Diary of a journey through Hell

by Trudie Collins

  Fee rolled her eyes. “What do you think happened? I covered you with my fairy dust and you all fell asleep like good little children.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  She looked at me and her smile was pure evil. “You’ll soon find out.”

  She pointed toward the shore and I looked that way once more. Robert was stirring. Leaving me dangling in mid-air, she flew over to him. She hovered above him, just out of reach.

  “Welcome back to the land of the living,” she said. “I have a proposition for you.”

  “What?” he said in a neutral tone. He had not noticed my predicament yet.

  “Give up your quest and come with me. We could be very happy together.”

  Robert shook his head. “What’s the alternative?”

  “One of the women dies.” He looked around in shock, realising I wasn’t with him. When he saw me suspended over the lake he tried in vain to grab hold of Fee.

  “What do you mean ‘one of the women’?” he asked.

  She looked to where Katana was still lying on the ground, unconscious. “You have a choice. If you won’t come away with me, you will have to kill this one or watch your friend die.”

  I gasped. Was she really asking Robert to commit murder to save me? Robert, however, did not react.

  “No,” he said simply. “You will release Rachel and go away.”

  Fee laughed at him. “Do you really think I can’t do it?” she asked mockingly, then released whatever hold she had on me. I screamed as I plummeted toward the ground.

  “No,” I heard Robert shout and Fee stopped me just before I reached the water. I could feel the coldness caressing my face, inviting me to join it. Terror gripped me and did not diminish as I felt myself rising upward once more.

  “Well, human,” Fee said to Robert. “What is your decision? Will you commit murder in order to save your little friend or will you watch her die?”

  “Don’t do it,” I called out to him. Despite my terror I knew I could never look him in the face again if he harmed Kris’s sister. Was he capable of committing murder? Under the circumstances, I had absolutely no idea.

  “I can’t watch you die,” he called back to me.

  Fee cackled with laughter. “Then you will need this,” she said and handed over a dagger. “Stab her right through the heart while she sleeps and she will never wake up.”

  Robert looked at the blade in his hand, then across at Katana’s sleeping form. Finally he turned his gaze toward me, his face full of indecision. I slowly shook my head at him, willing him to drop the weapon.

  “I’m sorry Rachel,” he finally said, his voice filled with anguish. “I just can’t do it.”

  To my relief, I saw his hand open and the knife fell to the ground.

  “Then Rachel will die,” Fee screamed out and I felt myself falling once more.

  I heard Robert cry out and he started running toward me. He reached the ice and stopped, but not before it had begun to crack. I continued to fall downward, but this time my descent was not arrested and I plunged into the freezing water. The pain I felt was so intense I blacked out.

  I only have vague memories of what happened after that. I can recall hearing someone say something like ‘we need to slowly heat up her core temperature’. I can remember the feel of the warm water reaching my skin through my clothes. I know for certain that Kris, in an anguished voice, asked if I was alive and someone, Bo I think, replied, “For now.”

  Later I found myself in my bed and Kris was yelling a lot.

  “What happened?” he shouted at someone. “I thought you said you had everything under control.”

  “I did,” Spatha said. “My force field would have caught her, but Rob disrupted it by breaking the ice trying to get to her.”

  “I will never forgive you for this. Any of you.” I have no idea who else Kris was talking to, but I remember speaking to him weakly.

  “It wasn’t Spatha’s fault. It was Fee.”

  He told me to shut up and go to sleep. I don’t remember anything more until I woke up nearly 48 hours later. I was in bed, wearing a warm cotton nightdress. I have no idea who changed my clothes, but I remember praying that it wasn’t Kris. I tried to roll over and found that I couldn’t. I looked to my right and found one of the wolves lying on the bed next to me. It growled as I tried to sit up.

  Turning the other way, I saw the other wolf. The cubs were asleep at my feet. Great. I was trapped in the bed and desperate for the loo. “Please let me get up,” I begged, but the wolves didn’t answer. Obviously.

