Hellscape

Chapter 19: The Land of Lands

    The greenhouse door flies open, smashing into a potted plant and cracking the terracotta. Soil and greenery crumble onto the floor, spreading in front of Melinoe and blocking her path. She groans, carefully tiptoeing over the mess and pushing the door closed.

    Upon hearing the noise, Lazarus ducks behind the spiral staircase, hiding behind the monstrous leaves. His heart races in his ears and he covers his mouth to hide his labored breathing as footsteps get closer and closer to where he hides. He slowly backs into the corner, hoping to be disguised enough in the greenery so whoever has burst into the space, can't see him. He shoves his hand into his pocket, gripping the small vial of stolen dust tightly. He squeezes his eyes shut as he sees the shadow of someone at the bottom of the stairs.

    "Psst." Mel stops beside the staircase where she last saw him. She climbs a few of the steps, hoping to get a better view of the place and spot his blue hair amongst the green, but she can't see him anywhere. With a sigh, she whispers again, "Laz!"

    "Mel," he says, jumping up from his hiding spot right below her. Startled, she clutches her chest, gasping. He joins her on the bottom step, pulling her into him. She sinks into his embrace, her arms wrapping around his neck as she buries her head in his shoulder. He takes a deep breath, his voice muffled by her shoulder, "God, I know it hasn't been that long, but I thought you were someone else. I thought-"

    She pushes away from him, his hands falling to her hips. She rests her hands on his shoulders, shaking her head to assure him, "it's just me."

    Nodding, his face falls with relief.

    "Hey," she says softly. Lifting his eyes to hers, she smiles, "I know where he keeps a second computer."

    "What are we waiting for," he asks. Holding his hand out for her to take, she gladly places her hand in his and guides him down the steps and through the greenhouse to the front door. Opening the massive door, dragging it through the spilled soil, Lazarus yanks on her hand before she steps out into the hall. "Wait, won't he see us?"

    She shakes her head, "my mother has insisted that he allows me some privacy. I don't suspect he'll be watching me too closely, not so soon after being scolded."

    Satisfied with her reasoning, he follows her out into the hallway. He had been inside the house before, but he was rushed and panicked then, he never had the chance to take it all in. As she leads him down the many halls, he can't help but look at everything. The ornate carpet beneath their feet, the baroque architecture of the walls and the ceiling, the gilded antique frames surrounding dozens of extraordinarily intricate portraits and landscapes all fascinated him. He could not imagine a more highly decorated place that pulled off being both beautifully stylish and magnificently ostentatious.

    Melinoe watches him be awestruck by his surroundings and as she guides him down different halls and atriums, his interest only grows. He's like a small demon child on their very first field trip to Hellscape — wide eyed, easily impressed, and overwhelmed with wonder. She almost doesn't want to stop when they come to the grand double doors of her father's haven.

    Her brow furrows as she stares at the french doors, carved from an old tree, remembering that as a child her father wouldn't let her touch the wood. He wouldn't even touch it, he would simply raise his hands and the doors would open. She always thought that he was trying to protect the wood from getting damaged or dirty, but now she wonders if there was a different reason entirely.

    Lazarus looks to her, curiosity strewn across his face, "are we going in?"

    He reaches his hands out towards the wood, but she stops him.