Demon World

by Balvir Bhullar

  The overall impression she got was of Alexander’s infinite kindness and care towards her as he treated her injuries. She should be dead, that much was evident. And how she was still alive was a mystery; but it was thanks to Alexander that she was still here.

  He had performed a ritual that had tied her to him. He had somehow used his life force to bring her back from the netherworld and she had felt her spirit being pulled back. Rowanne could not recall for the life of her where her spirit had been before coming back — that was a mystery. Also, her life had not flashed before her eyes, but she did remember surrendering to an infinite darkness.

  It was slightly disconcerting to Rowanne, the way that Alexander had looked at her for the longest time before leaving. She was not only reliving her memory first hand, but also observing it as an outsider. She saw her body paradoxically being cocooned in energy made up of light and dark. And bizarrely a strange tattoo glowed near her heart before fading away.

  Finally, she observed herself waking up in the early hours of the next morning, as her body had fully recuperated and healed itself. Abruptly the memory ended, and her eyes snapped open as she found herself laying on Lillian’s bed.

  A thin sheen of perspiration coated Rowanne’s face and her hands felt clammy. She tried to speak but her throat felt a little hoarse. ‘Lillian. Lillian, are you there?’ but there was no reply.

  Rowanne felt disoriented and sick. Where am I, really? she panicked. It would have been nice to believe the story of her being magically transported to another place, but everything she had witnessed suggested otherwise.

  Gingerly she tried to get up, but fell back. Her body felt sore, as if she really had been battered and bruised. And she felt a deep pain within her heart, as if her mind and body mourned for her. She had to remind herself that she was alive. But at what cost... She needed to speak with Alexander, however hard it may be for him; after all, he alone knew the truth.

  How did she feel about what he had done ? She could not answer that yet. However, when she assessed her feelings, she got the strong sense that she didn’t blame him. She felt that perhaps Alexander blamed himself. Oh my God, he must have been carrying this burden ever since the night of the attack.

  Rowanne was indebted to him for saving her life, and felt great sorrow for what he too had gone through; it went a long way towards explaining why he behaved the way he did with her — she did not excuse his behaviour, but rather, understood it better.

  Rowanne knew that Alexander was concealing a great deal more from her. I want to know who he really is. And what were those creatures, and how have they come into the world? Perhaps the world had always been this way and she had simply been sleepwalking through it, blindly following and never truly questioning, but then, she had never had a reason to wonder if it was other than what she perceived it to be.

  Rowanne held herself completely still as she suddenly heard footsteps coming down the corridor. I need to get out of here, she thought. There was a sudden flash to her side which startled her, but thankfully it was Lillian, who kept flickering in and out.

  ‘Rowanne, I am truly sorry for everything. I can’t keep myself together,’ said Lillian.

  The instant that Lillian reappeared, Rowanne quickly replied, ‘Never mind that now. Someone’s coming, what shall we do?’ The footsteps were getting closer, and whoever it was would soon be right outside the door.

  ‘The wardrobe, hurry.’ Lillian disappeared.

  With no time to spare, Rowanne wrenched open the door and flung herself into the giant mahogany wardrobe and managed to close it behind herself just as someone walked into the room. She held her breath, her heart hammering. If anything should happen this time, it would be permanent. This was not a memory she could wake up from - this was real life!

  She nearly jumped when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

  ‘Shhh, it’s me. Don’t make a sound. I’ll get you out of here as soon as I am able.’ Lillian stood close to Rowanne, and together they strained to hear what was happening on the other side of the thick doors.

  ‘Ah, my dear, I find you here? I was looking all over for you. Are you packed?’

  ‘Yes, Lady Enid. I’ve almost got everything ready, and I’ll come over as soon as I’ve finished up. I thought I would check to see that everything is in order before I depart.’

  ‘When was the last time you went over?’ asked Lady Enid.

  ‘It’s been a while... You know that my time is more valued here than in that other world!’ she said distastefully.

  ‘Alexander will be pleased to see you again,’ said Lady Enid.

