Diary of a journey through Hell – Kris’s story
Trudie Collins
Copyright © 2017 Trudie Collins
All rights reserved.
Also by Trudie Collins
Diary of a journey through Hell
Diary of a journey through Hell
Diary of a Journey Through Hell - Kris's Story
Tor's Quest
The Guide
The Maze
The Bard
The Pendant
The Assassin
The Beginning
Vampire Hunters
Vampire Hunters
Greater Vampires
Standalone
Kwin
Soul Eaters
The Tor's Quest Saga
Fox Among the Demons
Sentinel
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Also By Trudie Collins
Diary of a Journey through Hell - Kris's Story
Favour
Arrival
Hell
Ogre
Rescue
Forest
Fever
Pestilence
Desert
Famine
Dragon
Family
Turtles
Fire
Caves
Fairy
Attack
Pegasus
War
Challenge
Hangover
Recovery
Storm
Ghosts
Lift
Rhea
Waterfall
Furies
Confessions
Betrayal
Goodbye
Spying
Birthday
Zoo
Wedding
Phone
Reunion
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Also By Trudie Collins
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to Stephanie, for giving me the idea to write the story from Kris’s point of view
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you to Julie, Terry and Wendy, for taking the time to proof read for me
And a special thank you to my husband, Pete, for doing all of the hard work to get this book published.
Favour
“I need you to do me a favour,” Ankou said as he walked into the room.
I took my shot before reacting, easily potting the red. “What?” I asked as I straightened up.
“My father will be having visitors soon and he needs someone to guide them through the underworld. He has asked me, but I’m going to be busy.”
“Really,” I said, raising my eyebrows. “Doing what exactly?”
Ankou ignored the question. “Some guy is coming down from Earth to reclaim his girlfriend and it seems that the family have agreed to put a few obstacles in his way as a test to make sure he is worthy, or something like that.”
I suddenly became interested in what my cousin was saying. “You mean human visitors?”
Ankou nodded, grinning. He knew that would get my attention. “And apparently he is bringing a young woman with him.”
“Let me get this straight,” I said, thinking I must be missing something. “A real live human woman is coming to visit us in the underworld and you don’t want to meet her?” Ankou goes through women like water so passing up the opportunity to show her around was not like him.
He shrugged. “I never said I wouldn’t meet them. I just don’t want to spend a few weeks with them. What if she’s ugly? I don’t want to be stuck being her escort when I can be enjoying myself up on Earth.”
I shook my head, though his words did not surprise me. “You really are shallow, you know that.”
He grinned. “You forgot to mention charming, stunningly good looking and absolutely irresistible to the fairer sex.” If anyone else had spoken like that about themselves I would have assumed they were joking. Ankou wasn’t; he really does have that high an opinion of himself. Unfortunately it is justified. I know women find me reasonably attractive, but I might as well be the elephant man whenever Ankou is around.
“What would I need to do?” I asked in resignation. Ankou would never do what was being asked and I couldn’t let my uncle down.
“I don’t really know much,” Ankou admitted. “Dad is in his study, waiting for you.”
“Am I really that predicable?” I asked as I handed over my cue.
“Reliable, not predictable.”
I made my way through the castle, knocking on Death’s open study door as I entered.
“That didn’t take long,” Death said. “I was expecting Ankou to take much longer to persuade you to fill in for him.”
I shrugged my shoulders as I took a seat in front of the desk. “To be honest, I’m getting a little bored. I’ve nothing better to do, so why not help you out?”
Death smiled at me. “I wish my son was more like you,” he told me sincerely. “It’s about time he did something other than bed as many different women as he can. He needs to start taking some responsibility.”
“You’re preaching to the choir, uncle. So what exactly do I need to do?”
Death stood up and walked around the desk, taking a seat next to me, much to my relief. He was dressed in a light grey suit and being the other side of the desk had made me feel like I was a customer talking to my bank manager instead of a young man talking to my uncle.
“Not much. Rob and Rachel will be arriving through the cave entrance on the evening of December 4th.”
“The next solar eclipse.”
“Correct. Pick them up in the boat and take them to see your grandfather first. He has agreed to let them stay the night at his place. In the morning, show them the tower blocks. They should know what really goes on down here.” I nodded my agreement. It is important that visitors should see all of the underworld, not just the good parts. “Then take them to see your uncle Len, but take the long route, past the mountains where the ogres live. Perceval has agreed to kidnap the girl and your grandfather wants to see if Rob will be brave enough to rescue her.”
“No problem.” It would be good to catch up with Perceval.
“I have no idea what Len has planned for them,” Death said, “but once they have passed his test, take them to see Fam, then your father. They each have tests for our visitors to pass, but have not let on to me what those tests will be. Once all tests are over and done with, you will bring them here. If they fail any they will be sent straight home.”
