Of Heaven and Hell (Chapter 7) Haunting Memories

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When sunrise had come and passed, it was nearly noon. I was wondering what I would do after I went back home. I was just about to get out of bed and take a quick shower, when I heard a knock on the door. I jumped up quickly and grabbed a robe, and as a precaution, in-tuned myself to the darkness in my apartment. I slowly opened the door, and who stood one the other side relieved my estranged mind. There stood Stephanie, one of my only mortal friends. She lived in the loft one floor down, and we became close friends quiet quickly, surprisingly even. She was a beautiful woman, with long brown hair that flowed like water down her back. She was about 5'6” tall, and had the body of a goddess.
“Don't look so bloody shocked.” She said with a sarcastic glare with her thick English accent.
“I am sorry, I was expecting someone else.”
“Someone else? I'm both shocked, and pissed,” she said with sarcasm.
“It is not like that, i was expecting... Nothing, what brings you up here?”
“Well, first I was just curious where you at, that was Tuesday. When you didn't show up for breakfast, I became worried, then after I saw you out and about yesterday at the bistro down the street with a trick, who I might add is hot as fuck, and now I'm fuckin' pissed!” She shouted as she punched me playfully. I rubbed it softly, I had completely forgotten how long I had been in my apartment. I quickly grabbed her and hugged her close, picking her up and swinging her around in circle. I just had to tell her everything that had happened, well, minus a few details. Yes, she knew I was a demon, but I did slip and call Dawn an angel, but I do not think she took me literally. I suppose the reason she took my existence so easily is the fact she is a strong medium. She is use to see my type almost anywhere, maybe that is why we became so close so quickly.

“He was extremely handsome, are you going to keep this one.” She asked quizzically, “I've never known you to stay with one more than one night, much less walk around downtown with a guy.”
“Yes, I know. He is special...”
“Must be,” she interrupted, “You've been held up in her for over a week. You missed breakfast Friday, you've never done that, I came up here and knocked, and didn't hear anything. You had me daftly scared.”
“I am sorry, I did not mean to miss Friday morning.”
“Awe, forget it, it's not everyday you see your best friend find someone that sexy.”
“It is not just that, I think...I think I...”
“You're shittin' me!” She yelled as she jumped off the couch. She put her hands over her mouth. “Dazen, the bloke that others consider a sexual predator, who never slept with the same person twice, and has...has a heart.” She began jumping up and down. “This is too rich, I freakin' speechless.”
“What, a spawn of the abyss, is not aloud to have a heart?”
“You...You!?” Her jaw dropped, I knew what she was going to say.
“I love him.” She fell back on to the couch, she was amazed.
“I never thought I hear those words from your mouth, Dazen. I'm so happy for you.” She leaned forward and hugged me close. “So, when do i get to meet him?”
“Soon, i hope, really soon.”
“Where is lover boy at any...” She stopped as she saw the look on my face. I was feeling an absences in me, I missed him.
“Well, anyway, what are you doing for the rest of today, busy?”
“To be honest, I have already made plans.”
“To do what, pray tell?”
“I have got to go home for a little while.” I said, I could not hide a quiver in my voice.
“Home? You mean? Why?!” She asked, undoubtedly worried.
“The is something I need to take care of. I promise I will be back.”
“Okay, but you bloody well better be. If not, I will have you arse as my new wallpaper.” She said both sternly and comically.
“Are you sure the Supervise will allow that, I thought he had something against blood and other human body fluids lying around the lofts?”
“If you don't come back, the super will be the least of you're cares!” She glared at me with a look I can only describe as a look of death. “Kisses!” She quickly smiled, and began to walk out.
“Kisses. Oh, by the way, if you see Little Rose, tell her I say take care.” She laughed gently and exited the room.

Rose was a little girl the lived in the building before it burned down about seven years ago. She passed over at the age of eight, yet, she has so much fun here now, she just does not want to leave. She is very mischievous, she leaves toys that she finds around the building. The tenants have seen her playing on the stairway, dressed in a red velvet dress, her brunette hair draped over hair shoulders. Every now and then you can hear laughing and running around the stairs and halls. But, there are times when the Building Supervisor does stupid things, like refuses to start the furnace during winter, or vice versa during the summer, broken plumbing, and pipes. Once, the front lobby door was broken right off its hinges, he ignored it. Little Rose had a tantrum, his suite, he said, felt as though it where on fire. His papers and forms would blacken, refrigerator would not stay cold, and even overheat. His personal air conditioner never worked, no matter how new of warranted it was. He was a bastard, and I i loved little Rose for her help. I bought her small toys, or even just talk to her on the stairway. Only Stephanie and i could really see her, but everyone in the building knew she was here. Our tiny buildings guardian.
One night, almost a year ago, two robbers broke into the building, and attacked a family on the second floor. They packed everything up and almost got away with it, but one of them saw the female tenant Emily. He grabbed her out of bed and tried to rape her. Little Rose was angered, and in a blaze of fire, both of the men were catapulted out of the apartment in flames. Since then, there has been a air of fear when it came to violence and neglect around the building.

