Sulphur

Awakening

"Come on now, love," Kane said and smiled at me.  "Don't be so nervous. We only want to have a little fun." The boys around me snickered and had smiles on their faces.

I turned around quickly to try and get away but the tallest blonde haired boy stood in my way. I tried slipping past him but his long arm snatched me and pressed me against him. My back to his front,  I started to scream but he slid his hand over my mouth. I just wasn't strong enough. Kane was laughing at my struggle and that just upset me even more.

What do you want?" I frantically ask.  "My step dad is very rich. He'll pay you loads if you just let me go."

They suddenly started laughing. "We're just fuckin' with you, love." Letting me go.
I bent over with my hands in my knees, "Fuck, don't do that to me. I already ran away, I'd rather not be murdered too!"

They laugh harder. "Come. Let's swim!" Kane said slipping his shirt off. The other boys following his lead.

"I'm not taking my dress off." I said, dipping my toes in the unusually warm water. "Why is it so warm?"

"It's called the Devil's Lake, but it's more like a hole. It's supposed to lead to hell." The brown haired boy said smirking.

"Oh shut up." I laughed as the boys jumped in, wetting my completely.

"You might as well get in. You're already wet." Kane said swimming over to me.

Maybe I could take a little dip.

I held my nose and slipped into the water, deeper than I was meaning too. I openly eyes in the dark water, seeing what looked like a shadow beside me. I thrashed trying to get to the top then the feeling of someone yanking me down was making me panic. Without even meaning too I tried to suck in a breath but my lungs flooded with water, pain I've never felt before burned in my chest and I knew I was dying. The figure I saw before was clear in front of me now, a man with tar black skin with red vein looking lines all over his skin. His blood red eyes held mine as he wrapped me in his arms. I'm sure this is just my brain dying, he's not real. But the feeling of his mouth on mine blowing into my lungs felt real. Him taking my pain felt real until my mind faded into darkness.

A sharp crack woke me, I sat up gasping for air. My fingers going to my throat before looking around me to see what looked to be a cave. I'm I dead? I have to be dead, this can't be real. I stood up, testing my balance but it's perfect. I actually feel pretty good, better than I have in a long time. I looked down at my hands and noticed how pale I was, my tan was gone. Definitely dead. I heard more movement behind me so I spun around.

I pulled in a shaky breath, "Hello?"

"You're finally awake, my child." A soft beautiful voice spoke.

"Where am I? What happened?" I ask him, trying to see into the shadows where he stood.

"You're in one of my earthly homes. I have much nicer ones in the underside." He stepped closer to me out of the unruly dark and I gasped. He was the same creature I saw in the water with tar skin. I wanted to be scared but I just didn't and it's freaking me out. "You died. Almost drowned but I couldn't let that happen. So I did what I haven't done in a very long time. I made you a Siren, a singer of souls. You'll bring to me the souls of men, in return I'll grant you enteral life and you'll reign beside me in the underside when I call you home."

"A Siren? The underside? Are you Satan?" I ask after a moment to process what he's said.

He laughs a deep laugh that sends an endearing chill down my spine. "That's what they call me these days but I much prefer my original name. Lucifer. The bible is no where near true but it did get some things correct. I was cast out, I didn't want to be ruled over. I wanted to rule by his side but no he was selfish and wanted all of it. He didn't realise by casting me down to Earth I would have more power, I created another word. The opposite of his heaven, somewhere where he casts other wanteds since it's creation. I have full power here but my flesh is of a fallen. In my world, the underside I have my own unmarked flesh. I think you'll be pleased to reign beside me there."

"This is all a bit much to take in." I held my head expecting a headache from the new information but it didn't come. Nothing but this blissful feeling. Powerful almost now that I think about it. "So this means I'll never have a chance to see heaven?" I ask almost unwillingly.

"No my child. But it's not what you think. You serve him, you worship him day in and day out. You have no free will there. You every want is what he wants you to have. With me, you have a free will. Though I do have rules." He slowly walked closer to me, his ink coloured skin seemed to be alive. It should have repulsed me but it didn't. Somehow I was in awe, my fingers itching to touch him. "You can decide whether to rule with me. But you'll always be a Siren, that I is one power I do not have. I can't bring a soul back, I can only take. So I do, until one day I have enough of an army that I can destroy heaven and bring all the souls to the underside. It's not a horrible fiery pit. It's similar to this world but different. I'll take you there sometime, you can move freely between worlds, I've gifted you that ability." He reached out and touched my face gently, holding my chin. "My Siren, my seductress. Go out and bring me souls, you'll know what to do." He bent and pressed his lips against mine softly. Suddenly we were outside, near the edge of the hole. But it wasn't we. I was alone.

I looked over and spotted my shoes, the boys and their clothes vanished. I assume they took off thinking I had drowned. Not that I blamed them, twenty-four hours ago I would've laughed in your face had you said I would be a "Siren" at this moment. I easily found my way through the path and back to the town, my feet couldn't even feel the rough pavement it was all smooth and soft. Giggling I started to run through the streets, my legs taking me faster than I've ever run before but I ease back to a normal pace just in case anyone was watching. After a few minutes I was standing in front of the mansion, I twisted the handle and it opened. They left it unlocked for me. Mom knew how I was about running off when upset.

"Finally!" My mom shouted as I came through the door. "Oh honey, are you okay? You're so pale!" She ran her fingers over my forehead. "And a bit cool. Let's get you some coffee and a blanket. You can't just run off like that okay? You don't know this town. I don't even know it, baby!"

"I know, mom. I'm sorry. Just please don't send me away. I'll behave! I promise everything we left in America will be there. I'm not upset about moving anymore. I accept your marriage, I swear I do!" I begged.

"Okay, okay. No boarding school. We'll get you into the private school here. I'm so glad you're opening up too it! What made you change your mind?" She asked me pushing my thick hair from my face.

"I didn't realise how beautiful it was here. I think I like this town. It's small but not too small, and it's really close to some of the big cities! I met a few kids in town who told me a little about it."

"Ah, so that's where you were, huh?" My mom smirks.

"Yeah. I didn't catch their names though. I'd like to see them around again. So I'm happy you're letting me stay. Thank you, mama!" I hugged her tightly. I yawned. "I'm super tired, now I think I'm going to bed. I'm sorry I made you stay up so late worrying." My head hanging in shame.

"I'm just relieved you're home. Now go get some rest. When you wake up we are finding you a school!" She kissed my head smiling. Just then a servant with the coffee came in. "Take it up to her room please."

"Good night, mom." I said before following the man up the stairs.