Death Has Wings

Family Reunion

I was next to Death, staring at the gates of Hell, with Timor guarding me. The pendant around my neck was growing ice-cold as I studied the middle-aged man in front of us. He had crimson eyes and a permanent smile on his face. Death explained to me that the man was called the Sinner's Guide and he helped Sinner's to find their personal torture zones. Death also explained to me that Sinners were the souls that ended up here. From the screams I could hear in the distance, I could tell that Hell was much worse than Heaven. I felt as if I belonged in Hell though, as if it was my birthplace.

I followed the Sinner's Guide through the gates and along a cracked pathway. Willow trees lined the edges, sealing off the sky with their crumpled black leaves. It was actually quite beautiful if you forget the part where it's in Hell. Agonising screams could still be heard but they were muffled and seemed miles away. I could feel heat on my skin. Timor was practically running to get to our destination faster. I figured that this wasn't his first time here.

                                                                                     *****

The Sinner's Guide lead us to a grand house at the end of the path, and silently left us. Timor sat right outside of the door as if eager to get in. Death knocked on the oak door and a young, red-headed woman opened the door with a beaming smile on her face.

"Oh, you're here! Come in, come in! Lucifer is waiting for you!" She pulled us in and shut the door. She pushed us through the hallways too quickly for me to even scan the place. The only thing I could make out were carvings and statues. The woman brought us to a ballroom of sorts where a figure was seated at the end on a throne. I had no time to register anything when Death ushered me towards the figure. As I got closer, I saw that the figure was Lucifer. He smiled when he saw us.

"Ah, you've arrived! You're early for once, Death." He stood up and walked over to Timor. "And you, my little pumpkin, have been a very good boy, haven't you?" Timor growled and barked at Lucifer, who now had a shocked expression on his face.

I smirked and called Timor over. He trotted over and sat at my feet, watching Lucifer's every move. Lucifer turned to the red-headed woman and began to talk to her like she was his lover. It was actually quite sickening. Lucifer brought her over to us and introduced her.

"Clark, this is Vivian-Mae."

She smiled at me. "Just call me Vivian." She sounded so familiar, yet I couldn't remember who she sounded like. I'd heard her name before but I couldn't remember that either.

Just then, the doors we came through burst open and Callum came walking through them. He spotted us and came running over with a grin on his face. He came up to me and hugged me.

"Little bro! How've you been? Why did you have to go to hospital and leave me at school? Seriously, I mean, you left me there with not a chance-"

"Silence." A growling voice came from somewhere on the other side of the room. We all turned and saw a young man wearing a suit standing there, watching us. It was pretty creepy to be honest. He stepped towards us and I saw Lucifer's face darken.

"Big brother, I see you have decided to attend." Lucifer sounded like he hated to call the man his brother. The man tutted and grinned.

"I see you have gotten into the habit of stealing my Recruits." He looked at me and his eyes seemed to light up. He walked over and put his hand on my shoulder but I wriggled free. "Ah. I forgot that you don't like physical contact. I'm Lucifer's brother, Satan, but only humans call me that. Everyone down here just calls me Dae." I nodded and lowered my eyes. I was in the presence of Satan himself. The ruler of Hell. My Great Uncle.

Lucifer cleared his throat. "I didn't steal him. Mother let me have him." Dae turned and sighed angrily.

"Mother didn't let you have him. You're lying. You've always been a liar."

Lucifer took a step towards Dae and snarled. "I don't lie."

Vivian rushed us - me, Callum, Timor and Death - out of the room and closed the door. She was still smiling. "Let's leave them alone...it takes a while for them to get used to each other after this long." She started to walk down the corridor, motioning for us to follow. A loud crashing sound echoed through the corridor, startling us. Vivian shook her head and carried on walking with constant banging and shouting coming from the ballroom.

                                                                                 *****

We followed her to a room on the other side of the mansion. It had statues which, to be honest, were beautiful. I sat down on a chair in the corner with Timor curling up at my feet. Callum and Vivian were talking as if they were long lost relatives and Death was sitting by the fire at the other end of the room. I studied the statues and noticed that they were even more beautiful than I had thought.

Elven maids, each had a different animal with them, partaking in various activities. One of them held a scythe in one hand and had a raven perched on her other hand. Her hair looked windswept yet still delicate and her dress was a bit too regal, with its ruffles and puffy sleeves. Her face was perfect in every way. I could hear someone calling my name in the distance. I wrenched my eyes away from the statue and regained control over myself.

I shook my head and looked up. Alexandria was kneeling beside me, a worried look on her face. I looked around the room to see the others staring at me with the same worried expression on their faces.

"Are you okay?" Alexandria brushed my hair from my face and stared into my eyes. I felt my stomach drop. She looked just like my mother. It was strange how I didn't notice the resemblance until then. I felt tears prick my eyes as I nodded and stood up.

Lucifer came stumbling in the door, covered in blood. He was grinning like a mad man. Vivian screamed and ran up to him, babbling hysterically. Lucifer started to laugh and walk towards me. I sniffed the tears back and stared at him. He stopped laughing and his eyes changed to a midnight blue.

"It is done, my Recruit."