I finished washing and preparations for my little visit. I had even donned the gown i had entered this world in. I was a cindered white with golden and red trim, it was only from the waist down, and from the golden belt (around the area of my belly button) a long cloth strip hung in front of my loin down to my feet where at the bottom, it opened into a clover pattern, in the middle of which held the symbol of the Ocularus Infernum. I walked to the bedroom once again, feeling completely really for the powers I was about to face. I closed the thick vinyl curtains to the window and balcony which where on the left side of my bed, on the right where other curtains, the same color and type as the others, but there was no window on this wall. Instead, there was an enormous mirror. After I uncovered the mirror, I touched its center, and closed my eyes. I could see the flames of Hell, bursting through the ground like geysers, molten lava oozing out of fissures and cracks. Screams echoing from wall to wall, where demons and devils alike tortured poor souls. I opened my eyes to see the reality of it all flowing from the mirror, but there was still a glassy barrier blocking the realms. With my index and middle finger, I traced the symbol of the Ocularus Infernum upon its surface. The barrier held a liquid like texture as is drained away and opened the pathway to the abyss. This was it, I jumped into the opening. I began to fall straight down through a tornado of liquid fire, lava, and pain. I was falling into Hell.

My bare feet touched the floor of the massive pit. It was more like a cavern, nothing but earth and tunnels, a labyrinth of pain, torture, and darkness. Each tunnel lead to another type of hell, the main cavern was the proverbial 'bottom' and was massive. When lord Lucifer and the other high lords called a gathering, we would all meet here, and a grand platform would emerge from the center pit holding the three thrones, one for Hecate, Beelzebub, and the center one for Satan himself.
But, before this gathering, I wanted to do some spying and snooping. I began to walk up the walkway that spiraled and twisted up the walls of the cavern. I passed several demons along the way, most were guild. Devils that were not on the right side of Styx, hide themselves from the others, isolating themselves, either building up their power, or avoiding others completely.
After several flights up, I turned into on of the tunnels. I was falling into my mind as a walked down the pitch black corridor. My mind began to go over my memories being them back to my conscience.
I grew up in this area, I remember training and learning my powers in this section of the abyss. My teacher, Falycor, Angel of the Veil, taught me everything he knew. I was his apprentice he took me in when other demons were about to slay me. I remember seeing him, clad in he dark gray cloak and robes. He summoned the shadows the attack the 'group leaders' of the mob. His deep voice still ringing in my ears. “If you want this one, you are going to have to take on me!” The demons ran into an adjacent tunnel. He walked up to me, almost hovering, and lowered his hand. I remember fearing him, terrified that he was going to kill me. “Fear me not child, I am not here to slaughter your life, in fact, I see something special in you. Come, follow me, and no other other will hurt you.” Needless to say, I took his hand and followed him to his shelter.

I remember watching him as he cleaned a nursed my woulds and scrapes. He had very dark skin, and golden yellow eyes that never seemed to blink. His flesh appeared scared and burnt, especially near his hands and arms. “What are you?” He demanded. I did not answer him, I could not. How can you answer something you do not know. “You are from across the river. I can tell. Your inner light, it burns white, pure.” I had not a clue to what he was talking about, I just sat there, staring into his milky golden eyes. He looked down, straight into my eyes, as those he were glaring directly into my soul. Those eyes, totally golden, no pupil could be seen, but you knew he was sawing inside you. “You do not have a home, do you? You probably do not even have a memory, do you?” I simple shook my head no, and i instantly felt my eyes burn, the tears just began to flow. I used the backside of my hand and fought to wipe them away, instead, they multiplied. I looked down on my hand and saw it streaked with black liquid. Falycor took me in his arms and held me, rocked me until I had fallen asleep.

When I had awaken, I heard a shout, and groaning coming from outside. I had almost forgotten what had happened. I ran to the doorway, I saw Falycor outside in the clearing, he was moving quickly. I saw him fighting against something, a figure, made of nothing, haze, dark translucency. I shapeless object, without form or definition. I shouted out to him, scared for him. Falycor stopped, and looked at me, those eyes, glazed and milky gold, just glared at me.

“Fear not young spawn.” was all he said. He began to walk towards me, the figure did to. I coward down in the doorway. “Young one, why do you fear a shadow of a shadow?” He knelt down to look me deeper in my eyes, as he did so, he snapped his fingers, and the translucent creature faded away. I began to understand his powers.