Running the Line of Death

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The room was desolate; empty bottles scattered the floor. Everything was gray and gloomy in the living room. The familiar surroundings had a sense of abandonment. Ashton walked through the room to the hall with no hesitation like he knew where he was and where he was going, but he didn't; not until he reached the door at the end of the hall. Frozen with fear, Ashton knew where he was now; the door was too scarring to forget. Like in the past, the door was cracked slightly open. He took a deep breath and pushed open the door, bracing for the nightmare. It stopped; time, surroundings, heart beats, everything stopped. It wasn't his parents in the bedroom; it wasn't even the bedroom. It changed to his grandparents living room where they still lied lifeless. Something was off though; the blade was missing, Ashton was sure it was missing. His eyes circled the room; but they didn't reach far. A few feet in front Ashton's grandparents stood Lucifer, dripping blood. In his right hand was a razor, the razor blade Ashton found in his grandparents hand. Ashton fell to the ground speechless, it felt like the blade pierced his own skin again.

"I can explain, Ashton, please let me explain!", Lucifer pleaded.

"You killed them... and you killed my parents to... didn't you?", Ashton managed to stutter.

"Ashton please..."

"Didn't you?!"

"Yes... but I know you saw the dream with the deal. I was tricked Ashton please believe me. Willow is tryi-"

"Shut up!", Ashton retorted before breaking into tears.

"Ashton... you have to listen to me..."

"NO!"

Everything faded to black before Ashton's eyes darted open. Air refused to fill Ashton's lungs, but why? He tried to view his surroundings, but everything was fading to black again. Ashton had to rely on his other senses, but it felt like someone was choking him. His eyes darted open again to the sight of Mr. Kacilee's hands wrapped around Ashton's neck. Screams for help wouldn't pierce the silence, but it didn't matter anymore. Ashton managed to look over in the corner of his eye; Mrs. Kacilee stood there frozen and crying. She knew what was going on but didn't stop it. Everything faded to black again and Ashton sat up abruptly as if he had been previously sleeping.

Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, Lucifer was still sound asleep in bed. Ashton got up to get a drink; he was thirsty. When he reached the kitchen, a glow illuminated through the window. It was a fire. Ashton ran to the window and stared in awe at the burning home that seemed familiar. It was his old home. Adrenaline pumping, Ashton darted to the door; Lucifer stepped in front of him.

"Get out of my way!", Ashton screamed.

"Ashton, wait! It's a trick!"

"No get out of my way!", Ashton pushed Lucifer to the floor and ran into the home.

He ran into the home scared, Lucifer chasing after him.

"Ashton! Please listen to me!"

Ashton turned and locked the door behind him so Lucifer couldn't get in. He ran to the bedroom and froze. No fire; no danger; just Ashton and his parents with their arms outreached.

"Ashton! I've missed you!", his mom called.