask.

Destiny looks at Alex before taking a big breath.

“Okay. So your in Hellscape. It’s…just above hell, there are 6 stages of Hellscape, Safe zone, Unsafe zone, Insane, Sane, Upper and Lower. Safe is where we are now. Safe is where all the demons are okay with coexisting with humans, like Dr. White. Unsafe is where demons kill humans. Insane is for the mentally insane demons, of just the demons that feed off insanity and mental thought. Sane is where the demons are sane and work with other demons, that’s where Damien and I are from. Higher is for the top classes and the most powerful demons are from, like Asklepiades. There are others, but those are the main ones. As for what you are, you are a Healer, a healer is someone that takes others pain and gives them the feelings that they need. Like taking away others fear and giving them courage. Explains why your scared of ‘haunted houses, huh?” Destiny giggles, mostly just giving me time to take everything in. I move to sit on the bed before I pass out from overload.

“What about these angels? And everything?” I ask in a whisper.

“These ‘angels’ as you call them are taking away people ability to live freely. They’re taking peoples emotions, but unlike you, they are slowly completely draining them, until there’s nothing left, humans can’t walk away from an angel, having an angel take your emotions is highly addicting.” she says angrily. I sigh quietly. Time to change the subject before I explode.

“Alex why are you on such bad terms with Dr. White?” I ask, turning towards him. He looks at me before the color drains from his face while Destiny and Damien both laugh.

“‘Alex’ as you call him, doesn’t like Dr. White, because he’s a powerful demon and for a lesser demon to get a look at his cell structure is like being welcomed into heaven.” Damien snickers at the look Alex gave him.

“I see, and why do you guys know me…?” I ask slightly confused.

“We know you because a century ago, we were having this same war against the angels, and the Healer showed up helping us win the war and put those parasites back in there place.” Alex answers this time.

“So…we’re all like old friends?” I ask trying to piece everything together.

“You know it.” Destiny giggles. She looks me over for the fist time and frowns at what I’m wearing.

“What?” I ask, looking down at what I’m wearing. And my eyes widen and I blush. I was only wearing a bra and short shorts in front of two guys?

“You jerk!” I shriek. As I push Alex of the bed and throwing a pillow at Damien.

“Creeps! Cover your eyes and get out!” I yell at them as I push the wobbly Alex and Damien out the door before slamming the door shut and locking it. Destiny giggles.

“It’s only because your not wearing demon clothes on the outside. I guess your bra and shorts are made by demons.” she explains as she opens a closet and looks through the clothes. I relaxes slightly at the thought, only the have my blush darken. How did I not notice? Stupid. Stupid. Stup-

“Here we are! You can wear this.” Destiny shoves clothes into my arms and turns to face the wall. I look at what I’m holding and sigh. I pull the white dress over my head and tie the back into a simple bow. I ruffle my hair so the blond waves cover my shoulders. Destiny turns and looks at me.

“Oh my-” she trails off.

“Yea, I know I loom dumb.” I grumble looking at my feet.

“No way! White is your color! It look nice with your blond hair and blue eyes. We have to show Asklep- I mean Alex!” she yells excitedly as she opens the doors and pulls me out with her. I frown as I’m dragged out, scanning the room and only finding Alex. Destiny pulls up short.

“Where’s Damien?” she asks slightly worried, letting go of my hand.

“He said that as soon as your done playing dress up he’s going to need your help…disposing.” Alex drawls out the last word looking between her and me.

“Alex stay here and make sure Serenity stays safe.” she commands before running out yelling a good bye.

“Well…would you like a tour?” Alex asks as he steps away from the wall.

“Ah…sure…” I answer slightly confused on what happened to Damien and Destiny. I start to follow after Alex till I freeze mid-step.

“What are those…?” I ask pointing at two balls of fur that were laying under my dress.

“My familiars.” he answers simply.

“You told me they were lynxes.” I say glaring at him.

“They are, but it take way to much power to keep them like that.” he says smiling back at me. I relax slightly as the balls of fur unroll themselves and stretch. Two sandy colored kittens turn to look at me meowing.

“Aw there-wait. If they’re your familiars, can’t you see through there eyes.” I ask my eyes narrowing.

“I…well…sometimes…” he mumbles before looking away from my face. I feel my cheeks start to burn.

“You jerk!” I scream at him before picking up the hem of my dress and running past him.

“Wait Serenity!” he yells after me. I ignore him and round the corner. I flatten myself against an oak door. Slowly turning the handle I slip into the room and quietly close the door behind me.

“Welcome back princess.” a voice from behind me says, I nearly jump out of my skin in surprise and turn to find that I found the library. My eyes land on the guy standing before me with long black hair, red eyes, collared white shirt, buttoned halfway, and black pants. My eyes widen, he was beautiful.

“Er…ah…I’m…” I stammer, trying to find my voice again. The stranger laughs quietly, the sound of the most sweet melody. I shake my head to clear my thoughts.

“I mean, I’m Serenity.” I say, trying not to sound breathless.

“I know, princess, and I’m Vincent.” he says as he takes my hand and kisses it gently. I blush brightly, okay, so I really like this guy. I jump as the door behind my slams open into the wall. Vincent let’s go of my hand and looks at the intruder. Pulling me close and wrapping his arms around my waist. My eyes wide, as I stare at his chest.

“Let her go.” Alex growls form behind me. Vincent chuckles quietly and lightly tangles his hands in my hair.

“But she just go here.” he answers easily, not at all fazed.

“October. So help me…let her go.” Alex hisses. October? I thought he was Vincent. I sigh quietly time to intervene before they start a fight or something. I cough quietly and pull away from Vincent.

“Alex calm down, I’m fine see?” I do a small twirl in front of him so he can look me over. His features relax slightly, but not enough to make me feel better. I lightly touch his hand, closing my eyes. As I open them again he’s surrounded by colors of emotions, reds, blues, greens, mostly reds for his anger. I stare at the red color until it turns to a gentle pink. I smile with delight as I see him relax completely. I pull my hand away and look at Vincent.

“I’m sorry for barging in.” I apologize with and angelic smile.

“Don’t worry about it princess, you can visit anytime.” he says with a smile showing his teeth. My eyes widen slightly in shock. He had fangs.

“Yea…well, let’s go Alex.” I mumble as I turn on my heal and walk out. I guess there is more to people then meets the eye…