She's the Devil in Disguise

35

^^Gad

Zena's POV

I was finally released from my confines, but the surroundings shifted to a more surreal landscape. The air appeared lighter and clearer. The grass beneath my feet was greener than I'd normally see and the chirping birds made me smile. I decided to walk through the forest until I arrived outside a wooden palace built into the side of a mountain.

I heard a shrill scream and raced inside the palace. I tried every door, but they were locked. No one was there to guide me in the direction of the scream since it was all around me. I tried using my senses, but they proved moot. I couldn't find Acacia as her screams haunted me. She kept screaming about how it hurt so much and wanted to take a break.

My eyes watered as I tried finding her, but couldn't. I crumbled to the ground and felt like the walls were closing in. I held my hands out and tried pushing against them, but they represented my anxious mind. I felt like I couldn't breathe and gripped my throat. I took shallow breaths as a panic attack went off.

My head began to get dizzy and I swore I couldn't breathe. I yelled for help, but no one came. I was all alone while my wife was being raped. I was powerless and useless like I was during that day. I squeezed my eyes shut as the tears rolled down my cheek. I wanted to save her, but where is she?! I could feel the amount of pain she was in and sensed her mortification.

I was so weak and curled up into a ball. I was frozen in place from the fear of what was going on in one of the rooms. I shut my eyes and tried to drown out her screams, but it was like they got louder.

"Zena!" I felt hands on me. I jolted up to see Gad. "We need to get you out of here."

"How are you here?"

"I entered your Hell loop. I'm a demon and am used to being in these to torture souls. We've got to escape if you want to save your mate."

"My mate is being violated here and I'm doing nothing to save her! I can't even find her!" I shouted.

"You need to breathe." Gad held my shoulders. "Understand how these places are designed... to mimic your guilt. You feel guilty about what happened and blame yourself. Remember, you did save her and it wasn't your fault. It was beyond your control. It's not your guilt to bare."

"I couldn't save her-"

"You did." Gad slowly released his hold. "Now, save her like you did in the real world."

I nodded and ran down a hall, with Gad following behind me. I went to a bedroom door and tried turning the knob, but it didn't open. I slapped the door and ran to another one. I repeated the same action and received the same result. I turned in exasperation to see Gad patiently waiting for me.

"Can't you tell me where to go?!"

"I can't. It's your guilt. I can only guide you in the right direction." He answered.

"Then, guide me towards the correct door!"

"Again, I cannot. Only you can reveal which door she's behind." I stared at him in confusion. "You have to accept what vile things she endured and move past them. You're the only one capable of manifesting the door."

I slowly turned from him and stared at the doors along the endless corridor. The screaming continued, but no. None of these were the doors. I touched the wall and narrowed my eyes. I looked around, but nothing changed. I then thought about all that Acacia had to endure and the struggles she persevered through.

"There." Gad pointed down the hall.

My eyes widened as a blood red door, with chains, appeared at the end of the hall. The two of us ran towards the door. I tried tugging on the knob, but it didn't open. The screaming got louder and Acacia begged me to save her. She shouted my name and pleaded with me. I was becoming more and more desperate, so Gad placed a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see him with a gentle expression.

"Remember, you saved her. She's grown and become stronger from the incident. You are her hero." I nodded at his words. "So understand that you did not fail her."

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. When I opened them, my tribrid eyes reflected off the chains. Gad smiled as I stepped back. Wordlessly, I lifted my leg and kicked down the door. I raced inside to find the room empty. A light shined through the windows and settled upon me. I turned to see a proud smile on Gad's face. He cocked his head in the direction of another door.

I walked to the door and slowly turned the knob to find it unlocked. Gad walked towards me and waited for me to release us. I took a moment to observe the empty room and found a sense of peace. Acacia was no longer suffering here and she could finally breathe without fear. I looked at the devil and smiled.

"Thank you, Gad."

"Anytime, Z!" He winked.

I then turned the knob and the two of us walked through.