  Rowanne turned to Lillian, and mouthed silently, ‘It’s Lady Enid on the other side. I’m sure she could help us.’

  ‘Don’t even think about going out there if you value your life. I can’t quite make out who the other person is, although she sounds very familiar.’

  Rowanne looked perplexed as she asked, ‘The lady spoke of the ‘other world’, what is she talking about? And she seems to know Alexander.’ Lillian was hiding things from her, again. All the new people she had encountered over the past two weeks all knew each other. Either the world was a small place, or...

  ‘Look, I’ll explain everything when we get back. Just listen for now.’

  Rowanne didn’t like it. But neither could she expect a full blown confession in a wardrobe of all places; not to mention the fact that they were not alone.

  Rowanne had a strong urge to open the door slightly, to see what was happening with her own eyes.

  ‘Don’t be stupid!’ said Lillian, angrily.

  ‘I was not really going to open the door,’ replied Rowanne in a pained voice.

  ‘Let us go. I’ve booked you a hotel. I know, the things we have to put up with on the other side,’ said Lady Enid.

  Rowanne heard them leave, as well as the distinct sound of a trolley being wheeled. Finally, the door shut behind them. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, and waited a moment before she built up the nerve to step outside of the wardrobe.

  ‘That was close. Come on, let’s get out of here,’ said Rowanne.

  ‘Give me a minute. I’m completely depleted, it’s going to take a while for me to recharge,’ said Lillian.

  ‘What if they come back?’ Rowanne had visions of herself being caught and of the possible consequences.

  Lillian was in her own world. Rowanne watched her trying to build the violet light vortex. Best not to disturb her, then. She wandered over to the window, pulling aside the heavy drapery before peeking out.

  She got the shock of her life when she realised that she was in fact in the same place that she had dreamt of: there was the familiar fountain in the courtyard, she vividly remembered Lillian sitting there when she had been alive, talking to Driskell. The web they were all in was getting decidedly tighter. And Rowanne could almost feel the silken cords tighten around her neck; she was being pulled deeper and deeper into the mystery.

  Thankfully, there was no one outside. It was midnight here, as well, and a million stars seemed to light the night sky, but she could not enjoy the view as she was suddenly pulled roughly back from the window.

  ‘What do you think you’re doing? Do you have a death wish? You could have been seen!’ said Lillian, angry at Rowanne’s lack of self preservation.

  ‘Do you mind! There was no one there. I was perfectly safe,’ said Rowanne, annoyed at being wrenched back.

  ‘I can tell you for a fact that we have soldiers guarding this palace twenty four hours a day. And that if you’d been there a moment more, you’d have been spotted. And it’s best you not know how that would end.’

  The colour drained from Rowanne’s face, and she sat on the edge of the bed.

  ‘Come here, I think I’m ready,’ said Lillian.

  Rowanne stepped through the purple flames that now surrounded Lillian, and held on, her head rested against Lillian’s shoulder. She closed her eyes as Lillian waved her hand to close the circle.

&n
bsp; The vortex began to spin faster and faster, and Rowanne was sure that any moment now, they’d vanish and get back to her apartment, or Alexander’s - she didn’t quite know how it all worked.

  After a couple of moments of nothing happening, Rowanne opened her eyes. The vortex had lost speed and was slowly coming to a halt. ‘What’s happening? I thought we’d have left by now,’ said Rowanne.

  ‘You’re taking everything remarkably well for a human who’s just had her world turned upside down...’

  Rowanne looked at her sardonically. ‘Well, I guess you could say that. This is my life now. I have to get used to it and fast. Why isn’t your magic show working?’

  ‘That’s not funny. When you’re being strung up in the dungeon, that smirk will leave you fast enough. And besides, I’m out of juice. I have no more of an idea of what to do than you.’

  Suddenly, the door slammed open, causing Rowanne to jump back in fear, her heart nearly giving out as she stood guiltily with Lillian, who moved protectively in front of her.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ asked Rowanne. She had not been expecting him, especially here of all places. Perhaps she shouldn’t be surprised anymore when it came to him.

