Zara had brought me with her to a market. Hell had markets. Holey crap.
We wove throughout a lot of different carts that sold different things. It was more like an African bazzar than a market, but it was interesting all the same. There was so much to look at: Different types of interesting food, all demons of all shapes, sizes, and colors. There was so much that I wished I had a few extra eyes.
So we went and got multiple types of food for Caelin and the extensive amount of human and demon servants in the house. We picked up fruit, bread, meat, and... ew...
"Ooo, swine organs!" Zara said happily. I wretched.
"What?" she asked. "I'm a demon. What do you expect? I dont understand how you can eat this," she held up an apple, looking as if she wanted to heave. "Now, hold these intestines while I buy the livers."
We left the market in a good mood.
That was when the trouble started, with the question I shouldnt have asked.
"So," I said. "How did Caelin come out of hell to get me? And why?"
Zara bit her lip. "Well, I cant answer why he kidnapped you. I'm sorry, I cant. I... er, dont know."
I nodded, knowing full well that she was lying. But that didnt matter.
"As for the second, demons and angels can make portals that go to any dimension. But, being hell-creatures, we cant go to any of the heavanly dimensions."
"There are different dimensions?" I asked.
"Sure! This one and the one you came from are just two of millions. There are different dimensions of hell, heaven, and demensions like yours."
"How many have you been to?"
"Oh, a few. Not that many."
"Could you show me?"
Zara looked confused. "What?"
"Show me a portal." I said.
"Ah, thats dangerous. And Caelin wouldnt like it. The stuff that could come out of one..."
"Just make one to my world. You can deel with humans, right?"
Zara nodded.
"Lets do it." I said.
Zara had candles and crystals set out all over her room. We were going to open the portal.
"Are you sure...?" Zara asked uncertainly.
"Yes," I breathed. Zara grimmaced and began to chant words in Latin.
And then the air started to shimmer. It vibrated until it looked as if there was a gash torn in the... well, nothingness. There was nothing to be torn.
"Well, thats it," Zara said. "We should close this up before we-"
I jumped through before she could grab me.
Warm sunlight hit my face.
I was home.
I wanted to scream with joy, but that would be very bad in the middle of a San Fransisco street. I was already getting stares from the people who had seen me appear. I only beamed at them.
I grinned out at nothing.
I set off for my house.
**Caelin**
"You what?!" I yelled.
Zara winced. "I thought she was just interested! I thought she wanted to know more about this place! About you-"
"She cant, and you know that! If she remembers, she'll die." Even to myself, my voice sounded agonized. "And if she dies..." I felt ready to pass out. "We have to get her back. She's alone out there. Nobody knows who she is. She'll be so scared... Why would she run away?!"
"To be honest, Caelin, you havent been treating her very well. She's wanted to get home since she got here." Zara said.
"I've given her eveything she wanted!"
"Not her family. This Deliah has matured. She's lived a long time. Plus, you dont have to act like you hate her."
"What if she falls in love with me? It risks her remembering. She cant know how much she means to me. How much I love her."
"Dont worry." Zara said. She put a hand over mine. "We'll find Alanze. Once she's gone, we can tell Deliah."
**Deliah**
I stepped up the front porch steps to my house. I knew what Caelin had said about my family not remembering me, but they would. They had to.
I carefuly knocked on the door, and it was opened by my mother. I almost cried out in joy.
"Can I help you?" My mother asked. My heart dropped to my stomach. It was the tone she always used with strangers.
"Um, yes," I said shakily. "I'm Deliah. Dont you recognize me?"
"I'm afraid not, dear," my mother said. "I dont think I know you from anywhere."
"Not at all?" I whispered. There was a growing lump in my throat.
"No."
Tears rushed to my eyes. I had to turn my head away from my mother so that she wouldnt see me crying. It didnt help when I heard my father say from the living room- "Those damn girl scouts bothering us again?"
"Sorry," I choked. "Wrong house." I turned to leave when my ,mother said- "Wait! Are you alright?"
I did a very brave thing then. I nodded.
"Why dont you come inside," my mother said. "It's pretty hot out today. Why dont you come in for a drink?"
I coulndt help but accept.
Mom led me into the kitchen, and pulled out a chair for me. "Do you feel alright?" my father asked. "You look like you've been goin' through hell."
It almost made me laugh. "You have no idea," I muttered.
A little boy with hair that was spikey from a bath spinted into the room. "Who is it? Who is it?" he sang.
More tears. My little brother, Benny.
"This is Deliah, Ben," my mom replied. "Be polite to her."
My brother put on a face of childlike seriousnes, which made me want to giggle. "Nice to meet you, ma'am," he said. "I'm Benny."
"Nice to meet you, Benny."
My mom set a lemonade in front of me. I accepted it gladley.
"So, Deliah," my dad said. "Tell us about yourself."
I walked out of my house a few hours later. It was dark, and my parents and little brother were saying friendly goodbyes.
"I hope we see you again," said my mom.
"Me too, Mo- Mrs. Mayweather." I said. Mayweather was my last name.
They closed the door.
My knees almost buckled.
I wanted to fall on the grass, and scream and weep. I wanted my mother to hold me while I did.
I wasnt surprised to see Caelin lounging against the tree in our yard, blending into the darkness.
"Did you get what you needed from that experience?" he asked coldly.
"Please-" I choked. I began to fall to the ground.
Oddly enough, he caught me.
"Easy, now." he said softly. "Its alright. Be calm."
It sounded as if it felt akward to him, and it did to me, too. I didnt really want to be held by Caelin, but something about it felt natural.
I stood up and squared my shoulders.
"Ok," I said. "Lets go back."