“Anything I should know? Anything I should or shouldn’t tell them?”
Death shook his head. “No. You can guide them wherever you want to, as long as you end up in the right places. But you cannot help with any of the challenges and that includes getting between their destinations. No transporting them.”
“Alright.” At least I now knew why the journey would take a few weeks. “Want me to provide food and accommodation?”
Death nodded. “Tents will do. And catch food when you can. I don’t want you creating too much out of thin air for them.”
“What do you know about them?”
“They are both studying at university. They are very good friends and have known each other since they were young. Rachel’s parents were killed in a car crash earlier in the year, so I am surprised she is making the journey.”
“And why exactly do you have Rob’s girlfriend?” Despite the myths and legends, Death had never kidnapped anyone before.
He shook his head. “Trust me, you do not want to know.”
Death nodded. “I would appreciate it if you checked in with me regularly, to let me know of their progress. You can also let the rest of the family know when to expect them, if you don’t mind.”
“I will,” I said, then left the room.
“Well?” Ankou asked as I walked back into the snooker room.
“Looks like I am going to be a tour guide for a while.”
“When do you leave?”
“A couple of days.”
“Good,” Ankou said, placing the cue he had been playing with onto the table. “That gives us plenty of time to have some fun before you get too busy. Fancy a trip up to Earth to meet some ladies?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
I shook my head. “Not this time. I’m off home to let my family know what I have been roped into doing.” Before Ankou could protest, I vanished.
Arrival
“They are on their way,” grandfather told me. “You should get going.”
I nodded and obediently walked toward the door. As I was leaving the room, I stopped and looked back at my grandparents. Ever since I had agreed to help Death I had been thinking about something and I hoped that they would agree to help. As a demi-god, I am powerful, very powerful, but I hate using my power. For once I wanted to be treated like a normal person and I wondered how long I would be able to keep up the pretence. “I’m not planning on telling our guests who I am. I would appreciate it if you didn’t either.”
My grandparents both assured me that my identity would remain secret, then I left the house. I debated whether to sail across the river or not, but eventually opted to transport myself and the boat to the other shore.
It was a warm night, so I casually leaned back against the boat and waited for the visitors to appear. I did not have to wait long.
I didn’t react when they suddenly appeared out of thin air and somehow I managed to not laugh when they landed hard on the sand. The man was dark skinned, fit and good looking. The girl was white with long blonde hair and a slim figure. I found them rather an odd combination as I listened to them converse. They both appeared to be in their early twenties; only a couple of years younger than myself. Well, a couple of years younger than my body appears to be anyway.
“Are you alright?” Rob asked as he frantically shook the young woman. “Rachel. Are you alright?”
“No,” she croaked and tried to sit up.
“Stay still,” he said, gently pushing her back down. “Where does it hurt?”
“Everywhere.” I rolled my eyes.
“Stop being melodramatic and get up. The landing wasn’t that bad,” Rob said, verbalising what I had been thinking. I was rather surprised when she obeyed.
“Where the hell are we?” she asked as she got to her feet and brushed the sand from her clothes. I winced at her words, but that didn’t stop me admiring her figure.
“How about Hell?” Rob replied sarcastically. I was really going have to do something about their use of that word.
Before they could say the offending word again I called out to them, making them both turn around in surprise.
“Welcome to the underworld. We have been expecting you,” I said cheerfully, somehow managing to keep my annoyance out of my voice.
“Who the hell are you?” Rachel asked. She was not being very polite, but I didn’t complain; she was probably confused, or terrified, or both.
“I’m Kris.” I smiled at her. She really was very pretty. Maybe this journey would not be as bad as I thought. She was wearing tight fitting jeans and a thick woollen jumper that I was sure hid some very nice curves. Ankou would kick himself for missing this. I forced my mind to focus on the task at hand and grimaced. “I understand you are probably a little disoriented right now, but will you please stop using that word.”
“Which word?” Rachel asked.
“H.E.L.L.” I spelled the word out instead of saying it. “The Lord of the underworld doesn’t like it and nor do any of us who live here.”
“Lord of the underworld?” she asked. “You mean Death?”
“No. Whoever told you Death ruled down here?”
She threw a questioning glance at Rob, but he seemed equally surprised. “I’m Rob,” he said, holding out his hand for me to shake. I ignored it. “And this is Rachel.”
“How come we are expected?” Rachel asked. She sounded worried. I wasn’t surprised.
“Death told me you were coming. Follow me.”
“Are you taking us to Charon,” Rob asked, as I started to walk down the beach. “Does he accept modern day coins?”