  A short while later Kris knocked at the door and walked into the room without waiting for an answer. “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  “I need to get up,” I said. To my horror he shook his head.

  “You need more rest.”

  “I don’t think you understand. I need to get up.” I put a lot of emphasis on the ‘need’. He got my point.

  “Oh. Canini, let her get up and go to the bathroom. She will be coming back to bed.” He put as much emphasis on the ‘will’ as I had on the ‘need’.

  The wolf watched me as I slipped out from under the covers and padded over to the bathroom. Kris was sitting on the edge of the bed when I returned, playing with the cubs.

  “Who undressed me?” I asked as I slid back under the covers.

  Kris grinned at me mischievously, but then decided to tell me the truth. “Mom,” he said. “As soon as Dad picked you up out of the bath, the men were unceremoniously thrown out of the room until you were tucked up in bed. I asked the wolves to stay with you and keep you warm.”

  “So what happened?” I asked.

  Kris shook his head. “Oh no. That can wait till later. Right now you are going to go back to sleep.” He stood up and walked toward the door, pausing to look back at me before he left the room. “I’ll take the wolves away if you like.”

  “No,” I said hastily. “It’s OK. They can stay.” I felt warm and cosy having one each side of me and I was beginning to see how cute the cubs were.

  “I knew I would convert you,” Kris said as he left the room, shutting the door behind him.

  I was woken once more by Bo bringing me a tray of food. I guessed it was lunchtime and said I would join the rest of the family in the dining room, but was told to forget it. I had to spend the rest of the day in bed. She made the wolves leave while I ate, but they returned when she came back to remove the tray.

  I was no longer tired and was allowed visitors, who slowly pieced together for me all that I had missed.

  Robert was first and told me most of it. It turns out that crossing the lake was not the test; Robert deciding between killing Katana or watching me die was the real test. It was all set up by War and his family. He wanted to know that even under the direst circumstances Robert would not be able to commit murder. Fee was not there; it was Spatha. It seems as though she has the ability to change her appearance. This is what Kris had been questioning her about before we left for the lake. He was concerned for his youngest sister’s safety. If Robert had chosen differently, she might be dead by now.

  It was Katana herself that let me know that she was never in any danger. The dagger handed to Robert could not have harmed her.

  When Spatha came to see me later she explained that I was never meant to enter the water and would not stop apologising. Robert had already told me that the severe cold had stopped my heart and that Spatha got me back to the house as soon as she could. They managed to get my heart beating again and I was placed in a warm bath to try to defrost me.

  Even War visited. He, too, was full of apologies. The idea had come to him the night before when Robert had told him about our problems with Fee and the rest of the family went along with it. Only Kris argued against the idea, but was finally persuaded not to stand in their way.

  Bo came to see me late in the afternoon to see how I was doing. I complained that I wanted to get up and she gave her permission. I was still feeling cold, so instead of a nice
dress or skirt, I was given pyjamas, a thick dressing gown and slippers. I was a little embarrassed when I was escorted through the house and into the grounds, where Robert and the rest of the family were playing with some piglets.

  I was given a warm welcome and then told that we were having roast pork for dinner. That seemed a little ironic given that we were surrounded by pigs. I was then told I could choose which one we would eat. It turned out that they were joking, but I failed to see why they thought it was funny. They already had a spit roast on the go, but I could not bear the thought of eating a relative of one of the little animals that was sniffing around my legs.

  By the time the meal was ready, however, the smell was making my mouth water so much I had to give in. It tasted as good as it smelled.

  The evening was warm and we ate outside, but all too soon I was feeling exhausted and had to retire back to my room. I was quite pleased when the wolves, without being asked, decided to follow me.