  ‘Nice to see you too,’ replied Alexander, closing the door behind him, and leaning against it. ‘I see I’ve reached you just in time to save you — again!’ Alexander thanked Demon World that he had made it in time; though evidently, he was the last person in the world that she wanted to see. It’s not like he enjoyed this, either.

  ‘I find it incredibly annoying when you say that. I think I must have heard it a dozen times already. Let me make it quite clear: I am in no way a damsel in distress!’

  Alexander laughed, replying caustically, ‘That remains to be seen. Do you intend to spend the whole night here, or would you be willing to accept some assistance?’ he asked in a sickly sweet voice that he was pleased to see irked Rowanne to no end.

  Arrogant, conceited... thought Rowanne. ‘For your information, we have the situation well in hand. Lillian is going to zap us back at any moment. So, you can go on your merry way.’ Rowanne returned his measured look, but for some reason Alexander seemed to find it highly amusing as he turned to leave.

  ‘Alexander?’ Lillian spoke to his back, just as he held the doorknob.

  He didn’t turn around but stood still.

  ‘Lillian, just let him go, we’ll be fine,’ said Rowanne, but her cheeks reddened at the pained expression on Lillian’s face. And comprehension slowly and painfully dawned on her; they’d be forced to accept his help.

  ‘Rowanne, quiet!’ snapped Lillian. ‘Alexander, I have no more energy to transport her tonight, let alone hold onto this form. I humbly request your help in getting her back home.’

  He turned around smugly. ‘I would love nothing more than to help Ms Knight to return to where she belongs,’ he said bitingly. His eyes lit up as he focused his sole attention on the highly offended human before him.

  ‘Let’s just get this over with. Wait a minute,’ and looking at Lillian, Rowanne asked, ‘why can’t you come with us? Especially if Alexander is helping.’

  Alexander momentarily looked at Rowanne in surprise at her deigning to praise him. He reconsidered the fact in the same instance, as she made it a point to ignore him.

  ‘Rowanne, I cannot come at this very moment, and who knows how long it will be before I can come back there. You do not have the luxury of time as the dead do, you have a life to get back to, and people you answer to.’ Lillian held up her hand to stop the argument. Turning to Alexander, she reiterated, ‘Take her back, for me. We’ll talk later.’

  Alexander nodded once in acceptance, and watched Lillian whisper into Rowanne’s ear before floating through the door.

  ‘I can’t believe she just left,’ said Rowanne, looking at the door. She turned back to Alexander, with a worried look on her face. ‘Do you think she’ll be safe here? Can’t you get her to go with us? I’m sure she’d listen to you.’

  Alexander looked at Rowanne, a pained expression on his face, ‘Lillian is more than capable of looking after herself. And she would find it highly offensive if I offered to help her; she is my superior, after all.’

  Rowanne was disgusted with him, he had not even attempted to try and persuade Lillian. She headed towards the door, intending to stop her. Sometimes the only person you could rely on was yourself.

  ‘Where on earth do you think you’re going?’ asked Alexander severely.

  ‘Well, if you aren’t willing to stop her, then I will.’ Rowanne was about to turn the door handle when Alexander’s hand shot out, holding the door in place. She twisted the handle but to no avail - he was an enormous brute and the door held. She looked up at him crossly but was met with a look of boredom, as if all this was beneath him.

  ‘Kindly move your hand,’ she said politely, her teeth bared in a smile.

  Alexander just laughed. ‘No. Look, you’re wasting my time as much as your own. Trust me when I say that this course of action is pointless. And you will certainly end up causing Lillian trouble.’

  Rowanne grabbed his arm and was about to pull, when Lillian poked her head through the door and looked sternly at her. ‘For the love of everything that is holy, will you just go with him? I don’t need you needlessly risking your life when I’ve explicitly told you that I will come back as soon as I am able. There are some matters that need to be taken care of here.’ She didn’t wait for a reply as she ducked back out.