I couldn’t help but smile. He was talking about the ferryman. Legend had it that you had to pay him to ferry you from the land of the living to the land of the dead. If you didn’t have any money your soul was left by the riverside for a hundred years. It’s amazing what humans believe.
“Well, you could go that way if you wanted to,” I said, unable to keep the grin off my face, “but this is a lot faster.” I pointed to the speed boat. Rob smiled while Rachel just looked bewildered.
The journey across the river did not take long and was conducted in silence. Rob looked tense. When we beached on the other side he leaped out of the boat and onto the sand, then helped me pull the boat out of the water. Not that I needed any help.
I headed off up the beach without looking behind to see if the new arrivals were following. The beach led toward trees and I took a path that winds its way between them. The moon was out, lighting the way, and the air was warm and still.
I had to slow my pace as the visitors seemed in no hurry to reach their destination, but before long the trees thinned and a building could be seen in the distance. I wondered what Rob and Rachel would make of it. It is large, like an old English country mansion, and is built from white bricks. Definitely not the sort of place you would expect the god of the underworld to live in.
I went directly to the front door and held it open as the visitors, somewhat reluctantly, walked up the steps to join me. As always I found the inside breath-taking. Candles burned from multiple candelabras, lighting the hallway without causing any shadows. Colourful tapestries line the walls and a deep red carpet runs along the floor.
When Rachel and Rob were inside, I quietly closed the door behind them and walked straight past the staircase and further down the corridor. “Come on,” I said. “We’re behind schedule and it’s not good to keep the Lord of the underworld waiting.” Was I trying to scare them? Maybe a little.
Rachel quickened her pace in order to catch up with Rob, who took her hand in his, squeezing it reassuringly. They both seemed scared, very scared. Maybe my comment had been a little cruel, but I couldn’t take it back now. I could hardly blame them for their unease. After all, it’s not every day a human meets the god of the underworld.
I led them down the corridor to a set of double doors, which I pushed open without knocking. “They’ve arrived,” I said as I entered the room.
“What took you so long?” grandfather asked in a booming voice.
“They did not seem in a hurry to get here for some reason.”
His laugh echoed around the room. Rachel and Rob, I noticed, had not yet plucked up the courage to enter.
He saw Rachel glancing into the room. “You can come in my dear,” he called out, a trace of amusement still in his voice.
She entered and seemed surprised to find herself in a dining room. The long dining table had only half a dozen chairs around it today and was laden with a variety of food, all of which looked and smelled delicious. Much to her embarrassment, and my amusement, her stomach gurgled as the aromas hit her.
Only two chairs were occupied; one by my grandmother, the other by my grandfather. I wondered what Rob and Rachel would make of them. Grandmother is a pretty young woman with long blonde hair, which she currently had tied back in a ponytail and draped
across one shoulder. My grandfather looks like a middle aged man with equally long brown hair. Today he had a long beard which ended in a neat point just before it touched the table. His pale grey eyes, as always, revealed his wisdom and intelligence.
“Please, sit down,” he said, indicating a chair near him with his hand. “We don’t get many visitors down here. Well not human ones anyway.” Seeing that Rachel was unable to move, Rob walked up to the chair nearest to grandfather and pulled it back for her.
She unwillingly approached it as I took the chair closest to my grandmother and helped myself to some potatoes, carrots and a chicken leg. Once she was seated, Rob took the chair next to hers and started to put food on the plate in front of her.
“May I introduce Persephone, my wife,” grandfather said once his guests had begun eating. My grandmother smiled. She has dazzling blue eyes that are always full of warmth. Rachel looked puzzled for a moment, until her memory obviously told her where she had heard that name before.
“Holy shit,” she exclaimed, dropping the corn on the cob that she was holding. “You’re Hades.”
Grandfather shrugged. “Hades, Pluto, Osiris, Thanatos, Abaddon, Yan, Tuoni, Yama. Over the years I have had many names. Currently I am calling myself Frank.”
“Frank?” Rob said in disbelief.
“What is wrong with Frank?” grandfather asked. I did my best to keep the grin from my face, but failed.
“Nothing,” Rob replied hastily. “I was just a little surprised, that’s all. Maybe I should introduce myself.”
“I know who you are Rob and why you are here,” grandfather said. “You were expecting to meet Death tonight, were you not?”
“Yes,” Rob said with obvious discomfort. He glanced at Rachel anxiously, then back again to grandfather. “He kidnapped my girlfriend and I want her back.”
“A very noble cause,” grandmother said, filling her glass with red wine before passing the carafe to me. “It’s a shame my son is not that noble.”
“Who?” Rob asked.
“My son. Death,” she replied as though that was a perfectly normal statement, which to her it was. The looks on Rob and Rachel’s faces showed they thought otherwise.
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