  So here I am, tucked up in bed, still wearing the pyjamas and updating my diary. Now you can see why there is a day missing. I wish I could say more about the events, but I have written down all I know. The way everyone has been fussing over me leads me to believe that falling into the freezing water was quite serious, but I feel fine, if a little worn out, and am hoping that we will be able to continue our journey tomorrow. Now that Robert has passed War’s test there is nothing between us and Death. I never thought I would be happy writing a sentence like that.

  Well the wolves keep nudging my arms, so I guess they think I should be going to sleep. I think I had better obey them. Goodnight.

  Day 26

  I was woken up not long after I had put my diary away by Robert knocking on my door. Surprised, I invited him in. He seemed very agitated.

  “Can I stay here tonight?” he asked.

  “Of course,” I said. “But you will have to tell the wolves to make room.”

  “I’d much rather try that than attempt to get my own bed back.”

  I rolled my eyes. Why does he never come straight to the point? “What is going on?” I finally asked when it became evident he was not going to say more without prompting.

  “Spatha is in my bed. She left the rest of us not long after you and was there when I entered the room.”

  “Why?” I asked in surprise. “No, on second thoughts, don’t answer that. Why didn’t you just tell her to go away?”

  “I tried,” he said in exasperation. “The bitch made herself look like Tammara.”

  “What!” I exclaimed in surprise. “How does she even know what Tammara looks like?”

  “Search me. Maybe she can read minds or something.” Robert ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “That is why I am here. At least here I know I can sleep all night unmolested.”

  “You should speak with Kris,” I said, but he shook his head.

  “I can just imagine how that conversation will go. ‘Hi Kris. Did you know your sister is a slut?’”

  “Robert! There is no need for that.”

  “Right now she is naked in my bed and expecting me to go and join her. I think my comment is justified.”

  I was too tired to argue, so I moved over to make room for him. We have shared a bed many times since we were young for various reasons (most involving alcohol and lack of a spare room) so his request did not make me feel uncomfortable in any way. He pushed one of the wolves over more and was greeted by growling, which he ignored, and settled himself down, turned his back to me and promptly went to sleep. Taking this as an indication that he did not want to talk about the matter further, I rolled onto my side and closed my eyes.

  We both slept well and were woken by knocking on my door. When I called out, “Enter”, both Spatha and Kris walked in. Robert was still lying beside me and Spatha looked scandalised when she spotted him.

  “What is going on here?” she asked.

  “Robert needed somewhere to sleep seeing as his bed was occupied,” I said in an icy tone.

  “Would you care to explain that statement?” Kris asked calmly.

  “Ask your sister.”

  He turned to face her. “Well?”

  Spatha pouted. For a truly beautiful young woman, she certainly knew how to make herself ugly. “Everyone else got to test him, so I thought I would. I tested his fidelity by trying to seduce him.”

  Kris did not seem surprised. “He turned me down,” Spatha said sulkily. She was obviously not used to rejection.

  “And you wonder why you are not allowed up to Earth very often,” Kris muttered.

  “That bitch was naked in my bed when I went to my room,” Robert said.

  Kris’s face darkened. “Be careful what you say about my sister,” he warned.

  “When I told her to go away she made herself look like my girlfriend,” Robert continued.

  Kris glared at Spatha. “I take it back,” he said to Robert. “Call her whatever you like.” Then he turned his attention back to his sister. “How do you even know what Tammara looks like?”

  Spatha tossed her hair. “That was easy. He carries her photo in his bag.” So she’s not a mind reader then.

  “You went through Rob’s things?” Kris asked her, speaking each word slowly and carefully. Spatha nodded. “Rob is a guest in our house and deserves his privacy. I would expect that sort of behaviour from Katana, but not from you.”

  Spatha put her hands on her hips in defiance. “Why am I the one getting yelled at? Those two spent the night together. So much for Rob being head over heels in love with his girlfriend. He jumps into bed with his so-called ‘friend’ at the first opportunity.”