  Rowanne was fuming, and glared at the obstinate fool who stood before her smirking. How childish. She pulled herself together. Just move past this humiliation, she thought. Lillian definitely reminded her of Grandmother Angelique, who was sweet, but could also reduce an adult to size. Why was it that parents and grandparents alike had the ability to turn people into quivering children?

  ‘I did-’ replied Alexander, but was cut off.

  ‘Shut up, don’t even think of finishing that sentence!’ said Rowanne.

  Alexander glowered at Rowanne, who had the ability to drive him crazy. She was more like Lillian than she knew; that same acerbic demeanour. The women of this world, honestly! and Rowanne being the latest addition was definitely no improvement.

  Rowanne got a bizarre image of an Amazon chasing poor Alexander, it was such a ridiculous vision that she burst out laughing.

  ‘What’s so amusing?’ asked Alexander dryly, not in the least bit fazed by her sudden bout of lunacy.

  Rowanne sobered up as Alexander stood before her with his arms open, a mad look in his eyes. She took a step back. ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ she asked, giving him a sympathetic look; perhaps he really had lost it. He thinks he likes me; how delusional can the poor man get.

  Oh, for the love of Demon World, not again! She really needs to stop believing that she’s God’s gift to demons. Alexander composed himself and smiling wickedly, replied, ‘I think that should be obvious...’ and took another step towards her, forcing her to turn with him so that she had her back to the door. He continued recklessly as he placed his hands on either side of her, against the door, trapping her. He looked at her steadily as his eyes began to change colour to green.

  The impossible was happening right before her eyes. Lillian had done the same thing, but her eyes had also glowed violet. What was happening? Lillian was a ghost, so Rowanne assumed she’d have supernatural powers. But Alexander was a hundred percent human... Then how was it possible that he was doing this?

  Rowanne ducked underneath his arms, and quickly turned around to face him. He laughed wickedly as he turned and leaned against the door, with his arms resting innocently behind him. She noticed that his eyes had returned to their normal sapphire.

  ‘What were you doing?’ Rowanne held her arm out, warning him to keep his distance.

  But Alexander made no move to go towards her. ‘I was trying to get us back,’ he said, the very epitome of innocence.

  Yeah right! He may look like an angel
, but he’s the devil in disguise. I wouldn’t trust him with my life... Oh fine, she admitted begrudgingly he had saved her in the past, but still, she could not fully trust him.

  ‘Lillian is a ghost; what are you? You’re just a human, right?’ Rowanne heard herself pleading and cringed internally.

  Alexander looked at her as if she really were a child he had to explain it to patiently. ‘Lillian is a ghost now, but she was not a human before... She’s the same as me. Don’t worry, I am alive. I’m a...’ he paused at Rowanne’s expression, which was one of disbelief. Oh well, he thought, and narrowing his eyes at her, he changed his eye colour, going through the three spectrums as her eyes widened.

  Rowanne stared in amazement and disquiet as he vanished before her — actually vanished! Was this some kind of magic trick? She was unnerved by it, and suddenly felt the air displaced behind her as a cold breeze drifted across her neck. She stood completely still.

  ‘Demon,’ whispered Alexander by her ear, and watched as she jumped with fright, and then ran towards the door, flinging it open. She was so fast that he was momentarily taken aback.

  Rowanne’s mind had a hundred crazy ideas floating about, each competing with the other for the most logical explanation, but sadly, all fell short of victory. I need to get away from that psycho; that was definitely the top priority.

  Rowanne felt the door open behind her. A whirling wind seemed to be chasing at her heels, almost like a mini tornado, and when it had passed ahead of her, it dissipated, revealing Alexander stood before her in all his demonic glory.

  He looked incensed, ‘You could at least have come up with something original.’

  ‘Stay right there, I’m warning you,’ said Rowanne.

  ‘This is becoming mind numbingly tedious. You asked what I was, and now you’re not happy with the answer I provided. For the love of Demon World, what am I supposed to do with you...’

  ‘Demon World? Where’s that? Have I died and gone to hell?’ asked Rowanne, bewildered.