The Faithfuls

Chapter 19: Jinx

Chapter 19: Jinx

Today’s the day. I have no idea when I’ll see them again, but I think Zeth is going to come for a visit sometime. We all gather in the field where I first introduced Zeth to the Faithfuls. I draw the symbols in the ground: The lightning, the wolf and the bear constellation. I have no idea whatsoever of what Zeth’s symbol is, so I let him draw it. Turns out he doesn’t have one, typical, his father was Satan, so he just draws the demon head that represents Hell.

“I’ll miss you guys.” Muse smiles. “But it’s not forever.” We say our goodbyes to one another, lots of hugs. Brandon goes first, giving a small wave. Next to go is Muse, who gave the biggest hug to Ursa. I have a feeling they’ll be visiting each other quite a lot.

Ursa gives us a smile, stands in her symbol and says: “We shall meet again, Amadeus and Shadow.” The next thing you know all the symbols have faded except Zeth’s, which is ready to use.

“So...Will I ever see you again?” Zeth stands next to me, looking for an answer.

“Of course you’ll see me again. It’s not like we’re separating forever. The Faithfuls stick together.” I smile.

“Do you mind taking me back?” He rubs his arm. “Sorry if that sounds weird...”

“No, not at all.” I laugh. “Let’s go.” Zeth goes through the portal first, me following close behind. As soon as I enter Hell, I feel weaker. Destruction is a normal thing here. I’m surprised it didn’t wear off on Zeth. I look around to see where we’ve popped up. Right in the centre of a village.

“Ah crap...” Zeth mumbles. Everyone on the street turns to look at me. I suspect that I am screwed at this moment in time.

A man with a slightly Irish accent comes forward: “We do not appreciate having life here.” He stares at me, eyes full of flame. “So if you could go back to whatever beautiful hell hole you came from, that would make our lives better.”

“Hey, back off.” Zeth says, coming in front of me. “She’s allowed here.”

“Oh yeah?” The man pulls out some sort of gun. “Says who?”

“Says the Shadow Lord.” The man doesn’t say a word.

“We only take orders from Satan. If you’re not Satan, we don’t follow you.”

I turn around to see if anyone is trying to sneak up on me. “This is extremely creepy for me...” I sense something. On the rooftop to the left of us. Just in time, I make a wall of earth to stop the man trying to stab me. Mutterings start to go through the crowd. It was only the Irish man who said it out loud: “Aurora. Get her out of here!”

“Jinx, run!” Zeth turns to face me. But I’m not leaving I’m not leaving him behind, so I grab the collar of his shirt and tug him along after me. As we run closer to the centre of Hell, the more chaos there is. Villages ablaze, assassins, bodies sometimes littering the ground. It makes me sick. In the centre of Hell, floating in the sky is a castle. Obviously where Zeth had to live and still does. An elevator of shadow comes down to take Zeth up.

“Get out of here.” Zeth says. “I don’t think people here want you here much longer.” He sounded like he actually wanted me gone, like he was sick of me.

“What tone was that in?” I say. “It sounded like you were just sick of me and wanted me gone.”

“Please don’t pull me into a conversation.” He mumbles.

“Fine. Hope you have fun with your Dad.” I try to stop a tear. “Come visit anytime.”

“Jinx...I didn’t mean it like that. I just don’t want you to die. Hell isn’t the place for you. Merador is. Hell is the place for monsters...” I draw my flame rose in the ground.

“Then why are you here?” I smile, and disappear back into the woodland, waving my hands like spirit fingers.