  A look of pity crossed Kris’s face. I felt I should protest our innocence, but something told me that this was one family argument I should stay out of. “I have travelled with these two for a few weeks now. I think I have gotten to know them pretty well. They are more like brother and sister than friends. There is no way anything would happen between them. They are perfectly capable of sharing a bed without it being sexual.”

  An overwhelming urge to say ‘so there’ took hold of me, but I managed to keep my mouth shut.

  “Rachel allowed him to stay in her bed the same as you would allow me to stay in yours under similar circumstances,” Kris continued.

  “You must be joking,” Spatha said. “I love you dearly, but if you had nowhere else to sleep, you would be on the floor brother dearest.”

  I was shocked, but Kris seemed to have been expecting Spatha’s response. “That says a lot more about your character than Rachel’s,” he said. “Now go to your room and stay there until mom or dad decides what to do with you.” It sounded strange hearing War and Boudica referred to as ‘mom’ and ‘dad’.

  “You cannot tell me what to do,” Spatha yelled, sounding like a spoilt schoolkid.

  “Yes I can, now go,” Kris said. Spatha obediently left the room, though whether she went to her own or not I have no idea.

  Kris watched her leave, then turned his attention back to me and Robert. “Please forgive Spatha. She is still very young and does not always think about the consequences of her actions.” He looked genuinely concerned. “I will speak to my parents and she will be suitably punished.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Robert said. “But I would appreciate it if we didn’t have to spend another night here. No offence.”

  “None taken,” Kris said, his smile returning. “I completely understand. We have done all we needed to here so we can leave as soon as Rachel is up to it.”

  I was sure I was well enough to leave, but didn’t want to drag Kris away from his family so soon if he wished to stay longer. I was filled with indecision until I looked at Robert and saw the sadness in his face. Spatha making herself look like Tammara had been very cruel, under the circumstances, and I couldn’t justify making him stay here a moment longer than he had to.

  “I’m OK,” I said. “As soon as I have some hot food inside me I am good to go.”

  Bacon and eggs
were waiting for us in the dining room, but nobody else was present. Before eating, Kris went to find his parents to tell them about Spatha. They returned with him to the dining room and did not look happy. War and Bo would not stop apologising for their daughter’s behaviour. They were mortified that a guest in their house had been treated so badly. It was bad enough that they had deceived Robert and me about what the test would be and that I had almost died (their words, not mine), but to then have Spatha try to make Robert betray Tammara made them feel deeply ashamed.

  Robert kept telling them not to worry about it, that he knew what teenage girls were like, and eventually they stopped apologising.

  Katana came to see us off, but there was no sign of Spatha. “Give my love to Ankou when you see him,” Katana said to me, knowing that he would probably be with his father when we eventually reached Death’s domain. I really hoped that she meant that figuratively not physically, though physically would be a lot more fun.

  Kris rolled his eyes at her. “Take care of yourself big brother,” she said to him as she hugged him tight. “And of Rachel.” No mention of looking after Robert I noticed.

  “I will,” he said. “Though I’m sure she will be safe enough without you and Spatha around to cause trouble.” She didn’t see the funny side.

  “You know that was not our fault,” she said. “It was an accident. We couldn’t predict that Rob would be stupid enough to go out onto the ice.”

  “Calm down sis,” he said, ruffling her hair in the way he knew irritated her. “I was only joking.”

  War and Bo each hugged their son tight before saying farewell and, to my surprise, they hugged me as well.

  Soon we were on our way once more. I was a little sad to be leaving. It had felt good to be part of a family, but Robert’s needs were more important, so I put my mind to what was ahead rather than what was being left behind.

  Kris was quiet for a long time after leaving his family. Something was on his mind, but he refused to say what when asked.

  We walked all morning, past lakes and through copses of trees, stopping for lunch in a meadow where deer could be seen grazing in the distance. I ate quickly and stretched out in the sun, closing my eyes for a brief moment while the two men finished their meals.