Campfire Road

Home *Bonus Chapter

{That night}

Collin stops at the mirror door as Timothy whispers, "Are you sure we're allowed here?"

Collin looks over their reflection as he willfully stays in the moment, "Yes, it is only private from those who are not close with Jazapie.
"You don't have to whisper, we're not sneaking."

Timothy whispers, "Feels like it.
"Seems rude not to whisper.
"How much farther?"

Collin's laugh comes out as a whisper, "You tired, too?
"Who knew a day of family gathering was as tiring as a full day of questing?"

Timothy chuckles, then whispers, "This sneaking off together is more fun."

Collin takes his hand, "We're not sneaking, I promise.
"I just haven't come here in a long time.
"It's the space that is more so the home of Campfire Seven.
"The space Hornatine built to raise his children.
"Come on."

Collin puts his hand to the mirror of the door for it to identify him.
It only takes a second, then the reflecting is gone and he pulls Timothy into the entry space.

He gives Timothy time to take it all in.
The shape of the hallway is like the hallway of the hotel level, but more brown wood and the chandeliers shine in sunlight, not fire.

There are potted plants and padded benches between all the doors, many colors and the feel of being outside on a fall morning.

Timothy whispers, "How is this the home that the King of Hell built?"

Collin informs him, "Hornatine never took to the decor we know as Hellish.
"That's his son's style.

"The dark of Hell is mostly Jazapie's artistic flare."

Collin walks the hallway, "Left side is family gathering spaces, kitchen and such.

"Right side is bedrooms spaces.
"Each has a visit and a private space."

He stops at the door with his name burned into the wood, "End of the hallway is father's room.
"If ya ever need to know, his office is the visit space.
"Literally the space on the other side of that door."

Collin lays his hand flat to the door without knob or knocker as Timothy softly questions, "What's beyond the Prince of Darkness' office?"

Collin snickers as the door leaves its frame, "Don't use that too much.
"Ya slip and call him that to his face and if your awe is in tune, Hell will teleport you and him to his throne room in hope you get him to sit on his throne.

"It's his older brother's hope, that Jazapie will take it back and free him from royal duty."

Timothy smirks, "Miguel says, Hell is shadow and fire as art and passion.
"But a place he'd love to call home.

"I've long believed it has to be a zone."

Collin informs him, "It is, Hell is actually the capital city of Fry.
"Hornatine was made King the day he was born.

"Heramite's mother made him King.
"The line of King-maker is actually their royalty.

"Any old guy can be called to serve.
"Hornatine was just a watchmaker she thought would look good under a crown, as Heramite tells it.

"Her theory was that he'd have better luck with his pretty face.
"That's how they choose kings, by whatever notion suits the moment."

Timothy nods, "She said, that she was taught first how to make choices.
"To weight and balance thought and knowledge with instinct and intuition."