Hellbound: Chronicles

by Brashear, Nicholas

  I was in my apartment with my wife. She was just as beautiful as ever, her blonde hair flowing down and accenting her blue eyes. We were having tea at the kitchen table and talking about our days. She seemed so happy to be with me, and I knew I was happy to be with her. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else in the world.

  “I got a promotion today at work,” I said.

  “That’s wonderful! I can’t wait to start rolling in that dough!” she responded. We both laughed.

  “Yeah, I should get a pretty substantial raise.”

  “I should hope so. As hard as you work, you deserve so much more than they give you.”

  “That’s what Mr. Taylor said. I can’t wait to start working again. They sent me on vacation, so I have some time off. I’m going to run that business straight into the sky!”

  She laughed. “I know you can do it, hunny!”

  “So how was your day?”

  “It was okay. I didn’t do much. I cleaned a little bit and watched my soaps.”

  “Have anything planned?”

  “I have to go to the store and get some groceries.”

  “Please don’t go. I want to spend as much time with you as possible.”

  “I have to, silly. If I don’t then we won’t have anything to eat!”

  “I know, but so what? Can you imagine anything better than just sitting here with me and spending time together?”

  “Only one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “The pitter-patter of little feet on the floor.”

  I frowned and looked down into my cup of tea. I grabbed a spoon and started swirling it around. The tea and cream mixed and swirled, mesmerizing me. “I know.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I want a little boy to run around, too.”

  “All we have to do is try, dear.”

  “I know. What do you have to get at the store?”

  “Milk, bread, and lunch meat. Do you want to come with me?”

  “You know I don’t like going to the store.”

  “Yeah I know, but I thought I’d offer anyway.” She leaned over and kissed me with a smile from ear to ear. Her lips were sweet with sugary tea. “I‘m so glad we are married.”

  That’s when I realized that I was dreaming and started to take control my actions. “I love you, you know that, right?”

  “Of course I do, Jon.”

  “I don’t want anything else, but you.”

  “And I you!” She stood up and gave me a kiss over the table. “You’re my everything, Jon.”

  We sat there for a few minutes and I just looked into my cup, still stirring.

  “Is everything all right, hunny?” she asked.

  “No.”

  “Why not? What’s wrong?”

  “This is a dream, that’s what’s wrong.”

  “So don’t wake up!”

  “I wish it were that easy. No matter how happy I am with you here, when I wake up, you’ll be gone.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I wish I could come with you into the real world. I know how much easier things would be on you if I were there.”

  “You have no idea. I’m working so hard to get back with you.”

  “I know you are, hunny. I can’t wait to see you. When you get back to me, I’m going to suffocate you with kisses and hugs!” We both laughed.

  “I just don’t know if what I’m doing is worth it. I don’t know if I can trust that Charlie or anyone else is going to get me back to you.”

  “Don’t worry, Jon. You always worry too much.”

  “I know I do. You know me so well.”

  “Of course I do! You’re my husband after all.”

  “Yes I am. I would do anything for you. I’m literally trying to come back from the depths of Hell for you.”

  “I know. You are the best man in the world. You bring happiness to anyone around you.”

  “I try my best.”

  “And that’s why I love you. You always do your best in everything, including life with me. I’m sorry about what I did to you.”

  “I know you are. I was there when you were crying for those days after my death.”

  “You were?”

  “Yep. I was there every step of the way.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything to me?”

  “I tried to. You couldn’t hear me. I was a ghost.”

  “Oh, how sad you must’ve been. Jon?”

  “Yes, dear?”

  “While you were a ghost, why didn’t you move things or possess someone to talk to me through them? Like in the movies?”

  “I wanted nothing more than to talk to you. I would’ve done anything to do it. You’re the love of my life and I wish things would’ve ended differently.” I paused and looked down at my tea. It was now swirling regardless of the fact that I wasn’t stirring anymore. “Actually, I wish it wouldn’t have ended at all. I wish I would’ve just been a man about things and worked through our problems. I wish I wouldn’t have killed myself so that I could still have my arms wrapped around you. I wish that I could see you.”

  “I’m right here, hunny. You can see me right now!”

  I sighed. “But for how long…?”

  “Jon, you only get to see me for so long. Why are you wasting it feeling sorry for yourself?”

  “You’re right. You’re always right. That’s why I love you so much.”

  Shannon laughed and said, “I’m only right when you’re wrong!” I smiled at her. “Hunny?” I didn’t say anything. I just looked up at her already knowing what she was about to say to me.”

  “I have to go.”

  “But I don’t want you to!”

  “We don’t have a choice. You said yourself that this is just a dream and that it would end. Well, I have to go to the store and when I walk through that door, you’re going to wake up.”

  “I don’t want to wake up! I want to live here with you!”

  “You and I both know that if you don’t let me leave, that this dream will come to an end another way.”

  “I know. I just…love you. I’ve missed you so much. This is the first time in a long time that I’ve seen you for more than a few seconds that you weren’t trying to kill me. You mean so much more to me than you will ever know.”

