Asmodeus

Chapter 5

Alone in the dark stood a gigantic dead tree trunk, with some of its roots as tall as Asmodeus. It's wood black as if it had been burnt but besides that it looks like a some what normal tree, nothing special, nothing magical. I watch as Asmodeus disappears behind it, reappearing the other side as he walks around it. "Now what?" he asks as he looks at Daeva,I also look at her hoping for an answer. A small nervous smile begins to appear on her face "there is supposed to be an opening, a portal" she shrugs throwing her hands in the air. Oh no, please no "it's getting late meaning all those strange noises we avoid by staying in the school grounds,we can't avoid anymore!" I panic as I start to pace back and forth "any ideas?" I look from Daeva to Asmodeus as he speaks "there is a thing around here" he points "I guess one could call it an opening but I definitely wouldn't call it a portal" I march my way around to where he is as he continues to speak "portals are pretty and inviting" I cut him off "will you shut up!" I snap as I look at the opening,its a large crack in the tree, a tight squeeze, no light. "Why didn't you say anything a minute ago?" I ask frustrated as I continue to stare into the darkness "technically I did because a minute ago I was talking about how magical portals were" he says sarcastically "but truth be told, I like it when you yell at me" he smiles that devilish smile as he looks at me "it turns me on" he winks as he makes his way into the tree causing me to roll my eyes "you coming?" he shouts through the tree as it echoes back to us. That man truly is insufferable.
I look at Daeva unsure for a moment before removing my backpack and squeezing through the gap into complete darkness "Daeva are you there?" I put my hands out in front of me trying to feel something, anything. "I'm here" she speaks as our hands collide, I interlock our fingers before I start to walk with one hand still infront of me taking slow steps hoping not to fall to my death,or trip and hit my head. So many things could go wrong in here, what if there is a bear or a ghost. My mind is racing as I continue to walk not sure where I'm going until I see something in the distance. Light that comes from above, I pick up my pace a little, feeling Daeva grip my hand tighter as I practically march towards the light until I almost trip over. Luckily Daeva saved me, steps, I can just about make them out, they lead upto something that looks like a sewer grate. Are we in the sewer? "Be careful of the stairs" I say as I slowly make my way up them, ensuring both feet are on the same step before I move on to the next. As I get closer I realise the grate is open, Asmodeus is probably torturing someone else whilst he waits for us.
I step out into the light as my eyes blur causing me to blink multiple times before they focus, I turn to Daeva. Only Daeva isn't Daeva, that whole time Asmodeus was holding my hand while he also held Daeva's "you are such a dick" I yell as I pull my hand from his "you love it" he smirks "it's really not a compliment that you succeeded, it just means you have lady hands" Daeva smiles, teasing Asmodeus who then looks down at his veiny hands, disappointed.
"Where are we?" Daeva asks as I begin to look around, we are in an alleyway, with high buildings and bins all around us, Asmodeus sniffs the air loudly before sighing "we are in New York" he says disappointed, now he has both mine and Daeva's attention, did he just sniff the air? "Yes I did" he sneered "the musy air, the smell of urine and the smell of old grease gives it away" he really doesn't seem happy to be back but that's no excuse to still be in my head. Asmodeus. "You've been here before?" Daeva asks and he nods "unfortunately, multiple times" he says as he begins to walk down the alley away from us. "When was the last time you were here?" I question as I follow him, my little legs struggling to keep up with his "so many questions" he slumps himself over as he walks "fifty seven years, three weeks and four days ago if you want specifics" I look at Daeva in disbelief "how old actually are you?" I ask causing him to stop, he turns to face me as if I am extremely uneducated "I am as old as time itself my dear" he pretends to smile a great big smile before turning back around and continuing down the alley as we follow after him.
As we come to the end of the alleyway the sound of the busy streets begins to bounce from wall to wall. The chaos of day time New York, I had never been here, I've never been anywhere really but I've read about it and watched movies about it. Yellow cabs pass by the overcrowd of tall buildings which are made from large windows, mirrors and metals,one building even looks like it is made from gold and it's so tall it disappears into the grey clouds. It's colder than I expect with a chill in the air causing my nose to go instantly numb and people were everywhere, running and marching to get to where they need to be, nobody but me and Daeva seem to be enjoying the view, the buzzing sounds of everyday life, we definitely stand out and we just stand absorbing it all. Phones ringing, people chatting, venders shouting, cars going by and the smell of coffee erased the smell from the alleyway. Mmm coffee.
"When your done gawking I would like coffee" Asmodeus stands with his hands in his pockets, he took the words right out of my... my mind for gods sake Asmodeus, GET OUT! He begins to walk down the path pushing his way past the groups of people who stand waiting in line for some food, me and Daeva chase after him trying to be polite as we too push through the crowd. We have a better chance of finding what we are looking for if we stick together, Asmodeus has been here before so he can definitely help with, everything wherever he may be. I lift myself up on my toes trying to spot him in the distance, nothing. "We need to find a library" Daeva says as she takes hold of my arm. "If we find a library then we can find out where Silas might be" we begin walking as her voice raises over the voices of the many people. I see, a coffee shop, thank god. I head for the door of the coffee shop, pushing it open and stepping inside. Asmodeus was sitting waiting but the coffee shop was quite like we had just stepped into an alternate universe. He sits with three drinks in front of him and we join him "how did you know what we drink?" Daeva asks and he smiles "nevermind" she speaks as she lifts her coffee to her lips, taking a small sip. "Why a library?" I question as I also begin to sip my coffee.