  “Good-bye, Jon. I love you with all my heart.” I stood up and walked to her. I embraced her and gave her a deep kiss. I was filled with warm, soft love. I didn’t want to let her go, but she pushed me away and started for the door. I walked behind her. She opened the door and a blinding white light came through. I held my hand before my eyes to shield them. She shut the door and the light disappeared.

  “Wait! I can’t just let you go! I have to get her!” I said. I opened the door and instead of the light, Charlie was standing in the door with his evil smile bigger than ever.

  “Wake up, Jon!”

  I did. I was lying on the floor and was greeted by the snarl and snap of a hellhound. I jumped to my feet and saw Charlie was standing behind the dog.

  “I guess you’re here to take me back to Hell.”

  “You’re finally starting to catch on, Jon,” he chuckled.

  “Before we go, I have to know something. How did you find me?”

  “Because you dreamed. One of the downfalls of you mortals is that you always dream.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I can sense your dreams. I know where you are as soon as you close your eyes.”

  “Then how did you know where I was the last time I was on Earth? I didn’t dream then.”

  “No, but I was part of the force that sent you to Earth on that occasion. My will created you.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “There is nothing to understand! You’ve spent enough time amongst the living. It’s time for us to return.” He raised his hand and a black Hellgate appeared in the entrance to the house. I looked at Charlie. He was smiling as usual. I looked down to my feet and headed back for “home”.

>   We appeared in one of the four squares in Gluttony and the pain from Hell hit me like a pile of bricks. When my feet hit the ground, I fell after them. It felt like a crushing weight was trying to squish the life out of my heart and soul.

  “I don’t know if I should be walking around here, anymore,” I said.

  “Why is that?” he asked.

  “I was taken prisoner and I just escaped.”

  “I see. I do not think you have anything to fear, Jon. If you do, then it would be me.”

  “I know. I think I might go somewhere else, when I am done with getting that sword for you.”

  “You are quite the well-traveled man, aren’t you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You don’t stay in one spot for too long.”

  “I don’t see the point in it. I may be condemned to Hell, but I’ve found that if you stay in one spot for too long, someone will show up and move you.”

  He chuckled, “Yes, that’s very true. In any case, I’m not going to let you leave Gluttony until the sword is in my hands.”

  “I figured as much.”

  “Then I am off. Call for me when you have acquired the sword.”

  He left and I went to the wall of a nearby building and sat down to think.

  I had really enjoyed my dream, but at the same time, it made me miss my nightmares. ‘I just want to go back to my dream,’ I thought. ‘It was perfect. I was alive and better than that, I was with my Shannon. On the other hand, my nightmares didn’t make me miss her nearly as much. They didn’t drive me away from her, but being in a nice home setting, made me realize all the more what I was missing. I just want to go back. I want to be there forever. It’s getting hard for me to see the differences between my nightmares and my dream, but I can still see them through the fog. I don’t want to change. I just want to get everything done. Come on, Jon. It’s time to get up and go.’

  I stood up with a smile on my face and started for the tower. I wanted to make sure that Beelzebub wasn’t there before I teleported in there to steal from him. I had a renewed vigor still swirling around in me like the tea from the dream. It was painful, but it was forcing me to endure.

  On my way to the tower, I once again ran into Marcus Sanctus.

  “This is starting to become regular,” I said.

  “There are no chance meetings, Jonathon Cowley,” he responded.

  “What do you want this time?”

  “I have not spoken to you in some time, what makes you think I want something?”

  “Don’t you usually want something?”

  “I have not asked you for anything. In fact, I once said that it will be you needing me.”

  “That you did. I don’t think that time has come yet.”

  “Has it not?”

  “Nope.”

  “Charlie found you in the real world. He found you while you were experiencing one of the fundamental parts of life. How does that make you feel?”

  “What are you a psychologist all of a sudden?”

  “I have no degrees.”

  “I never would’ve guessed.”

  “Will you answer my question, Jonathon Cowley?”

  “Only if you start referring to me as “Jon”.”

  “You mother named you Jonathon Cowley, did she not?”

  “Yes, but everyone calls me “Jon”.”

  “So be it. Hence forth, I shall refer to you only as “Jon”.”

  “Good.”

  “As for my question?”

  “I wasn’t happy about it.”

  “Yes I know. That is plain to see, but that does not answer my question.”

  “How does it not? You asked how it made me feel and I told you.”

  “That is not the emotion you felt. I sense that you are heartbroken and in despair.”

  “Well, if you knew that, then why did you even bother asking me?”

  “A person’s answer is often not what they truly feel. I find that people, and even the Elohim, often mask their true emotions. I was curious as to how well you manage your own emotions.”

  “I can manage just fine. That’s what I did in life.”

  “I know what you did in life. You did not deal with the Demons of the underworld in your life.”

  “I don’t know if you know this or not, but you really shouldn’t be using that word.” I didn’t know Marcus that well, and he was rather annoying, but I didn’t want anything bad to happen to him.

  “I am not afraid of that word, and neither should you be.”

  “I’m not afraid of the word, I’m afraid of what happens after I say it.”

  “Then that word holds power over you. You will never be free of it until you have captured the bravery to face it. Until then, you will be no more than a mere mortal trapped in an immortal realm. Your fear consumes you and blackens your eyes and soul. Farewell, Jon.”

  He disappeared. I didn’t have time to think about it. I wanted to, but I was busy. I had to get that sword. I was missing Shannon more than ever after that dream, and I wanted to get back to her as quick as I could; even if that meant running myself ragged for Charlie. I had to do it.

  Finally I approached the tower. I was staying back, sticking to the shadows. I didn’t want to be spotted in case Beelzebub had been wondering around the perimeter. I could tell that the guards outside were not him because he was much larger than they were. I didn’t see any sight of him so I figured it was safe and I approached the building.

  “State your business, mortal,” the guard said.

  “I seek Beelzebub,” I said.

  “He is unavailable. Return later and he may be here.”

  ‘What luck!’ I thought. ‘Could things really be turning around for me? Could I be so fortunate that he wouldn’t be here at the time I decided to steal the weapon? I better play it safe.’

  I walked away and looked for a dark alley. Gluttony seemed to be riddled with them and I didn’t think it would be too hard to find one. I finally did, but there were three men standing there. Two of them were pretty big guys and the other was about my size, just average.

  ‘I need to get rid of them before I teleport in there.’ I thought. ‘I don’t need any witnesses for this.’

  “What are you guys doing here!?” I demanded.

  “What’s it to you!” one of the men responded.

  “Get the hell out of my alley!” I said.

  “Make us!” the second man responded.

  I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I didn’t know what to do so I just shouted out the first thing that came to mind.

  “Do you have any idea who you are dealing with!?” I shrieked. “I will peel your skin from your face as I disembowel you! I will take you tongues from your mouths and force them down your throats. I am the mighty and beholden Terentu!”

  “Terentu? Who the hell is Terentu?” the first man asked.

  “I am the general of Beelzebub! I am his champion! You will obey me or you will suffer his wrath!”

  “He might be telling the truth, man,” the third finally spoke. His voice was quiet and reserved.

  “I’ve never heard of no Terentu!” the first argued.

  “But that Malphalgor named that square after himself. Maybe this guy did the same thing,” the third responded.

  “I’ve met Malphalgor,” the second interrupted, “and he’s twice the man this guy is.”

  “I’ve defeated Malphalgor!” I exclaimed. “He was nothing more than a roach in need of a good squishing, and if you do not leave the premises, so shall you be!”

  “I really don’t want to deal with this guy,” the third said.

  “I don’t care what you want!” the first argued as he slapped the third. “He don’t seem that big to me. Let’s see what he’s got!”

  I quickly snapped my fingers and appeared immediately in front of the first.

  “Perhaps you should speak up,” I whispered. “I couldn’t hear you very well.”

  “What the hell!?” the fi
rst exclaimed as he fell backwards.

  “Sorry man,” the second said. “We don’t want any trouble. I didn‘t know you were an Elohim!”

  “Then leave now and be granted my mercy!” I screamed.

  “I told you guys,” the third said.

  “Whatever,” the first responded. “Let’s just get the hell out of here.”

  I smiled as they fled in fear. I couldn’t believe that they actually bought it. Even though I didn’t have the muscle or the will to back up what I was saying, the fact that I was saying it was intimidating enough for them. People usually believe whatever you tell them, especially if you can do something to show them you really mean it, even if you don’t. I was sticking to my promise of not fighting. If they hadn’t been deferred by my threats, I probably would’ve just left them to the alley. As it was, however, I felt empowered.

  ‘I think I like that name,’ I thought. ‘Terentu. Has a bit of a ring to it. It was the place that spawned my first killing of another man. Enough of this, back to the task at hand.’ I thought about the room with the sword and I snapped my fingers.

  I appeared in the room. The door had been shut. I wanted to be quick about it because I knew I would be a wanted man. I intended to grab the sword and immediately leave, but when I grabbed the sword I flew into the air. I could see why Charlie would want a sword that possessed the ability of flight. He was arrogant and no better to feel above everyone else than to actually be above everyone else. I hit the ceiling and as I did I relinquished the sword. It fell to the ground and I followed right behind it. When I hit the ground, most of the weapons fell and “CLANGED” to the floor.

  “Who’s there!?” a buzzing voice came from the other side of the door.

  ‘SHIT!’ I thought. I thought about Callista’s house in Gluttony, grabbed the sword, and snapped my fingers.

  I appeared in Callista’s house and immediately went to the ceiling.

  “What are you doing up there!?” Callista shouted.

  “I’m glad to see you, too,” I responded.

  “How are you doing that?”

  “I’m not sure. I think it’s this sword.”

  “Well, let go of it.”